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Volvo S60Model year report

2001 Volvo S60 Problems

Complaints
223filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
80,500miles, 178 complaints with mileage
Recalls
8campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 2.3L 5-cyl FWD · 18 city / 26 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2001 Volvo S60 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

What owners report

Owners of the 2001 Volvo S60 most often report a strong gasoline smell and fuel leaks traced to the fuel pump, with many saying their vehicle was not covered by the fuel pump recalls. Second most common are electronic throttle problems — sudden loss of power, limp-home messages and surging — followed by transmission harshness and shifting faults. Electrical glitches such as dead instrument panels and false warning messages also appear repeatedly in the sample.

  1. Fuel system

    Fuel smell and leaks from fuel pump or tank area

    • 74 complaints (33%)
    • median 100,000 mi at 7.7 yrs old (63 state mileage)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $726 (median of 8 quotes)
    • filed 2006–2021

    Owners describe a strong gasoline odor outside and inside the car, often strongest after parking or with a full tank, and sometimes a visible puddle near the rear of the vehicle or under the rear passenger area. In many cases a dealer or independent mechanic traced it to a cracked fuel pump housing, a cracked fuel tank, or a leaking pump. Several owners report being told their vehicle was not included in a fuel pump recall because of where it was registered or because it exceeded the recall mileage limit. Reported from roughly 30,000 to over 200,000 miles, frequently in hot climates and after parking or refueling.

    Recall 09V483000Recall 07V152000

    What to check: Smell around the rear of the car after refueling and look underneath for wet spots near the tank and pump area. Ask whether the fuel pump has been replaced and whether either fuel pump recall was applied to this vehicle.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “I brought my car from someone in february, and it was running perfect. Now there is a gas smell, a smell that smells so bad I'm scared to drive because it might catch fire. I notice the smell before my birthday. My bday is 9/12, and now it jus had gotten worse. I don't thing I should be at fault for this problem. I don't have money to get it fixed. The dealer wants 1,095$ to fix it.”

    NHTSA complaint #10475664, filed 2012-09, 169,000 miles

    “I had an oil change and soon thereafter, I noticed that the car has a strong smell of gasoline. This has been happening for a week and I am afraid to drive the car. This is my only car and I need to know if there is a recall on this since there seem to be a good number of complaints.”

    NHTSA complaint #10347581, filed 2010-08, 167,000 miles
  2. Vehicle speed control

    Electronic throttle loss of power / limp home

    • 88 complaints (39%)
    • median 69,300 mi at 5.3 yrs old (77 state mileage)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $1,000 (median of 18 quotes)
    • filed 2003–2018

    Owners describe the engine abruptly dropping to low power or stalling while driving, with messages such as 'performance reduced' or 'reduced emission service', sometimes surging or lurching when the pedal is pressed. Restarting after a few minutes often restores normal operation, and dealers typically replaced or cleaned the electronic throttle module. Several owners say the problem returned after repair, and some were told the engine control module also needed replacement. Usually reported between about 18,000 and 100,000 miles, often at speed on highways or onramps and during steady acceleration.

    Recall 06V441000

    What to check: Ask for service records showing whether the electronic throttle module was replaced or cleaned and if software updates were applied. A test drive should include steady cruising and a throttle tip-in from a stop to check for surging or hesitation.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “2001 Volvo S60 t5 w/manual transmission stalled abruptly with a reduced power message on the dashboard computer display while accelerating on a highway onramp. This was a very dangerous situation, as another vehicle was behind me and came close to colliding with my vehicle due to immediate deceleration w/no warning/brake lights until I was able to react to the unexpected situation. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10142741, filed 2005-11, 81,872 miles

    “Speed control problem. My 2001 Volvo S60 lost power last night, while I was in the fast lane driving 70 MPH on interstate 5! I rapidly lost speed and by some miracle was able to weave through traffic to the roadside. The engine continued to run but it was as if the gas pedal was not connected to the engine. I managed to proceed at fast idle speed to an off ramp and found a parking lot, where I shut off the engine. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10150961, filed 2006-02, 88,590 miles
  3. Electrical system

