In 2008, at about 93k miles, the transmission on my 2001 volvo s60 failed while I was driving on a main thoroughfare. Fortunately, I was able to avoid being in an accident. I had a volvo dealer install a new volvo transmission. In 2014, at about 123k miles (or about 30k miles on the new transmission), the second transmission failed while I was driving on a local street. Again, I was able to avoid an accident. A search of the federal safety agency database and other online sources showed that there have been numerous early transmission failures with volvos like mine. Volvo of north america refused to do anything to help fix the faulty transmission despite information that there is a problem with the transmission they have been using.
Volvo S60 transmission failure problems
18 of the 1,274 owner complaints about the Volvo S60 describe complete transmission failure, most of them for the 2001 model year.
- owner complaints
- 18
- worst model year
- 2001
- typical mileage
- 60,045
By model year
- 20072
- 20032
- 200114
Often reported together
Jerking 3Won't shift 2Loss of power 2Sudden acceleration 1Stalling 1Hesitation 1
What owners say
Volvo s60 of the first generation has had major transmission issues. Many have failed, slipped, and have destroyed the vehicle. According to other drivers it seems that the transmission has been fixed after 2005. It is not normal for transmissions to be going out before 100k miles. I'm sure many drivers have complained of this issue. Many times I have almost been in wrecks because it will not go into gear and will clunk into gear lurching me forward. The software when it first came out would put the car in neutral after you touched the brake to save gas millage. This software was removed for an unknown reason. Most likely being because it was damaging transmissions. Transmission do not shift instantly. So you would be in neutral then it would switch into gear. After many updates and small changes to the transmission reports of transmission failures have gone down majorly after 2005. It is not right that it took 4 years to fix this problem.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 volvo s60. The contact stated that while driving approximately 38 MPH the transmission failed to shift into fifth gear. The contact also stated that whenever premium grade fuel was used, the engine would exhibit less engine power. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the adaptive transmission system was reset. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but did not provide further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 51,000.
Transmission failure at 94k miles. Car lost power barely making it through an intersection. Internet research indicates this is a common failure among volvo s60.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 volvo s60. The contact stated that automatic transmission would not go in to gear, lock up and surge forward,and not shift properly at any time.. She noticed the issue happened approx after driving 10 miles after the vehicle heated up. She had been having transmission failures since february 2008. She noticed the failure every time she drove the vehicle if she drove more than 10 miles. She took the vehicle to the dealership and a software upgrade was performed at her expense. However, the issue reoccurred shortly after. She called the manufacturer and was told that she did indeed have a faulty transmission but would not offer anything other than a 10% cost reduction on the software upgrade repair. There had been no further repairs made to the vehicle at the time of the complaint. The current mileage was approximately 137,000. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
2001 volvo s60 t5 after about 30 miles of highway driving, I came to a stop due to traffic. When traffic started moving, I noticed jerking and hard shifting. The transmission service light came on and the car went into limp mode. I eventually had to have the car towed to the dealership where I was told that it needed a new transmission for 4000.00. The 2001 s60 transmission issue is very common and should be replaced free of charge by volvo.
I had slight jerking and slipping during recent two years. But since this month (aug. 2008), my 2001 s60 t5 becomes worse with frequent jerking and slipping during traffic and accelerating from a stop. Driving with those symptoms is very dangerous. Visited dealer shop for several times, the suggestions were always new transmission replacement which cost over $4,000. I was also told many s60 2001 and later have the similar problems. I think the volvo builder must be responsible for this safety related bad part manufacturer issue.
2001 volvo s60 2.4t bought as volvo certified pre-owned from dealer with 47,000 miles. Now has 69,170 and need new transmission, right axle, right cv joint, rear seal, motor mounts. Had complained about poor acceleration, rough shifting, rolling in park before extended warranty ran out and dealer did not fix, now out of warranty, they acknowledge the problems exists and I will have to pay to fix.
2001volvo s60 turbo - transmission slipping; having problems changing gears; either it is straining to change gears or I hear and feel a loud (clunck). Problem happens a lot in stop and go traffic. Dealer says I need to replace the transmission at a cost of $4000. Read other forums and other volvo owners are having the same problems.
New vehicle 2007 volvo s60 r was picked up from the dealership, volvo of oak park, oak park, il in the afternoon. The vehicle was driven to my residence in farmer city, il. The odometer reading was 186 miles when the transmission failed , most likely, a shift linkage malfunctioned, which resulted in a total loss of power. The problem occurred when up shifting while passing on a rural road and nearly causing a head-on collision with an oncoming vehicle. The vehicle was equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the Volvo S60 transmission failure
Which Volvo S60 years have complete transmission failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2001 (14 complaints), 2003 (2 complaints) and 2007 (2 complaints).
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