FaultScore

Volvo S60 seat problems

31 of the 1,678 complaints filed about the Volvo S60 are about the seats — 2% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2004.

31

Complaints

2%

Share of all complaints

0

Crashes

13

Fires

Seats complaints by model year

2001 S60 5 16.1%

Median failure at 114,888 miles

2002 S60 6 19.4%

Median failure at 140,000 miles

2003 S60 2 6.5%

Median failure at 100,248 miles

2004 S60 13 41.9%

Median failure at 107,000 miles

2005 S60 1 3.2%
2012 S60 1 3.2%
2014 S60 1 3.2%

Median failure at 45,000 miles

2019 S60 2 6.5%

Median failure at 15,300 miles

What owners said

2019 Volvo S60 San Antonio, TX

SEATS

Passenger seat was unbolted from floor during a service appointment and not secured when dealer returned vehicle to me. Passenger safety was at risk due to the seat rocking during acceleration and deceleration and in turns. The issue was confirmed by the dealer and has since been repaired. No warnings issued by vehicle. The dealer error occurred 10/16/24. It was corrected 10/17/24 after vehicle was returned to dealer. This was a result of dealer negligence.

NHTSA complaint #11620495 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Volvo S60 Aliso Viejo, CA

SEATS

While I was driving I felt very hot under my buttock than I heard it pop and burst, I pulled over to check, oh my got (OMG) thanks God I'm safe! There was a burn on my car seat!

NHTSA complaint #11439950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Volvo S60 at 107,000 miles East Grand Rapids, MI Fire

SEATS

DRIVING HOME FROM CHURCH,, SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SEAT,FROM THE HEATED SEAT. BURNED A HOLE THRU THE LEATHER . WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF THE SWITCH AND PUT SOME SNOW INTO THE GOLF SIZE HOLE AND PULLED THE FUSE TO THE ELECT HEAT SWITCH. NO FURTHER DAMAGE WAS NOTICED .CITY STREET. THE HOLE IS ABOUT 11/2 IN BELOW LEFT SIDE BEADING AND CLOSER TO FRONT OF SEAT. LEATHER SEAT IN VERY GOOD CODITION AND NON SMOKER. GARAGE KEEP.

NHTSA complaint #11406424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Volvo S60 at 15,300 miles Montville, NJ

SEATS

ON 12-MAR-2021, I WAS SITTING IN MY 2019 VOLVO S60, AND IT WAS NOT RUNNING. I WAS USING THE CENTER DISPLAY TO LOOK AT THE PROFILE SETTINGS. THE CAR WAS SET TO THE PROFILE FOR 'GUEST'. I THEN PRESSED 'PROFILE 1' AND THE FRONT SEAT STARTED TO GO FORWARD AND THEN TILT DOWN, AND THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO TO STOP IT AS I APPROACHED THE STEERING WHEEL. FORTUNATELY IT STOPPED BEFORE I WAS INJURED, BUT I WONDERED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I WAS A VERY BIG PERSON ' COULD THEY HAVE BEEN PINNED AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL AND INJURED? I SENT A NOTE TO VOLVO, AND THEY RESPONDED THE SAME DAY (SAT 13-MAR-2021), AND THEIR REP STATED "THE OWNER'S MANUAL WOULD HAVE INSTRUCTIONS ON HOW TO SET A DRIVER'S PROFILE TO A SELECTED KEY FOB TO AVOID A SITUATION LIKE THIS IN THE FUTURE. PLEASE LET US KNOW IF YOU NEED ANYTHING FURTHER AT THIS TIME."

NHTSA complaint #11402777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2014 Volvo S60 at 45,000 miles Metairie, LA

SEATS

MY CAR HAS BEEN AT BERGERON VOLVO FOR ONE MONTH. I HAD TAKEN IT IN DUE TO REAR HEAD REST INTERMITTENTLY NOT STAYING UP. THEY COULD NOT REPRODUCE SO I PICKED CAR UP AND IT DID IT AGAIN I TOOK IT BACK. THEY AGAIN COULD NOT FIND. I WENT IN AND IT DID IT WITH SERVICE MANAGER EXCEPT OTHER SIDE REAR HEADREST. I CALLED TODAY TO CHECK ON AND THEY SAID IT WAS BECAUSE WE HIT IT 5-6 TIMES AND OVERHEATED IMPLYING NOT AN ISSUE. THEY SAID SWITCH WAS GETTING HOT ON DASH AND 1400 TO REPLACE. I TOLD THEM TO REPLACE AS UNDER CERTIFIED WARRANTY. HE THEN AVOIDED REPLACING I TOLD HIM I WOULD PICK UP CAR IF HE WOULD WRITE ON PAPER SAFE TO DRIVE AS I DID NOT WANT IT TO FALL DOWN IN ACCIDENT AND BREAK SOMEONES NECK. HE DECLINED AND SAID HE WOULD CALL VOLVO AGAIN. PLEASE HELP. I AM WORRIED IT WILL FALL DOWN DURING IMPACT AND SNAP SOMEONES NECK