    Instrument panel and electrical warning glitches

    • 73 complaints (33%)
    • median 69,600 mi at 5.3 yrs old (64 state mileage)
    • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
    • owner-quoted repair $900 (median of 13 quotes)
    • filed 2003–2020

    Owners report the instrument cluster going dead, false messages for brake, SRS and emission faults, and the car refusing to restart until the modules reset after several minutes. Some mention warning lights appearing intermittently and a dealer performing software upgrades or replacing electronic modules without a lasting fix. Others describe brake light circuits failing while the upper rear light still worked. Typically reported between about 50,000 and 100,000 miles, often appearing intermittently with no clear trigger.

    3 related service bulletins

    What to check: Check that all warning lights behave normally on startup and that the instrument cluster, turn signals and brake lights work. Ask whether software updates or module replacements have been done and keep records of any recurring electrical messages.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “Lower brake lights fail while upper rear windshield light continues to work. Had this work done once in 2005 to correct the wiring situation and now it is having to be done again. I feel this is completely dangerous for both brake lights to fail at the same time. Reading online forums has LED me to believe this is a widespread issue with the 2001 Volvo S60.”

    NHTSA complaint #10362123, filed 2010-10, 166,800 miles

    “My 2001 S60 2.4t Volvo sedan has had numerous error messages displayed over the 4 years I have owned it. Most times there was no problem in driving the vehicle until I could safely pull over. The fix for the error message was to shut off the engine, sit for a moment and restart. On two other frightful occasions, however, I lost steering assist and acceleration. Both times I was on busy interstate highways and feared for my life as my car limped toward the breakdown lane. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10134007, filed 2005-08, 54,803 miles
  4. Transmission and drivetrain

    Transmission harsh shifting, clunking and loss of drive

    • 22 complaints (10%)
    • median 91,000 mi at 7.6 yrs old (19 state mileage)
    • filed 2003–2016

    Complaints describe the automatic transmission failing to go into gear, clunking or lurching into gear, slipping, and occasionally losing power while driving. Owners report repeated attempts at repair, including software upgrades paid for by the owner, often with the fault returning. Some also note that a dealer downplayed the problem while the car was under warranty. Mostly reported between about 45,000 and 160,000 miles, sometimes appearing once the car warms up after driving several miles.

    What to check: During a test drive from cold, check for delayed or harsh engagement, clunks into gear, and slipping under acceleration. Ask whether the transmission fluid was serviced and whether any software updates were performed.

    2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

    “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. …”

    NHTSA complaint #10545561, filed 2013-09, 155,000 miles

    “Transmission failure while driving 0 this has happened at both low and high speeds. This is the forth time in two years that my Volvo S60 2.4 has had this type of failure. Three times before it has supposedly been repaired - but yet again it the transmission has failed. Three times in heavy traffic situations - three times putting myself in jeopardy. Volvo seems incapable of fixing this very dangerous problem.ak”

    NHTSA complaint #10054688, filed 2004-01, 23,000 miles

Buying note. On a 2001 S60, the fuel smell and leak history is the most consistent issue, so inspect the pump and tank area and confirm recall coverage before buying. Also budget for throttle and transmission checks, and get service records showing what has already been repaired.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.

NHTSA recorded 223 consumer complaints for the 2001 Volvo S60. 178 of the complaints include a mileage, and 18% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 80,500 miles. Of all complaints, 5 involved a crash, 5 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns and 171 technical service bulletins for this model year.

Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Seats (5), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (5), Body and structure (4), Suspension (4), Latches, locks and linkages (3), Engine (2), Steering (2), Wheels (2), Seat belts (1).

