Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2024 | 2 | 8% | — |
| 2023 | 3 | 6% | 0 miles |
| 2022 | 7 | 9% | — |
| 2021 | 6 | 12% | 18,000 miles |
| 2020 | 2 | 9% | 52,000 miles |
| 2019 | 3 | 8% | — |
| 2018 | 3 | 8% | 5,000 miles |
| 2017 | 2 | 13% | — |
| 2016 | 17 | 45% | 70,000 miles |
| 2015 | 13 | 28% | 93,000 miles |
| 2014 | 4 | 25% | 40,000 miles |
| 2013 | 3 | 5% | 45,000 miles |
| 2012 | 2 | 4% | 35,000 miles |
| 2011 | 4 | 11% | 37,000 miles |
| 2010 | 5 | 9% | 130,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2023 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to recognize the key fob. Due to the failure, the vehicle failed to start after multiple attempts with the key fob message displayed and a warning chime was heard. The contact also stated that the coolant warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer and the thermostat was replaced the vehicle and the warning light disappeared. The contact stated that despite a software update being performed, the key fob failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 300. The contact stated that the manufacturer was notified and will not buy the vehicle back. The service dealer is unable to replicate the issue and therefore have no solution to the problem. …
I have a 1 month old 2023 XC60 T8 phev recharge extended range with 1250 miles on it. I was driving without any issues for the past 1 months. I got a turtle icon with the check engine light on constant when I started driving today. The car had pulled back while driving and there was substantial diminished power, and could be dangerous in the wrong circumstances. I called Volvo and they explained not to drive the car and towed the car to the nearby Volvo dealership. Waiting on diagnosis 2 days now. I've now noticed other vehicles of the same type are having the same issues. This does not seem to be normal for a cars operation to have random diminished power. Website showing this to be a problem with these models from different years without any definitive resolution: https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/2022-xc90-recharge-extended-range-turtle-icon-check-engine-light.657482/
Feb. 1, 2024: A short drive on electric during below zero weather, a car wash & a couple 100ft drive into a parking lot. Pulling into a parking space, foot on the brake pedal, ICE roared on accelerating the car over a curb, down an embankment & into a 3ft snow drift before I could stop it by pressing the brake pedal with both feet. We stopped 6in from a power pole. If forward crash avoidance system worked, didn't register in the EEPROM per the service tech! Feb. 17, 2024, during below zero weather, no electric charge, operating on ICE over about 2mi, Pulled into a parking space, foot on the brake pedal, ICE surged accelerating the car up over a 6" high curb onto sidewalk. Stopped car by depressing the brake pedal with both feet. Car stopped 2in before hitting a brick building. It didn't seem the forward crash avoidance system functioned to stop us. …
4 months old 2022 Volvo XC60 software bug that drained all batteries on board caused the vehicle to not to start, stuck in park, it was impossible disengage parking brake or put the car in neutral. Without any warning or battery low or battery empty indicator, the vehicle failed to start. We were put at risk by a car that can fail without warning and not start at all as we were stranded at a remote location. When the car failed to start, it could only be moved by a flat-bed tow truck, as it was impossible to put the car into neutral and it would not roll. The Volvo dealer confirmed that the vehicle failed to start because of a software bug. …
The contact owns a 2021 Volvo XC60. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact pulled over to the shoulder, and the vehicle continuously turned on and off independently. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the auxiliary battery power was low and that the vehicle needed a software update. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 18,000.
The USB ports under the center console malfunction frequently. The main, top engine mount disintegrated and needed to be replaced under 50,000 miles. The rear seat seatbelts come loose and sag easily. They do not retract automatically. The rubber stripping, where the door jamb is, comes off. The handles to the air vent break off very easily, rendering the vents inoperable. **The software for the vehicle malfunctions constantly, displaying the incorrect readings for fuel economy, the gas gauge, and more. It is possibly affecting the catalytic converters and O2 sensors. **The vehicle turns itself on, in battery mode. **The blind spot indicators to not light up sometimes and do not make any noise indications of nearby cars.
While driving at 10 mph on a residential street, I experienced a sudden and dangerous loss of power braking assistance, making the pedal nearly impossible to depress. An expert Volvo technician has confirmed that the brake vacuum pump failed because the exhaust camshaft, which drives the pump, sheared or failed internally. I want to emphasize that this catastrophic mechanical failure occurred at only 45,000 miles. A camshaft is a non-wear item that should last the lifetime of the vehicle; for it to fail at such low mileage and take out the braking system is an unreasonable safety risk. This is a known issue (Internal Ref: TJ 29131) that directly links an engine defect to a primary safety system failure. The vehicle has been properly maintained, and the failed parts are available for inspection."
The moon roof leaks and drains into the area of the electronic gateway. This causes the car to become inoperable, slowing it to a crawl, once in park it will not get out of park, and sometimes results in not being able to turn off the engine. Many error codes become displayed ranging from no parking brake available, ESB not responding, check engine light, and others. According to user forums, this issue has been around since 2017 for many of the models and Volvo will do nothing to repair it or acknowledge it. I have paid $2250 so far and the vehicle is still unusable.
Related recalls (2)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Engine control module (ECU/ECM)
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2022-2023 S60, V60, S90L, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An electronic control module (ECM) software error may prevent the combustion engine from starting, causing a loss of drive power.
Remedy: Dealers will update the ECM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 8, 2022. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552.
Engine and engine cooling
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2011, s80, s60, xc70 and xc60 vehicles. The software calibration for the fuel cut-off functionality in the engine control module (ECM) is too sensitive.
Remedy: Dealers will update the ECM and TCM with new software free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before December 10, 2010. Owners May contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552 or at customercare@volvoforlife.com.
Frequently asked questions
Which Volvo XC60 years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2016 (17), 2015 (13), 2022 (7), 2021 (6) and 2010 (5) model years. Engine complaints make up 45% of all complaints for the 2016.
Is there a recall for Volvo XC60 engine problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 22V-793 (engine control module (ecu/ecm), Oct 20, 2022); 10V-579 (engine and engine cooling, Nov 17, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Volvo XC60 engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 59,000 miles; 57% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the engine › engine control module (ecu/ecm) › software (1 mentions), followed by the engine › oil/lubrication (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.