Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 3% | 129,000 miles |
| 2024 | 3 | 13% | — |
| 2023 | 9 | 17% | — |
| 2022 | 6 | 8% | — |
| 2021 | 9 | 18% | — |
| 2020 | 4 | 18% | 6,000 miles |
| 2019 | 8 | 22% | 7,000 miles |
| 2018 | 7 | 19% | 21,000 miles |
| 2017 | 1 | 6% | — |
| 2016 | 3 | 8% | 10,000 miles |
| 2015 | 2 | 4% | 41,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 6% | 87,000 miles |
| 2013 | 2 | 3% | 60,000 miles |
| 2011 | 2 | 6% | 21,000 miles |
| 2010 | 5 | 9% | 49,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
My car is a 2024 Volvo XC60 PHEV. I was exiting a parking garage on the evening of April 24, 2026, going very slowly as I tried to get into a line of cars, when the brakes suddenly lost pressure. The brake pedal did nothing; I had no control over the car, which lurched forward, hitting the car in front of me. Then my car did the same thing again, and hit the next car again. I strongly suspect mechanical failure, namely that the transition from regenerative to friction braking failed. Exactly the same thing happened with the first XC60 PHEV that I had. In the summer of 2023, that acted as above on two different occasions. I turned that car into the dealer and in its place got the 2024.
Brakes sometimes do not engage when parked and putting the car into drive or reverse gears. The car performs automatic brake checks when the car is parked. Sometimes, if I happen to press the brake pedal as one of these checks is starting, the brake pedal doesn't press down all the way. I can still start the car though and put it into drive or reverse while pressing the brake pedal until it stops, though the pedal only depresses partway. Once the car is in drive or reverse, it rolls 1-2 feet, with my foot still pressing the brake pedal, before the brake actually engages. This has happened twice in the past 3 weeks. I am using the latest Volvo car software.
While stopped at a light behind several cars with my foot firmly on the brake, the car started to move forward and could not be stopped. My foot was on the brake the entire time. The car advanced into the rear end of a pickup truck stopped in front of me. It was as though the car was fighting me as the car could not be stopped. Beyond the damage done to my car and the truck in front of me, this could have resulted in the injury of a person should someone have attempted to walk in front of my car at that time. I requested that Volvo review the logs which they said they did, but would not release the data to me. As such, my insurance company faulted me for this incident. This has caused me considerable stress and money. Volvo Customer Care Opened case 06675566 at my request.
Driving the car at under 20 mph making a left turn into my cul-de-sac which has an upward slope. Car system thought it would crash into the tree straight ahead and started emergency braking making loud noise and then the steering wheels locked. Ended up hitting the parked car in front of neighbors house due to brake and steering malfunction. Heard from other Volvo owners that this has been a problem. Even backing out of garage where there is no object behind the car the car emergency braking system engages causing whiplash. No longer feel safe driving this car.
At the end of a downhill cloverleaf coming coming on and off a highway, the car slowed to a crawl but would not stop. It was going slowly as if "creeping" like when in B mode but was not in B mode. The brakes would not stop it. I was able to shift gears from Drive to N to P but no response, car continued to creep forward until it gently bumped into the back of an 18 wheeler. There was no collision alarm at the time. I turned the car on and off, and powering down seemed to re set the issue, but the collision alarm went off like 10 minutes later when there was nothing to set it off (seemed like it was just delayed). No error code came up, nothing. I submitted my claim to Volvo, esp since there are similar recalls so I thought it was a known thing, but apparently not reported on my exact make and model (there were not very many made). …
The vehicle is basically new and I have only had it a few months. It has already been with the dealer three times because of technical/computer/infotainment issues. The dealer had the vehicle for about a week on each occasion. Today, I started to break so I could turn the car around and park it in the parking lot. I was moving very slowly, as you would expect in such a case. However, the car didn't stop but instead lurched forward in full throttle causing me to crash into a breezeblock wall. The automatic warning system did not sound and the crash detection system never engaged. I haven't been in an accident for 30 years and was not distracted when this happened. If the vehicle hadn't already had issues, I would accept user error as the problem, however in light of the car's history, I have doubts.
The contact owned a 2021 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle suddenly began to accelerate and the brakes failed to stop. The vehicle crashed into a nearby fence causing the vehicle to flip. The air bags did deploy. The contact received injuries to their right shoulder and left knee. Medical attention was needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and had not been deemed totaled as of yet however, damage to the vehicle would be considered unrepairable. The dealer was informed of the incident however they were unable to assist. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
6/8/23: Vehicle in shop for 30K warranty service. Front brake pads flagged yellow for wear. Recommendation they be addressed next visit at 40K miles. By 35K, Brake pedal was vibrating and steering wheel shaking upon moderate braking. Made appt. With local dealer which required over a month wait. 1/5/24: Dealer confirmed problem. Despite their own Technical Service Bulletin [redacted], dated [redacted], which recommended warranty replacement of brake pads, the service writer, Joe Barber at Volvo of St. Louis, 7700 Manchester Rd. refused to follow the manufacturer's recommendations. Instead, he quoted me a complete front brake job, to include rotors and pads for $920. I declined. With over 50 years of driving experience, not once have I owned a vehicle with brake/rotor failure with so few actual miles driven (mostly highway). Dealer claims this is normal for Volvo cars. …
Related recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023 S60, V60, V60CC, V90CC, XC60, XC90, XC40, and C40 vehicles. A diagnostic error in the Brake Control Module 2 (BCM2) may cause a loss of Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and traction control.
Remedy: Volvo will release an over-the-air (OTA) BCM2 software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 15, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 S90L, 2020-2021 XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hydraulic unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552.
Frequently asked questions
Which Volvo XC60 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2021 (9), 2023 (9), 2019 (8), 2018 (7) and 2022 (6) model years. Brake complaints make up 18% of all complaints for the 2021.
Is there a recall for Volvo XC60 brake problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 23V-012 (service brakes, hydraulic, Jan 19, 2023); 21V-716 (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Sep 15, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Volvo XC60 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 36,000 miles; 77% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the pedals and linkages (1 mentions), followed by the foundation components › disc › pads (1).
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.