Overview & Reviews
A new high-performance model, the S60 R, will become available later in the year. Otherwise, minor changes are in store for Volvo's sport sedan for 2003. A leather-wrapped steering wheel, along with a stereo with a CD and a cassette deck, now grace the interior of the 2.4 and the 2.4T. The latter also gets foglights and wood dash trim in its standard equipment list. For the all-wheel-drive version, the 2.4 turbocharged engine receives a small bump in displacement and horsepower. Rain-sensing wipers and OnCall Plus (the telematics system) are available, and two new colors, Titanium Grey and Ruby Red, brighten the exterior.
- Long list of standard safety features, luxurious interior, powerful turbocharged engine in top-line T5 model, deceptively quick 2.4T power plant, available all-wheel drive.
- Handling lacks true sport-sedan precision, expensive optional equipment, torque steer in the T5 model.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 80.00-
Most problems & expensive repairs Ive ever experienced - 2003 Volvo S60
By buddynbrandy - July 12 - 2:30 amI bought this car in the hopes it would last a long time. Acceleration sensor went out, the car wouldnt move at take off. About got me killed. $250-$300 to repair. Transmission has slipped since I bought it at 4 years old in 2007. Its getting worse, all fluids, etc have been checked, I have taken excellent care of this car, maint. etc. I heard a strange clanking noise, come to find out, I needed a drive shaft, which was $1400.00 to repair. I have to sell this thing to keep from having to spend thousands on a new transmission. I noticed that its using more gas as time goes on. Never again. I get sick to stomach. Dont buy one, go honda or toyota... Warning: Money Pit!
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Not too pleased with my S60 2.4T - 2003 Volvo S60
By mikey1atl - February 2 - 10:00 amI have been to the dealer several times about the following issues. 1. Transmission jerks when shifting between lower gears. Your head jerks against the headrests at slower speeds, like between stop lights. Also, hesitates off the line 2. When the a/c compressor kicks in it makes a rattling sound that is loud enough to be heard over talk radio! 3. Creaking sounds in the cabin. 4. Steering off center, have to hold it at start. All repeated problems over my 5800 miles.
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Misterious Coldstart reaction - 2003 Volvo S60
By elvira - May 28 - 10:00 amI now own a 2003 S60 T5. My first try was a new 2002 S60T5 which was returned to Volvo because when cold starting the vehicle and placing it in gear the car would "choke" and jump. Now our 2003, brand new volvo S60 T5 is doing the same thing and the dealership cannot find what the problem is. This is very frustrating since im paying a fortune for the car, and my confidence in the reliability of the vehicle has been blemished. Im truly dissapointed in the ability of checking the vehicles system for faults, since Volvo appears unable to detect the fault.
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Buyer Beware - 2003 Volvo S60
By NH WInter - July 26 - 9:23 pmWhen I purchased my S60 AWD I thought it was going to be a great vehicle. I was wrong. Looks great, but many, many nickel & dime mechanical problems, which are both time consuming and expensive if you take it to the dealer each time. Traded an Acura CL for the Volvo, never again
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Not a well made car - 2003 Volvo S60
By ah1530 - June 26 - 10:00 amIn the first 19 months, my S60 has had to have fixed or replaced the door lock sensors (2x), the brake rotors, the power steering tank - first week of ownership, new front headlight wiring and lights, another short in the rear brake light (2x), new transmission (top off valve first whole new trans. later), left inner steering arm, rear sway bar supports, and an annoying rattle in the front over bumps. Also, scheduled maintenance is outrageously expensive - $471 last month.
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Car to Avoid - 2003 Volvo S60
By AVOID VOLVO - May 9 - 10:00 amIn 11 months of ownership the cruise control failed, transmission doesnt shift right, all bulbs on the rear of the car have burned out at least once each, and the throttle control system required replacement. The transmission problem required 6 different visits to the dealer, and still has not been corrected. The interior has 2 ongoing squeaks and rattles that after 3 attempts, the dealer can not seem to repair. Overall, the quality of the car is extremely poor, performance is very average. The only attribute this car has is comfortable front seats.
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Bad handling - 2003 Volvo S60
By hotdog - August 18 - 2:00 amNice car but tracks terrible. It will follow groves in the road and cause you to swerve to regain control. Also during hard acceleration vehicle will swerve from side to side.
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You may have big trouble with S60 - 2003 Volvo S60
By Incubus - August 14 - 4:13 pmWell, Ford-owned Volvo needs to improve a lot. After riding a year, the engine of S60 stops sometimes during maneuver and the big problem cannot be fixed yet. The suspension is now too soft to give firm ride comfort and the interior makes a rather noisy sound.
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Are you kidding me? - 2003 Volvo S60
By Scot - August 6 - 7:03 amWe bought this car in 2003. It was a safe sporty family car. Shortly there after the problems began. First electrical and module problems, which cost us $2,000. Then transmission problems, followed by sounds from the brakes, and some other misc. things I didnt understand, repairs quoted at $8,000. Thats 3 years and $10,000 in repairs. Topped off with an electrical system failure, that required it to be towed to the shop. I am now waiting for for my latest quote, which I imagine wont be cheap, because the only thing cheap on this car is the quality. If you read any good reviews on this car they were written by a dealership. Run away as fast as you can!
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rattle, rattle, rattle - 2003 Volvo S60
By do not buy this car - March 4 - 10:00 amNothing quite loke a car that audibly lets you know that it hates bumps in the road. Back to the dealership several times - they have no idea. Rattles and jars - even though the suspension is so loose it could be taken by a Ford Escort - oh yeah, who makes this car now? Should not be marketed as a sports sedan it does not even compare to the others in its class - A4, 3 series, etc.
