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. The contact stated that the entire instrument panel gradually became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the instrument panel needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 4/20/15 Electrical system · reported at 90,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…