11 of the
262 complaints about the 2004 Volvo S60 are about the
braking system — 4% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
77,600 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, ANOTHER VEHICLE INTERSECTED HER LINE CAUSING IMPACT TO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT STATED NO ONE SUSTAINED INJURIES OR SOUGHT MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE VEHICLE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED BY A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 162,000. *LN
NHTSA complaint #11317095 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesSacramento, CA
SERVICE BRAKES
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).
NHTSA complaint #10677090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,800 milesCorona DEL MAR, CACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS DRIVING 35-40 MPH WHEN A VEHICLE 2 CARS AHEAD OF ME HAD TO MAKE A QUICK STOP. I DID NOT SEE THIS HAPPEN IN TIME, SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES AND CONSEQUENTLY SMASHED INTO THE BACK OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME, WHO THEN HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HIM. I TOTALED MY CAR. THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED AND FILLED MY CAR WITH SMOKE (OR WHATEVER THAT IS) HOWEVER, THE DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS RUSHED TO A TRAUMA CENTER AND MY INJURIES INCLUDE MY BACK, NECK AND I LOST A TOOTH FROM MY FACE HITTING THE STEERING WHEEL. MY CHEST AND LEGS ARE COVERED IN BRUISES FROM THE SEAT BELT. I AM VERY LUCKY, HOWEVER, I DO NOT LIKE TO THINK OF WHAT COULD HAVE OCCURRED IF I WAS AT A HIGH SPEED AND ON THE FWY. AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE IT WAS DEFECTIVE, AND PERHAPS IT WAS NOT DESIGNED TO GO OFF IN THIS PARTICULAR INCIDENT? I HIT HEAD ON, NO LOGICAL REASON TO THINK THE PASSENGER AIRBAG GOING OFF AS IT DID, BUT NOT MINE OR DRIVER SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10544288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesDublin, OH
SERVICE BRAKES
GOOD AFTERNOON, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, WHEREBY THE BRAKE LINING OF THE E-BRAKE IS OF AN "ORGANIC" COMPOUND AND ACCORDING TO THE VOLVO TECHNICIAN "SWELLS" WHEN IT GETS WET, CAUSING THE E-BRAKE TO LOCK-UP. MY BRIDE WAS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN THIS OCCURRED, CAUSING THE ENTIRE BRAKING ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATED PARTS TO BE RIPPED AND BUSTED LOOSE. VOLVO CHARGED US $2100 IN PARTS AND LABOR TO "FIX" THIS. VOLVO TECHS DID SAY THAT THIS HAPPENS ALOT, BUT ALOT AT SPEED (FASTER THAN 25MPH). CAN YOU IMAGINE THIS E-BRAKE LOCK-UP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. HOW FREQUENTLY HAS THIS HAPPENED? I HAVE PICTURES OF THE AFFECTED PARTS. THIS IS TOTALLY UNSAFE AND VOLVO KNOWS ABOUT IT.
NHTSA complaint #10481300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesDublin, OH
PARKING BRAKE
GOOD AFTERNOON, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, WHEREBY THE BRAKE LINING OF THE E-BRAKE IS OF AN "ORGANIC" COMPOUND AND ACCORDING TO THE VOLVO TECHNICIAN "SWELLS" WHEN IT GETS WET, CAUSING THE E-BRAKE TO LOCK-UP. MY BRIDE WAS IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD WHEN THIS OCCURRED, CAUSING THE ENTIRE BRAKING ASSEMBLY AND ASSOCIATED PARTS TO BE RIPPED AND BUSTED LOOSE. VOLVO CHARGED US $2100 IN PARTS AND LABOR TO "FIX" THIS. VOLVO TECHS DID SAY THAT THIS HAPPENS ALOT, BUT ALOT AT SPEED (FASTER THAN 25MPH). CAN YOU IMAGINE THIS E-BRAKE LOCK-UP AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. HOW FREQUENTLY HAS THIS HAPPENED? I HAVE PICTURES OF THE AFFECTED PARTS. THIS IS TOTALLY UNSAFE AND VOLVO KNOWS ABOUT IT.
