NHTSA — Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

2.5

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
59,251 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Volvo S60 engine problems

engine problem

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2003 Volvo S60 Owner Comments

problem #10

Dec 202011

S60 5-cyl

  • 143,600 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car experiences loss of power, stalling, sputtering and hesitation when gas pedal is pressed down. San luis obispo smith Volvo authorized dealer could not find any codes to explain this. Checked timing sensors, fuel pressure, RPM cam signals, eth system, air flow meter, map sensor. All checked out ok, dealer said all signs point to eta failing. Car stalls and loses power abruptly, I do not feel safe driving it anymore. There is a recall for models up to 2002, this 2003 S60 non turbo manual seems to exhibit the flaws of electronic throttle failure.

- Sausalito, CA, USA

problem #9

May 152011

S60

  • 125,000 miles
Compliant 1: I have a 2003 S60 Volvo. The instrument panel goes dark and all instruments stop working. This includes all gauges, speedometer, RPM, fuel, temp and blinkers. They all go to zero and panel turns black and completely off. The exterior blinkers do still work. When the panel is working I receive various messages such as SRS airbag service urgent, brake failure, and stop immediately no oil pressure. I took the car to my mechanic and he said it's the driver information module which costs $1300 to replace. My mechanic also stated that this is a reoccuring problem in this car. I have done research on the internet and have found that there are many Volvo's of the same make and model in which the same exact problems are occuring. I feel that the manufacturer should be responsible for fixing this problem. It's obvious that it's a recurring problem. Compliant 2: I'm also experiencing an engine stall problem. This is very dangerous. The car will stall at least 50% of the time when making a turn. I've researched this as well and found that it's a reoccurring problem as well. Apparently the fuel pressure sensor located on the left end of the fuel rail may, at times, transmit an incorrect signal regarding the fuel pressure to the engine control module. This causes engine misfires and causes the engine to shut down completely when in middle of intersections. I have come close to many dangerous situations because of this engine failure.

- Greer, SC, USA

problem #8

Aug 232009

S60

  • 101,000 miles
I have a 2003 S60 Volvo. While driving 55 mph the car would go into limp mode and the speed would quickly drop to 10 mph and the message reduced engine performance would be displayed. The car will not accelerate past that speed. This is very serious safety concern because the quick drop in speed may lead to an accident. I took the car to a Volvo dealership and was informed the car needs the electronic throttle system replaced. This was a common problem with older models and a recall was issued after a class action lawsuit. My model is not included in this recall, however; it is exhibiting the exact same problem that usually occurs when the car reaches 100,000 miles.

- Lititz, PA, USA

problem #7

May 142006

S60

  • 40,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Volvo S60. While driving low speeds, the vehicle would accelerate abnormally. The contact experienced difficulty accelerating as if the vehicle were in limp mode. In addition, the vehicle stalls without warning. She took the vehicle to the dealer and they stated that they could not duplicate the failure and provide a remedy. The 2003 S60 was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 06V441000 (vehicle speed control). The failure mileage was 40,000 and current mileage was 74,000.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #6

Dec 102008

S60

  • 94,000 miles
On 12 Dec, 2008, my 2003 Volvo S60 stalled with no warning while traveling on a busy highway at 60 mph. I pulled to safety (vehicle was in "limp home" mode) and had the vehicle towed to the dealership (park place Volvo). Since the vehicle started right back up and presented no codes, I was told there was nothing wrong and given a bill for $418 (for tow and diagnostic check). Approx. 1 month later, vehicle presented same problem; it stalled, without warning, while driving... creating a great safety risk for the second time. I had vehicle towed again to same dealership, and since vehicle started right back up with no codes, I was told there was nothing wrong. Dealership could not get vehicle to duplicate problem on either occasion. However, to appease me, dealership did replace accelerator pedal...vehicle still presents same stalling issue, and intermittently goes into "limp home" mode for no apparent reason. This will undoubtedly cause a serious accident, as it is obvious, from the numerous complaints on this issue, that this is a mass defect.

- Grapevine, TX, USA

problem #5

Mar 012007

S60 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Volvo S60. While driving 10 mph, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The mechanic was unable to duplicate the failure. The failure has occurred on three occasions and the mechanic has been unable to diagnose the failure each time. The manufacturer stated that her VIN was not included in recall number 07V226000 (engine and engine cooling). The current mileage was 60,000 and failure mileage was 50,000. Updated 02-01-08 updated 02/01/08

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #4

Jul 292005

S60 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,500 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

During normal city and highway driving, my 2003 Volvo S-60 sedans engine and electrical system suddenly fails without warning, resulting in a dangerous complete loss of power and control of the vehicle. The dangerous incident has occurred numerous times. The original dealer, Warren henry Volvo, and Volvo North America, were both notified of the Volvo hazardous problem, and the vehicle has been in service and repair on three separate occasions for the same problem without satisfactory resolution. To date, the 2003 Volvo S-60 exhibits the same dangerous problems.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

problem #3

Jul 152003

S60

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,400 miles
Car died while driving 2 times. Volvo says nothing wrong with the car. I filled for lemon law. Very bad service and attitude from borton Volvo. The worst is that I find out that Volvo knows about the problem and still let people drive their death trap cars.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

problem #2

Jun 152003

S60

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10 miles
The grief from this car literally began on the way home from the show room, as the seat belts were not functioning. They required four visits to the service department to correct the problem. The issue of the tires being unsafe became apparent when the car was two weeks old, with under 1000 miles on the odometer front & rear bumpers separate from vehicle, with little or no provocation. Tires self destruct at speeds of 2-4 mph (while parking), if a curb is touched. I'm informed that tires have weak sidewalls & to replace tires (at my expense). Air conditioning required three visits to repair shop & is still not getting the car as cold as it should in hot weather. I should add that I'm also informed that replacement tires will diminish the handling of the car.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

problem #1

Jul 162003

S60

  • miles
Vehicle stalled while driving at any speed, dealer has inspected 3 times and could not duplicate or correct the problem.

- Boca Raton, FL, USA

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