NHTSA complaint #11364141 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Volvo S60 at 140,000 miles ST Charles, MO

SEATS

SERVICE LIGHTS SCROLL IN SPORADIC MOTION FLIPPING THROUGH CONSTANT ALERTS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, AIR BAG LIGHT, CONSTANT ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS GOING ON, FUEL DOOR WONT OPEN, BOTH FRONT SEATS HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, OBVIOUS BURN THRU ON PASSENGER SIDE INDICATES ITS BEEN OVERHEATED AND DANGEROUS. EVERYTIME I'VE TAKEN IT IN THE SHOP THEY SAY THERE ARE NO RECALLS - YET PLENTY OF COMPLAINTS OVER FIRES WITH SEATS. CAN'T USED HEATED SEATS AT ALL. ENGINE SEEMS TO REMAIN INCONSISTENT IN SPEED, DASHBOARD LIGHTS GO COMPLETELY OUT AND THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES AFFECT BACK BRAKE LIGHTS. THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES BOUNCE IN CYCLES TO WHERE NO ONE CAN DETECT THE PROBLEMS. CHECK ENGINE LINE CONTINUES TO HAVE TO BE RESET AND SERVICE LIGHTS CONTINUALLY SEND SCROLLED WARNING TO PULL OVER. ALREADY HAD VEHICLE TOWED AND CAN'T TRUST VEHICLE WILL START. ALWAYS A WIRING ISSUE INVOLVED. THE CAR IS IN THE SHOP NOW AGAIN. 3/16/18 (SAME ISSUES)

NHTSA complaint #11079753 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Volvo S60 at 155,000 miles Jonesburg, MO Fire 1 injured

SEATS

HEATED SEAT SHORTED WHEN TURNED ON ON DRIVERS SIDE AND BURNED ME WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #11064892 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Volvo S60 Cleveland, TX

SEATS

"TAKATA RECALL" I JUST GOT MY 2002 VOLVO S60 AS A GIFT AND WAS TOLD THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I AM UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING WITH THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE PROBLEMS THAT IT CONSISTS OF BECAUSE OF ALL THE RECALLS ON IT PLEASE HELP ME I NEED A RELIABLE VEHICLE TO TAKE CARE OF MY KIDS AND TO GET BACK AND FORTH TO WORK. I HAVEN'T HAD THE NAME SWITCHED OVER TO MY NAME YET MY NAME IS [XXX] PHONE NUMBER [XXX] THANK YOU SO MUCH INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10875083 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Volvo S60 at 107,000 miles Louisville, OH Fire

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE HEATED DRIVER SIDE SEAT WAS IN THE ON POSITION, A BURNING ODOR STARTED TO EMIT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACTED DISCOVERED A FLAME COMING FROM THE SIDE OF THE DRIVER SEAT. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FLAME SELF EXTINGUISHED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. UPDATED 4/7/15

NHTSA complaint #10691802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Volvo S60 at 107,000 miles Louisville, OH Fire

SEATS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE HEATED DRIVER SIDE SEAT WAS IN THE ON POSITION, A BURNING ODOR STARTED TO EMIT INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACTED DISCOVERED A FLAME COMING FROM THE SIDE OF THE DRIVER SEAT. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE FLAME SELF EXTINGUISHED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. UPDATED 4/7/15

NHTSA complaint #10691802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Volvo S60 at 67,275 miles Nashville, TN Fire

SEATS

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT STARTED SMOKING WITHIN A FEW SECONDS OF STARTING THE VEHICLE WHILE BACKING OUT OF PARKING PLACE. SEAT HEATER WAS ON. IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND TURNED OFF SEAT HEATER AND SMOKING STOPPED. QUARTER SIZE HOLE WAS BURNED INTO THE LEATHER SEAT BOTTOM ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OUTSIDE PANEL. TOOK IT TO DARRELL WALTRIP VOLVO/SUBARU IN FRANKLIN, TN, AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE SEAT HEATER AND TOOK THE FUSE OUT. SAID IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND NO RECALL OUT. HOPE NO ONE HAS THIS PROBLEM DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. BEST REGARDS AND THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HARD WORK, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA complaint #10668747 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Volvo S60 at 114,888 miles Pleasanton, CA

