Common problems

Volvo S60 Common Problems

We grouped the top NHTSA owner-complaint categories across 6 Volvo S60 model years, then counted how often each issue recurs. The result shows patterns worth inspecting without pretending every vehicle will have them.

Data updated April 2026

Owner complaints
65

6 model years

Top recurring issue
Electrical System

4 affected years

Crash reports
4

Owner-reported severity signal

Fire reports
2

2 injuries · 0 deaths

Pattern overview

Most reported Volvo S60 problem categories

#1

Electrical System

14complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 4 model years; highest in 2019.

#2

Steering

6complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2024.

#3

Unknown Or Other

6complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2024.

#4

Tires

5complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2019.

#5

Service Brakes

4complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2020.

#6

Air Bags

2complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2024.

#7

Back Over Prevention

2complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2023.

#8

Exterior Lighting

2complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2019.

#9

Forward Collision Avoidance

2complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2019.

#10

Fuel Propulsion System

2complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2022.

What owners reported

Issue summaries by Volvo S60 model year

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners of the 2019 Volvo S60 frequently report issues with the electrical system, particularly involving the Driver Instrument Module (DIM) flickering or going blank, which affects visibility of critical information like the speedometer and fuel levels. Some owners experience complete electrical failure during operation, rendering the vehicle inoperable and only allowing use of emergency blinkers. Two complaints involve fires originating from the trunk area, with one resulting in a minor injury. Additionally, the parking brake can become temporarily unavailable, disabling other dashboard information, and is suspected to be caused by liquid exposure to the switch. These issues often occur within the first few months of ownership and have significant safety implications, including potential loss of control and risk of fire.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 2 fire, 1 injury reports

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners report issues with the 2024 Volvo S60's electrical system, particularly concerning the infotainment and audio systems. Complaints frequently mention the multimedia screen going blank and intermittent loss of all vehicle audio alerts, including critical safety notifications like turn signals and blind spot monitoring. These issues often require a system reboot, which some describe as distracting and unsafe while driving. The problems are noted at various mileages, with one owner specifically mentioning occurrences around 13,000 miles. Safety implications are highlighted, as the failures can result in loss of access to essential safety features and unpredictable vehicle behavior, especially at low speeds or when braking.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2024 Volvo S60 frequently report issues with the vehicle's audio system and backup cameras. A common complaint is the unexpected loss of all audio, including turn signal sounds, which poses a safety concern. Additionally, multiple owners describe problems with the backup camera's visibility in low-light conditions, rendering it ineffective at night. Some owners also note intermittent failures of the backup camera when shifting into reverse. These issues persist despite dealership visits, and there is mention of Volvo's awareness of the problems, yet no resolution has been provided. Safety concerns are highlighted, particularly in scenarios requiring reliable camera functionality for parking and reversing.

TIRES

Owners of the 2019 Volvo S60 frequently report issues with the Pirelli P Zero tires, particularly concerning the separation of foam inlays inside the tires. Common symptoms include extreme vibrations and difficulty driving, often occurring at highway speeds. These issues appear in some cases with relatively low mileage, as early as 10,000 miles, and even within the first 250 miles for some low-profile tires. Complaints indicate that this problem can lead to uneven tire wear and potential misalignment, which may affect vehicle handling and safety. Buyers should be aware of potential additional costs for tire replacement and consider checking the condition of these specific tires when evaluating a used vehicle.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners report several electrical issues with the 2022 Volvo S60. A common problem involves the indirect TPMS system falsely indicating low tire pressure, often leading drivers to disregard alerts. Another frequent complaint is the main center display going blank randomly, sometimes accompanied by a loud squealing sound, which disrupts HVAC and audio functions. Additionally, some owners describe the vehicle shutting off unexpectedly while driving, with warning lamps indicating various system failures. These issues appear to occur across a range of mileages and have significant safety implications, particularly when the car shuts off at highway speeds.

