VehicleVerdict

2005 Volvo S60 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 57 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.8 times the median S60 year — the 2005 model ranks #8 of 26 S60 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (10), fuel system (10), and electrical system (8), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

57

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other S60 years?

S60 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted262 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 1 complaints2001: 262 complaints2002: 248 complaints2003: 168 complaints2004: 262 complaints2005: 57 complaints2006: 42 complaints2007: 34 complaints2008: 14 complaints2009: 9 complaints2011: 5 complaints2012: 167 complaints2013: 105 complaints2014: 35 complaints2015: 81 complaints2016: 34 complaints2017: 17 complaints2018: 5 complaints2019: 31 complaints2020: 22 complaints2021: 12 complaints2022: 28 complaints2023: 3 complaints2024: 31 complaints2025: 0 complaints
S60 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2005 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S60 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Volvo S60 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine1018%
Fuel System1018%
Electrical System814%
Tires & Wheels712%
Body & Structure47%
Other35%
Steering24%
Suspension24%
Transmission24%
Brakes24%
Speed Control24%
Visibility & Wipers12%
Lighting12%
Seat Belts12%
Seats12%
Airbags12%

Does the 2005 Volvo S60 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

21V766000AirbagsSeptember 30, 2021 · 259,383 units

Defect

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2006 S80 and 2001-2009 S60 vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.

Consequence

An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10125.

10V566000Electrical SystemNovember 8, 2010 · 416 units

Defect

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequence

AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy

VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.

07E023000BrakesMarch 29, 2007 · 13,128 units

Defect

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

Consequence

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

06V375000OtherOctober 3, 2006 · 19,700 units

Defect

CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE LABEL DENOTING THE TIRE AND LOADING PRESSURE INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.

Consequence

A MISPRINTED LABEL WOULD LEAD TO IMPROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MAIL THE CORRECT LABELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S60. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF TWICE WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AND WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN AND LOST ALL POWER, INCLUDING THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 15, 2008

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE IT WAS STATED THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · September 11, 2013

“I HAVE A 2005 VOLVO S60R WHICH HAS A VEHICLE IMMOBILIZER IN WHICH IF IT THERE IS NOT A 2 WAY COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE CAR AND THE KEY, IT PREVENTS THE CAR FROM STARTING. NICE FEATURE, BUT I CALLED 3 DEALERSHIPS WHEN I GOT THIS WARNING AND THERE IS NO WORKAROUND. SO IF I HAVE AN EMERGENCY, OF IF I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 11, 2009

“BLOWN TIRE. THIS VEHICLE HAS A HISTORY OF BLOWN TIRES WITH THE OEM PIRELLI P-ZERO'S AS EVIDENCED BY THIS POLL WHICH SHOWS THAT ROUGHLY 50% OF OWNERS WITH 18" RIMS HAD AT LEAST ONE BLOWN TIRE - WHICH FOR ME, AT HIGHWAY SPEED WAS VERY DANGEROUS. HTTP://FORUMS.SWEDESPEED.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=38570”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · June 18, 2005

“ANY DAY THE SUN IS SHINING, THE GLARE OFF THE DASHBOARD IS EXTREME AND RESULTS IN LITTLE TO NO VISIBILITY WHEN ENTERING TUNNELS, UNDERPASSES OR EVEN SECTIONS OF ROAD THAT ARE SHADED BY TREES. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · September 1, 2005

2005 Volvo S60 — common questions

Is the 2005 Volvo S60 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 57 complaints put the 2005 model at #8 of 26 S60 years. It is one of the S60 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 S60 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (10 complaints), fuel system (10 complaints), electrical system (8 complaints).

Does the 2005 Volvo S60 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Volvo S60. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Volvo S60 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the S60 years to avoid are 2004, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2005. The cleanest record among S60 years belongs to 2025.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.