Volvo

S60 (Y20)

2011-2018 · Midsize Sedan · 4 engines
Best Engine Recommended (4.1)
387 NHTSA Complaints
17 Recalls
2 Fire Reports
22 Crash Reports

Engine Reliability Comparison

B6304T4

3.0L 6-cyl / 300 hp
Recommended (4.1)
30 complaints 6.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

electrical
10
other
5
wheels tires
4
exterior
4
steering
3

Known Issues

Electrical System Issues (10 complaints)
Wheels/Tires Issues (4 complaints)
Exterior Issues (4 complaints)

Also found in

VOLVO V60 (2015-2018)VOLVO S60 (2001-2009)VOLVO S60 (2011-2018)VOLVO XC60 (2010-2017)VOLVO XC70 (2008-2016)VOLVO S80 (2007-2016)

B4204T11 (ULEV2)

2.0L 4-cyl Turbo / 240 hp
⚠️ Caution (3.3)
49 complaints 24.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
14
electrical
10
other
8
interior
7
safety systems
6

Known Issues

Engine Issues (14 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (10 complaints)
Interior Issues (7 complaints)

Also found in

VOLVO V60 (2015-2018)VOLVO S60 (2011-2018)VOLVO XC60 (2010-2017)VOLVO XC70 (2008-2016)VOLVO S80 (2007-2016)

B5254T12

2.5L 5-cyl / 250 hp
⚠️ Caution (2.8)
125 complaints 30.8 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
61
other
15
wheels tires
12
electrical
10
safety systems
9

Known Issues

Engine Issues (61 complaints)
Wheels/Tires Issues (12 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (10 complaints)

Also found in

VOLVO V60 (2015-2018)VOLVO S60 (2011-2018)VOLVO XC60 (2010-2017)VOLVO XC70 (2008-2016)

B4204T12

2.0L 4-cyl / 240 hp
⚠️ Caution (2.8)
69 complaints 18.5 per year Gasoline
1 fire report
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
20
other
19
body
13
electrical
12
brakes
4

Known Issues

Engine Issues (20 complaints)
Body/Trim Issues (13 complaints)
Electrical System Issues (12 complaints)

Also found in

VOLVO V60 (2015-2018)VOLVO S60 (2011-2018)

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Volvo S60 regardless of engine variant.

Engine Issues (95 complaints)
engine critical
Electrical System Issues (42 complaints)
electrical critical
Wheels/Tires Issues (16 complaints)
wheels_tires critical
Body/Trim Issues (13 complaints)
body critical
Interior Issues (7 complaints)
interior critical

Recalls (17)

20V378000Jun 29, 2020serious
Seat Belts

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. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.

19V849000Nov 25, 2019serious
Latches/Locks/Linkages

Volvo Car of USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2011-2017 S60, S60I, V60, S60CC and V60CC vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

17V127000Jan 2, 2017serious
Air Bags

Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017 S60, S60CC, V60, V60 Cross Country, and XC60 vehicles. The affected vehicles have driver and front passenger seat side mounted side air bags (SAB) with inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and number 214, "Side Impact Protection."

16V918000Dec 20, 2016serious
Air Bags

Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2017 S60 and S60 Cross Country, V60 and V60 Cross Country, and XC60 vehicles manufactured August 16, 2016, through October 21, 2016. The affected vehicles have driver and front passenger seat side mounted side air bags (SAB) with inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection" and number 214, "Side Impact Protection."

16V798000Feb 10, 2016serious
Seat Belts

Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 XC90, S90, XC60, V60 Cross Country, V60, S60 Cross Country, S60, and S60 Inscription vehicles manufactured February 16, 2015, to August 22, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the front passenger seat belt buckle attaching stud may loosen, allowing the buckle to separate from the seat belt bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages" and number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

15V555000Feb 8, 2015serious
Electrical System

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo S60, V60, V60CC, XC60, XC70, and S80 vehicles manufactured April 8, 2015 to August 19, 2015. In certain driving conditions when using the automatic engine stop/start function, the starter motor fuse may blow, preventing the car from restarting when necessary.

