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Volvo S60 airbag light comes on

38 of the 1,274 owner complaints about the Volvo S60 describe airbag warning light, most of them for the 2003 model year.

owner complaints
38
worst model year
2003
typical repair cost reported
$1,500
typical mileage
100,520
Is there a fix? There are 6 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2022
    1
  • 2021
    1
  • 2019
    1
  • 2016
    1
  • 2014
    1
  • 2013
    2
  • 2012
    4
  • 2007
    1
  • 2006
    2
  • 2005
    2
  • 2004
    2
  • 2003
    9
  • 2002
    7
  • 2001
    4

What owners say

Filed Jun 7, 2026 · Airbags · WA

The driver's side seat airbag system failed. Specifically, diagnostic trouble code SRS-B002011 was retrieved, indicating a circuit short to ground in the left side airbag deployment control system. The technician found a broken clip on the airbag connector housing, causing an intermittent connection failure between the connector and the seat airbag itself. The airbag cannot be relied upon to deploy in a crash. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I purchased this vehicle on May 10, 2026, and drove it as my primary means of transportation. During that time, the driver's side seat airbag was non-functional due to a circuit short to ground and a broken connector housing. Had I been involved in a collision during that period, the driver's side airbag may not have deployed, significantly increasing the risk of serious injury or death. I was not informed of this defect at the time of purchase and had no knowledge that the airbag system was compromised. I drove the vehicle believing it to be equipped with functioning safety systems. The defect was confirmed by Volvo Cars Tacoma (O'Brien Auto Group), a franchised manufacturer-certified Volvo dealership in Tacoma. Technician #2101608 performed a comprehensive inspection using Volvo's proprietary VIDA diagnostic system dated May 16–30, 2026. The inspection retrieved diagnostic trouble code SRS-B002011 confirming a circuit short to ground in the left side airbag deployment control system, and physically identified a broken clip on the airbag connector housing. The technician documented: "There is likely an intermittent failure at the connection between the airbag connector and the seat airbag itself. Need to start with replacement of airbag and repin connector." The check engine light illuminated within days of my purchase. This prompted me to bring the vehicle to Volvo Cars Tacoma on May 16, 2026 — six days after purchase. I personally did not observe an SRS warning light.

Filed Nov 29, 2025 · Electrical, Visibility · CA

2021 Volvo S60 T8 AWD, VIN [XXX] , ~71k miles Component: SUNROOF / DRAINAGE SYSTEM / ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Summary: Water entered the passenger compartment through clogged sunroof drain hoses and accumulated under the front passenger seat, causing catastrophic failure of wide angle module (WAM) and related electronic components (incl. front camera and wipers). Description: After moderate rain, a large amount of water was discovered under the front passenger seat. The vehicle began displaying multiple warning messages (camera faults, wiper faults). The authorized Volvo retailer diagnosed failure of the WAM and other modules due to water intrusion originating from the sunroof drainage system. This is a known, recurring defect acknowledged by Volvo in multiple Technical Service Bulletins: - TJ 31372-2 (Water leakage via sunroof drain hoses) - TJ 35382 (Updated drain hoses - new part number) - TJ 29322-3 (Water ingress passenger footwell / CEM area) The original drain hoses are too narrow and prone to clogging, causing water to overflow into the passenger compartment instead of exiting the vehicle. This creates a serious safety risk: - Potential failure of SRS airbag system - Loss of electronic stability control and ABS - Loss of 360 camera and blind-spot monitoring - Risk of electrical fire or short-circuit - Failure of wipers (mine stopped working when I was driving under the rain) Repair estimate: $17,825 Repair is going to be delayed over 2 months awaiting parts from Sweden. Vehicle was properly maintained; 70,000-mile service performed at authorized Volvo retailer on 9/24/25 - no drainage issues were noted or addresses at that time. This identical failure has been reported by hundreds of owners of 2019-2024 SPA-platform Volvos (S60, V60, XC60, XC90) on the federal safety agency complaints, Volvo forums, and in ongoing litigation. Despite multiple TSBs and redesigned parts, Volvo has not issued a recall or notified owners of the need for preventive maintenance. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA

