KnownCarProblems2001 Volvo S60 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 223 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Volvo S60, most often about the fuel system (40% of complaints, typically around 94,000 miles). It is the most complained-about S60 model year since 2000 and has 8 recalls.
Most common 2001 Volvo S60 problems
Fuel system
88 complaints · 40%Half of these problems showed up before 94,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage, fuel injection system, carburetor system.
I am the original owner of a 2001 Volvo S60; noted a strong gasoline odor in the garage and at the right side of the vehicle (noted during extreme summer weather in south). Car was taken to Volvo certified repairshop and was noted to have a leak at the fuel pump. The pump needed to be replaced- total expense of…
Fuel odor when exiting vehicle after parking. Fuel residue observed on the side of the gas tank when looking under the vehicle. Dealer not sure if covered by extended warranty. Update 1/9/09: web user comments: issue resolved, vehicle repaired under extended warranty. However, to be sure I was covered before visiting…
Speed control
42 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles.
: the contact stated while trying to accelerate to highway speeds, the vehicle stalled three times. The vehicle was traveling 30-40 MPH each time. The vehicle was pulled over; the battery was disconnected, and then reconnected. The vehicle restarted after the computer reset. Also, the vehicle would accelerate when the…
Several episodes of sudden loss of power while driving. Episode 1/28/06 nearly resulted in collision at intersection when attempting to accelerate through turn. Engine warning light came on, indicating: "reduced power" max speed 18 MPH, uphill 5 MPH. Engine rough, etm failure.
Electrical
31 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, instrument cluster/panel.
Right front power window inoperable from either side switch control. Power door locks do not respond to remote. Ambient temprarture readout inoperable. Dealer claimed to have upgrade component software. Position bulb outage error text: replaced right rear position bulb.
Right front power window and lock in operable. Left (driver's side) door look switch inoperable. Ambient temperature readout inoperable.
Transmission
22 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 91,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
: the contact stated while driving at no particular speed, the engine oil pressure light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The dealer determined metal shavings were present in the oil pan resulting in the engine needing replaced and no repairs were made. Additionally, the transmission…
Transmission failure at 94k miles. Car lost power barely making it through an intersection. Internet research indicates this is a common failure among Volvo S60.
Engine
20 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 69,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
I have a 2001 Volvo S60 t5 and I've been noticing lately the idle on my RPM side going up and down rapidly and the car feels like its going to turn off. Then yesterday the same thing happened and the car shut down and I turned it back on and it begin trying to push itself so I got scared and parked it. Luckily it was…
In october 2007, I inquired of fields Volvo of waukesha wisconsin, about a malfunctioning temperature gage. The gage would often display a faulty reading, showing that the car was overheating when in fact it was not. When I bought my car in for an inspection of the matter, jason fischer service advisor, informed me…
Wheels and tires
9 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: sidewall, tube, tread/belt, lugs/nuts/bolts/studs.
I recently brought my Volvo S60 for 15000 mile service(my car had 16200) and was informed that I needed 4 new tires. How shocked we were. The dealer informed US that this was pirelli and we must contact them. I did and was told to see a authorized pirelli dealer. Brought the car in waited and then told me they will…
The mileage on the perelli p6 tires for Volvo S60 t5 is only 11,000 miles. During a crusing on the freeway, the driver heard a loud "pop" noise inside the car. After the car was driven home (within 5 miles), the driver notice a flat tire short time later. I went to Volvo's dealer service department on 6/25/03 to see…
Air bags
6 complaints · 3%Parts named most often: frontal.
The consumer believes that eh vehicle was involved in a frontal collision prior to her purchasing the vehicle. The vehicle has a cracked transmission, power steering leak, oil leak and two deployed air bags.
My daughter was stopped at a red light and surrounded by cars on a four lane road. All of sudden the passenger side air bags deployed causing my daughter to panic thinking she was on fire due to the smoke and explosion. She exited the car in traffic and called me and the police. Nobody else was in the car at any time…
Brakes
6 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 135,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
: the contact stated the vehicle accelerated on its own after reaching 30 MPH and caused an accident. The contact tried braking, but the brakes failed, due to the throttle issue. The vehicle was not taken to a service dealer to address the issue. A police report was taken.
When I apply pressure to the brake pedal I get an error message sometimes, not always, that says "check brake lights". When the message is up, the left and right brakes in the back of the vehicle do not illuminate, but the middle one in the back of my rear window still does. When the message goes away, all lights…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Volvo S60 recalls
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: Metal fragments can strike vehicle occupants increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: navigational system(global positioning system)
Risk: An overheated battery could lead to a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (GPS) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Speed control: vehicle speed control
Risk: This resulted in a high number of vehicles going into the limp home mode without need.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine: fan
Risk: A fire in the engine compartment could occur.
Fix: Dealers will replace the cooling fan. The recall began on november 29, 2004. Customers should contact volvo cars at 1-800-458-1552.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: labels
Risk: This does not meet the requirements of the standard.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Fuel pump leakage
Summary
Volvo is recalling approximately 1,681 model year (my) 2001-2002 s60 vehicles within the states of arizona and nevada to replace the fuel pump.volvo reports that the fuel pump in these vehicles may experience a fuel leak as a result of fuel quality and hot climate conditions.the most common symptom reported is fuel smell.no fires, crashes or injuries are reported.my 2003 and later s60 vehicles contain a different design fuel pump.data from volvo indicates that a higher rate of fuel pump odor and/or leakage exists with vehicles registered in the hot states of arizona and nevada.warranty data shows many more fuel pump claims for my 2001 and 2002 (244 and 140) compared with my 2003, 04, 05 and
Throttle control malfunction
Summary
On november 14, 2006 volvo submitted a defect information report to NHTSA concerning etm failures in model year (my) 1999 through 2001 volvo models (not including the s40 and v40), my 2002 s60 and v70 with naturally aspirated engines and my 2002 v70s.according to volvo, ?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.volvo further stated that,this resulted in a high number of these vehicles going into limp home mode without need.?volvo indicated that this was the most severe consequence of an etm fault in the subject vehicles.the recall
Throttle control malfunction
Summary
Pe05-041 was opened on july, 26, 2005, based on 136 consumer complaints to odi alleging throttle control malfunctions in the subject vehicles.odi has now received 591 complaints of etm failures which allege symptoms with potential safety related consequences.these include allegations of engine stall, vehicle surging forward without accelerator input, vehicle hesitation upon acceleration and sudden and unexpected transition into reduced performance operation (limp mode).volvo submitted over 2,900 complaints concerning the etm in the subject vehicles during pe05-041.odi's preliminary analysis of a sample the volvo complaints identified approximately 55 percent with one or more of the symptoms
Questions about the 2001 Volvo S60
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Volvo S60?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (88 complaints, typically around 94,000 miles); speed control (42 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles); electrical (31 complaints, typically around 55,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Volvo S60 have?
- 8 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 30, 2021 (air bags). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Volvo S60?
- It is the most complained-about S60 model year since 2000, with 223 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.