2003 Volvo S60 problems
Owners have filed 168 complaints about the 2003 Volvo S60 with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 32.7% of them — far more than any other system, ahead of vehicle speed control at 10.7%.
Complaints168
Crashes1
Fires1
Injuries0
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 32.7% · 55
Vehicle speed control 10.7% · 18
Engine and engine cooling 9.5% · 16
Exterior lighting 5.4% · 9
Air bags 4.8% · 8
Structure 4.2% · 7
Fuel/propulsion system 3.6% · 6
Engine 3.0% · 5
Severity
Of those complaints, 1 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire.
Reading the numbers
Across the 6 model years of the Volvo S60 in this data, 2003 draws comparatively few complaints; 2001 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 6 in the last three years against 16 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 89,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Since about three months after I got my car in 2010 the entire dashboard system does not work. The gauges do not move or turn on whatsoever and the lights do not come on. I have looked on Volvo forums and it says that the motorolla chip in the dashboard is defective in all of the 2001-2003 models. It is rather scary in my opinion never knowing how much gas I have or how fast I am going. 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. Electrical system · reported at 145,085 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Volvo S60. While driving at various speeds, the instrument panel indicator intermittently illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that a cable behind the mileage gauge failed and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 179,000. Electrical system · reported at 179,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…