Volvo S60 brake failure problems

Filed Aug 24, 2026 · Acceleration, Brakes · MN · crash

I was pulling into a parking spot in a strip mall parking lot. When I braked after turning into the parking spot, the brakes failed. The car moved forward and hit the Chevy Suburban parked in front of it and started to push it. The automatic collision avoidance system did not stop the car, either. The owner of the Suburban was in that vehicle and was able to put it in gear and move it out of the way. My car continued to move forward at the speed it had been going at when the brakes failed so apparently it was still accelerating. The car then ran into a concrete bollard, and that stopped the car. The control panel was completely blank and the car could not be restarted. The car incurred front end damage and was towed to a collision shop, where it is now. When returned, it will go to the Volvo dealership to be checked out. I don't know whether the problem can be reproduced; by the time the two truck arrive an hour after the incident, the car could be started and appeared to be operating normally.

Filed Dec 22, 2025 · Acceleration, Brakes · 4,000 miles · WI · crash

The contact owns a 2024 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while pulling into a handicap parking spot in the parking spot located in front of Barnes and Noble, on 12/16/2025 around 6:40 P.M., the vehicle experienced uncommanded /unattended acceleration, and the brakes failed when depressed and pressed against the floorboard. and crashed into the cement barrier, which slowed it, and then the vehicle stopped. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to drive away from the crash. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The contact had pre-existing spinal injuries and five cervical surgeries. It was undetermined if he was injured during the failure, but he will be seeking medical attention. There was no reported fire, airbag deployment, or police report filed. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle had recently been serviced. The contact mentioned he was not made aware of a possible issue with the vehicle during the purchase. The contact had linked the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number 25V392000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Service Brakes). The contact hired an engineer who inspected the vehicle, but there were no findings or codes. The manufacturer was contacted, who filed a case. The contact had informed the insurance company. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.

Filed Jul 8, 2024 · Airbags, Electrical · OR

2004 volvo s60 purchased the car used in sept 04. On 7/8/24 stranded at 7-11 car wouldn't start. Acting as if there was power loss, AC went off, brake failure light on panel, power windows and locks did not work, temp 105 outside , then driver panel went black., I was scared. Engine wouldn't start. Finally, after waiting 10 minutes...it started running but was sluggish. Radio was on, power door, locks, and windows, did not work. Cut the car off and back on, all power returned, now check engine and air bag trouble on panel. Called volvo dealer next day near my home, they can not see my car til next week tuesday. Can not access engine box, must go to dealer.

Filed Sep 11, 2019 · Brakes · 11,600 miles · NJ

Brakes failed without any warning while driving on the highway. Driver was able to stop the car by switching the gear to park position after turning into local road. Brake lever was going all the way down before car came to stop and also while trying to resume driving. Car was stopped and called for assistance.

Filed Jan 22, 2018 · Brakes · 33,000 miles · MI

This is an additional complaint regarding the same vehicle brake problem filed under the federal safety agency safety issue id 10979689. On 15 dec the same volvo failed to stop at a red light on a city street in dry pavement conditions. The only way to stop the vehicle while traveling at approximately 35 MPH was by continuing to hold the brake pedal all the way down and then slamming the gearshift from drive into park. The vehicle was subsequently towed back to the local dealer. When this vehicle was at the dealer they drained the brake lines and changed the master brake cylinder based on this fix reportedly working on another s60 with the same problem according to volvo tech support. After eight months the brakes failed again. Volvo has a braking problem on these vehicles and does not no the cause nor the corrective acrion.

