2003 Volvo S60 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 4%of 120 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 9,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Volvo S60, 4% of the 120 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 9,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On 12 dec, 2008, my 2003 Volvo S60 stalled with no warning while traveling on a busy highway at 60 MPH. I pulled to safety (vehicle was in limp home mode) and had the vehicle towed to the dealership (park place Volvo). Since the vehicle started right back up and presented no codes, I was told there was nothing wrong and given a bill for $418 (for tow and diagnostic check). Approx. 1 month later, vehicle presented same problem; it stalled, without warning, while driving... Creating a great safety risk for the second time. …”
NHTSA complaint #10258205, filed 2009-02, 94,000 miles“For both our 2001 Volvo S60 2.4t and our 2003 Volvo xc90 2.5t awd there have been unsuccessful attempts to repair a transmission defect (essentially same transmission in both vehicles per Volvo tech support). Between 2nd and 3rd there is . Intermittent/unpredictable failure to engage 3rd in timely fashion with resultant loss of acceleration as vehicle is functionally in neutral with engine racing for 0.5 to 2.5 seconds. This is extremely dangerous especially when pulling on to a highway. We have experienced 2 near collisions (almost being struck from behind). …”
NHTSA complaint #10049392, filed 2003-12, 9,000 miles“Vehicle continued to row when consumer removed foot from the accelerator pedal when driving up an incline. Dealer was notified, and they informed the consumer that was the normal characteristic of that vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10101655, filed 2004-11, 500 miles“The transmission of my S60 inadvertently mis-shifts at a variety of speeds. The problem happens at low speeds when backing off between gears and feels like it up shifts at an inappropriate time and speeds up. Other times the transmission will mis-shift upon acceleration causing high revs, with no power. Talked with Volvo several times and first service visit paid $100 for a software upgrade that did nothing. Next time to service they checked the servos and stated they were ok. Last trip to service addressed issue w/ service rep and requested to have it documented. …”
NHTSA complaint #10158319, filed 2006-05, 40,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10037893May 25, 2012Volvo: there is a software update. *rm updated 4/11/2012. *kb updated 4/13/12. *pe updated 5/15/12. *pe updated 6/4/12.
- 10037896Jan 5, 2011Volvo: abs light on, four-wheel drive is not working. There is a software problem.
- 10032425Jul 10, 2009Volvo: the 5 speed automatic transmission, aw55-50/51, has a bolt on top that anchors the b4 band, which applies 3rd gear. If that bolt is removed, the band will be disengaged…
- 10016434Jul 7, 2006Transmission control module (tcm) upgrades available to correct complaints/symptoms.
- 10016108Nov 1, 2005Difficult to engage 1st and/or reverse gear.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 13% |
| 2020 | 1 | 8% |
| 2019 | 2 | 8% |
| 2016 | 1 | 4% |
| 2015 | 5 | 8% |
| 2014 | 1 | 4% |
| 2013 | 5 | 6% |
| 2012 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 2 | 20% |
| 2007 | 3 | 14% |
| 2006 | 4 | 13% |
| 2005 | 2 | 5% |
| 2004 | 12 | 6% |
| 2003 | 5 | 4% |
| 2002 | 15 | 8% |
| 2001 | 22 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2003 Volvo S60
54 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsEngine cooling
16 complaintsFuel system
14 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsEquipment
4 complaintsTires
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Volvo S60
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology