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2005 Volvo S60: common problems and reliability
One of the better S60 years.
44 owner complaints, most about engine and engine cooling. 4 recalls.
Should I buy a 2005 S60?The 2005 Volvo S60 has 44 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and engine cooling and fuel system.
Safety record for the 2005 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2005 Volvo S60 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other S60 years only. How we score it
Is 2005 a good year for the S60?
Across the 24 S60 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2000) to 238 (2001). With 44 complaints, the 2005 S60 sits about the same as the model's median of 42.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2005 S60
air bags:frontal:driver side:inflator module
Campaign 21V766000Volvo 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.
equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system)
Campaign 10V566000VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Campaign 07E023000CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
equipment:other:labels
Campaign 06V375000CERTAIN 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.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is highly dependent on generation and is bifurcated between strong loyalty and significant caution.
Owner insights cover all generations of the S60. See the full S60 owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used S60 listings typically run $15,876–$28,223 across 2008 to 2025 model years.
Other S60 model years
Compare every S60 year side by side to see how 2005 ranks against the rest.
Compare the S60 against its rivals
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