2003 VOLVO S60 — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
168
Owner Complaints
7
Recalls
5
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 VOLVO S60
The 2003 VOLVO S60 has received a total of 168 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 7 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM). 5 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volvo Car USA, LLC for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (51 complaints), Vehicle Speed Control (18 complaints), and Engine And Engine Cooling (10 complaints).
Recalls for the 2003 VOLVO S60
NHTSA has recorded 7 recalls for the 2003 VOLVO S60, potentially affecting up to 738,380 vehicles.
Recall 21V766000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 259,383 vehicles affected
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.
View full details →Recall 20V681000 — AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
| 54,124 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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...
View full details →Recall 10V566000 — EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
| 416 vehicles affected
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...
View full details →Recall 09V483000 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
| 158,733 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
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....
View full details →Recall 07V226000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
| 32,189 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: 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.
View full details →Recall 07E023000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
| 13,128 vehicles affected
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.
View full details →Recall 03V284000 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
| 220,407 vehicles affected
Defect: 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...
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 VOLVO S60
168 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 VOLVO S60. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
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 this is a common problem for Volvo's S 60 2001-2010.
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 this is a common problem for Volvo's S 60 2001-2010.
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 MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.
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 MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 126,000.
THE STEERING HAS BECOME LESS RESPONSIVE AND I EXPERIENCE STEERING WHEEL PLAY, REPLACING FLUID HAS NOT RESOLVED THIS ISSUE. *TR
Safety Rating for the 2003 VOLVO S60
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 VOLVO S60 in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 VOLVO S60
Volvo Car USA, LLC has issued 5 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2003 VOLVO S60. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
2849 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLES WITH DENSO ENGINE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM MAY HAVE POOR DRIVABILITY, HESITATION OR RPM DIPS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MAY ILLUMINATE WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) 250A (LOWER LIMIT), 2200 AND/OR 220A STORED IN THE ECM. 2003 - 2004 MODELS. *TT
006 — TIRES
WINTER TIRE APPLICATIONS. *TT
2850 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED AND NO DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC), OR ECM (ENGINE CONTROL MODULE) 140A. *TT
0052 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
INSTALLING THE SEAL PLUG IN THE CYLINDER BLOCK. *MR
2847 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) ECM (ENGINE CONTROL MODULE) 1000 / NO SW DOWNLOAD / VADIS VERSION E COMMUNICATION ERROR. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 VOLVO S60
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the VOLVO S60
- 2000 VOLVO S60 — 1 complaint
- 2001 VOLVO S60 — 262 complaints
- 2002 VOLVO S60 — 248 complaints
- 2003 VOLVO S60 (current)
- 2004 VOLVO S60 — 262 complaints
- 2005 VOLVO S60 — 57 complaints
- 2006 VOLVO S60 — 42 complaints
- 2007 VOLVO S60 — 34 complaints
- 2008 VOLVO S60 — 14 complaints
Other VOLVO Models
- VOLVO XC90 — 2,131 total complaints
- VOLVO S80 — 1,320 total complaints
- VOLVO V70 — 1,177 total complaints
- VOLVO XC60 — 846 total complaints
- VOLVO S70 — 780 total complaints
- VOLVO 850 — 732 total complaints
- VOLVO S40 — 677 total complaints
- VOLVO V70XC — 521 total complaints