SEATS

DRIVERS POWER SEAT MECHANISM RANDOMLY AND FREQUENTLY MOVES FORWARD PINNING THE DRIVER AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL. PUSHING THE CONTROL BUTTON TO THE REAR WILL STOP FORWARD MOVEMENT. PUSHING IT TO THE REAR AGAIN WILL BEGIN SEAT MOVEMENT TO THE REAR. BUT REARWARD MOVEMENT OFTEN IS STOPPED AND INTERRUPTED BY FORWARD MOVEMENT AGAIN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. A PARTIAL SEARCH ON THE INTERNET INDICATES THAT THE VOLVO SEAT MECHANISM IS FAILURE PRONE.

NHTSA complaint #10561738 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Volvo S60 at 108,756 miles Eagan, MN Fire

SEATS

MY WIFE DROVE THE 2001 VOLVO S60 AND NOTICED A NOXIOUS BURNING SMELL AND IMMEDIATELY DROVE IT HOME. SHE THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING EXTREMELY WRONG WITH THE HEATER. I DROVE THE CAR 3 DAYS LATER AND AFTER 3 MINUTES NOTICED THE BURNING SMELL AS WELL. I TURNED OFF THE HEATER, AND THE SMELL CONTINUED. I SAW SOME SMOKE TO MY LEFT SIDE AND NOTICED THE SEAT HAD A HOLE THAT WAS MELTING AND BURNING. I TURNED OFF THE HEATED SEAT AND ENSURED THE SEAT DID NOT BURN FURTHER.

NHTSA complaint #10554449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Volvo S60 at 48,200 miles Falls Church, VA Fire

SEATS

THE DRIVER SEAT OVERHEATED, APPARENTLY FROM A MALFUNCTIONING SEAT WARMER, CAUSING COMBUSTION. THE FIRE BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT PADDING, OUTER LEATHER COVERING, AND THE DRIVER'S CLOTHING. IT BURNED INTO A WALLET IN THE DRIVER'S BACK POCKET, WHICH PROTECTED THE DRIVER FROM A BURN. THE BURN HOLE IN THE SEAT IS ABOUT THE SIZE OF A NICKEL.

NHTSA complaint #10500970 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Volvo S60 at 109,000 miles Glenside, PA Fire 1 injured

SEATS

NOTICED A BURNING SMELL WHILE DRIVING, AND SMOKE EMANATING FROM LEFT SIDE OF DRIVER'S SEAT. FELT AROUND AND MY HAND WAS BURNED. PULLED OVER TO FIND THAT THE HEATING ELEMENT INSIDE THE SEAT HAD BURNED THROUGH THE CUSHION AND LEATHER LEAVING A HOLE ON THE SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. SEARCHING THE INTERNET, THIS APPEARS TO HAVE ALSO HAPPENED TO OTHER DRIVERS.

NHTSA complaint #10497981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Volvo S60 at 300,000 miles Evergreen Park, IL

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ACTIVATED THE HEATED SEATS AND AFTER A MATTER OF MINUTES, SMOKE BELLOWED FROM THE SIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE SEAT WARMER WAS DEACTIVATED AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT A ONE INCH HOLE HAD BEEN BURNED INTO THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY A MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 300,000. UPDATED 2/12/13

NHTSA complaint #10495231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Volvo S60 at 105,590 miles Olympia, WA Fire

SEATS

JUST LEAVING MY GARAGE, WE SMELLED SOMETHING AND IMMEDIATELY SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVER SEAT. THE SEAT WARMER WAS ON. WE TURNED THE WARMER OFF AND OPENED THE DOORS. THE ODOR AND SMOKE DISSIPATED BUT THERE IS A 1-1/2" HOLE BURNED IN THE LEATHER.

NHTSA complaint #10493519 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2002 Volvo S60 at 229,000 miles East Greenwich, RI

