Research · 2 NHTSA variants

2001 Volvo S-ClassRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 10 safety recalls and 322 owner complaints for the 2001 Volvo S-Class. Most complaints involve fuel system, gasoline (73) and vehicle speed control (56).

Combined MPG
—
No EPA rating found
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
10campaigns
Latest Sep 2021
Owner complaints
322
Top: fuel system, gasoline
Fuel cost / yr
—
No EPA estimate
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

10 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Sep 30, 2021NHTSA 21V766000

Air bags: inflator module

Free remedy

Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2001-2003 S80 and S60 vehicles sold or ever registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan), and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The driver side frontal air bag inflator may rupture, sending metal fragments into the passage compartment, when the driver side air bag is deployed.

Air bagsReported Nov 4, 2020NHTSA 20V681000

Equipment: navigational system(global positioning system)

Free remedy

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.

EquipmentReported Nov 8, 2010NHTSA 10V566000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

322 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2000 – Jun 2023
  1. Fuel system, gasoline73
  2. Vehicle speed control56
  3. Electrical system45
  4. Engine and engine cooling32
  5. Service brakes, hydraulic29
  6. Power train27
  7. Fuel/propulsion system19
  8. Air bags13
  9. Visibility12

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each S-Class model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1998251
1999415
2000628
2001322
2002216
2003141
2004298
2005140
2006102
200770
200852
200933
201036
201115
2012129
201394
201426
201567
201635
201726
201816
201923
20209
20218
Crashes reported
19
Fires reported
10
Injuries reported
9
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel system, gasoline

73 reports2 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S60. WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE, AN ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT AND THE CONTACT DISCOVERED FUEL PRESENT ON THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FAULTY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 09V483000 (FUEL SYSTEM). THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. UPDATED 02/10/16*LJ; UPDATED 05/10/18*JB *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 11, 2015Fuel system, gasolineODI 10809738

Vehicle speed control

56 reports3 crashes1 fire
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE IN WHICH THE THROTTLE BODY FAILED TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE WHEN MAKING A TURN OR WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INDICATED THAT THE TIME FRAME HAD EXPIRED FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V441000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 12, 2017Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 10944579

Electrical system

45 reports2 crashes4 fires
“1. The vehicle caught fire while driving. The radiator cooling fan stayed on after parking, The vehicle the night before. The vehicle had to be jump started the next morning. yes the vehicle is available for inspection. 2. bodily injury and property damage could have been caused by the fire. 3. Yes. independent service center. Automotive Body and Tire Center. (Skokie IL) 4. Yes. Fire was put out by prospect heights fire department. Police report #PHP23-004049 5. No warning lamps prior to the fire. Symptom of problem was the radiator cooling fan staying on after vehicle was turned off, which caused the battery to discharge.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 15, 2023Electrical systemFire reportedODI 11527162
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Volvo S-Class as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 4311
05 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
07 —FAQ

2001 S-Class questions

How many recalls does the 2001 Volvo S-Class have?

10 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2001 Volvo S-Class problems?

Owners filed 322 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel system, gasoline (73), vehicle speed control (56), electrical system (45). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026