Research · 3 NHTSA variants

2006 Volvo S-ClassRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 102 owner complaints for the 2006 Volvo S-Class. Most complaints involve electrical system (30) and fuel/propulsion system (12).

Combined MPG
—
No EPA rating found
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Sep 2021
Owner complaints
102
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
—
No EPA estimate
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 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

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

Fuel system

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, REOCCURRING, LONG-TERM EXPOSURE TO CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS SUCH AS SALTY-WET CONDITIONS, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR THE PUMP ELECTRONIC MODULE (PEM) TO BECOME CORRODED INTERNALLY. THIS CAN CAUSE A FAULTY SIGNAL TO THE FUEL PUMP, RESULTING IN LOW OR NO FUEL PRESSURE TO THE ENGINE.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Jan 28, 2008NHTSA 08V033000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

102 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2005 – Jan 2025
  1. Electrical system30
  2. Fuel/propulsion system12
  3. Air bags12
  4. Engine11
  5. Engine and engine cooling11
  6. Structure10
  7. Visibility9
  8. Service brakes, hydraulic9
  9. Vehicle speed control6

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
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
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

Electrical system

30 reports
“AFTER A LONG PERIOD OF RAIN, WATER POOLED ON REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER FLOOR. WINDOWS WOULD NOT FUNCTION, DOOR LOCKS WOULD NOT FUNCTION, TURN SIGNALS DIDN'T WORK. INSTRUMENT PANEL FLASHED WARNINGS OF ENGINE PROBLEMS, BRAKE FAILURE, AIRBAG PROBLEMS. OFTEN LOST ENTIRE PANEL WHILE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON HIGHWAY, MEASUREMENTS GOING DEAD. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR MONTHS AND IS GETTING WORSE. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 9, 2020Electrical systemODI 11323976

Fuel/propulsion system

12 reports
“on Tuesday 11/19/2024 i went to my car and saw that a lot of fluid had leaked out of it. i went to start my car and when the car came on the gas tank was empty, but i had just filled the tank up the day before and parked it. on monday the 11/18/2024 i had put gas in the tank. so on tuesday when i had to go to the store i was pretty confused that the tank was low. this same thing had happened one time before but it never occurred that there was any kind of leak. but for an entire tank of gas to spill out is extremely concerning”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 13, 2025Suspension, Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11635682

Air bags

12 reports1 crash1 fire
“The contact owned a 2006 Volvo S60. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V766000 (Air Bags) and would like to be removed from the recall distribution list. The manufacturer was not contacted.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 18, 2024Air bagsODI 11578097
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

3 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Volvo S-Class as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 1805Vehicle 1806Vehicle 1807
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

2006 S-Class questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Volvo S-Class have?

6 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 2006 Volvo S-Class problems?

Owners filed 102 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (30), fuel/propulsion system (12), air bags (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026