This is a Technical Journal: When sensitive information, like vehicle speed, brake usage, etc. (customer behavoiur information) of a car is required from Volvo Car Corporation from external sources, either of these two documents should be filled in and attached to the affected Vehicle Report. (External sources: Authority, Insurance companies, Rental companies, etc)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Volvo S60 brakes problems
moderate 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
When does it fail?
Of the 5 brakes complaints filed for the 2006 Volvo S60, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 16 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
This is a Technical Journal: When sensitive information, like vehicle speed, brake usage, etc. (customer behavoiur information) of a car is required from Volvo Car Corporation from external sources, either of these two documents should be filled in and attached to the affected Vehicle Report. (External sources: Authority, Insurance companies, Rental companies, etc)
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗VOLVO: UNNECESSARY BRAKE CONTROL MODULE (BCM) REPLACEMENTS. WHEN DIAGNOSING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) FOR BRAKE CONTROL SYSTEM, TECHNICIAN MUST ALWAYS FOLLOW COMPLETE DIAGNOSTIC FAULT TRACING PATH IN VIDA. VIDA ALWAYS LISTS POSSIBLE SOURCES OF FAULT.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
I first experienced this brake failure 2 years ago during an exit from a highway on an uphill off-ramp. When I pressed the brake pedal, there was absolutely no braking power. Only after I lifted my foot from the brake and reapplied pressure did I have any braking power. This has only happened a few times and is very infrequent and random in its appearances, but is a recipe for disaster and is…
Car type: Volvo s60r model year 2006 (euro spec.) manual transmission. Technically near identical with Volvo s60r sold in us market, except for lights and speedometer. Temporary complete loss of brake power going uphill at moderate speed (+/- 30mph), when depressing clutch and attempting to brake. Occurred a number of times, under similar conditions. Under this condition, the braking distance…
Jan., 2007: car was towed to Volvo dealership. After taking car to car wash in 14 degree weather, tire, brake pads or rotor froze, making the car undriveable. Feb. 24, 2007: drove 45 minutes on highway during blowing snow. My car had been parked in my home garage. I parked car outside for 3 hours at my destination. Driving the 45 minutes return trip, the steering wheel shook like I was…
Had brakes trouble with your 2006 Volvo S60?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2006 Volvo S60?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 28,540 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Volvo/S60.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.