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 worst 2003 Volvo S60 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical54
- Engine21
- Acceleration18
- Fuel system14
- Lights9
- Airbags8
- Body7
- Transmission5
- Brakes4
- Tires4
- Locks3
- Steering3
- Driver assistance2
- Seat belts2
- Seats2
- Suspension1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Volvo S60
Stalling 26Loss of power 13Airbag light 9Check engine light 7Fuel gauge 7Headlights 6Fuel leak 5Fuel pump 5
Recalls 6
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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 number for this recall is R10125.
Recall number 21V766000 · Recall details
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
- What is wrong
- 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 into the passage compartment, when the driver side air bag is deployed.
- 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 1‑800‑458‑1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10058.
Recall number 20V681000 · Recall details
Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)
- What is wrong
- Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (GPS) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
- Risk
- 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 inserted on top of the battery next to the pcb. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 18, 2010. Owners may contact garmin at 866‑957‑1981 or visit garmin's website at www.garmin.com/nuvibatterypcbrecall.
Recall number 10V566000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- 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 (hot climate and temperature cycling) over time and in combination with varying fuel quality, the fuel pump can develop cracks in the fuel pump flange.
- 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 recall began on january 15, 2010. Owners may contact volvo at 1‑800‑458‑1552.
Recall number 09V483000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- 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 on the circuit board of the fuel pressure sensor may crack due to temperature changes and excessive vibrations.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 07V226000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: labels
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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 take their vehicle to a volvo dealer for installation of the guide, it will be performed at no charge to the owner. Owner notification began on december 19, 2003. Owners should contact volvo at 1‑800‑458‑1552.
Recall number 03V284000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2003 Volvo S60 178
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test
- This is a TJ text only
- This is a Technical Journal
- This is a Technical Journal: Remote connection, BOMGAR application
- Volvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has decided to launch...
- This is a Technical Journal: Vehicle/Connectivity report checklist
- Information about valid Software partnumbers to order and download Software for "PDS" Pre-Delivery Service
- This is a Technical Journal: 12V Battery Testing Method
- Complimentary upgrade C00009 description.
- Rubber cushion
2003 Volvo S60 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 5‑cyl | FWD | 18-19 | 26-28 | 21-23 |
| 2.3L 5‑cyl | FWD | 18 | 25-26 | 21 |
| 2.5L 5‑cyl | 4WD | 16 | 23 | 19 |
What 2003 Volvo S60 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
Instrument panel/cluster goes out while driving which means you can't read any of the guages or warnings lights other than if check engine light is on. This imposes a safety risks to me and other traffic on the road. It does this erratically, going out completely and coming back on in time. No fuse problems, they are checked when this issue happens. I have a picture of exactly what happens right before the whole panel goes out.
Vechile leaking gas and had strong gas smell.
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.
Fuel leaking from tank (most likely top of tank), when fuel pump is operating. Upon some search, I found that there was a recall for this problem for the s60 from 2001 to 2009. But for some reason my VIN is not covered. Seems like there's some loophole that they managed to use, why not all vins should be covered. Its clearly a very dangerous failure.
Instrument cluster not illuminating. I understand this is a common issue with 2003 s60 volvos. Manufacturer needs to recall/repair as this is a significant safety issue when all the instruments go dark and you cannot gauge your speed and gas left in tank
I have a 2003 s60 volvo. The instrument panel was fine yesterday, but when I got in the car today the panel instrument panel is completely black. This includes all gauges, speedometer, RPM, fuel, temp and blinkers, all gauges are off.. (see attached pic). The vehicle was stationary in my driveway. The car still run great.
Tl* 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.
Compare the 2003 Volvo S60
Other model years
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Questions about the 2003 Volvo S60
Is the 2003 Volvo S60 reliable?
Owners have filed 120 complaints about the 2003 Volvo S60, 4.8 times a typical S60 model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2003 Volvo S60 year score?
The 2003 Volvo S60 scores 14 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volvo S60: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2003 Volvo S60?
Electrical system, with 54 complaints, typically around 120,000 miles. Next is engine (21).
How many recalls does the 2003 Volvo S60 have?
6 recalls, covering air bags, equipment and fuel system, gasoline.
What year does the Volvo S60 have the most electrical problems?
The Volvo S60 model years with the most electrical complaints are 2003 (54 complaints), 2002 (36 complaints) and 2001 (31 complaints).
Is there a class action lawsuit over the Volvo S60?
Yes. New class action says Volvo's Google-based infotainment screens freeze and take climate and rearview camera with them (November 9, 2026).
What gas mileage does the 2003 Volvo S60 get?
Official estimates for the 2003 Volvo S60 range from 19 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 5-cyl, FWD) gets 18-19 city and 26-28 highway.
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