13V592000Nov 21, 2013serious
Engine & Cooling

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S60 vehicles manufactured June 22, 2010, through May 14, 2012, and equipped with 5-cylinder B5254T5 (VIN code 62) engines. In the affected vehicles, the vehicle may not alert the driver of a low oil pressure situation.

13V377000Aug 20, 2013serious
Electrical System

Volvo is recalling certain model year 2014 S60, S80, XC60 and XC70 vehicles equipped with keyless ignition. In the affected vehicles, the Central Electronic Module (CEM) will not perform as intended. As a result, the front windshield wipers might run continuously when the ignition is on. Also, the turn signals, high beams, and headlight switch might not work.

13V084000May 2, 2013serious
Equipment

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."

12V075000Feb 27, 2012serious
Electrical System

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60, XC60, S80 AND XC70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 16, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 6, 2011. IN THESE VEHICLES, THE WIRE HARNESS UNDER THE FRONT SEATS MAY HAVE NOT BEEN ATTACHED PROPERLY TO THE SEAT FRAME. AS A RESULT, WHEN THE SEATS ARE MOVED TO ADJUST THE SEATING POSITION, THE WIRE HARNESS MAY GET PULLED, CAUSING IT TO DISCONNECT.

12V101000Mar 13, 2012serious
Structure

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60 AND XC60 PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN INCORRECT MIXTURE OF UNDERBODY COATING AND OVER-APPLICATION CAN RESULT IN RIGID, ICICLE-LIKE AREAS HANGING FROM VEHICLE’S UNDERCARRIAGE.

12V439000Oct 8, 2012serious
Air Bags

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.

11V508000Oct 17, 2011serious
Equipment

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2012 C70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2005, THROUGH JULY 31, 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 S60 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 14, 2010, THROUGH APRIL 16, 2011, THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ACCESSORY SPARE TIRE KIT. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES DO NOT CONTAIN THE CORRECT INFORMATION FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL ACCESSORY SPARE TIRE AND WHEEL KIT.

11V311000Jun 5, 2011serious
Fuel System

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 18, 2011, THROUGH JANUARY 28, 2011. THE MALE PART OF THE FUEL LINE QUICK CONNECTOR END SHAPE WAS PRODUCED WITH DIMENSIONS OUT OF SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESSIVE ASSEMBLY FORCE ON THE FEMALE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE LOCKING FUNCTION MAY NOT BE ENGAGED.

11V303000Jan 5, 2011serious
Fuel System

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 18, 2010, THROUGH MAY 5, 2011. THE SOFTWARE FOR THE FUEL PUMP UNITS MAY NOT BE COMPATIBLE WITH ALL FUEL PUMPS AND COMPONENTS RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT FUEL TRANSFER IN THE PUMP UNIT.

10V591000Nov 21, 2010serious
Seats

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER FRONT PASSENGER SEATS. THE FRONT SEAT RAIL'S DETECTION SYSTEM WAS MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY AND MAY PERMIT THE PASSENGER TO FORWARD THE SEAT BEYOND THE INTENDED MAXIMUM.

10V579000Nov 16, 2010serious
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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2011-2018 Volvo S60 problems?

The 2011-2018 Volvo S60 has accumulated 387 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Engine, Electrical System, Wheels/Tires. As with any used vehicle, a pre-purchase inspection and vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Volvo S60 engine is most reliable?

The 2011-2018 Volvo S60 was offered with 4 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2.5L 5-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2011-2018 Volvo S60 a good used car?

The 2011-2018 Volvo S60 can be a solid used car purchase depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 387 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2011-2018 Volvo S60 have?

The 2011-2018 Volvo S60 has 387 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2011-2018 Volvo S60?

There are 17 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2011-2018 Volvo S60 vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN — check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Volvo S60?

Before buying a used Volvo S60, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Engine, Electrical System, Wheels/Tires, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 387 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-04-06.

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