NHTSA complaint #10481300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 72,500 milesBrooklyn, NYCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO FIVE VEHICLES. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. UPDATED 04/16/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE THROTTLE REMAINED OPEN. UPDATED 04/25/12
NHTSA complaint #10451468 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 77,600 milesEtna, NH
PARKING BRAKE
PARKING BRAKE PAD DELAMINATED FROM SHOE: DISLODGED AFTER DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND BECAME WEDGED INTO REAR SPINDLE CAUSING WHEEL TO LOCK UP AND RESULTED IN MAJOR DAMAGE TO BRAKE AND WHEEL COMPONENTS. 1 OCCURRENCE, REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF LEFT REAR ROTOR, BACKING PLATE, SPINDLE, PARKING BRAKE SHOES (BOTH SIDES) AND PARKING BRAKE CABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10255132 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,000 milesMagnolia, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
2004 VOLVO S60 2.5 TURBO: NO WARNING TO THE EVENTS. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, THE CAR FEELS AS IF IT HAS HIT A LARGE OBJECT, TEMPORARILY LURCHES AND APPEARS TO MOMENTARILY STALL CREATING A TEMPORARY LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. THIS IS FOLLOWED BY AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF ALL INSTRUMENT GAUGES, AIR CONDITIONER, WINDOW CONTROLS AND DOOR LOCKS. THE FAN DID CONTINUE TO WORK. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ALSO INDICATED AS WELL AS A WARNING THAT NO BRAKES FUNCTION EXISTED. THE SRS SERVICE AIR BAG URGENT INDICATION IS ILLUMINATED. ON TURNING THE CAR OFF AND RESTARTING, THE FUNCTIONS OF THE CAR RETURN WITH EXCEPTION THAT THE SRS SERVICE AIR BAG URGENT INDICATION REMAINS. THIS PROBLEM CAN TAKE MONTHS TO REPEAT OR ONLY A MATTER OF MINUTES. IT SEEMS TO BE MORE PREVALENT IN HOT WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE SHOP AT THE VOLVO DEALER AND THEY COULD ONLY CLEAR ALARMS AS THEY SAID THE EVENT CREATED TOO MANY ALARMS/FAULT CODES TO TROUBLESHOOT. THEY DOWNLOADED NEW SOFTWARE REVISIONS TO EACH CONTROL MODULE IN THE CAR. AFTER A PERIOD OF APPROXIMATELY A MONTH, THE EVENTS BEGAN OCCURRING AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO NON OEM MECHANICS AS WELL AND THEY ARE NOT ABLE TO TROUBLESHOOT THE FAULT. THE VEHICLE IS SCHEDULED TO BE TAKEN TO THE DEALERS SERVICE SHOP AGAIN. SEARCHING THE INTERNET CHAT ROOMS AND BLOGS, AS WELL AS THIS SITE, THERE APPEARS TO BE NUMEROUS OTHER VEHICLES WITH THIS SAME SAFETY FAULT THAT STALLS VEHICLES IN TRAFFIC AND CREATES VERY SUDDEN AND SEVERE LURCHES IN POWER ULTIMATELY LEADING TO A MOMENTARY STALL OUT WITH LOSS OF ALL INSTRUMENT INDICATIONS TO INCLUDE SPEED, RPM, TURN INDICATOR, ETC.
