Carlexica

2018 Volvo XC60: problems, recalls and reliability

5 recalls and 36 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (22% of complaints); the 2017 model year looks more trouble-free.

Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Nov 2025

5
recalls
36
owner complaints
0
fire reports
17,818
typical failure mileage, mi

All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.

No fire reportsWeak spot: electrical system (22%)Problems reported early (median 17,818 mi)

Common problems

Computed from 36 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.

Electrical System (battery, wiring, electronics)22% · 7 complaints
Service Brakes (brakes)13% · 4 complaints
Structure (body, frame, doors, rust)9% · 3 complaints
Lane Departure (lane keeping assist)9% · 3 complaints
Engine (engine mechanics)6% · 2 complaints
Tires6% · 2 complaints
Water leaking from the windshield seal (possibly the moonroof) gets into electronics under the dash and causes the transmission to stop working properly and also causes the engine to just stop completely. It happened 4 years ago and Volvo replaced a module but it happened again a week ago.Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2025
The dashboard lights go out for no reason. It is really dangerous at night when you have no speed showing and can't use the GPS system when navigating at night. This has been going on now for 2 years and still no fix. Last time in the shop for issue and Volvo service said no issues showing. Used a 2025 loaner while they worked on my car and the new car had the same issue so and ongoing issue that is not being addressed by Volvo.Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2025
My air conditioning system failed. The entire dashboard and front seats had to be removed. This included having to replace the A/C evaporator, evacuated A/C refrigerant system, removed center console, removed dshboard and all related components, removed and replaced evaporator, adapter for evaporator, o-rings at expansion valve, reinstalled wiring harness behind dash board and all related clips, Recharged A/C refrigerant system, Additionally, I continually received a power steering disable notification, and parking assist disable notification. This is so frustrating.Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
When I had to slow down or suddenly stop because there were other cars in front of me, I. stepped on the break, but it did not stop; maybe it slowed down a little, but the acceleration seemed to accelerate faster. I could hear the acceleration sound. I had to push the gear to stop. The car finally stopped. But I almost hit the front car. Similar occurrences happened when I came to a stop signal, which could have involved me in a serious accident, even fatal. I still drive the car because I have only one car. Most of the time, it works normally, but the problem occurs occasionally. I am scared, thinking it will happen again.Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Oct 2024
The contact owns a 2018 Volvo XC60. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.Owner report · Engine · May 2024
Vehicle completely had multiple warning lamps come on while I was driving and it was apparent the computer was failing. Car would not turn off when I moved to turn off the ignition knob. When restarted, car would not shift. Car had to be taken to dealership by tow truck. Dealership notes that water leaked through sunroof over time and accumulated under seats of car, entering into electrical systems. This is also noted by owners of other Volvo cars in public forums.Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2024
Windshield wiper blade has failed. Previously repaired as part of recall on unsufficient torque on fastening nut. Prior repair has failed and now poses safety risk given low visibilityOwner report · Visibility/Wiper · Jun 2023
While driving, the engine will shut off while stopped and fail to restart when the gas pedal is engaged. The car will not turn on, the steering column and brake pedal lock rendering it completely unresponsive to any attempt to restart the vehicle. It has now happened over six times and Volvo has made two attempts to fix it, but it continuously occurs.Owner report · Electrical System · May 2023
Tires are Continental Cross Contact 255/45R20 105H. Miles - 39,000. Severe vibration started coming from rear of car at speeds starting at 45 mph. Alignment was done which did not resolve the issue. Tires removed from rim and two found to be failing inside. The noise reducing foam glued to the inside wall of the tire tread had become almost entirely detached and bunched up in a unsymmetrical configuration. In addition the rubber on the inside where the foam had been was ablating off the surface. This causes a 10oz imbalance in each tire. Additional photos available if requested.Owner report · Tires · Dec 2022
Distracting Dash warnings "POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE TEMPORARILY REDUCED", auto parking warning come on while driving and engine pause during stops working intermittently. Start/Stop doesn't work like its supposed to, only works intermittently, only works beginning of drive & then doesn't work rest of travelOwner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2022

When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.

Recalls - 5 campaigns

SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS25V818000 · Nov 2025

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2026 XC60MHEV, 2018 and 2025 XC60 vehicles. The front seat bolts may have been improperly tightened, resulting in loose bolts.

Remedy: Dealers will tighten the front seat bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10345. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 5, 2025.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE18V800000 · Nov 2018

Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improperly. As a result, the GPS will not provide location information to emergency personnel in the event of an emergency.

Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.

SEATS19V220000 · Mar 2019

Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2018-2019 XC60 and S90 vehicles. The driver and passenger front seat rail rear flange nuts may not have been installed during assembly.

Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat rails for missing flange nuts, installing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R19931.

STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE19V046000 · Jan 2019

Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volvo XC60 vehicles. Under certain conditions and cold temperatures, the tailgate lifting arms may freeze which may cause the lifting arms to separate from the vehicle.

Remedy: Volvo has notified owners, and dealers will replace the tailgate lift arms with an improved designed, free of charge. The recall began May 14, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89910.

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES20V503000 · Aug 2020

Volvo Car of N.A., LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2018-2020 XC60 vehicles. The nuts that secure the front wipers may not have been sufficiently tightened, possibly causing the wipers to not function properly.

Remedy: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the nuts holding the front windshield wiper arms in position, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10044.

Specifications

Factory options offered for the 2018 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.

Drive typeAWD/All-Wheel Drive
Body stylesSport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]

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 decoder

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Volvo XC60 reliable?

NHTSA has 36 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2018 Volvo XC60. The most complained-about area is electrical system (22% of complaints).

At what mileage do 2018 Volvo XC60 problems usually appear?

Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 17,818 miles or less.

Does the 2018 Volvo XC60 have open recalls?

5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seats:critical fasteners. 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.