Volvo S60 Problems by Year

We compared every Volvo S60 model year from 2001–2025 using 1,264 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 40 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2012, 2024, 2013, 2015 and 2001, which drew far more complaints than other S60 years at the same age. The best years are 2011, 2025 and 2021.

23model years
1,264complaints
40recalls
2012, 2024worst years
2011, 2025best years

Complaints by model year

’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’19’20’21’22’23’24’25223186120198443121107512187255826172512815322
Owner complaints per model year, Volvo S60. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
20250−67%2—Few
2024222.5×3Collision AvoidanceCaution
20233−47%6Collision AvoidanceAverage
2022151.2×4ElectricalAverage
20218−57%3ElectricalGood
202012−52%4BrakeGood
201925−13%4ElectricalAverage
201717−53%5BodyGood
201626−25%4EngineAverage
2015582.0×2EngineCaution
201425−36%3EngineAverage
2013872.5×4EngineAvoid
20121213.4×8EngineAvoid
20115−83%6Wheel & TireGood
20097−86%3AirbagGood
200810−72%2AccelerationGood
200721−50%2ElectricalGood
200631−42%3EngineGood
2005441.3×3Fuel SystemAverage
20041985.7×5EngineAvoid
20031202.7×6ElectricalAvoid
20021863.9×8Fuel SystemAvoid
20012236.2×8Fuel SystemAvoid

* Complaints compared with the median S60 year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Volvo S60 problems

Latest Volvo S60 recalls

Back over prevention › Software

NHTSA recall 25V-908 · Dec 23, 2025 · 413,151 vehicles

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2024 C40BEV, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40, and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse.

Remedy: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2026.

Back over prevention › Software

NHTSA recall 25V-282 · May 8, 2025 · 413,151 vehicles

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse.

Remedy: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552.

Electrical system › Propulsion system › Traction battery

NHTSA recall 25V-179 · Mar 24, 2025 · 7,483 vehicles

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020-2021 S90, 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60, XC90, and 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high-voltage battery module as necessary.

Air bags › Frontal

NHTSA recall 23V-780 · Nov 21, 2023 · 346 vehicles

Volvo Car USA, LLC. (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2024 S60 vehicles. The passenger air bag may not be secured properly, which can cause the air bag to deploy improperly.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts securing the passenger air bag, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 5, 2024.

Electrical system

NHTSA recall 23V-188 · Mar 22, 2023 · 393 vehicles

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023 S60, V60CC, XC60, XC90, XC40, and C40 vehicles. A diagnostic trouble code (DTC) may be falsely detected for the emergency call system (e-call) and display "e-Call Service Required" in the driver information module (DIM).

Remedy: Dealers will update the telematics and connectivity antenna module (TCAM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 16, 2023.

All 40 Volvo S60 recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Volvo S60 should you avoid?

2012, 2024, 2013, 2015, 2001 and 2004 — these years have the most complaints relative to other S60 years at the same age, led by engine & cooling problems in the 2012.

What is the best year for the Volvo S60?

2011 has the fewest complaints compared with other S60 years at the same age, followed by 2025 and 2021. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Volvo S60 problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the engine & cooling (321), fuel & propulsion system (265) and electrical system (225). Engine complaints peak in the 2004 model year.

How many recalls has the Volvo S60 had?

40 recalls across 2001–2025. The model year with the most is 2001. See all Volvo S60 recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.