1.1

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
165,087 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2001 Volvo S60 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2001 Volvo S60 Owner Comments

problem #5

Jun 012015

S60

  • 250,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Our Volvo S60 has been experiencing a well known issue with what's commonly called transmission flare. When shifting into lower gears from a stop or at lower speeds and in slow traffic the automatic transmission jerks the car forward severely. There are hundreds of posts in online car forums with consumers complaining about this same problem. While it started out as a nuisance the problem has gotten progressively worse and is aggravated by hot weather, so much for taking the Volvo on a drive for summer vacation. We trusted Volvo's quality and integrity when purchasing our car and are very disappointed that there has been no recall issued to fix this problem. When we asked the dealership where we purchased the car what we could do to fix the problem they suggested we purchase a new car from them. Shame on you Volvo. Before this problem we were proud Volvo owners now we feel ripped off and abused.

- Rohnert Park, CA, USA

problem #4

Dec 112014

S60 5-cyl

  • 123,000 miles
In 2008, at about 93K miles, the transmission on my 2001 Volvo S60 failed while I was driving on a main thoroughfare. Fortunately, I was able to avoid being in an accident. I had a Volvo dealer install a new Volvo transmission. In 2014, at about 123K miles (or about 30K miles on the new transmission), the second transmission failed while I was driving on a local street. Again, I was able to avoid an accident. A search of the NHTSA database and other online sources showed that there have been numerous early transmission failures with Volvo like mine. Volvo of North America refused to do anything to help fix the faulty transmission despite information that there is a problem with the transmission they have been using.

- Falls Church, VA, USA

problem #3

Aug 262013

S60 5-cyl

  • 168,733 miles
I noticed my car jerking when it shifts, so I thought it was the transmission or something, so I brought it in a Volvo dealership and they found out that it wasn't the transmission but " dsem needs ETM and breather box engine light) or what the service advisor said the throttle module and I was surprised that they didn't tell me or asked me if I know about the recall. The costumer service is very poor at this place.

- Santa Clara, CA, USA

problem #2

Sep 152011

S60 4-cyl

  • 155,000 miles
Volvo S60 of the first generation has had major transmission issues. Many have failed, slipped, and have destroyed the vehicle. According to other drivers it seems that the transmission has been fixed after 2005. It is not normal for transmissions to be going out before 100K miles. I'm sure many drivers have complained of this issue. Many times I have almost been in wrecks because it will not go into gear and will clunk into gear lurching me forward. The software when it first came out would put the car in neutral after you touched the brake to save gas millage. This software was removed for an unknown reason. Most likely being because it was damaging transmissions. Transmission do not shift instantly. So you would be in neutral then it would switch into gear. After many updates and small changes to the transmission reports of transmission failures have gone down majorly after 2005. It is not right that it took 4 years to fix this problem.

- Berea, KY, USA

problem #1

Sep 172012

S60 5-cyl

  • 128,700 miles
I had stopped at the traffic light. As I started again on green light, the car jerkily jumped forward. I had to push hard on the brakes. As the car stopped, the check engine light came on together with service transmission light.

- Roswell, GA, USA

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