NHTSA complaint #10236160 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,000 milesCharlotte, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
2004 VOLVO S60 2.5T. PURCHASED THE CAR USED IN SEPT 07. 6-5-08 PANEL DISPLAYED OPEN REAR DOOR WHILE DRIVING 65MPH ON HIGHWAY, MY DOOR WAS NOT OPENED. CAR JERKED AS IF THERE WAS POWER LOSS, AC WENT OFF, BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT ON PANEL, POWER WINDOWS AND LOCKS DID NOT WORK, TEMP 105 , THEN DRIVER PANEL WENT BLACK. CAR JERKED 3 TIMES IN MID TRAFFIC, I WAS SCARED TO DEATH FOR MY LIFE. ARRIVED AT MY EXIT, PULLED OVER TO A GAS STATION, ENGINE STILL RUNNING BUT SLUGGISH, RADIO WAS STILL ON, POWER DOOR LOCKS AND WINDOWS DID NOT WORK, AC OFF. ENGINE STILL RUNNING SO I MADE IT A COUPLE OF MILES UP THE STREET TO MY HOME. CUT THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, ALL POWER RETURNED, NOW CHECK ENGINE AND AIR BAG TROUBLE ON PANEL. WENT TO VOLVO DEALER NEXT DAY 6-6-08 NEAR MY HOME, THEY CAN NOT SEE MY CAR TIL NEXT WEEK TUESDAY. WENT TO PEPBOYS, BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR ARE OK, CAN NOT ACCESS ENGINE BOX, MUST GO TO DEALER. CALLED VOLVO FOR TUESDAY 6-10-08 APPOINTMENT. CAR DUPLICATED SAME PROBLEM MONDAY 6-9-08 ON DRIVE HOME FROM WORK ON THE HIGHWAY TEMP 105 ETC. SEARCHED FOR COMPLAINTS AND RECALLS, MY RECALLS WERE REPORTED COMPLETED WHEN I PURCHASED THE CAR, FOUND ALL OF THIS VALUABLE INFO ONLINE, WILL SEE DEALER TOMORROW AND TAKE THESE RELATED COPIES OF COMPLAINTS WITH ME.
NHTSA complaint #10230386 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,500 milesLOS Angeles, CACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
I WAS LEAVING UCLA PARKING GARAGE (I'M AN RN THERE) WHEN I PUT MY VOLVO 2004 S60 INTO GEAR AND IT TOOK OFF BACKWARDS LIKE A ROCKET, CAR WAS THROWN INTO A CONCRETE POST FAR AWAY FROM WHERE I BEGAN. I IMMEDIATELY PUT CAR IN PARK SINCE I THOUGHT I'D GET OUT AND SEE WHAT ON EARTH HAPPENED, BUT IT THEN LUNGED FORWARD BY ITSELF AND TOOK OFF WITHOUT STOPPING!!! THANK GOD IT WAS 6PM AND NOT AN HOUR EARLIER WHEN MANY STAFF WOULD HAVE BEEN IN GARAGE, I'D HAVE RUN THEM OVER! I ALSO TURNED OFF IGNITION WITH KEY, NOTHING HELPED!! IT KEPT GOING ALONG WITH A MIND OF ITS OWN AT APPROX 15 MPH MAKING A GROWLING WHIRRING SOUND. I WAS ABLE TO STEER CAR AND AVOID OTHER VEHICLES BUT EVENTUALLY HAD TO MAKE SERIOUS DECISION TO PURPOSELY CRASH INTO ANOTHER CONCRETE MASSIVE POST WHICH I DID AND THE "POSSESSED BEAST". FINALLY CAME TO A HALT WITH FLUID POURING OUT ALL OVER,. MY BRAKES DID NOT WORK DURING THIS EVENT, NOT AT ALL, THAT'S WHY I COULDN'T STOP THE CAR (ALONG WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, TRIED PUTTING CAR IN PARK GEAR AND TURNED OFF IGNITION KEY LAST AUGUST WHEN I HAD ONLY 22, 000 MILES ON CAR IT TOOK IT TO VOLVO DEALER TWICE, SINCE CAR WAS OFTEN STALLING AND STOPPING ON THE STREET WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T FIND IT STALLING WHEN THEY TEST DROVE IT BUT THEY MENTIONED THEY CLEANED THE THROTTLE AND SAID THAT COULD HELP (WHICH IT DID UNTIL 2, 500 MILES LATER WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAVE