121 of the
1,678 complaints filed about the Volvo S60
are about the throttle and cruise control —
7% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2001.
121
Complaints
7%
Share of all complaints
15
Crashes
0
Fires
Acceleration & Cruise Control complaints by model year
On two separate occasions in the past two months June 6 and Aug. 15, this vehicle experienced a severe unintended engine surge / unintended acceleration event while at a complete stop with my foot firmly on the brake. On both occasions, the engine RPMs spiked above 1,000 RPM, forcing the vehicle to pull heavily against the brakes as if trying to race forward into the intersection. On the most recent event (Aug. 15) when stopping at a red light it appeared that the supercharger kicked in, pulling against the brakes. Six or eight pedestrians were crossing directly in front of the vehicle. If I had taken my foot of the brake I would have hit them. 1.June 12, 2026 Service Visit (RO #192480, attached): Following the June 6 incident, the vehicle was brought to Beyer Volvo Cars Falls Church, Va. The repair order explicitly notes:"Tech found the front sunroof drains to have clogged with dirt/debris and the floorboard to be full of water.""Interior was removed to dry out carpets and the sunroof drains were cleared." Clogged sunroof drains cause water ingress down the A pillar. 2.Diagnostic Code & Part Replacement: During this visit, fault code 161615 was retrieved. The technician noted "unable to duplicate the problem at this time" regarding the engine flare, and no physical inspection or remediation of the flooded wiring harnesses or module connectors beneath the carpet was performed. This same A6 electrical code 161615 was noted on a previous service on 25 Sep. 2025, (RO#184284, attached). There is clear precedent with NHTSA Recall 22V-288 (of a different Volvo model, the XC40), where water intrusion into Volvo wiring harnesses caused corrosion and unintended acceleration. Given that my passenger footwell flooded prior to the engine surge, the CAN bus harness and floor connectors beneath that carpet must undergo a full electrical continuity and corrosion inspection, not just a surface drying. I am requesting further service by the dealer.
NHTSA complaint #11758721 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brakes , and vacuum booster, speed control I experienced a sudden acceleration phenomenon and reached speeds of 100+ mph I manipulated the brakes and the gas in order to safe my life I eventually got my speeds down but it was too late I was ejected from the vehicle and nearly died my brakes scrubbed and I pressed my brakes as hard as I could and my car continued to acceleration. The police has the vehicle and there were no warnings signs . I had just bought the vehicle and was on my way home from the dealership never made it home
NHTSA complaint #11746049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2024 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while pulling into a handicap parking spot in the parking spot located in front of Barnes and Noble, on 12/16/2025 around 6:40 P.M., the vehicle experienced uncommanded /unattended acceleration, and the brakes failed when depressed and pressed against the floorboard. and crashed into the cement barrier, which slowed it, and then the vehicle stopped. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was able to drive away from the crash. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer. The contact had pre-existing spinal injuries and five cervical surgeries. It was undetermined if he was injured during the failure, but he will be seeking medical attention. There was no reported fire, airbag deployment, or police report filed. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle had recently been serviced. The contact mentioned he was not made aware of a possible issue with the vehicle during the purchase. The contact had linked the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number 25V392000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic, Service Brakes). The contact hired an engineer who inspected the vehicle, but there were no findings or codes. The manufacturer was contacted, who filed a case. The contact had informed the insurance company. The failure mileage was approximately 4,000.
NHTSA complaint #11706594 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the vehicle erroneously drove forward and crashed into a second vehicle. The contact indicate that during the crash the collision avoidance feature did not activate. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene and the vehicle was towed away. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 16,000.
NHTSA complaint #11633726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2015 Volvo S60. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH and slowing down for a crosswalk with pedestrians in the crosswalk, the vehicle independently accelerated while depressing the brake pedal. The contact stated that she had not noticed any warning lights being illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 15,000.
NHTSA complaint #11519475 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2019 Volvo S60. The contact stated while the vehicle was stopped with the auto brake feature on, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated. The contact pressed on the brakes and continued to his destination. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,695.
NHTSA complaint #11479593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
City Safety feature is triggering on intermittently with no reason to trigger. It occurs when initially accelerating. City Safety applies the brakes and stops the car violently. Occurs when light or dark. Has occurred several times within the past week. The feature can be manually turned off and now is with every ignition start. The default is for the feature be on, so turning off is required every time the car is turned on.
NHTSA complaint #11449675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Volvo arrived at the hiking trailhead parking lot at approximately 10 miles an hour, slowed down more to select parking space then turn right into space in front of a cement outhouse. Space had a cement parking block. As the car was about to come to a complete stop in the space, it suddenly accelerated on its own as if the accelerator was press all the way overcoming the cement block and crashing into the outhouse. Both driver and passenger airbags were deployed. The driver never took the foot off the brake when the car accelerated. The automated braking system never deployed. Prior to the accident, the low battery warning light was on but the battery was checked out by a professional to be fully charged. We walk away from the accident bruised with back and chest pains from the seat belt but considered ourselves lucky. Had we not parked with a cement outhouse five feet in front of us two spaces over, we would have accelerated into an open field and into a forest of trees.
