2021 Volvo S60 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Aug 19, 2026 · 8 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other S60 years
Not enough data 19th of 26 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Volvo S60. That ranks 19th out of 26 S60 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (4 complaints, 50%). There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.

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 2021 Volvo S60 problems

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

Electrical System4
Unknown or Other3
Visibility/wiper3
Service Brakes2
Engine1
Steering1
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Electrical System450%———
Unknown or Other338%———
Visibility/wiper338%———
Service Brakes225%———
Engine113%———
Steering113%———

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

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2026, with 3 complaints
2021: 1202112022: 1202212023: 1202312025: 2202522026: 320263

n = 8 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2021 Volvo S60 recalls (3)

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

Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery; electrical system:softwareMar 24, 2025 · NHTSA campaign 25V179000 · 7,483 vehicles

Problem: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020-2021 S90, 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60, XC90, and 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.

Risk: A short circuit in a high-voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high-voltage battery module as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the software to monitor the battery. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 28, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10312.

Air bags:frontalNov 21, 2023 · NHTSA campaign 23V780000 · 346 vehicles

Problem: Volvo Car USA, LLC. (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2024 S60 vehicles. The passenger air bag may not be secured properly, which can cause the air bag to deploy improperly.

Risk: An air bag that does not deploy properly in a crash increases the risk of injury.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts securing the passenger air bag, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 5, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10254.

Seat belts:rear/other:retractor; seat belts:front:retractorSep 1, 2021 · NHTSA campaign 21V682000 · 19,149 vehicles

Problem: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 XC40, XC 40 Recharge, V60CC, V90, V90CC, XC90, and 2021-2022 V60, XC60, S60 vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10111.

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.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Pedestrian alert sounds (DP22005) — opened Jan 27, 2023, closed Aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V063000.

Recent owner reports

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

The "Maintenance Mode" required to change the wiper blades malfunctioned, and the wipers- without the rubber blades attached- suddenly smashed onto the windshield, creating a large star crack/shatter, which spread across the entire windshield in two long cracks by the next day. If someone's hand…

Visibility/wiper · received Aug 19, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11758056

Air conditioning evaporator core is leaking refrigerant into cabin

Unknown or Other · received May 15, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11738038

The high voltage coolant heater failed. It will not heat when running solely on battery. Defrost therefore will not get warm to clear windshield

Electrical System · received Feb 27, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11721000

2021 Volvo S60 T8 AWD, VIN [XXX] , ~71k miles Component: SUNROOF / DRAINAGE SYSTEM / ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Summary: Water entered the passenger compartment through clogged sunroof drain hoses and accumulated under the front passenger seat, causing catastrophic failure of wide angle module (WAM) and…

Electrical System · received Nov 29, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11701998

Tire has a defect

Unknown or Other · received Jul 25, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11676297

Other Volvo S60 years

← 2020 S60 · 2022 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 2021 Volvo S60?

Owners most often report electrical system, unknown or other, visibility/wiper problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 4 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2021 Volvo S60?

Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2021 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 2021 has too little data to compare. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.