The contact owns a 2015 Volvo S60. The contact stated that on several occasions, the vehicle hesitated while starting. Upon starting, the vehicle shuddered, vibrated, lost power, and entered Limp mode. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was restarted after each failure; however, after the last occurrence, the vehicle took longer to restart. The check engine warning light blinked on several occasions. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence and later taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The contact was informed that the engine had failed, and the piston rings or the engine needed to be replaced. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Volvo S60 check engine light comes on
110 of the 1,274 owner complaints about the Volvo S60 describe check engine light, most of them for the 2004 model year.
- owner complaints
- 110
- worst model year
- 2004
- typical repair cost reported
- $1,050
- typical mileage
- 93,000
Is there a fix? There are 5 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 38Loss of power 14Oil consumption 10Jerking 7Engine failure 7Hesitation 6Misfire 5Fuel pump 5
Trouble codes mentioned
U0120 1U0111 1P2135 1P0300 1P0192 1P0171 1
What owners say
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.
The check engine light appeared on my 2018 Volvo s60. After taking the car to 2 Independent mechanics and the dealer, it was diagnosed as an Engine Control Module (ECM) failure. My 2018 Volvo s60 has ONLY 44,200 miles. The dealer stated that they "haven't seen this failure in cars with such low mileage. Usually, cars have 125,000+ miles if/when the ECM fails". The dealer and an Independent mechanic both stated that the brakes, steering, starter, thermostat, etc., could fail at any time. This could put my family, and other families on the road, at risk. Volvo refused to pay for the repairs.
The contact owns a 2015 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the check engine warning light remained illuminated, and had flashed off and on while driving at highway speeds. The contact stated that the vehicle also stalled on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the engine cylinders were faulty, and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 117,000.
I was driving approximately 65 MPH on the highway and suddenly my car started shuttering, stuttering, and my check engine light started blinking. My car started slowing down as if it was having trouble accelerating. I also received a warning message that said, “Reduce speed or shift up.” I only have 123,263 miles on the vehicle. My mechanic informed me I was having a cylinder 2 misfire and that my exhaust valve burnt up. I also need a new timing belt. This is not the first time I’ve had a cylinder misfire on this car, so I believe there is something faulty in this vehicle. As a result of this incident, I pulled over on the highway and waited for a tow truck.
Car is just back from the dealer for 40k service 2 days ago, while driving about 35mph a turtle icon and a check engine light came on car rate limited itself to 25mph had I been on a faster road I would’ve likely been rear ended
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.
Discovered that my engine is burning oil. There was no warning from my vehicle or from Volvo (during regular maintenance) that this was happening. It was just sudden that the check engine light went on and I checked the oil and found that it was basically empty. Volvo confirmed that the engine is burning oil and that this model and make was discovered to have this engine issue. Volvo did not offer a solution other than to buy a new vehicle to replace this one. In my research online, this problem is common for this model and make 2012 S60 T5, may other have reported the same issue and it seems that there is a recall for this problem but my vehicle (VIN) does not report this to be a problem for my car. I’m not sure what to do.
What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The front warning collision comes on when a car is not even close. Engine, a part in the engine area has been replaced twice. Transmission, not shifting properly when 2/3. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The unit will try to brake. The check engine light has come on more than once. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Yes and No. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives, or others? Yes by a Volvo Dealer. Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem before the failure, and when did they first appear? Yes, transmission service and check engine light. Also red warning light appears on the window.
The contact owns a 2012 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, she smelled a burning odor in the interior of the vehicle, after which the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact was able to coast to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. After a visual inspection of the engine compartment, the contact became aware that the engine was without oil; however, the low oil warning light was not illuminated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer nor an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. After investigating the failure, the contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 13V592000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine: engine control module (ecu/ECM)
- What is wrong
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2022-2023 S60, V60, S90L, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An electronic control module (ECM) software error may prevent the combustion engine from starting, causing a loss of drive power.
- Risk
- The vehicle may lose drive power as the high voltage battery is depleted, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the ECM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 8, 2022. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1‑800‑458‑1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10198.
Recall number 22V793000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S60 vehicles manufactured June 22, 2010, through May 14, 2012, and equipped with 5-cylinder B5254T5 (VIN code 62) engines. In the affected vehicles, the vehicle may not alert the driver of a low oil pressure situation.
- Risk
- Without being warned of a low oil pressure situation, the driver may continue to drive the vehicle until it stalls, which increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software so that the driver is alerted should there be a low oil pressure situation, free of charge. The recall began on January 10, 2014. Owners may contact Volvo at 1‑800‑458‑1552. Volvo's number for this campaign is R29436.
Recall number 13V592000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- Volvo is recalling certain model year 2011, s80, s60, xc70 and xc60 vehicles. The software calibration for the fuel cut-off functionality in the engine control module (ECM) is too sensitive.
- Risk
- Sudden engine stall could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the ECM and TCM with new software free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before december 10, 2010. Owners may contact volvo at 1‑800‑458‑1552 or at [email protected].
Recall number 10V579000 · 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
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, under certain operating conditions, some electric cooling fans may overheat potentially causing heat damage and, in rare instances, a fire in the engine compartment.
- Risk
- A fire in the engine compartment could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the cooling fan. The recall began on november 29, 2004. Customers should contact volvo cars at 1‑800‑458‑1552.
Recall number 04V451000 · Recall details
Questions about the Volvo S60 check engine light
Why does the check engine light come on in the Volvo S60?
Owners who report it most often also describe engine stalls while driving, sudden loss of power and excessive oil consumption, and the codes they mention most are U0120, U0111 and P2135.
Which Volvo S60 years have check engine light problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2004 (43 complaints), 2012 (14 complaints) and 2002 (11 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the Volvo S60?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $1,050 (median of 14 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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