This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test. Perform the test. Follow service procedure Description and Service sections updated to clarify that vehicle reports are not required.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Volvo S60 engine problems
moderate 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 5 engine 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
Of the 7 model years of Volvo S60 we track for engine problems, this one has the fewest owner complaints on file (5).
No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 14 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 engine 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.
Engine Control Module (EMS) Software (MSW) Information â August 2022; Improvement List (Change Log) - US21+OBD22 (13L VGT, TC) And US17+OBD22 (11L) Emissions
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a Technical Journal: Oil in cooling system. New cleaning method developed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a Technical Journal: Oil in cooling system. New cleaning method developed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a Technical Journal: Oil in cooling system. New cleaning method developed.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
The electronic throttle module had to be replaced in my 2006 Volvo s60. The car only has 72,702 miles! This is after having paid several hundred dollars to have the etm cleaned several months ago. The cost to replace the etm was over $800. As I search the internet, these cars seem to have problems with this particular part. It's ridiculous to think that I'm going to have to keep paying for…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Volvo s60. The contact stated that intermittently when attempting to start the vehicle it failed to start. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the technician could not duplicate the failure or provide a remedy. The failure mileage was 15,000 and the current mileage was 47,000.
Engine throttle. Car slow down to a crawl while driving speed at 60 miles on highway , check engine light. Trying to find if a recall . Other must be having this problem . This is 2006 s60 Volvo
In my 2006 Volvo s60 the etm went out after only 48000 miles. The engine has a rough idle and won't go over 40 MPH. It's in limp mode. A replacement for the etm is upwards of $1,000 and the dealer needs to be the one to service to mate the etm to the car. Looking on the forums and around it amazes me how common this problem is. The recall that was for 1999-2002 models should be extended to all…
Had engine 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 engine problem on the 2006 Volvo S60?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 65,207 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 $3,100 for engine 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 engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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.