NHTSA complaint #11423030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AS FAR BACK AS 2011, THERE WERE COMPLAINTS THAT VOLVOS EQUIPPED WITH THE CITY SAFETY SYSTEM WOULD SUDDENLY STOP OR SLOW DOWN FOR NO REASON. THIS SAME SITUATION HAPPENED TO ME IN SEPTEMBER 2018. AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN TO CROSS AN INTERSECTION, MY VOLVO S60 SUDDENLY CAME TO A HALT. THERE WAS NOTHING IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS NOT SURE WHAT HAD HAPPENED AS I HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND AS I WAS ABOUT TO GET OUT OF THE CAR, I NOTICED A WARNING ON THE DASH THAT THE CITY SAFETY HAD GONE OFF. FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON, MY VOLVO HAD DECIDED TO JUST STOP. FORTUNATELY FOR ME, THERE WERE NO CARS APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE AND NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. HAD THERE BEEN, I COULD EASILY BEEN REAR ENDED OR SIDE SWIPED. THE FOLLOWING DAY, I IMMEDIATELY CONTACT VOLVO AND SCHUMACHER VOLVO IN WEST PALM BEACHES. DESPITE PROVIDING A FULL EXPLANATION TO VOLVO, THEY REFUSED TO COMMENT OR ADDRESS THE MATTER. SCHUMACHER TOOK MY CAR AND DID A FULL INSPECTION, WHAT THEY FOUND WAS THAT THE CAMERA WAS DIRTY AND THEY HAD TO REMOVE AND CLEAN IT. NOW LET ME BE CLEAR, THE INSIDE OF MY WINDSHIELD IS SPOTLESS. THE OUTSIDE IS CLEAN. WHAT SCHUMACHER WAS REFERRING TO WAS THE CAMERA INSIDE THE UNIT THAT IS SEALED UP AGAINST THE TOP OF THE INSIDE WINDSHIELD. HOW COULD THIS CAMERA EVEN GET DIRTY? THIS IS THE REASON THE CITY SAFETY SYSTEM COULD HAVE CAUSED A FALSE POSITIVE. THE SYSTEM COULD INCORRECTLY ASSUME THERE WAS SOMETHING IN FRONT OF THE CAR AND PUT ON THE BRAKES. AFTER SCHUMACHER HAD CLEANED THE CAMERA, THEY STATED THE SYSTEM HAD BEEN TESTED AND WAS WORKING. I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER, RICHARD, IF WE COULD TEST MY CAR OUT WHEN I PICKED IT UP. UNBELIEVABLY, HIS RESPONSE WAS: 'VOLVO WON'T LET US TEST THE CITY SAFETY SYSTEM. IT IS FAR TOO DANGEROUS. WE CANNOT DO ANYTHING THAT WOULD PUT OUR CUSTOMERS IN DANGER OR DAMAGE A CUSTOMER'S VEHICLE'.
NHTSA complaint #11131716 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TAKATA RECALL [XXX]. FOR MY SSN NUMBER, DRIVER LICENSE NUMBER CALL ME FOR THAT INFORMATION I DON'T LIKE TO PUT IT ON WEBSITE SO THAT OTHER PEOPLE CAN GET IT BUT HERE'S MY VIN [XXX] EMAIL IS [XXX] THE WHOLE DASHBOARD MY LIGHTS WON'T COME ON THE KEY WONT COME OUT I HAVE TO WAIT 5 OR 10 MIN TO WAIT FOR IT TO COME OUT IT SMELL LIKE GAS SOMETIMES THE KEYLESS WONT WORK I CHANGE THE THANG IN THE BACK FIVE TIMES IN ONE MONTH THE GEAR SOMETIME DON'T WORK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11092076 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ACCELERATING ON INTERSTATE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN COMPLETY LOST ENGINE POWER. ENGINE WOULD CONTINUE RUNNING, BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. COULD HAVE EASILY GOTTEN INTO A WRECK IF THERE HAD BEEN MORE TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE. ENDED UP GETTING TOWED AND HAVING TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE UNIT WHICH COST ALMOST $1000, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH A VERY BAD OUTCOME IF TRAFFIC HAD BEEN HEAVIER.
NHTSA complaint #10981607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLVO S60. WHILE ENTERING A COMMERCIAL GARAGE AND SLIGHTLY DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO TWO PARKED VEHICLES. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE ELECTRONIC IGNITION SYSTEM AND BATTERY SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 17,000.
NHTSA complaint #10949908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE IN WHICH THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE WHEN MAKING A TURN OR WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THE TIME FRAME HAD EXPIRED FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10944579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S60. WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE OVER 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE DRASTICALLY REDUCED SPEED AND STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10927183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLVO S60. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH PULLING INTO THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED TO 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 20,000.
NHTSA complaint #10883087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON FEB. 3RD, I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF A STORE WHEN MY S60 R TYPE VOLVO BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN AND REACHED VERY HIGH RPM. MY FOOT WAS NOT EVEN ON THE ACCELERATOR AS THE CAR NORMALLY IDLES FAST ENOUGH TO PERFORM PARKING MANEUVERS. I HIT THE BRAKE BUT THE CAR CONTINUED TO MOVE. IT JUMPED THE SIDEWALK; HIT THE BUILDING AND PROCEEDED TO DIG A HOLE IN THE FLOWERBED AT THE STORE'S FRONT. THIS ALL HAPPENED IN THE LENGTH OF A PARKING SPACE. I CAN'T REMEMBER WHETHER I SHUT THE IGNITION OFF OR OF THE ENGINE STOPPED ON ITS OWN SHORTLY AFTER THE COLLISION. NEITHER THE AIRBAGS NOR THE PEDESTRIAN AVOIDANCE BRAKING SYSTEM DEPLOYED. I HIT THE BUILDING SO HARD THAT THE BRICK CRACKED INSIDE AND OUT OF THE STRUCTURE. THE DOOR IS STILL INOPERABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10837637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.