Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Volvo S60 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Takata recall [redacted]. 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 [redacted] email is [redacted] 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.
Message board throttle body position sensor controls the speed of the car is having issues having a problem accelerating
I was stopped at stop light waiting to turn left. Upon light turning green, I accelerated to turn left. Car, without warning, lost acceleration, steering, and braking as if in limp home mode. I was able to pull the car over to the side of the road. I then put car in park and turned off engine. Car started back up and drove without incident. There were no indicator lights. Took car to local garage and no codes came up. Then again on March 23, 2011 car again lost all acceleration and steering. This time the car was being driven approximately 40 MPH. No warning indicators were lit. Put car into park and it started without incident. Took car to dealer on March 25, 2011. The dealer said no codes came up and they were having trouble diagnosing the failure. After 4 days they called to tell me it could be the mass air flow sensor and throttle body needed to be cleaned (cost $660). …
Tl contact owns a 2002 Volvo S60. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle went into limp mode and was unable to drive more than 15 to 20 miles per hour. The failure occurs often while being driven. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the failure. Another mechanic stated that NHTSA campaign id number 06V441000 (vehicle speed control) was related to the failure. The dealer stated that his VIN was excluded from the recall. The vehicle is currently in the process of being inspected by the second mechanic. The contact was advised to take the vehicle to a service center. The failure mileage was 112,000 and the current mileage was unknown. Updated 4/14/09 updated 04/17/09.
Two malfunctions exist with the 2002 Volvo S60. The first one is a faulty driver's information module defect that causes a total malfunction of the entire dashboard. Specifically, the dashboard goes completely blank while driving and all of the gauges become inoperable, including the speedometer. Therefore, preventing the driver from being able to control or monitor the vehicle's speed. The second malfunction is the front and rear heated 02 oxygen sensors. These manufacture defects have a potential to cause a very serious accident. The driver's information module and the 02 sensors were mandatory components that were required to be replaced as opposed to repaired.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Volvo S60. The contact stated that the etm parts for the throttle module moved into limp mode which made the vehicle drive slowly. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the etm parts were replaced but after a couple days, the failure occurred again. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated that they would upgrade the software which would fix the problem. The upgrade was performed but the failure occurred again. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 40,598 and the current mileage was 88,892. Updated 04/25/11 updated 12/19/2011
Tl contact owns a 2002 Volvo S60. While driving 35 MPH and attempting to accelerate, the vehicle suddenly slowed down and stalled. The contact noticed that the more he depressed the accelerator pedal, the more the RPM gauge would fluctuate but the vehicle only slowed down. The check engine light also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where the contact was informed that the throttle body needed to be replaced. The contact called the manufacturer who stated that the vehicle was not included in recall 06V441000 (vehicle speed control) and offered no assistance. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
Tl contact owns a 2002 Volvo S60. While the vehicle was stopped and the contact attempted to accelerate, the vehicle shifted into limp home mode. The vehicle would only move 5 MPH. The contact turned the vehicle off and restarted it; it performed correctly after the restart. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer three times where the software as update and the throttle modular and mass air flows were replaced. The contact referenced recall 06V441000 (vehicle speed control) was informed that the vehicle was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000 and the current mileage was approximately 98,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the throttle failed. The contact stated that she tried to engage the accelerator pedal but the vehicle would not move. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnose that the electronic throttle module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who stated that although the vehicle was included in recall NHTSA campaign id number: 06V441000 (vehicle speed control) it was no longer eligible since the vehicle had surpassed the statue of limitation. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Volvo S60. While driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle went into limp mode and failed to accelerate over 30 MPH. The contact also stated that the acceleration pedal was depressed and traveled to the floorboard. The vehicle failed to accelerate and suddenly surged forward. The contact stated that the brake pedal was depressed when the failure occurred. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 06V441000 (vehicle speed control). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
Related recalls
Vehicle speed control
On certain passenger vehicles, a combination of throttle positioning sensor irregularities, a dirty throttle housing, and/or inefficient software calibration May cause a warning lamp to light and the subsequent onset of limp home modes.
Remedy: Dealers will install the current software upgrade onto the involved vehicles. The recall began on December 29, 2006. Owners May contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
NHTSA investigations
Throttle control malfunction
Pe05-041 was opened on July, 26, 2005, based on 136 consumer complaints to odi alleging throttle control malfunctions in the subject vehicles.odi has now received 591 complaints of etm failures which allege symptoms with potential safety related consequences.these include allegations of engine stall, vehicle surging forward without accelerator input, vehicle hesitation upon acceleration and sudden and unexpected…
Throttle control malfunction
On November 14, 2006 Volvo submitted a defect information report to NHTSA concerning etm failures in model year (my) 1999 through 2001 Volvo models (not including the s40 and v40), my 2002 s60 and v70 with naturally aspirated engines and my 2002 v70s.according to Volvo, ?a combination of throttle positioning sensor irregularities, a dirty throttle housing and/or inefficient software calibration May cause a warning…
Acceleration complaints in other S60 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2002 Volvo S60?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2002 Volvo S60, 11% of the model year's 186 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2002 Volvo S60 acceleration problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 06V-441 (vehicle speed control, Nov 15, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2002 Volvo S60 acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.