Model year record

2003 Volvo S60 recalls & problems

The 2003 Volvo S60 has 7 safety recalls and 120 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (55 complaints).

Recalls7safety recalls

Complaints120filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

2003 Volvo S60 in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Air bagsSep 30, 2021

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 21V766000259,383 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.

Air bagsNov 4, 2020

Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Recall 20V68100054,124 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.

EquipmentNov 8, 2010

Electrical › Navigational system(global positioning system)

Recall 10V566000416 vehicles

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

Fuel system, gasolineDec 18, 2009

Delivery › Fuel pump

Recall 09V483000158,733 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
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.

Engine and engine coolingJun 5, 2007

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 07V22600032,189 vehicles

Problem: 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.
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.

Service brakes, hydraulicMar 29, 2007

Foundation components › Master cylinder

Recall 07E02300013,128 vehicles

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

EquipmentAug 1, 2003

Other › Labels

Recall 03V284000220,407 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2003 Volvo S60 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

S60 FWD

23mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.4 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

S60 FWD

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.4 L · 5 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel

S60 FWD

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 25 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.3 L · 5 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

S60 FWD

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.3 L · 5 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

S60 FWD

21mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 26 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.4 L · 5 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

S60 AWD

19mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 23 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.5 L · 5 cyl · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemInstrument cluster/panel; Ignition	55	0	111,166 mi
Vehicle speed control	18	1	40,000 mi
Engine and engine coolingEngine	16	0	52,500 mi
Exterior lightingTurn signal	9	0	129,091 mi
Air bags	8	0	123,000 mi
StructureBody › Door	7	0	55,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	6	0	120,000 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission	5	0	9,000 mi
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery; Delivery › Fuel pump	5	0	86,000 mi
Engine	5	0	100,000 mi
TiresSidewall	4	0	3,000 mi
EquipmentElectrical	4	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
The problem is when the weather turns cold my car a Volvo 2003 S 60 turn signals do not operate, or if they do turn on sometimes the turn signals won't stop flashing until you turn the ignition off. The head lights also will not turn on at any setting during this time. When the weather turns warm again everything works until the weather turns cold again. It appears to be related to the CENTRAL ELECTRONIC MODULE. It happens every time the weather is cold. It happen very unexpectedly my wife was driving down the road and was almost in an accident. The turn signals switch has already been replaced with a new Volvo turn signal switch.The turn signal still does not work. According to XEMODEX.INC…
Dec 1, 2025
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWN A 2003 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT STRUTS WERE COMING THROUGH THE STRUT MOUNTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT AND ANOTHER UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT WERE ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHERRY HILL VOLVO CARS (1810 W RTE 70, CHERRY HILL, NJ 08002), WHERE THE STRUT MOUNTS WERE REPLACED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WAS HE AFRAID THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP THE STRUTS MIGHT DETACH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE…
Jan 8, 2020 · 126,000 miles
Steering
THE STEERING HAS BECOME LESS RESPONSIVE AND I EXPERIENCE STEERING WHEEL PLAY, REPLACING FLUID HAS NOT RESOLVED THIS ISSUE. *TR
May 1, 2020
Electrical system
INSTRUMENT PANEL/CLUSTER GOES OUT WHILE DRIVING WHICH MEANS YOU CAN'T READ ANY OF THE GUAGES OR WARNINGS LIGHTS OTHER THAN IF CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THIS IMPOSES A SAFETY RISKS TO ME AND OTHER TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD. IT DOES THIS ERRATICALLY, GOING OUT COMPLETELY AND COMING BACK ON IN TIME. NO FUSE PROBLEMS, THEY ARE CHECKED WHEN THIS ISSUE HAPPENS. I HAVE A PICTURE OF EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENS RIGHT BEFORE THE WHOLE PANEL GOES OUT.
Mar 20, 2019 · 158,000 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
VECHILE LEAKING GAS AND HAD STRONG GAS SMELL.
Sep 6, 2017
Electrical system
THE DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT PANEL AND LIGHTS GO OFF AND COME BACK ON WHENEVER. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR OVER A YEAR. IT WAS A GIFT. I JUST FOUND OUT TONITE FROM AN OFFICER THAT WHEN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND LIGHTS ARE OFF I HAVE NO TAIL LIGHTS. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE HAS EVER BEEN A RECALL. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS THE DATE BELOW IS IT AN APPROXIMATE. I REALLY DO NOT REMEMBER THE EXACT DATE.
May 25, 2017 · 145,085 miles
Fuel/propulsion system
FUEL LEAKING FROM TANK (MOST LIKELY TOP OF TANK), WHEN FUEL PUMP IS OPERATING. UPON SOME SEARCH, I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM FOR THE S60 FROM 2001 TO 2009. BUT FOR SOME REASON MY VIN IS NOT COVERED. SEEMS LIKE THERE'S SOME LOOPHOLE THAT THEY MANAGED TO USE, WHY NOT ALL VINS SHOULD BE COVERED. ITS CLEARLY A VERY DANGEROUS FAILURE.
Jan 1, 2018 · 120,000 miles
Electrical system
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER NOT ILLUMINATING. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH 2003 S60 VOLVOS. MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO RECALL/REPAIR AS THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE WHEN ALL THE INSTRUMENTS GO DARK AND YOU CANNOT GAUGE YOUR SPEED AND GAS LEFT IN TANK
Jul 21, 2017 · 66,100 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.