2005 Volvo S60 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2005 Volvo S60 has a complaint index of 42, a Good verdict, and ranks 12th out of 20 model years. NHTSA lists 44 complaints and 3 recalls, with Engine (27%) and Fuel System (23%) as the top problem areas.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 42/100
- #12 of 20 S60 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 44
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2005 Volvo S60 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine12 (27%)
- Fuel System10 (23%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (18%)
- Electrical System6 (14%)
- Structure & Body5 (11%)
- Brakes4 (9%)
- Other3 (7%)
- Steering2 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (5%)
- Airbags1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report weak or blown tires, including sidewall failures on both OEM Pirelli and Continental tires, sometimes at highway speed.
- Some drivers experienced sudden fuel leaks from the fuel injectors onto the engine casing shortly after taking delivery.
- Others reported the vehicle stalling and losing all power unexpectedly, later traced to a failed fuel pump module.
- One owner described the engine racing on its own while braking at an intersection, causing the car to lurch forward.
- Several owners noted excessive dashboard glare reflecting into the windshield near the steering column.
- A driver of the S60R described the rear end swaying or 'side-stepping' dramatically over dips or potholes at highway speeds.
2005 Volvo S60 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 21V766000Sep 30, 2021Airbags259,383 vehicles
Air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
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.
Remedy: 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 for this recall is R10125.
- NHTSA 10V566000Nov 8, 2010Other416 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system)
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.
Remedy: 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 new battery and a spacer will be inserted on top of the battery next to the pcb. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 18, 2010. Owners may contact garmin at 866-957-1981 or visit garmin's website at www.garmin.com/nuvibatterypcbrecall.
- NHTSA 06V375000Oct 3, 2006Other19,700 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
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.
Remedy: 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.
2005 Volvo S60 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other S60 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Volvo S60 reliable?
- It carries a Good verdict relative to other S60 model years, with a complaint index of 42 and 44 NHTSA complaints, ranking 12th out of 20 years tracked.
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Volvo S60?
- NHTSA data shows Engine complaints lead at 27% of the total, followed by Fuel System issues at 23% and Suspension, Wheels & Tires at 18%.
- Does the 2005 Volvo S60 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2005 S60, covering a driver's airbag inflator issue, an overheating Garmin GPS accessory, and incorrect tire pressure labeling.
- How does the 2005 S60 compare to other Volvo S60 years?
- Its complaint index of 42 is lower than years like 2012 (100) and 2013 (95), which carry Avoid verdicts, making 2005 one of the better years relative to the rest of the lineup.
- What mileage do problems tend to show up at on the 2005 S60?
- Median mileage at failure across all complaints is 55,500, though Engine issues median at 84,085 miles and Fuel System issues at 74,171 miles.