2009 Volvo S60 recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
3 safety recalls, most serious first
1. Airbags
What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. 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.
What could happen: An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants, resulting in serious injury or death.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2009 S60.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 21V766000 (manufacturer code R10125).
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-458-1552.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Notes: Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.
2. Electrical system
What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires.
What could happen: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
The fix: 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…
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2009 S60.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 10V566000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
Summary: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Consequence: 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.
Notes: VOLVO SAFETY RECALL NO. R231. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
3. Seats
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat frames, adjusters or child-seat anchors. THE FRONT SEAT RAIL'S DETECTION SYSTEM WAS MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY AND MAY PERMIT THE PASSENGER TO FORWARD THE SEAT BEYOND THE INTENDED MAXIMUM.
What could happen: POSITIONING OF THE SEAT BEYOND THE INTENDED MAXIMUM CAN CAUSE INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE PASSENGER IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
The fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT POWER SEAT STOPS FOR BOTH FRONT SEATS FOR THE PRESENCE OF AN "END STOP" AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552 OR AT CUSTOMERCARE@VOLVOFORLIFE.COM.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2009 S60.
- Book a repair at any authorized Volvo dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 10V591000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-458-1552.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEATS
Summary: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER FRONT PASSENGER SEATS. THE FRONT SEAT RAIL'S DETECTION SYSTEM WAS MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY AND MAY PERMIT THE PASSENGER TO FORWARD THE SEAT BEYOND THE INTENDED MAXIMUM.
Consequence: POSITIONING OF THE SEAT BEYOND THE INTENDED MAXIMUM CAN CAUSE INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE PASSENGER IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT POWER SEAT STOPS FOR BOTH FRONT SEATS FOR THE PRESENCE OF AN "END STOP" AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552 OR AT CUSTOMERCARE@VOLVOFORLIFE.COM.
Notes: VOLVO SAFETY RECALL NO. R235. OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- Portable jump starter
- 2009 Volvo S60 owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Airbags (2), Steering (1), Unknown Or Other (1), Body / structure (1), Vehicle Speed Control (1).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (7)
01/28/2026 · Steering
The contact owns a 2009 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the column turn signal lever detached. The contact stated that the turn signal and headlight switches were inoperable due to the failure. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The d…
09/28/2023 · Airbags · crash
Driving at 25 mph and the airbag spontaneously deployed. Exploded. Dust. Noise. No impact no accident. Hurt my hand. Busted the turn signal arm Caused me to drive over a median and damage the under carriage of the car.
12/18/2021 · Airbags
I am unable to service my car to fix the recall, because there is no Volvo dealer where I live.
04/21/2020 · Body / structure
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR OPENED INDEPENDENTLY ON 10/19. CONSUMER MENTIONED THAT WHEN SHE HITS A BUMP THE DOOR AJAR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AT ANY SPEED. CONSUMER ALSO STATED DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE WHEN UNLOCKED, THIS WOULD HAPPEN ONCE IN AWHILE.…
05/01/2017 · Vehicle Speed Control
ACCELERATING ON INTERSTATE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN COMPLETY LOST ENGINE POWER. ENGINE WOULD CONTINUE RUNNING, BUT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. COULD HAVE EASILY GOTTEN INTO A WRECK IF THERE HAD BEEN MORE TRAFFIC ON THE INTERSTATE. ENDED UP GETTING TOWED AND HAVING TO REPLACE THE THROTTLE UNIT WHICH COST ALMOST $1000, THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION…
04/09/2015 · Electrical system
I KEEP GETTING A MESSAGE THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM NEEDS SERVICE EVEN THOUGH THE TIRES HAVE THE CORRECT PRESSURE. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THIS SAFETY RELATED SYSTEM. IT IS AN ISSUE THAT MANY VOLVO OWNERS HAVE REPORTED, YET VOLVO CONTINUALLY FAILS TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. *TR
05/20/2010 · Fuel system
2009 VOLVO S60 AWD - WHEN FILLING WITH GASOLINE AT VARIOUS GAS STATIONS, GASOLINE OVERFLOWS AND SPILLS OUT OF THE FUEL FILLER NECK WHEN THE TANK IS FULL. THIS IS WITH THE LOCK MECHANISM ENGAGED ON THE GAS PUMP HANDLE. I HAVE OBSERVED THIS AT MULTIPLE GAS STATIONS AND DIFFERENT PUMPS AT THOSE GAS STATIONS. I HAVE TAKEN OTHER VEHICLES TO THE SAME STATIONS AND…