Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 6 | 27% | 13,000 miles |
| 2022 | 4 | 27% | — |
| 2021 | 4 | 50% | — |
| 2020 | 4 | 33% | 8,000 miles |
| 2019 | 6 | 24% | 29,000 miles |
| 2016 | 5 | 19% | 28,000 miles |
| 2015 | 9 | 16% | 80,000 miles |
| 2014 | 3 | 12% | 17,000 miles |
| 2013 | 7 | 8% | 53,000 miles |
| 2012 | 17 | 14% | 66,000 miles |
| 2009 | 1 | 14% | 88,000 miles |
| 2008 | 1 | 10% | 43,000 miles |
| 2007 | 7 | 33% | 92,000 miles |
| 2006 | 3 | 10% | 89,000 miles |
| 2005 | 6 | 14% | 66,000 miles |
| 2004 | 21 | 11% | 107,000 miles |
| 2003 | 54 | 45% | 120,000 miles |
| 2002 | 36 | 19% | 90,000 miles |
| 2001 | 31 | 14% | 55,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2024 Volvo S60. The contact stated that the radio screen was blank while driving at various speeds. The system rebooted independently soon after the failure; however, the failure reoccurred. Due to the failure, there was no access to the safety features in the vehicle. In addition, several other safety features failed to operate as needed; however, the vehicle lost motive power without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on several occasions; however, the dealer could not duplicate the failure. The dealer performed several software updates on the vehicle; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the failure became more frequent and more dangerous because the failure mostly occurred while driving on the highway. …
URGENT SAFETY CONCERN: Intermittent Total Loss of All Vehicle Audio Alerts This issue has occurred multiple times and poses a serious safety concern. While driving, the vehicle intermittently experiences a complete loss of all audio output. This includes: Turn signal indicators Hazard warning sounds Blind spot monitoring alerts Park distance control tones Navigation guidance Audio system playback (music, radio, etc.) All other safety-related audio warnings and notifications The vehicle becomes completely silent, eliminating essential auditory cues that are critical for safe operation. Temporary Workaround (While Driving): The only way to restore functionality is by performing a forced reboot of the infotainment system. This requires the driver to press and hold the home button until the system power cycles-a distracting and unsafe action that must be done while the vehicle is in motion. …
Main center display becomes blank at random times. Sometimes this is accompanied by a loud squealing sound from car audio. When display blanks, all HVAC functions stop including defog, also all audio including turn signal indication sound. Sometimes display and functions self recover after approximately 15-20 seconds, sometimes it does not self recover and in these cases the ignition needs to be turned off and the drivers door opened to "turn off" the vehicle systems so that they can restart. The condition is completely random. The condition has been noted by other 2022+ Volvo owners in various forums. The software in my car has been updated following a complaint for this concern, however it has occurred again since the update. Date provided in report details is most recent event.
New 2022 Volvo S60 began shutting off while driving on highways and Interstates and in once within feet of railroad crossing. Also occurrences of car being unable to turn off even after several attempts. Problem arose 2/2022. In all instances traffic, including 18 wheelers, was approaching behind at highway and interstate speeds up to 70mph. Sometimes a warning lamp would appear saying vehicle is shut off/ powering down, or place vehicle in park vehicle shutting off. Other warning lamps would come on like parking assist currently not available or park/brake needs service. Volvo Dealer that initiated repairs determined the mid voltage battery module was faulty and they replaced the MVBM and dead battery. And was causing the error messages that they too were able to reproduce. …
While I was going down a small side street that is a hill, the air conditioning system suddenly went off and immediately the entire car's mechanisms ceased. The engine stopped and the car was unstearable and the brakes were not working. I had my foot on the brake and that was not responsive, the car slid with all electrical systems not working and the brake not holding the car or stopping the movement of the car. I could not start the car to get the engine going.I could not stop nor start the car that slid into a major street that is a thoroughfare for a hospital. I had no control of the car at all. I attempted at least 7 times to start the Volvo that requires keeping your foot on the brake and turning a small switch that is located right next to the cup holder. Nothing would work. …
2021 Volvo S60 T8 AWD, VIN [redacted] , ~71k miles Component: SUNROOF / DRAINAGE SYSTEM / ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Summary: Water entered the passenger compartment through clogged sunroof drain hoses and accumulated under the front passenger seat, causing catastrophic failure of wide angle module (WAM) and related electronic components (incl. front camera and wipers). Description: After moderate rain, a large amount of water was discovered under the front passenger seat. The vehicle began displaying multiple warning messages (camera faults, wiper faults). The authorized Volvo retailer diagnosed failure of the WAM and other modules due to water intrusion originating from the sunroof drainage system. …
I turned the car on and got an error message that said the turn indicator system failed. After trying to clear the message from the dash using the button on the steering wheel, I discovered that nothing on the steering wheel was working, including the windshield wipers or any buttons on the steering wheel. I called the manufacturer and they told me not to drive it and they towed it to the dealer. The dealer said they had see this before as either a software issue or electrical issue and would need to replace the stalks and buttons.
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. …
Related recalls (5)
Electrical system › Propulsion system › Traction battery
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020-2021 S90, 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60, XC90, and 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high-voltage battery module as necessary.
Electrical system
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023 S60, V60CC, XC60, XC90, XC40, and C40 vehicles. A diagnostic trouble code (DTC) may be falsely detected for the emergency call system (e-call) and display "e-Call Service Required" in the driver information module (DIM).
Remedy: Dealers will update the telematics and connectivity antenna module (TCAM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 16, 2023.
Electrical system › Wiring › Fuses and circuit breakers
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo S60, V60, V60CC, XC60, XC70, and S80 vehicles manufactured April 8, 2015 to August 19, 2015. In certain driving conditions when using the automatic engine stop/start function, the starter motor fuse may blow, preventing the car from restarting…
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing starter motor fuse with a higher amperage fuse, free of charge. The recall began on October 26, 2015.
Electrical system
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2014 S60, S80, XC60 and XC70 vehicles equipped with keyless ignition. In the affected vehicles, the Central Electronic Module (CEM) will not perform as intended. As a result, the front windshield wipers might run continuously when the ignition is on.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will upgrade the CEM software, free of charge. The recall began on October 3, 2013. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Electrical system › Wiring
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2012 s60, xc60, s80 and xc70 vehicles manufactured from May 16, 2011, through October 6, 2011. In these vehicles, the wire harness under the front seats May have not been attached properly to the seat frame.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, secure the seat wire harness. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on April 12, 2012.
NHTSA investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles.
Frequently asked questions
Which Volvo S60 years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (54), 2002 (36), 2001 (31), 2004 (21) and 2012 (17) model years. Electrical complaints make up 45% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Volvo S60 electrical problems?
Yes — 5 recalls, including 25V-179 (traction battery, Mar 24, 2025); 23V-188 (electrical system, Mar 22, 2023); 15V-555 (fuses and circuit breakers, Sep 2, 2015). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Volvo S60 electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 87,000 miles; 28% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the ignition (7 mentions), followed by the instrument cluster/panel (6).
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.