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 31 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Volvo S60, and it carries 4 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 6 | 19% |
| Engine | 3 | 10% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 10% |
| Exterior lighting | 3 | 10% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 10% |
| Power train | 2 | 6% |
| Wheels | 1 | 3% |
| Service brakes | 1 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
| Power train | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
The contact owned a 2006 Volvo S60. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V766000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The manufacturer was not contacted.
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2006 Volvo S60. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V766000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacture
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
The contact owns a 2006 Volvo S60. The contact stated that the air bag was replaced under NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V766000 (Air Bags) and approximately 2 weeks later, while the vehicle was idling at a stop sign, the air
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
My 06 s60 has blown 3 charge air hoses in the EXACT same spot. (The hose behind the radiator.) A golf-ball sized hole blows out in a bend in the hose while driving. The car will idle , but throttle up at all. The de
NHTSA complaint: Engine
Lug bolts 19 MM are rusted into the 330 MM Brembo Disk brakes, They take over 220 ft lb of force to break lose, and you can not do that safety on the side of the road to change a flat tire
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
The contact owns a 2006 Volvo S60. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V766000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
I was expected to pay over one thousand dollars to have the recall remedy performed. My home and location of car is Ketchikan, Alaska. There is no Volvo dealer in Ketchikan and no roads connecting town with the mainlan
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
A FEW MONTHS BACK, THIS VEHICLE WAS LEAKING GASOLINE FROM THE AREA OF FUEL PUMP. THE FUEL PUMP IS LOCATED UNDER THE REAR SEAT OF THE VEHICLE, SO THERE WAS ALSO A STRONG ODOR INSIDE THE CAR. THE VEHICLE FUEL TANK WAS FILL
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2006 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 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
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAI
Risk: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE LABEL DENOTING THE TIRE AND LOADING PRESSURE INFORMATION IS INCORRECT.
Risk: A MISPRINTED LABEL WOULD LEAD TO IMPROPER VEHICLE LOADING SPECIFICATIONS OR TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MAIL THE CORRECT LABELS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 18, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
| Reliability raw | 78 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 68 | good |
| Depreciation | 59 | average |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other compact cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 31 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 6 of them (19%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 78/100 (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 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 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 67/100. 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.