Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 238 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Volvo S60, and it carries 9 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system | 64 | 27% |
| Vehicle speed control | 37 | 16% |
| Electrical system | 19 | 8% |
| Power train | 18 | 8% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 16 | 7% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 12 | 5% |
| Tires | 7 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 2% |
| Seats | 4 | 2% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
1. The vehicle caught fire while driving. The radiator cooling fan stayed on after parking, The vehicle the night before. The vehicle had to be jump started the next morning. yes the vehicle is available for inspection.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TERRIBLE GAS SMELL EVERY TIME I DRIVE IT. I GOT SOMEONE TO CHECK IT OUT, THERE IS GAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP. THIS PERSON PUT SOME PUTTY OVER THE LEAK WHICH STOPPED THE SMELL BUT THIS IS NOT SAFE. I SEE A RECALL FOR
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
I HAVE AN SRS AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON AND WILL NOT GO AWAY. THE ELECTRICAL WIRING FOR THE HEADLIGHTS ARE FAULTY, I TRIED EVERYTHING TO FIX THEM NOTHING WORKS. I USED AN INLINE FUSE WITH THE HEADLIGHT WIRING BECAUSE
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AFTER RESEARCHING THE FAILURE AND WAS INFORMED
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
EXTREME GAS SMELL INSIDE CAR. NOTICED GAS LEAKING FROM TOP OF TANK BY THE SCREWS THAT HOLD IT. VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY AND AS SOON AS MY KIDS GOT IN THEY NOTICED THE STRONG SMELL. NOT DRIVING IT DEFENETLY CAN
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING THEN WOULD NOT GO ANY FASTER THAN 15MPH.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I HAVE NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF CAR. IT IS ALSO LEAKING FUEL. THE FUEL LEAKING IS UNDERNEATH THE CAR. I DO NOT KNOW EXACTLY WHERE FUEL IS LEAKING. IT IS NOT COMING FROM FUEL FILTER.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
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 S
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
NHTSA lists 9 recall campaigns for the 2001 Volvo S60. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2006 S80 and 2001-2009 S60 vehicles. The driver's air bag inflator may explode during deployment, due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driver's air bag, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 29, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2003 S80 and S60 vehicles sold or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Island
Risk: Metal fragments can strike vehicle occupants increasing the risk of serious injury or death.
Fix: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver side air bag module, free of charge. The recall began April 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-155
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Risk: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
Fix: VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A N
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2005 S80, MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 V70, S60, XC70 AND MODEL YEAR 2003-2005 XC90 VEHICLES SOLD IN OR REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, KENTUCKY, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, NORTH CAROLIN
Risk: IF THE CONDITION OCCURS VEHICLE OWNERS MAY NOTICE FUEL SMELL AND/OR FUEL LEAK WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP WITH A PART OF A MODIFIED DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL
| Reliability raw | 65 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 68 | good |
| Maintenance | 68 | good |
| Depreciation | 59 | average |
| Performance | 55 | average |
| Efficiency | 37 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 238 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel system is the most reported area with 64 of them (27%). There are 9 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 65/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 68/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2001 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 62/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.