Filed Nov 1, 2024 · Airbags, Seat belts · FL

I purchased a vehicle from a dealership that was aware of faulty airbags that was returned to dealership from another consumer. I discovered the issue a few months later when airbag warning light appeared and had it repaired which included steering wheel airbag, lower knee airbag and the seat belt in September. I did know it was involved in a accident prior to purchase since carfax states airbags did not deploy. A reporter approached me in September to inform me that my vehicle was involved in a story of said dealership selling cars with faulty airbags. The Volvo service advisor and myself did reach out the dealership seeking out financial assistance which they state since the vehicle passed a multi point inspection they are not liable to assist financially. The DA is aware of the situation and I am seeking damages that could have resulted in my bodily injury of lost of life.

Filed Jan 10, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · CA

On June 2, 2023 I went to start my car and the engine would not turn over. The dashboard displayed a number of warning lights and messages (DSTC Service Required, SRS Airbag Service Urgent, Transmission Service Required, Coolant System Service Required). When the tow truck driver arrived later that day, they tried to jumpstart my car but reported the battery was completely dead. I had the car taken to a local shop that specialized in Volvo cars. A few days later the shop called to tell me that not only was the battery dead, but my car key was no longer responding, and that the Engine Control Module "exploded." None of the mechanics at the shop had seen such a thing before. The shop also told me that they could not figure out what had been draining the battery. I was advised to reach out to the dealership. I did and happened to meet with the general manager and a lead technician who happened to be on site. I was told that while rare, the Engine Control Module can "explode." I was willing to drop the matter until I started seeing "Low Battery" warnings in early Sept. of 2023. I was finally able to get the car into the dealership on 1/2/24. After talking with the mechanic, he suggested that the satellite radio in my car was continuously draining my battery and to resolve the problem all they would need to do is download new software. A few hours later the mechanic confirmed that my car needed an RDAR upgrade to stop the battery drainage. I do not understand how the dealership could sell me the car without checking to make sure the software had been upgraded in the first place. RDAR failure is not something that pops up as a recall or major safety concern. If the car had lost power while in motion, there could have been serious consequences.

Filed Jul 19, 2023 · Airbags · 84,190 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2006 Volvo S60. The contact stated that the air bag was replaced under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 21V766000 (Air Bags) and approximately 2 weeks later, while the vehicle was idling at a stop sign, the air bag compartment on the driver's side started smoking and the air bag warning light illuminated. The smoke then dissipated. There were no injuries or medical attention needed. The contact returned the vehicle to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 84,190.

Filed Jun 1, 2023 · Airbags, Electrical · 27,859 miles · UT

The contact owns a 2016 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the SRS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who repaired the vehicle under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V378000 (Seat Belts) and 16V798000 (Seat Belts). The dealer also repaired an unstated electrical failure. The contact stated that the cells in the battery were faulty. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The contact stated that after several weeks, the SRS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer who informed the contact that the vehicle had been in an accident previously and the wiring was faulty. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact of a fault with the rear of the battery. The auxiliary battery was draining, and the battery was leaking. The mechanic informed the contact that the pretensioner needed to be replaced; however, the mechanic was unable to obtain the parts from the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 27,859.

Filed Apr 2, 2023 · Airbags · CA

After taking vehicle in for a service SRS airbag light and getting it fixed under warranty the same light has come back on.