DEALER PAPERWORK INDICATING CAR STALLING AND THAT THEY CLEANED THROTTLE BOX ALSO, THEY SAID I SHOULD BE TAKING CAR ON THE FREEWAY MORE AT HIGH ENOUGH SPEED TO "BLOW OFF THE CARBON" I SPENT FRIDAY NIGHT IN ER WITH NECK/SHOULDER INJURIES, BUT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER. FORGOT TO MENTION THAT WHEN I TOOK CAR IN FOR SERVICE JULY 2007 DEALER REPLACED FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR AS PER RECALL. DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS SIGNIFICANT. ALSO WROTE ON FORM "DURING INSPECTION FOUND UPPER ENGINE MOUNT COLLAPSED, CAUSE........ ENGINE REPAIR". UPDATED 03-25-08 *BF THE DEALER STATED REAR BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 03/25/08
NHTSA complaint #10219547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,500 milesLOS Angeles, CACrash1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
I WAS LEAVING UCLA PARKING GARAGE (I'M AN RN THERE) WHEN I PUT MY VOLVO 2004 S60 INTO GEAR AND IT TOOK OFF BACKWARDS LIKE A ROCKET, CAR WAS THROWN INTO A CONCRETE POST FAR AWAY FROM WHERE I BEGAN. I IMMEDIATELY PUT CAR IN PARK SINCE I THOUGHT I'D GET OUT AND SEE WHAT ON EARTH HAPPENED, BUT IT THEN LUNGED FORWARD BY ITSELF AND TOOK OFF WITHOUT STOPPING!!! THANK GOD IT WAS 6PM AND NOT AN HOUR EARLIER WHEN MANY STAFF WOULD HAVE BEEN IN GARAGE, I'D HAVE RUN THEM OVER! I ALSO TURNED OFF IGNITION WITH KEY, NOTHING HELPED!! IT KEPT GOING ALONG WITH A MIND OF ITS OWN AT APPROX 15 MPH MAKING A GROWLING WHIRRING SOUND. I WAS ABLE TO STEER CAR AND AVOID OTHER VEHICLES BUT EVENTUALLY HAD TO MAKE SERIOUS DECISION TO PURPOSELY CRASH INTO ANOTHER CONCRETE MASSIVE POST WHICH I DID AND THE "POSSESSED BEAST". FINALLY CAME TO A HALT WITH FLUID POURING OUT ALL OVER,. MY BRAKES DID NOT WORK DURING THIS EVENT, NOT AT ALL, THAT'S WHY I COULDN'T STOP THE CAR (ALONG WITH FOOT ON BRAKE, TRIED PUTTING CAR IN PARK GEAR AND TURNED OFF IGNITION KEY LAST AUGUST WHEN I HAD ONLY 22, 000 MILES ON CAR IT TOOK IT TO VOLVO DEALER TWICE, SINCE CAR WAS OFTEN STALLING AND STOPPING ON THE STREET WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS TOLD THEY COULDN'T FIND IT STALLING WHEN THEY TEST DROVE IT BUT THEY MENTIONED THEY CLEANED THE THROTTLE AND SAID THAT COULD HELP (WHICH IT DID UNTIL 2, 500 MILES LATER WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAVE DEALER PAPERWORK INDICATING CAR STALLING AND THAT THEY CLEANED THROTTLE BOX ALSO, THEY SAID I SHOULD BE TAKING CAR ON THE FREEWAY MORE AT HIGH ENOUGH SPEED TO "BLOW OFF THE CARBON" I SPENT FRIDAY NIGHT IN ER WITH NECK/SHOULDER INJURIES, BUT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER. FORGOT TO MENTION THAT WHEN I TOOK CAR IN FOR SERVICE JULY 2007 DEALER REPLACED FUEL PRESSURE SENSOR AS PER RECALL. DON'T KNOW IF THIS IS SIGNIFICANT. ALSO WROTE ON FORM "DURING INSPECTION FOUND UPPER ENGINE MOUNT COLLAPSED, CAUSE........ ENGINE REPAIR". UPDATED 03-25-08 *BF THE DEALER STATED REAR BRAKE PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 03/25/08
NHTSA complaint #10219547 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.