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Volvo is one of the notable manufacturers of highly durable automobiles. The Swedish automaker produces a wide series of compact and full-size vehicles for different purposes. Particularly, the S60 model is a series of compact four-door sedans, built as luxurious cars, and equipped with four-wheel drive for some models and trim levels.
The Volvo S60 is one of the most luxurious compact executive cars to buy. However, not all model years are reliable; if you’re going to buy one, here are the Volvo S60 years to avoid. These few model years are flagged as the worst to buy because they received much more complaints from people who had owned one of them, already.
Volvo S60 Overview
With the production flagged off in 2000, the Volvo S6 has already been produced across 23 model years. It is based on the P2 platform to replace the S70 – flaunting almost the same design as the Volvo V70 estate car. S60s are equipped with high-performance engines, and sports-oriented suspension systems (S60 R), and are made to offer enormous interior space.
Currently in its third generation, the S60 is now being produced in the brand’s first-ever manufacturing plant in America, located at Ridgeville, South Carolina. Volvo S60 is a desirable sedan for the family and checks all the boxes for daily driving. Available trims for the third-gen Volvo S60 are Core, Plus, Ultimate, and Polestar.
Volvo S60 Years to Avoid
There are currently 23 model years for the Volvo S60 sedan; out of these years, it is advisable to skip the 2001, 2002, 2006, 2012, and 2013 models. This is because these model years have a track record of high frequency of repairs and major works.
It is understandable that the 2001 and 2002 S60s are the first models of the S60 sedan, one would expect there’d be issues with these earlier models. 2006, 2012, and 2013 models had a seemingly high number of complaints on transmission and engine components failure.
Also, these Volvo model years are old, and CarEgde highlights that Volvo S60s lose 56% of their value after five years, so you wouldn’t want to buy a used S60 that has lost over 50% of its value. But even though these model years are considered “worst,” they are still bought and driven by many people.
The truth is, Volvo cars are generally strong and a lot of people have solid hope in the reputation. Furthermore, Volvo cars are luxury vehicles, so they come with a ton of high-end features every car lover would love to exploit.
Why You Should Avoid These Model Years: 2001, 2002, 2006, 2012, and 2013
1. Transmission Issues
Affected Models: 2001, 2002, and 2006
Transmission system issues reported for the Volvo S60 are quite much, with the total complaints reaching almost 500. Some commonly reported transmission issues include jerking in low gears or speeds, slipping transmission during gear changes, and fatal failures that require a complete transmission rebuild or replacement.
These transmission issues would set you back around $4,000 on average, to fix them and get the car running fine again. Causes of these problems were linked to internal components failure and software issues.
The worst thing is, these issues seem to keep reoccurring, even after the supposed fix. Recommended fix is to ensure the latest software is installed in the transmission control module each time the transmission is worked on.
2. Engine Problems
Affected Models: 2001, 2002, and 2012
These particular model years had the highest number of complaints regarding engine problems. Mostly, the complaints revolve around excessive oil consumption, which one of the contributing factors is the engine’s structure. Most Volvo S60 engines consume a lot of oil – you just have to be ready to shorten your oil change intervals to keep the car running smoothly.
Also, there were cases where the vehicle stopped running due to fatal engine failures caused by poor lubrication; the drivers that reported this scenario have alleged that they had added oil to the engine not fewer than 2,000 miles before the incident. If you’d buy a used Volvo S60, you should have the oil checked regularly.
3. ABS Control Module Failure
Affected Models: 2001 and 2012
Brake problems can give a lot of concerns because faulty brakes pose serious threats to drivers and passengers too. While brake issues were more reported for the 2001 and 2012 models, other model years had one or more brake issues linked to them, too.
ABS control module failure is the most common brake issue with Volvo S60 sedans. There are about 87 reported records for this issue alone and the average repair cost is $300 – $400. You should pay attention to ABS control signs when driving an S60.
4. Electronic Throttle Module (ETM)
Affected Models: 2001 and 2012
Again, S60 models made in these years are linked with several electrical component failures, mostly sensor, and module failures. The ETM is one of the electrical components with the highest number of failure complaints.
The Electronic Throttle Module (ETM) sits between the throttle pedal and the throttle assembly, and it is alleged to fail repeatedly on the specified Volvo S60 models. Newer S60s now come with a 10-year or 200 miles warranty (from Volvo) to regain customers’ confidence in S60s.
Other electrical faults worth noting include faulty door locks, camera issues, dashboard lights malfunctioning, radio system issues, and quite others. The average repair cost ranges from $400 to $1,000, depending on which one went wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Best Years of Volvo S60?
There are a lot of good years to buy if you intending owning an S60. The luxury sedan from the Swedish automaker, Volvo, feels so comfortable to drive every day, and it is built to last several miles and years. The newer models from 2014 have received incredibly good reports and reviews by owners – on different forums and platforms.
Is the Volvo S60 Reliable?
Of course, it is. Typical of Volvo cars, the S60 is one of the most powerful and dependable luxury executive cars to own. Asides from offering a generous interior, the engine is predicted to last over 200k miles.
RepairPal gives the sedan an overall reliability rating of 3.5 out of 5.0 and ranks it at number 11 out of 31 cars listed in the category. The S60 can comfortably exceed 300,000 miles with good maintenance and care. It is a car you can trust, and it’s pretty affordable too.
What Goes Wrong With Volvo S60?
Nothing goes wrong with this executive sedan from Volvo. However, just like every other automobile, the S60 has its lapses. One of the most common issues with the Volvo S60 is excessive oil consumption and throttle issues. Sadly, these two problems can cost up to $3,000 to fix, in most cases.