SEATS

WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK, POWER TO THE ELECTRONICS LISTED BELOW WERE LOST INEVITABLY AND MANY WARNING LIGHTS/MESSAGES APPEARED ON THE DASH (ALSO LISTED BELOW UNDER SYMPTOMS). THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS THAT THIS WAS ABOUT TO HAPPEN NOR IS THERE ANY EXPLANATION FOR WHY IT HAPPENED. I WAS DRIVING ON A DARK ROAD AND I LOST COMPLETE VISION OF THE ROAD DUE TO HEADLIGHT FAILURE (BOTH LOW AND HIGH BEAMS). THIS SCENARIO IS A COMMON SAFETY ISSUE ASSOCIATED WITH MANY OTHER SIMILAR VOLVO YEARS AND MODELS. I HAD TO STOP THE CAR IMMEDIATELY TO AVOID CRASHING AND CALL SOMEONE TO PICK ME UP. ALL SYMPTOMS FROM THIS "BLACKOUT" DID NOT AND HAVE NOT DISAPPEARED SINCE IT HAPPENED, MAKING THE CAR UNDRIVABLE. THESE SYMPTOMS ARE SUSPECT TO BE THE RESULT OF A CEM FAILURE, WHICH ALSO CONTROLS EMISSIONS. AS STATED PREVIOUSLY, THIS EXACT SCENARIO HAS CAUSED THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR VOLVO YEARS AND MODELS TO BE RECALLED/REPAIRED ON VOLVO'S BEHALF. UNFORTUNATELY, MY VEHICLE MODEL HAS NOT BEEN PLACED UNDER RECALL FOR THIS EXTREMELY, DANGEROUS SAFETY DEFECT. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE ACTION TAKEN AGAINST VOLVO AND REPAIR COSTS COVERED ON THEIR BEHALF. SYMPTOMS: BRAKE FAILURE STOP SAFELY WARNING MESSAGE ENGINE SYSTEM SERVICE REQUIRED WARNING MESSAGE SRS AIRBAG SERVICE URGENT WARNING MESSAGE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS NOT WORKING HIGH BEAMS HEADLIGHTS NOT WORKING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON ABS LIGHT ON TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT ON ODOMETER NOT WORKING RADIO NOT WORKING POWER SEATS & HEATED SEATS NOT WORKING 12V SOCKETS (FRONT & REAR) NOT WORKING TRIP ODOMETER NOT WORKING CLOCK RESET.

NHTSA complaint #10491975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2012 Volvo S60 Romansville, PA

SEATS

PLEASE, PLEASE BACK OFF ON YOUR HEAD REST REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFETY. PLEASE ALLOW THE CONSUMER TO CHOOSE THE POSITION OF THE HEAD REST. NOT ONLY HONDA, BUT FORD, GM, CHRYSLER, ALL MANUFACTURERS ARE CREATING VERY PAINFUL CAR SEATS SINCE 2009 DUE TO THIS AWFUL HEADREST REQUIREMENT. SEATBELTS ARE A LAW, BUT I CHOOSE TO WEAR THEM. MOTORCYCLE HELMETS ARE NO LONGER A LAW, BUT I CHOOSE TO WEAR THEM. NOW LET ME CHOOSE MY HEADREST POSITION. I THINK THESE NEW DESIGNS ARE GOING TO CAUSE FAR MORE INJURIES AND INSURANCE CLAIMS FROM PEOPLE HAVING THEIR HEADS COCKED FORWARD, IN A FORCED IMPROPER POSTURE. I HAD MIGRAINES DUE TO MY HEADREST BEFORE I RESOLVED THIS ISSUE IN MY CAR BY MAKING MODIFICATIONS. I SIT WITH PROPER POSTURE AND MY HEAD IS FORCED FORWARD. THE ONLY CHOICE I HAD WAS TO SIT IMPROPERLY IN ORDER TO TRY TO AVOID THE TERRIBLE DISCOMFORT THIS NEW LAW FORCES ON ME. PLEASE CHANGE THIS LAW.

NHTSA complaint #10487759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Volvo S60 at 140,000 miles Washougal, WA Fire

SEATS

LIKE MANY OTHERS WHO ARE ON VOLVO WEBSITES HAVE REPORTED I TOO HAD A FIRE ON THE DRIVERS SEAT LEFT SIDE DUE TO MY SEAT HEATER. I NOW HAVE A HALF DOLLAR SIZED HOLE IN THE SIDE OF MY SEAT. THE FIRST SIGN OF THIS WAS A SMELL AND THEN A LOT OF SMOKE. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER QUICKLY AND HAD A TOWEL HANDY TO SNUFF IT OUT, OTHERWISE I WOULD HAVE BURNED HANDS OR OTHER PARTS. I'VE BEEN A LIFELONG VOLVO OWNER, I HAVE TO SAY I'M SURPRISED VOLVO HASN'T AT LEAST WARNED THEIR DEALERS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I DID SEE ANOTHER DRIVERS SEAT TOTALLY BLACKENED AND BURNT OUT LAST TIME I TOOK MY CAR IN, WAS AMAZED THAT IT COULD EVEN HAPPEN LET ALONE BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE. NOW AFTER SEARCHING ONLINE THIS IS A PREVALENT PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10447294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Volvo S60 problems