KnownCarProblems2003 Volvo S60 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 120 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Volvo S60, most often about the electrical (45% of complaints, typically around 120,000 miles). It is 5th of 24 S60 model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2003 Volvo S60 problems
Electrical
54 complaints · 45%Half of these problems showed up before 120,000 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel, ignition, 12v/24v/48v battery.
My 2003 Volvo S60 has a seatbelt warning message. The dealer diagnosed the problem as a faulty driver information module which would cost 1400 plus tax to repair. The car is valued at approximately 4000 as a trade. There are many complaints of failure of this part even in much newer volvos.
I have a 2003 s600 and the instrument panel goes dark and all the instruments stop working (speedometer, RPM, fuel, temp -- all go to zero) . This occurs intermittently, while driving, the engine was running fine and no warning lights came on. I am also experiencing problems with indicator lights on the dashboard. As…
Engine
21 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 59,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine.
I have a 2003 Volvo s 60 that has begun stalling out while driving. I believe that this is similar to other car problems that have been reported recently. The car dies after it has reached operating temperatures. It just stops on the interstate or at a stop light, in intersections, etc. It takes between 10 and 30…
I own a 2003 Volvo S60, 4 dr sedan, purchased from don beyer Volvo in falls church, va, serviced at don beyer Volvo in dulles, va. The car has suddenly stalled in the middle of an intersection twice in the last 2 weeks but would re-start almost immediately. Last night, it stalled going 70 MPH on a major highway with…
Speed control
18 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Volvo S60. While driving low speeds, the vehicle would accelerate abnormally. The contact experienced difficulty accelerating as if the vehicle were in limp mode. In addition, the vehicle stalls without warning. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that they could not duplicate the…
Dt: the contact s brought car to dealer 3 times because it will not start after sitting for awhile. . She owns a 2003 Volvo model S60 2.4t. The first time it happened was on 8-12-05. The last time it happened on 8-27-05. Once it took over an hour for it to start up. Every time she fixed it, the problem recurred. It…
Fuel system
14 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 72,500 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery.
We to have a 2003 S60 with a very bad fuel smell. We bought it used in 2006 from a Volvo dealer in cary, nc. Of course, when I called Volvo and gave them the VIN #, they said that we were not covered. Our certified pre owned status expired in feb. Of this year. I really don't want to spend $700+ to get something fixed…
Car interior smelled of gasoline and gasoline leaking into passenger compartment and underneath car. Took car to aaa repair facility where multiple leaks and malfunctions discovered and repaired. Low mileage for year of car and no accidents. Fuel level sensor assembly cracked and leaking - not the gasket - the fuel…
Lights
9 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 129,000 miles. Parts named most often: turn signal.
While driving home after having steering rack replaced the dash lights (speedometer, turn signals, message center, etc.) went completely out. After multiple drives the dash lights go on and off intermittently while driving.
Driving car lights on dash board went completely off. Took it to shop they tap it and dash came on again, change fuse . Lights went off again and stayed off.
Air bags
8 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 123,000 miles.
My 2003 Volvo S60 has a seatbelt warning message. The dealer diagnosed the problem as a faulty driver information module which would cost 1400 plus tax to repair. The car is valued at approximately 4000 as a trade. There are many complaints of failure of this part even in much newer volvos.
The contact owns a 2003 Volvo S60. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the SRS air bag warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel until the key was removed from the ignition switch. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and an authorized dealer who both advised that the driver information module…
Body and structure
7 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 55,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
The passenger side front door will not open from the inside. The car was brought to garden state Volvo in wall, nj in march for this to be fixed. The mechanic "fixed" the inside cable with duct tape and charged US $175 for the repair. Within a week the door was broken again. I called garden state Volvo and asked for…
The inside door handles on my vehicle broke. I was able to get a new handle assembly for the passenger side, but the manufacturer has not been able to provide a new handle assembly for the driver's side door. The door cannot be opened from inside the vehicle. I've waited two months, but apparently the new part is not…
Wheels and tires
5 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: sidewall.
The side walls were very weak, the slightest touch/brush caused them to go flat. Tires were replaced. The replacement tire had a bubble. Model type 4 seasons.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 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.
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: Misfire may occur during driving that, in turn, will reduce the engine torque and in the worst case scenario, the engine may stall without warning. In certain traffic situations this could cause an unsafe situation and possibly a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pressure sensor free of charge. The recall began on june 29, 2007. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pressure sensor located on the left end of the fuel rail may, at times, transmit incorrect signal regarding the fuel pressure to the engine control module. If the signal is outside of the pre-programmed allowable limits, a diagnostic trouble code may be set and the check engine light will come on. The soldered joints on the circuit board of the fuel pressure sensor may crack due to temperature changes and excessive vibrations.
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.
Questions about the 2003 Volvo S60
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Volvo S60?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (54 complaints, typically around 120,000 miles); engine (21 complaints, typically around 59,000 miles); speed control (18 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Volvo S60 have?
- 6 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 2003 a bad year for the Volvo S60?
- It is 5th of 24 S60 model years by number of complaints, with 120 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.