Volvo S60 Engine Problems
Owners have filed 195 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the Volvo S60 across 20 model years. The 2012 model year has the most (61). The words owners use most often: “oil consumption” (18% of reports).
- 195engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 5related recalls
- $1,450typical repair cost reported by owners
- 38%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Oil consumption: mentioned in 36 of 195 complaints (18%)
- Piston rings: mentioned in 14 of 195 complaints (7%)
- Engine cooling: mentioned in 12 of 195 complaints (6%)
- Stalled without: mentioned in 10 of 195 complaints (5%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the Volvo S60 at $1,450, and half of them between $900 and $7,800.
Based on 12 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2013–2024), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 128 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 195 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 3 a fire.
Volvo S60 engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 S60 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2022 S60 | 2 | 13% | — |
| 2021 S60 | 1 | 13% | — |
| 2020 S60 | 1 | 9% | — |
| 2019 S60 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2018 S60 | 1 | 25% | — |
| 2017 S60 | 1 | 6% | 60,000 |
| 2016 S60 | 8 | 32% | 68,293 |
| 2015 S60 | 23 | 40% | 65,000 |
| 2014 S60 | 12 | 48% | 66,938 |
| 2013 S60 | 36 | 41% | 83,000 |
| 2012 S60 | 61 | 50% | 85,250 |
| 2008 S60 | 2 | 20% | 111,500 |
| 2007 S60 | 2 | 10% | 99,000 |
| 2006 S60 | 6 | 19% | 89,234 |
| 2005 S60 | 3 | 7% | 130,000 |
| 2004 S60 | 22 | 11% | 106,000 |
| 2003 S60 | 5 | 4% | 100,000 |
| 2002 S60 | 5 | 3% | 124,500 |
| 2001 S60 | 2 | 1% | 173,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (5)
Engine and engine cooling:engine:engine control module (ecu/ecm)
Model years: 2022, 2023
Problem: 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.
Risk: The vehicle may lose drive power as the high voltage battery is depleted, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10198.
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Model years: 2011, 2012
Problem: 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.
Risk: Without being warned of a low oil pressure situation, the driver may continue to drive the vehicle until it stalls, which increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software so that the driver is alerted should there be a low oil pressure situation, free of charge. The recall began on January 10, 2014. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this campaign is R29436.
Engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2011
Problem: 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.
Risk: Sudden engine stall could occur increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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 [email protected].
Engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2003, 2004
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the fuel pressure sensor located on the left end of the fuel rail may, at times, transmit incorrect signal regarding the fuel pressure to the engine control module. If the signal is outside of the pre-programmed allowable limits, a diagnostic trouble code may be set and the check engine light will come on. The soldered joints on the circuit board of the fuel pressure sensor may crack due to temperature changes and excessive vibrations.
Risk: Misfire may occur during driving that, in turn, will reduce the engine torque and in the worst case scenario, the engine may stall without warning. In certain traffic situations this could cause an unsafe situation and possibly a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel pressure sensor free of charge. The recall began on june 29, 2007. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan
Model years: 2001
Problem: On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, under certain operating conditions, some electric cooling fans may overheat potentially causing heat damage and, in rare instances, a fire in the engine compartment.
Risk: A fire in the engine compartment could occur.
Fix: Dealers will replace the cooling fan. The recall began on november 29, 2004. Customers should contact volvo cars at 1-800-458-1552.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2015 Volvo S60. The contact stated that on several occasions, the vehicle hesitated while starting. Upon starting, the vehicle shuddered, vibrated, lost power, and entered Limp mode. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds on several occasions, the vehicle…
On two separate occasions in the past two months June 6 and Aug. 15, this vehicle experienced a severe unintended engine surge / unintended acceleration event while at a complete stop with my foot firmly on the brake. On both occasions, the engine RPMs spiked above 1,000 RPM, forcing the vehicle to…
On 4/6/2026 At about 2:30 p.m. my son [XXX] stated that he started the car and was in the process of driving out of the parking lot when he saw smoke coming thru the vents in the car. My son [XXX] stated that he got out the car and opened the hood and the car was on fire. [XXX] stated that he…
I am submitting a formal vehicle safety complaint regarding a sudden and complete system failure in my Volvo S60 2023, which occurred in March 2026 in [XXX] . While traveling on [XXX] at highway speed, the vehicle abruptly and without warning lost all electrical power. The dashboard went completely…
I experienced an engine issue that I believe is related to excessive oil consumption and the lack of an oil pressure light warning. The car was driven out of town when a noise was heard coming from the engine. A visual inspection of the engine revealed smoke coming from the engine department when…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Volvo S60s have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 195 owner complaints about engine for the Volvo S60. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Volvo S60 engine?
Yes: 5 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the Volvo S60?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,450 (half paid between $900 and $7,800), from 12 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the Volvo S60?
The most frequent phrase is “oil consumption”, in 36 of 195 complaints, followed by “piston rings” (14).
Other Volvo S60 problems
See all Volvo S60 problems.