SERVICE BRAKES

Owners report several issues with the service brakes of the 2020 Volvo S60. One frequent complaint involves the vehicle's crash detection system, which automatically engages the brakes unexpectedly, even at highway speeds, creating a dangerous situation. Another issue described is rapid rear brake wear, with one owner noting a significant reduction in brake pad thickness over 7,000 miles, despite primarily highway driving. Additionally, some owners experience recurring low brake fluid warnings at very low mileage, with one instance occurring at less than 87 miles and again at under 191 miles. These issues suggest potential safety implications, such as unexpected braking and possible brake system malfunctions, which prospective buyers should consider.

SERVICE BRAKES

Owners of the 2024 Volvo S60 report incidents of unintended acceleration combined with brake failure, leading to crashes. These complaints describe scenarios where the vehicle accelerates unexpectedly while the brakes are engaged, with one owner noting the car lurched forward at a stoplight. In both cases, there is a lack of warning lights, and the incidents occur at low mileage, around 4,000 miles. The safety implications are significant, as both reports involve crashes, although no injuries or airbag deployments are confirmed. Prospective buyers should be aware of these patterns when considering this model.

Severity signals: 2 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

STEERING

Owners report issues with the Automatic Intervention Collision Avoidance system in the 2024 Volvo S60, specifically involving unexpected and unnecessary activations. Symptoms described include sudden and forceful steering wheel movements and potential brake application, typically occurring during freeway exits or on roads with slight curves. These incidents create dangerous situations, such as swerving into adjacent lanes or towards oncoming traffic, even when the road ahead is clear. Both complaints involve rental vehicles, but no specific mileage or timeline patterns are evident. Safety implications include the risk of loss of control and potential collisions due to these unexpected interventions.

Pre-purchase inspection

What to check on a used Volvo S60

When problems are reported to begin

  • Electrical system failures13,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
  • Service brakes and unintended acceleration4,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
  • Transmission shifting issues3,000–4,000 miles on the 2023 model-year record
  • Tire and wheel damage11,000–15,000 miles on the 2022 model-year record
  • Transmission and power train issues0–160 miles on the 2022 model-year record
  • Service brake issues0–1,000 miles on the 2020 model-year record
  • Rear brake wear16,000–24,000 miles on the 2020 model-year record
  • Tire foam separation10,000–20,000 miles on the 2019 model-year record

Buyer red flags

  • Test infotainment system for blank screen or audio loss
  • Check backup camera functionality in low-light conditions
  • Inspect for unintended acceleration and brake failure at low speeds
  • Verify collision avoidance system does not activate unnecessarily
  • Ensure all safety-related audio alerts are functioning
  • Confirm fuel system operates without unexpected propulsion loss
  • Test for unexpected shifting from drive to neutral
  • Check backup camera functionality in reverse gear

How to interpret the counts

Complaint totals are not failure rates

A popular or older model can accumulate more complaints simply because more vehicles exist and have spent longer on the road. The categories above aggregate the counts embedded in each model year's leading issues. Use recurrence across years and severity signals to decide what to inspect; use the VIN and a mechanical inspection to judge one car.

Source trail

Where this Volvo S60 data comes from

VinExposed combines model-level research with the vehicle-specific history you get from a VIN. Reliability scores and complaint patterns come from Auto Reliability Index's Volvo S60 research, which analyzes NHTSA records and independent repair data.

Recall counts describe a model year, not the repair status of one car. Confirm the exact VIN with the official NHTSA recall lookup and a vehicle-history report before buying.

Buyer questions

Volvo S60 research FAQ

What is the most common Volvo S60 problem?

Electrical System is the broadest recurring complaint category in the available model-year records, appearing among the top issues for 4 years with 14 complaints represented.

Which Volvo S60 year has the most reported problems?

The 2019 has the largest electrical system count among the years where that category appears. Compare the full year record because a different year may lead on another problem category.

Do NHTSA complaints prove a Volvo S60 has a defect?

No. Owner complaints are unverified reports and can be duplicated or influenced by sales volume and vehicle age. They are useful patterns to investigate alongside recalls, service records, inspection results and the exact VIN.

Check the actual car

Model research narrows the list. The VIN confirms the car.

Check title brands, accidents, odometer history, auction records and recall status for the specific Volvo S60 you are considering.