Example complaints

Fuel system: “Making a left turn, changing lanes, slowing down. Engine revved up to near maximum. I was able to control the vehicle. After engine returned to normal speed, no further problems until 12/14/11. On that date, a repeat of the surge. I have owned this car for 7 years. These incidents happened only after the last service at the dealer.”

NHTSA complaint #10440129, filed 2011-12, 66,000 miles

Vehicle speed control: “Despite several service bulletins and recall, the Volvo dealership refused to honor the recall #155 campaign charging me $1,120.92 for a new electronic throttle. We would like to know where we can send this invoice for reimbursement. We also would like the administration to triple fine Volvo cars for its blatant disregard of the laws governing recalls.”

NHTSA complaint #10560161, filed 2014-01, 87,254 miles

Electrical system: “When I apply pressure to the brake pedal I get an error message sometimes, not always, that says check brake lights . When the message is up, the left and right brakes in the back of the vehicle do not illuminate, but the middle one in the back of my rear window still does. When the message goes away, all lights illuminate.”

NHTSA complaint #10471195, filed 2012-08, 128,000 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “I noticed my car jerking when it shifts, so I thought it was the transmission or something, so I brought it in a Volvo dealership and they found out that it wasn't the transmission but dsem needs etm and breather box engine light) or what the service advisor said the throttle module and I was surprised that they didn't tell me or asked me if I know about the recall. The costumer service is very poor at this place.”

NHTSA complaint #10546046, filed 2013-09, 168,733 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

18% of the 178 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 54,803 and 115,000 miles.

3%0–106%10–2510%25–5029%50–7520%75–10020%100–15013%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (178 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 80,500 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’01’0438’07’10’13’16’19’23
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Volvo S60. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
S60 · sedan not rated4 / 4———

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2001 Volvo S60 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
S60 FWD2.3L 5-cyl5-speed manual182621$3,900
S60 FWD2.3L 5-cyl5-speed automatic182420$4,100
S60 FWD2.4L 5-cyl5-speed automatic182621$3,900
S60 FWD2.4L 5-cyl5-speed automatic192621$3,900
S60 FWD2.4L 5-cyl5-speed manual192521$3,900
S60 FWD2.4L 5-cyl5-speed automatic182621$3,900

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

See all 8 recalls for the 2001 Volvo S60 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

NHTSA investigations

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 171 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 171 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volvo S60

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20242213,0004530—Too new
20221542,0004530—Rising
20218—3527—Not enough data
20201211,7506527—Not enough data
20192515,3005—2857 · TypicalStable
20171742,4276529—Stable
20162733,000452929 · FewerFalling
20155947,535252941 · TypicalRising
20142531,000352420 · FewerStable
20138753,000452467 · MoreFalling
201212178,500852394 · MoreFalling
2011513,1506—21—Not enough data
20097106,7503—22—Not enough data
20081051,5002—22—Not enough data
20072156,9182—22—Falling
20063146,5623—22Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20054455,5003—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200419879,1225—22Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200312079,6956—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200218689,1268—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200122380,5008—21Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Volvo S60 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Volvo S60?

Owners of the 2001 Volvo S60 most often report a strong gasoline smell and fuel leaks traced to the fuel pump, with many saying their vehicle was not covered by the fuel pump recalls. The issues reported most often: Fuel smell and leaks from fuel pump or tank area; Electronic throttle loss of power / limp home; Instrument panel and electrical warning glitches.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2001 Volvo S60 have?

NHTSA recorded 223 consumer complaints for the 2001 Volvo S60 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2001 Volvo S60 is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 88 complaints (39% of the total), followed by vehicle speed control with 42.

Has the 2001 Volvo S60 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2001 Volvo S60 get?

The EPA rates the 2001 Volvo S60 (S60, 2.3L 5-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,900 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2001 Volvo S60 reported?

Among the 178 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 80,500 miles and the middle half falls between 54,803 and 115,000 miles; 18% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.