Filed Apr 20, 2017 · Brakes · 20,000 miles · MI

Brakes failed to stop the car on three occassions. Brakes would slow the car down;however, the brake pedal was pushed all the way down and the car was still rolling. First two failures occurred consecutively. Had to shift the car into park first time; second time had to put the emergency brake on. Third occasion was after taking the vehicle into volvo dealer in chicago and getting it back with no repairs completed because computer didnt register a problem. Third occasion was four days later; car was slowing down but wouldn't stop. Fortunately traffic started to move again before I had to shift the vehicle into park. First incident involved pedestrian crossing the street, last incident involved another vehicle. All three incidents were on city streets. Took vehicle into second dealer in detroit. They contacted volvo tech support. Volvo support recommended changing master brake cylinder and draining brakes lines. Apparently this same problem occurred on another s60 and this fix worked. The detroit dealer did the rcommended repair and so far vehicle is ok. However we are concerned about our safety..not being able to stop the vehicle on three previous occasions is unsafe for us and other motorists/pedestrians. We are not totally confident that the vehicle will be able to come to a complete stop 100% of the time in the future.

Filed Jan 21, 2015 · Brakes, Engine · 100,000 miles · CA

The 2.4l 2004 volvo s60 experiences erratic behavior and engine failure when operating multiple concurrent electrical systems. When these systems (operated within specified guidelines) are used concurrently they cause the following conditions: engine failure, loss of power steering, loss of brakes. The following is a list of electrical channels that have been used to trigger the engine failure: brakes, indicator lights (right or left) heated seats (x2) front windshield defrost multiple s60 model owners have reported having experienced this same engine failure which cannot be detected by the manufactures diagnostics test. When tested the battery, alternator and computer all present positive read-outs. Http://repairpal.com/replaced-map-senor-and-maf-airflow-engine-light-back-on-hesitate-still-cut-off-321 http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2290017/volvo-s60-engine-cuts-off-while-turning https://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20110502120739aa0tjsr this is a serious condition that could result in a collision or even death. A recall on this model is being immediately requested. Thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Oct 31, 2014 · Electrical, Transmission · 90,000 miles · TX

While driving, the car jerks violently - the same thing happens when the car is idling (no jerk, only an "click" sound). It happens anytime but seems worse in the summer but I think it's hot-heat related. The other issues are related: -the interior lights usually come on -the instrument panel goes completely blank/lights go off/no available emergency lights -the windshield wipers make one wipe sometimes -the "rear passenger door open" warning comes on -the "brake failure stop safely" warning comes on and sometimes "check engine" light comes on. Not all of these symptoms occur each time. There are more severe and less severe incidents.

Filed Aug 26, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 93,522 miles · MD

The entire instrument panel went dead and the turn signals would not function. Only the headlights were working. Messages came up saying that there was an SRS airbag issue and that there was a brake failure. All of the messages were false and the instrument cluster went dead. This is a concern since the messages are incorrect according to what the dealer told me and have seen several people with the same issue. I think that volvo should replace all of the dims and cems for every car that exhibits this problem the first time for vehicles under 125,000 miles. This should not happen and is a very big safety issue. This is not the first time that the cluster has gone dead. Also each time it has been raining and the dealer has said that there are no shorts in the system. Something is wrong and they are replacing every part without fixing the issue.

Filed Feb 7, 2013 · Electrical · 52,000 miles · CO

Purchased this car in 2010 with 51,000 miles. Shortly after purchase check engine light came on with service engine soon message. Car worked fine. Then brake failure message came on, brakes worked fine. Took vehicle to volvo dealership and they found a way to "reset" system. Go in trunk, remove black battery cable, touch it to red battery cable for approx 10 seconds and the system will. We've reset the system countless times and it continues to be a problem. About 3 months ago all gauges would quit working and car would randomly brake at about 45 MPH. Plus after coming to stop, car would barely move but after it got going it would be fine. Reset system and it worked for about 3 miles and happen again. Volvo mechanic found awd (dem) control module failure. Replaced this at $1500 for the part and after 50 miles, gauges still work, no random braking and acceleration is normal. But....service engine message and check engine light back on. Was told that all modules relate to each and if one is out it can affect the others. At about $1500 per module, it is cost prohibitive to replace all these, 6 to be exact. Volvo needs to recall these vehicles and replace these modules.