Transmission complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 13% | — |
| 2020 | 1 | 8% | — |
| 2019 | 2 | 8% | — |
| 2016 | 1 | 4% | 22,000 miles |
| 2015 | 5 | 9% | 65,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2013 | 5 | 6% | 48,000 miles |
| 2012 | 4 | 3% | 63,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 20% | 87,000 miles |
| 2007 | 3 | 14% | 20,000 miles |
| 2006 | 4 | 13% | 37,000 miles |
| 2005 | 2 | 5% | 130,000 miles |
| 2004 | 12 | 6% | 30,000 miles |
| 2003 | 5 | 4% | 9,000 miles |
| 2002 | 15 | 8% | 58,000 miles |
| 2001 | 22 | 10% | 91,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2015 Volvo S60. The contact stated that the gear shifter would not shift into gear as needed. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,709.
I bought the car as a CPO on 9/25/19 32,860 mi. On 8/19/20 at 50,052 the engine failed. The oscillating dampener rubber separated causing serpentine belt to break, which in turn got caught in timing belt which caused that to break which then caused bent valves and valves to break. The failure was sudden. Had I been on the interstate I'd be severely injured or dead. I was told that I needed a new engine but they could not find one. I was told they would completely re-build my engine. In the end they replaced the cylinder head and starter under warranty. I was never told they didn't re-build the engine and also used " good parts" from the old engine. In the following months I had the car in the Volvo shop (Hendricks Volvo Charleston, SC). At 50,277 miles the check engine light showed a problem with the Cam shaft position sensor on 9/3/20. …
I am submitting this report to formally document a severe safety-related failure involving my 2013 Volvo S60, VIN # [redacted] . This vehicle is part of the Volvo brand, widely recognized and marketed as among the safest in the world. Incident Summary: On [redacted], at approximately [redacted] in Norwalk, Connecticut, the vehicle experienced a catastrophic mechanical failure while in operation. The auxiliary (serpentine) belt suddenly failed, shredded itself, and wrapped around the timing pulley. Debris from the failed belt entered the timing belt housing - a supposedly sealed and protected compartment - causing the timing belt to jump. This resulted in an immediate loss of engine power while driving, placing me in a highly vulnerable position. Fortunately, I was not on a multi-lane highway or in fast-moving traffic. …
With less than 50,000 miles on it, my S60 just completely stopped working on my way to work. While pulling out of my development, the entire engine, power steering - everything shut down. I had to coast into a turning lane to put on my flashers. I had not gone more than 3 minutes from my house. After Volvo had it for a few days they told me that the alternator belt had jumped off, hitting the alternator, fraying the belt. This then resulted in the belt wrapping around another part of the engine impacting the drive belt. This resulted in damage to the drive belt, alternator, 1/3 of my engine and my cylinder block. Volvo is blaming this on a faulty belt tensioner, yet they are making me pay for part of the repair which is a total cost of $6,000. This is clearly a defective part - either it was installed incorrectly or it was not properly built as a belt does not just "jump". …
My vehicle was parked in a grocery store lot. I entered the vehicle to back it out of its parking spot. It was next to a full sized van which had carpet cleaning equipment mounted inside. I started the car and placed it in reverse as it began to accelerate on its own. I tried to slow the vehicle with the brake which failed. I collided with a block wall in the rear of the car and attempted to get it out of gear, with the solid jarring from the rear the car went into drive and continued to accelerate to full speed, while I was attempting to brake. The Volvo hit the van which it had been parked next to in the rear left bumper and drove it approximately 20 feet through a planter and into a parking spot on the other side of the planter. This car (Volvo) is equipped with a collision warning system that was supposed to have auto braked and did not. Additionally the air bags did not deploy. …
On April 12, 2016 I took my Volvo s-60 leased brand new from Volvo and the purchased at the end of the lease as a certified pre-owned car in for an oil change and a check oil light. Volvo had a recall on oil pressure censors (this had caused other car engines to seize something that the ntsb has reported on). The Volvo authorized dealer, herb gordon, claimed to have made this repair. However on June 21, 2016, the engine seized in the middle of a busy road. The Volvo authorized dealer determined it needed a new engine, at the time, I asked about simply applying the cost to replace the engine (about $12,000) to getting me into a new car. Volvo refused and went ahead with an engine replacement (they had my car from June 21, 2016 to August 1, 2016. The car broke down again on August 15, 2016 while my family and I were on the road for a vacation. …
New vehicle 2007 Volvo S60 r was picked up from the dealership, Volvo of oak park, oak park, il in the afternoon. The vehicle was driven to my residence in farmer city, il. The odometer reading was 186 miles when the transmission failed , most likely, a shift linkage malfunctioned, which resulted in a total loss of power. The problem occurred when up shifting while passing on a rural road and nearly causing a head-on collision with an oncoming vehicle. The vehicle was equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission.
Tl* the contact owns a 2007 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while driving approximately 38 MPH the transmission failed to shift into fifth gear. The contact also stated that whenever premium grade fuel was used, the engine would exhibit less engine power. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the adaptive transmission system was reset. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but did not provide further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 51,000.
Frequently asked questions
Which Volvo S60 years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2001 (22), 2002 (15), 2004 (12), 2003 (5) and 2013 (5) model years. Transmission complaints make up 10% of all complaints for the 2001.
Is there a recall for Volvo S60 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for any Volvo S60 model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Volvo S60 transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles; 42% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (34 mentions), followed by the automatic transmission › lever and linkage › floor shift (2).
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.