Filed Jun 15, 2022 · Airbags · TN

InJanuary 3, 2021, I received a recall for the front driver airbag but replacement parts were not available. OnApril 19, 2021I received a letter the parts were available were and for me to contact a Volvo dealer to replace the front driver's airbag.free of charge. I called Volvo Cars to let me know the dealers in Nashville. They recommended Volvo of Cool Springs. I finally got an appointment on November 16,, and had my car towed to this dealer. I picked it up on November 9, with a receipt the front driver airbag Module had been installed. Aftera few days I noticed my SRS was showing"airbag Service Urgent".I resetthe SRS but the message is still showing. I called Volvo Cars and they agreed to tow the car to Volvo of Coolsprings to check the airbag. I picked my car up the clerk tried to explain the problem was with a failed DIM control module/display. The charge would be over $2000. so the receipt showed "customer declined recommendations. My SRS was working fine until they supposedly replaced the airbag. My mechanic looked it over and the airbag is not connected. Volvo refused to pay another dealer to check the airbag. However, Volvo offered to tow my car to Volvo of Nashville on Murfreesboro road , not the orignal dealer. I refused unless they took care of the charges. I now have an a front driver airbag that is not connected. I would have to pay a dealer to find out if the airbag had been replaced. i have been driving without the recall airbag. I am filing this complaint in case of accident and to let you know the airbag recall has not been corrected. You can never talk to a mechanic at Volvo of Cool Springs. I called numerous times and left messages for the mechanic or manager to return my call.

Filed Feb 18, 2020 · Airbags, Electrical · CA

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.

Filed Jul 16, 2019 · Airbags · 270,000 miles · AR

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 volvo s60. While driving 30 MPH and approaching an intersection, the air bag warning indicator illuminated and the driver and passenger side air bags deployed. There was no injury. The police was contacted, but the contact was unaware if a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to mclarty volvo cars of little rock (1500 n shackleford rd, little rock, ar 72211, (501) 588-7300). The dealer was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Prior to the failure, the same dealer diagnosed the vehicle concerning the air bag warning indicator illuminating. The vehicle was also taken to an independent mechanic for a wheel alignment. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was 270,000.

Related recalls

Air bags: frontalReported November 21, 2023 · 346 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volvo Car USA, LLC. (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2024 S60 vehicles. The passenger air bag may not be secured properly, which can cause the air bag to deploy improperly.
Risk
An air bag that does not deploy properly in a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts securing the passenger air bag, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 5, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1‑800‑458‑1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10254.

Recall number 23V780000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator moduleReported September 30, 2021 · 259,383 vehicles affected
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 moduleReported November 4, 2020 · 54,124 vehicles affected
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

Air bagsReported March 1, 2017 · 112 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017 S60, S60CC, V60, V60 Cross Country, and XC60 vehicles. The affected vehicles have driver and front passenger seat side mounted side air bags (SAB) with inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and number 214, "Side Impact Protection."
Risk
If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front seat side air bags, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1‑800‑458‑1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89712. Note: This recall is an expansion of recall 16V‑918.

Recall number 17V127000 · Recall details

Air bagsReported December 21, 2016 · 376 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2017 S60 and S60 Cross Country, V60 and V60 Cross Country, and XC60 vehicles manufactured August 16, 2016, through October 21, 2016. The affected vehicles have driver and front passenger seat side mounted side air bags (SAB) with inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and number 214, "Side Impact Protection."
Risk
If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front seat side air bags, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1‑800‑458‑1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89712.

Recall number 16V918000 · Recall details

Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactiveReported September 10, 2012 · 9 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2013 S60 and XC60 vehicles. A manufacturing defect within the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) control unit may lead to an inadvertent deployment of the seat belt pretensioner and/or inflatable curtain.
Risk
If the seat belt pretensioner and/or inflatable side curtain deploy without cause, the driver could be distracted and the driver's visibility could be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
These vehicles have not been sold and the SRS control unit will be replaced prior to the cars being sold. Owners may contact Volvo at 1‑800‑458‑1552.

Recall number 12V439000 · Recall details

Questions about the Volvo S60 airbag light

Why does the airbag light come on in the Volvo S60?

Owners who report it most often also describe brake failure, headlights failing or too dim and wrong fuel gauge reading.

Which Volvo S60 years have airbag warning light problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2003 (9 complaints), 2002 (7 complaints) and 2001 (4 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix airbag warning light on the Volvo S60?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,500 (median of 8 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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