2003 Volvo S60: headlights failing or too dim

6 of the 120 complaints about the 2003 Volvo S60 describe headlights failing or too dim.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 5%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 2 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Headlights failing or too dim by model year

2019
2
2015
1
2014
1
2013
1
2012
3
2009
1
2007
2
2006
3
2005
1
2004
8
2003
6
2002
1
2001
4

What owners say

Filed Jan 18, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · SC

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.

Filed Mar 24, 2016 · Electrical · 125,000 miles · OH

The instrument panel went dead last winter; no lights, no indicators, no instruments, nothing. I recently became aware that this is not an uncommon problem. Just an extremely expensive one. A volvo technician informed me that the japanese firm that volvo hired did a poor job and many of the instrument panels have defective soldering and require replacement or have the panel "re-pointed". Apparently, it is less of an issue in moist climates. Volvo will not repair the panel. They will only replace it. I was quoted $1,605.00 plus $157.00 to program it to the car's computer. The technician knew exactly what I was talking about. So, as I said before, this is not a uncommon problem. With a dead instrument panel, you cannot determine how fast you are going, how much gas you have in your car, no oil indicator, no turn signals, no high beam, or any of the alerts or reminders that the computer puts up.

Filed Jun 20, 2014 · Airbags, Electrical · 130,000 miles · CA

I started my car and where it tells you if something needs to be done to car it said airbag warning urgent service needed. Then later while driving all the gauges stopped working. Now the gauges don't work at all. Plus when driving and turning a corner the car stalls now this has been happening for a couple years now. Plus a couple years ago all my head lights burnt out at once then they only lasted a couple days had to buy more that happened 5 times in one year still have no brights.

Filed Nov 1, 2012 · Airbags, Brakes · 48,672 miles · SC

The dash information sytem will randomly go blank and display SRS and brake failure, along with all information lights blinking on and off. Also the analog gauges like the speedometer and fuel gauge will go to "0" and empty or just move eratically to any number or position while driving. At night sometimes the entire dash or information center will go black (no lights at all) and on odd occasions one headlight may go out and come back on.

Filed Aug 11, 2012 · Airbags, Electrical · 94,000 miles · WA

While driving out of a parking lot and accelerating to 35 MPH, entire dashboard blacked out. No speedometer, no odometer, no gas gauge,no message. Radio, windows, and air conditioning continued to work normally, as did headlights, interior lights, and turn signals. I turned off engine and then restarted car. Same symptoms. The third time I restarted car I received message on panel, SRS/airbag service urgent light comes on and stays on. I could not retrieve any other information regarding average speed, how full gas tank is, etc. I just went out to my car, which has been parked for about 21/2 hours since the incident, to get the mileage for this report and panel lights have disappeared again! I will get car to mechanic tomorrow, but I feel this is a very dangerous situation to be in,and especially with night time or high speed highway driving! My mileage is approximately 94,000 miles. I could not get a reading from my odometer as the panel is blacked out again!

Filed Feb 7, 2012 · Electrical, Lights · PA

I am the owner of a 2003 volvo s60, this vehicle has been a headache for some time now. The first issue started with the headlights blowing out. I have had the car since 2008 and the lights have blown out atleast 10x's. The 2nd major issue I'm having with the vehicle is the car completely shuts down without warning when making a turn or sometimes sitting idle at a red light. Of course when the car is hooked up to a diagnostic machine there are no error codes and since this issue happens without warning it never happens when a service tech is with me. Lastly, two days ago I started my vehicle and the entire dash completely blacked out. None of the gauges are operable. I cannot see whether I have fuel or not in it. I feel that the manufacturer of this vehicle should be help responsible for these issues. I have read many complaints, and there were many volvo owners who have had the same exact problems I have been experiencing. There needs to be a re-call so that the consumers who have paid several diagnostic fees and repairs fees get reimbursed for the faulty products or parts being used to build these vehicles.