2001 Volvo S60
The Verdict
The 2001 Volvo S60 has 238 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (112 complaints) and body (67 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 49/100, it earns a "Proceed with Caution" rating. If you're shopping for a Volvo S60, consider the 2018 model year which has 98% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2018 has 98% fewer complaints
View the 2018 Volvo S60 dashboard →
Klunk Score: Proceed with Caution
About average for complaint volume. Research the specific issues before buying.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
Recalls 5
Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.
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, CA...
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.
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 REC...
Reported Apr 11, 2026
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 a...
Risk
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 numb...
Reported Apr 11, 2026
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, Okl...
Risk
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-...
Reported Apr 11, 2020
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 CASE...
Risk
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy
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.
Reported May 4, 2007
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 THE...
Risk
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...
Reported Jan 8, 2003
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
1. The vehicle caught fire while driving. The radiator cooling fan stayed on after parking, The vehicle the night before. The vehicle had to be jump started the next morning. yes the vehicle is available for inspection. 2. bodily injury and property damage could have been caused by the fire. 3. Yes. independent service center. Automotive Body and Tire Center. (Skokie IL) 4. Yes. Fire was put out by prospect heights fire department. Police report #PHP23-004049 5. No warning lamps prior to the fire. Symptom of problem was the radiator cooling fan staying on after vehicle was turned off, which caused the battery to discharge.
TERRIBLE GAS SMELL EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. I GOT SOMEONE TO CHECK IT OUT, THERE IS GAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP. THIS PERSON PUT SOME PUTTY OVER THE LEAK WHICH STOPPED THE SMELL BUT THIS IS NOT SAFE. I SEE A RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP BUT IT SAYS MY CAR DOESN'T HAVE A CURRENT RECALL.
I HAVE AN SRS AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON AND WILL NOT GO AWAY. THE ELECTRICAL WIRING FOR THE HEADLIGHTS ARE FAULTY, I TRIED EVERYTHING TO FIX THEM NOTHING WORKS. I USED AN INLINE FUSE WITH THE HEADLIGHT WIRING BECAUSE THE BULBS THE CONTINUE TO BLOWOUT. THE VOLVO FORUM SUGGESTED THE INLINE FUSE TO FIX THE ISSUE, BUT IT DID NOT. ONE HEADLIGHT REMAINS ON THE DRIVER SIDE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE COMES ON AND OFF WHEN IT WANTS TO AND IT ALSO DISPLAYS DIPPED BULB FAILURE OR BEAM FAILURE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AFTER RESEARCHING THE FAILURE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER FURTHER STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED IN STATES IN WARMER ZONES THAN THE CONTACT'S STATE, AND DISCONNECTED THE CALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000.
EXTREME GAS SMELL INSIDE CAR. NOTICED GAS LEAKING FROM TOP OF TANK BY THE SCREWS THAT HOLD IT. VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY AND AS SOON AS MY KIDS GOT IN THEY NOTICED THE STRONG SMELL. NOT DRIVING IT DEFENETLY CAN CAUSE A FIRE.
CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING THEN WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER THAN 15MPH.
I HAVE NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF CAR. IT IS ALSO LEAKING FUEL. THE FUEL LEAKING IS UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHERE FUEL IS LEAKING. IT IS NOT COMING FROM FUEL FILTER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE IN WHICH THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE WHEN MAKING A TURN OR WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THE TIME FRAME HAD EXPIRED FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S60. WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE DRASTICALLY REDUCED SPEED AND STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S60. WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE BRAKES AND POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 173,000.
OUR VOLVO S60 HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING A WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH WHAT'S COMMONLY CALLED TRANSMISSION FLARE. WHEN SHIFTING INTO LOWER GEARS FROM A STOP OR AT LOWER SPEEDS AND IN SLOW TRAFFIC THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION JERKS THE CAR FORWARD SEVERELY. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF POSTS IN ONLINE CAR FORUMS WITH CONSUMERS COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS SAME PROBLEM. WHILE IT STARTED OUT AS A NUISANCE THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AND IS AGGRAVATED BY HOT WEATHER, SO MUCH FOR TAKING THE VOLVO ON A DRIVE FOR SUMMER VACATION. WE TRUSTED VOLVO'S QUALITY AND INTEGRITY WHEN PURCHASING OUR CAR AND ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL ISSUED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. WHEN WE ASKED THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR WHAT WE COULD DO TO FIX THE PROBLEM THEY SUGGESTED WE PURCHASE A NEW CAR FROM THEM. SHAME ON YOU VOLVO. BEFORE THIS PROBLEM WE WERE PROUD VOLVO OWNERS NOW WE FEEL RIPPED OFF AND ABUSED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S60. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS NOTICED. THE CONTACT OBSERVED FUEL LEAKING FROM AN UNKNOWN PART OF THE FUEL TANK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
CAR JERKS AND CLUNKS WHEN SWITCHING GEARS. ITS STARTING TO GRIND AND CLACK IN 1-2 GEAR AND I HOPS AROUND THE RPMS LINE CRAZY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S60. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, AN ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT AND THE CONTACT DISCOVERED FUEL PRESENT ON THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 02/10/16*LJ; UPDATED 05/10/18*JB *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL ODOR INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK WITH THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF TH FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S60. WHILE PARKED, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMITTED OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THERE WAS NO FUEL VISIBLE ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO NOTICED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE TOP PART OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,999. UPDATED 12/01/15*LJ,03/28/18*JB *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S60. WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE COULD BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, THERE WAS A ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED EACH TIME THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
IN 2008, AT ABOUT 93K MILES, THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2001 VOLVO S60 FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A MAIN THOROUGHFARE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO AVOID BEING IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAD A VOLVO DEALER INSTALL A NEW VOLVO TRANSMISSION. IN 2014, AT ABOUT 123K MILES (OR ABOUT 30K MILES ON THE NEW TRANSMISSION), THE SECOND TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET. AGAIN, I WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. A SEARCH OF THE NHTSA DATABASE AND OTHER ONLINE SOURCES SHOWED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS EARLY TRANSMISSION FAILURES WITH VOLVOS LIKE MINE. VOLVO OF NORTH AMERICA REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING TO HELP FIX THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION DESPITE INFORMATION THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION THEY HAVE BEEN USING. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL WAS SEEPING FROM THE TANK NEAR THE PUMP AND ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
238 total