2016 Volvo XC60: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 38 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (44% of complaints); the 2014 and 2017 model years look more trouble-free.
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 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Oil consumption has become a major issue and I am putting oil in every 1000 miles! I bought the vehicle certified pre owned in October 2023 and the oil light was consistently coming on early. However, it has since gotten much worse and is constantly burning through oil.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2025
“Volvo xc60 sunroof drains clog and leak. Sunroof maintenance is not mentioned in owner's manual, and dealer does not clear drains during regular service unless specifically asked to. Leak causes damage to electronic systems including airbag system. While any sunroof has the potential to leak, this leak is caused by a design failure - their design makes it easier for debris to ingress into the tracks and clog them. Cost to fix issue and replace sunroof is over $5000. This is a known problem with numerous forums and videos on the internet describing and promoting 'fixes' for, but in reality, Volvo needs to provide a real solution.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2025
“The component that failed was the oil consumption. I noticed it seemed to be using more oil than should be normal. It didn't seem to do it overnight. It seemed gradual, but over a short period of time, bc I haven't had the car that long. It wasn't super alarming but I was keeping an eye on it and would add more in here and there, as I like to keep it full. One morning, driving my son to school, I started hearing an odd sound, I don't know how to describe it, wasn't loud but different. I tried to turn around bc was on a main road, and when I did, I heard a loud bang and pop and I had to pull over to a safe spot bc on a main highway. I hv not driven since getting brought to my home. 06”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“Vechile is consuming oil rapidly, Warning light comes on says that the vehicle is unsafe to drive. We had an oil consumption test at the Franklin TN Volvo dealership and it failed. There is also a quality bulletin issued by Volvo and extended warranty to 100K miles or 8 years, we fall outside the years. The warning lights started coming on around 78K miles. This is a know vechile manufacturing defect and feels unsafe to drive and expensive maintain and repair (10K) estimate from dealer.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2025
“Engin shut off while driving and would not start again. Fortunately, this happened in a parking lot. If this happened on a highway, there could have been a bad outcome. When the car shut off the steering became very heavy. Dealer says it was a result of skipped timing. Timing belt did not break and has about 10,000 miles on it. Dealer provided no reason as to why this happened. No warning signs and no warning lights before this happened.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2025
“The contact owns a 2016 Volvo XC60. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where the vehicle was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made not aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 84,690.”Owner report · Engine · Aug 2024
“2016 volvo xc60 t5 has "srs airbag service urgent". The message came without having any kind of an accident. The dealer says it's due to electrical wiring or front seat movement.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2024
“I was driving and the car started shaking and unable to accelerate. I pulled over and the car started smoking and a fire erupted under the hood. I vacated the vehicle and called 911. The car erupted in flames and burned down to the frame. The insurance inspector wasn't able to determine the cause of the fire.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2023
“My vehicle sustained catastrophic, permanent engine failure while I was driving, in two-way city traffic. Cars backed up behind me, I had difficulty opening my door because of oncoming traffic, and eventually was able to push it (and get help pushing) to the intersection gas station. No warning lights appeared on my dashboard before, during or afterward. Independent service center reports no battery or alternator issue - engine is locked up. No idea why. The vehicle is out of warranty. I will have to pay to replace the engine myself, ~$7-8,000 in order to sell it at near KBB value. So disappointed in Volvo.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2023
“Volvo XC60 is burning oil and putting off a smell. Approximately every 500 miles I am prompted to put in another quart of oil. No signs of leaking. Took the car into a mechanic to inspect and was notified this is a known Volvo problem and I'd need to take it to a dealership since there are several TSBs on it with this known issue. Issue has been progressively been getting worse since I purchased the car a few years ago.”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2023
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 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 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 XC60 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Volvo XC60 reliable?
NHTSA has 38 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2016 Volvo XC60. The most complained-about area is engine (44% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2016 Volvo XC60 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 44,000 miles or less.
Does the 2016 Volvo XC60 have open recalls?
3 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.