2001 Volvo S60: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
223 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
80,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2001 model year. Data snapshot: . 178 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Vehicle Speed Control is the most frequently named component, appearing in 42 of 223 complaints (18.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 69 | 30.9% |
| Engine operation | 35 | 15.7% |
| Transmission and shifting | 25 | 11.2% |
| Braking behavior | 18 | 8.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 4.5% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 4.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control | 42 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 38 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 28 |
| Electrical System | 27 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 16 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 16 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 6 |
Vehicle Speed Control: 42; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump: 38; Fuel System, Gasoline: 28; Electrical System: 27; Fuel/Propulsion System: 16; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 16; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 7; Engine And Engine Cooling: 6
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 15 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 17 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 51 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 36 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 36 |
| 150,000 and above | 23 |
Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 17; 50,000 to 74,999: 51; 75,000 to 99,999: 36; 100,000 to 149,999: 36; 150,000 and above: 23
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (51). 45 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | 7 |
| 2003 | 14 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 38 |
| 2006 | 33 |
| 2007 | 27 |
| 2008 | 24 |
| 2009 | 11 |
| 2010 | 11 |
| 2011 | 10 |
| 2012 | 9 |
| 2013 | 6 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2001: 2; 2002: 7; 2003: 14; 2004: 5; 2005: 38; 2006: 33; 2007: 27; 2008: 24; 2009: 11; 2010: 11; 2011: 10; 2012: 9; 2013: 6; 2014: 8; 2015: 5; 2016: 5; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 2; 2020: 1; 2021: 1; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Vehicle Speed Control leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 69 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 35 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 25 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10001898 · 2002-12-31 (December 31, 2002)
2001 VOLVO S60. NO DESCRIPTION GIVEN. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001898 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002018 · 2003-01-03 (January 3, 2003)
TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 20 MPH. CONSUMER WAS ALMOST RAN OVER CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. THERE WAS NO WARNING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. TS...*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002018 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004790 · 2003-01-28 (January 28, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 25MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATES THAT BOTH OF THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004790 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005077 · 2003-02-01 (February 1, 2003)
ELECTRICAL PROBLEM IN VOLVO S60 2001. TS
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005077 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009781 · 2003-03-04 (March 4, 2003)
THE VEHICLE HEAD/TAIL LIGHTS CONTINUED TO FAIL DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009781 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009782 · 2003-03-04 (March 4, 2003)
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT IDLE IT SHOOK. THE DEALERSHIP CLEANED THE THROTTLE, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. *NLM AFTER MANY TIMES OF GOING TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, THE TIMING VALVES WERE FOUND TO BE A PROBLEM IN WHICH THEY WERE FRACTURED. ALSO, THE ELECTRICAL BULBS IN THE FRONT AND TAIL HAD FAILED. SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009782 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010421 · 2003-03-13 (March 13, 2003)
THE WINDSHIELD CRACKED WHEN WATER WAS APPLIED TO IT WHILE WASHING THE CAR. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010421 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016872 · 2003-05-01 (May 1, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING, SUN ROOF FAILED TO OPEN AND INTERIOR LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN ON. BROUGHT TO VOLVO DEALER AND SERVICE MANAGER CLAIMED THE EXXON/MOBIL SPEED PASS THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE KEY CHAIN CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL INTERFERENCE SUCH THAT THESE ITEMS COULD NOT WORK. IF THIS IS THE CASE, ISN'T THIS A HAZARD FOR THOUSANDS OF OTHER VOLVO DRIVERS WITH SPEED PASS AND VOLVO CARS? WHAT OTHER ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT COULD FAIL WHILE DRIVING? *CB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10016872 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
8 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
03V284000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2003-08-01 (August 1, 2003)
CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WAS NOT INSTALLED IN THESE VEHICLES AND, IN CERTAIN CASES, THE OWNER'S MANUAL ISOFIX INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.
Consequence: THIS DOES NOT MEET THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE STANDARD.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL RECEIVE A LETTER/PACKAGE CONSISTING OF THE SECOND ISOFIX GUIDE WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS, AND IN CERTAIN CASES, THE CORRECTED OWNER'S MANUAL MAY BE PROVIDED. IF THE OWNER WANTS TO TAKE THEIR VEHICLE TO A VOLVO DEALER FOR INSTALLATION OF THE GUIDE, IT WILL BE PERFORMED AT NO CHARGE TO THE OWNER. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 19, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
NHTSA campaign record ↗04V451000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Fan
Reported: 2004-09-13 (September 13, 2004)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN OPERATING CONDITIONS, SOME ELECTRIC COOLING FANS MAY OVERHEAT POTENTIALLY CAUSING HEAT DAMAGE AND, IN RARE INSTANCES, A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.
Consequence: A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT COULD OCCUR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE COOLING FAN. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004. CUSTOMERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
NHTSA campaign record ↗06V441000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Reported: 2006-11-15 (November 15, 2006)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A COMBINATION OF THROTTLE POSITIONING SENSOR IRREGULARITIES, A DIRTY THROTTLE HOUSING, AND/OR INEFFICIENT SOFTWARE CALIBRATION MAY CAUSE A WARNING LAMP TO LIGHT AND THE SUBSEQUENT ONSET OF LIMP HOME MODES.
Consequence: THIS RESULTED IN A HIGH NUMBER OF VEHICLES GOING INTO THE LIMP HOME MODE WITHOUT NEED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE CURRENT SOFTWARE UPGRADE ONTO THE INVOLVED VEHICLES. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 29, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
NHTSA campaign record ↗07V152000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2007-04-05 (April 5, 2007)
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ARIZONA AND NEVADA, DUE TO THE COMBINATION OF FUEL QUALITY AND CLIMATE CONDITIONS, THE FUEL PUMP MAY, IN CERTAIN CASES, EXPERIENCE A REDUCED FUNCTIONALITY. THE MOST COMMON SYMPTOMS WOULD BE FUEL ODOR.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 10, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
NHTSA campaign record ↗09V483000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2009-12-18 (December 18, 2009)
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2005 S80, MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 V70, S60, XC70 AND MODEL YEAR 2003-2005 XC90 VEHICLES SOLD IN OR REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, KENTUCKY, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, NORTH CAROLINA, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, TEXAS, UTAH, VIRGINIA AND THE U.S. TERRITORIES. WHEN EXPOSED TO CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS (HOT CLIMATE AND TEMPERATURE CYCLING) OVER TIME AND IN COMBINATION WITH VARYING FUEL QUALITY, THE FUEL PUMP CAN DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE.
Consequence: IF THE CONDITION OCCURS VEHICLE OWNERS MAY NOTICE FUEL SMELL AND/OR FUEL LEAK WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP WITH A PART OF A MODIFIED DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
NHTSA campaign record ↗10V566000 · Equipment:Electrical:Navigational System(Global Positioning System)
Reported: 2010-11-08 (November 8, 2010)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V681000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2020-11-04 (November 4, 2020)
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2003 S80 and S60 vehicles sold or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The driver side frontal air bag inflator may rupture, sending metal fragments into the passage compartment, when the driver side air bag is deployed.
Consequence: Metal fragments can strike vehicle occupants increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side air bag module, free of charge. The recall began April 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10058.
NHTSA campaign record ↗21V766000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module
Reported: 2021-09-30 (September 30, 2021)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