2016 Volvo S60: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 25 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 maintenance records. Cars behind me dodged onto the shoulder to avoid hitting me. There was no warning. Furthermore this is a known problem a quick search of Volvo forums turned up over a dozen cars with insufficient timing guards”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2022
“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 using 5W30 oil to claim now Volvo changed there minds. How now only 0W20 full synthetic oil must be used. The label under the hood says use 5W30 only. It appears that Volvo is changing oil types because they know there's an issue with the piston rings and is trying to cover up a defect by doing so.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2022
“The sunroof spontaneously exploded outward on the highway, no possibility of road debris hitting it as no other cars were nearby, and I was not close to an overpass. I believe temperature fluctuation causes it, as I was recently in below-freezing weather (15*f). On the day of the explosion I drove south starting at 40*f driving to 86*f.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Jan 2021
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“The brake suddenly lost braking power after the brake pedal was depressed at a red light on a local street. Every time I press the brake pedal after the incident, I could hear a sound of air leaking somewhere behind the pedal. Other systems seem fine and I managed to roll the car back to our parking lot about half a mile away, and had the car tolled to a local dealer the next day. I was told later by the dealer that it's caused by malfunction of brake "booster" or vacuum pump(?) and repaired it at a cost of ~$2500.00”Owner report · Service Brakes · Sep 2020
“2016 volvo s60. Consumer writes in regard to NHTSA safety recall 20v-378. *ld the consumer stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time completing the recall repair. *js”Owner report · Seat Belts · Aug 2020
“I have 86,585 miles on the car and have followed or exceeded the manufactures recommendation on oil changes. Now I am told after my last oil change that the engine is consuming a lot of oil. At 80,000 miles my volvo dealership changed the type of oil they were putting in the car from 5w-30 full syn. To 0w20 full syn. I believe there is a problem with the engine and volvo knows it by trying to stop the oil usage by changing the type of oil they recommend. What do I do if I have a engine problem with my car ???”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2020
“2016 volvo s60 audio module had to be replaced because it completely stopped working. This controls the navigation system, telephone, radio, car options, audio for safety alerts, etc. Stop working as I was driving on a city street. Also drained battery and I had to replace the battery too. *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2020
“Semi-circular stress fracture in windshield occurred on its own at some point after driving it. No impact at all. Fracture starts from driver's side upper corner down towards driver's viewing area and then curves upward.”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · Mar 2020
“When the car's eco start/stop is on, the car will shut off for no reason forcing me to turn off the car to restart it. Sometime it happens when the car is stopped but a few times the car was in motion when the car just turns off. This has happen at least 10 times since I owned the car. The last time was 1/27/20. I was almost hit from behind by another car.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2020
“Received a recall letter in january 2020 but no followup from volvo yet. It is a safety concern regarding faulty door latches and I am concerned while driving the vehicle.”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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."
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact S60 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
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Is the 2016 Volvo S60 reliable?
NHTSA has 25 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2016 Volvo S60. The most complained-about area is engine.
Does the 2016 Volvo S60 have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.