Most common 2013 Volvo XC60 problems
Share of the 66 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volvo XC60 complaints by model year
Best XC60 years: 2014, 2017, 2012. Years to avoid: 2022, 2023, 2025, 2024, 2021. Compare all years →
2013 Volvo XC60 recalls (3)
Seat belts › Front
Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552.
Equipment › Other › Labels
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2013 S60 and XC60 vehicles, manufactured on January 7, 2013. The product identification labels were printed with the incorrect manufacture year. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification Regulation."
Remedy: Volvo has quarantined the affected vehicles and will install correct labels prior to sale. The recall began during March 2013. Owner notification letters will not be sent.
Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2013 S60 and XC60 vehicles. A manufacturing defect within the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) control unit may lead to an inadvertent deployment of the seat belt pretensioner and/or inflatable curtain.
Remedy: These vehicles have not been sold and the SRS control unit will be replaced prior to the cars being sold. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
What 2013 Volvo XC60 owners say
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 29 →
Water is leaking down the inside of the windshield while driving in rain. It comes from the top edge and streaks down the drivers side (left side). I spoke with a mechanic that services my vehicle and was told if it was a sunroof drain issue it would be coming down the pillars and getting on the floor. They were confident that it was the windshield that was leaking and referred me to a local auto glass business for repair. I read on a car forum about other Volvo car owners having the exact same problem with their Volvos that are around the same age as mine. It seems to be a glass adhesion failure that consistently occurs on the top edge of the Volvo OEM windshields. …
The problem started 2 years ago and has progressively become worse. The original windshield is leaking water, which drains down inside the A-pillar and windshield. Water also leaks into the air-bag in the A-pillar, and moisture may come in contact with the electronic parts in the dashboard, creating a safety issue and a potential fire hazard. Last year I contacted Tucson Volvo for help, and they referred me to JD Auto Glass [phone]). The local dealer refused to take any responsibility for this safety defect. There have been heavy rains recently in Tucson, and water is dripping onto my lap while I am driving, and trying to wipe the dashboard dry. This causes a major distraction and obstructs my vision, since the water continuously runs down the inside of the windshield glass. Yesterday I contacted Tucson Volvo again, and they referred me to Tony's AutoGlass [phone]). …
Electrical system
The contact owns a 2013 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 5 MPH, the vehicle shut-off without warning. The contact stated that the electrical features ceased to operate in the vehicle. The contact stated that his wife was unable to activate the hazard lights. The contact's wife was unable to exit the vehicle as her driver's side door would not unlock. His wife was forced to flag down a construction worker who pulled the door open from the outside. As soon the door opened, the lights began to work, and all the electrical features returned. The contact's wife was able to restart the vehicle and drive home. The contact left a message with a service advisor at a dealer to notify them of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. …
Summary: Vehicle suddenly and completely loses all electric power. i.e. no lights, including hazard lights or brake lights, no engine, no power steering. Status: The root issue has occurred twice, and the vehicle is pending service to positively diagnose and repair the issue. First occurrence: Driver parked the vehicle, turned off the engine, and remained inside with standard electric power active. Upon exiting the vehicle and closing the driver's door, the door lock button did not respond. Returning to the vehicle it became apparent the reason for the lock failure was the absence of electric power. During the process of preparing to connect jumper cables, electric power returned. This was without actually connecting to a jump source. Second occurrence, 1 day after first: While driving at 60 MPH on a highway, electric power suddenly ceased. …
Air bags
The problem started 2 years ago and has progressively become worse. The original windshield is leaking water, which drains down inside the A-pillar and windshield. Water also leaks into the air-bag in the A-pillar, and moisture may come in contact with the electronic parts in the dashboard, creating a safety issue and a potential fire hazard. Last year I contacted Tucson Volvo for help, and they referred me to JD Auto Glass [phone]). The local dealer refused to take any responsibility for this safety defect. There have been heavy rains recently in Tucson, and water is dripping onto my lap while I am driving, and trying to wipe the dashboard dry. This causes a major distraction and obstructs my vision, since the water continuously runs down the inside of the windshield glass. Yesterday I contacted Tucson Volvo again, and they referred me to Tony's AutoGlass [phone]). …
Water leakage from top of windsheild due to common failure of sealant (known to Volvo) falls directly into steering wheel airbag and, from there, flows into the seam between airbag module and the steering wheel and collecting behind the airbag subjecting the electrical connections of the airbag to moisture trapped behind the airbag. See photos. No warning lights yet. Vehicle is available for inspection by nhtsa.
2013 Volvo XC60 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 25 / 21 |
| 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 17 / 23 / 20 |
| 3.2L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | AWD | 18 / 24 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Small SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2013 Volvo XC60 a good car?
Based on 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 XC60 rates use caution: 1.7× as many complaints as a typical year of the XC60 at the same age. It is one of the XC60 years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2013 Volvo XC60?
The windows, wipers & sunroof — 29 complaints, 44% of all complaints for this model year, most often about windshield. Next are the electrical system (9) and air bags (7).
How many recalls does the 2013 Volvo XC60 have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2013 Volvo XC60, the most recent from June 30, 2020 (front). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volvo XC60?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2014, 2017 and 2012. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2022, 2023, 2025, 2024 and 2021. See the full Volvo XC60 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2013 Volvo XC60 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 60,000 miles; 33% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.