2016 Volvo S60 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Oct 3, 2024 · 25 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other S60 years
About as many complaints as other years 10th of 26 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
5 out of 5 stars

Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Volvo S60. That ranks 10th out of 26 S60 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine (8 complaints, 32%), typically at around 68,293 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year.

Volvo S60
Volvo S60 (3rd generation). Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Benespit, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2016 Volvo S60 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Engine8 · ~68,293 mi
Electrical System5 · ~16,930 mi
Unknown or Other4 · ~27,000 mi
Seat Belts3 · ~19,930 mi
Structure3 · ~22,500 mi
Visibility/wiper3 · ~37,750 mi
Wheels2 · ~39,000 mi
Air Bags1 · ~27,859 mi
Electronic Stability Control (esc)1 · ~78,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion System1 · ~200 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Engine832%68,293——
Electrical System520%16,930——
Unknown or Other416%27,000——
Seat Belts312%19,930——
Structure312%22,500——
Visibility/wiper312%37,750——
Wheels28%39,000——
Air Bags14%27,859——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)14%78,000——
Fuel/propulsion System14%200——
Power Train14%22,069——
Service Brakes14%54,000——
Vehicle Speed Control14%36,000——

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2020, with 10 complaints
2015: 1201512016: 1201612017: 2201722018: 1201812019: 2201922020: 102020102021: 3202132022: 2202222023: 2202322024: 120241

n = 25 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2016 Volvo S60 recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Seat belts:frontJun 30, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V378000 · 308,260 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: 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. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.

Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latchNov 26, 2019 · NHTSA campaign 19V849000 · 144,937 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89978.

Seat belts:front:buckle assemblyNov 2, 2016 · NHTSA campaign 16V798000 · 74,027 vehicles

Problem: 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."

Risk: If the seat belt buckle separates from the bracket, the front seat passenger may not be adequately restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt buckle stud, replacing the seat belt buckle as needed, free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89708.

Electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakersSep 2, 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V555000 · 7,855 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: If the vehicle is unexpectedly unable to be started in the middle of traffic, such as when stopped at an intersection, there is an increased risk of a crash.

Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing starter motor fuse with a higher amperage fuse, free of charge. The recall began on October 26, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552 or by visiting http://volvo.custhelp.com. Volvo's number for this recall is R39574.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

In November of 2021, I purchased my dream car, a 2016 Volvo s60 Cross Country, proud to own a vehicle from a company known for their safe and reliable vehicles. In April of 2022, a class action case ([XXX], et al., v. Volvo Car USA, LLC, Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, and Volvo Personvagnar AB)…

Engine · received Oct 3, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11617818

The contact owns a 2016 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the SRS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who repaired the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V378000 (Seat Belts) and 16V798000 (Seat Belts). The dealer also…

Air Bags · received Jun 1, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11524899

The alternator seized on the highway snapping the serpentine belt which got sucked into the timing and stopped the car in the left lane at highway speed. The timing guard failed allowing the belt to damage the timing. Volvo says it needs a head job I have possession of the vehicle and all…

Engine · received Apr 29, 2023 · NHTSA complaint 11519617

Driver door latch not engaging. Door opened at low speed.

Unknown or Other · received Sep 3, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11482723

At 86K miles can smell oil burning and add 1 quart light comes on. It's said Volvo is aware of a defect with the piston rings causing oil to consume and burn away. They aren't willing to address the issue outside warranty expiration. They did recently indicate how Volvo changed the requirement for…

Engine · received Aug 29, 2022 · NHTSA complaint 11481894

Other Volvo S60 years

← 2015 S60 · 2017 S60 →

See all Volvo S60 problems by year, every Volvo model, or the Volvo VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volvo S60?

Owners most often report engine, electrical system, unknown or other problems. The top one, engine, accounts for 8 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2016 Volvo S60?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2016 Volvo S60 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other S60 model years, the 2016 has about as many complaints as a typical year, and NHTSA rates it 5 out of 5 stars overall in crash tests. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.