2011 Volvo XC60 Problems & Owner Complaints

Seat Belts 8

“The front passenger seat belt will not release without much difficultly. If the vehicle started on fire or went into water, the passenger would likely die. I contacted Volvo and they will not help other than charging over $800 to replace the seat belt.”
NHTSA complaint #11478196, 2022

“This SUV. 2011 Volvo XC60 is our family travel vehicle. I had a bad scenario, The drivers side seat belt Buckle got stuck. Would not release, My girlfriend was in car trying to release buckle. This is not normal. its scary felling she told me. In a MVA. this may be a risk of stuck in car. The Dealer had replaced shoulder harness under recall. But My complaint was the seat belt buckle get stuck wont release. It seems to sit too close to seat I don't know why It was not replaced as an assembly. Does any record show seat belt buckle stuck issues and wont release.? Other than the Seat belt g…”
NHTSA complaint #11418442, 2021

“SEAT BELT RECALL ISSUED JUNE 30, 2020 (INFO BELOW). CALLED THE VOLVO DEALER (AUTONATION IN BELLEVUE, WA) AND THEY REPORTED THAT NO PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE UNTIL NOVEMBER 2020 AND THAT I SHOULD CALL BACK THEN. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN UNREASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPLACE SUCH A CRITICAL PIECE OF SAFETY EQIPMENT. MANUFACTURER RECALL NUMBER: R10029 NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 204378”
NHTSA complaint #11352748, 2020

Electrical System 6

“LOCKING MECHANISMS IN PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FAILING, UNABLE TO LOCK OR UNLOCK REMOTELY, HAVE TO MANUALLY LOCK OR UNLOCK FROM REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO ENTER VEHICLE.”
NHTSA complaint #11361346, 2020

“THE PARK ASSIST DOES NOT WORK, REAR CAMERA NOT WORKING. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #11326154, 2020

“THE CAR HAS NEEDED 4 BATTERY CHANGES AND THE LAST TWO WERE IN JULY AND OCTOBER. ON ONE OCCASION THE CAR DIED AND WOULD NOT START AT ALL. ON OCTOBER 3, LIKE THE MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE, THE LOW BATTERY SIGN CAME UP. WHEN THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN THE DEALER FINALLY FOUND THAT THERE SOFTWARE GLITCH IN THEIR WORDS THAT WAS KEEPING CERTAIN MODULES OF THE CAR ON DESPITE THE CAR BEING TURNED OFF. WE WERE TOLD A SOFTWARE PATCH WAS APPLIED AND THAT WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE ISSUE. TODAY, 11/6/2015, THE LOW BATTERY SIGN HAS COME ON AGAIN AND THE CAR HAS AUTOMATICALLY DECIDED TO SWITCH THE RADIO OFF TO CON…”
NHTSA complaint #10788935, 2015

Unknown Or Other 6

“THE PARK ASSIST DOES NOT WORK, REAR CAMERA NOT WORKING. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #11326154, 2020

“LEAKING WINDSHIELD COMMON ON THESE MODELS. WINDSHIELD SEAL COMING LOOSE.”
NHTSA complaint #11189709, 2019

“WINDSHIELD THE FRONT SEAT ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE GETS ABOUT 2+ INCHES OF WATER ON THE FLOOR WHEN IT RAINS. THERE IS A CONSTANT DRIPPING OF WATER ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. IT DRIPS DOWN ON THE STEERING WHEEL. IT HAS TO BE DRIPPING ELSEWHERE BECAUSE OF THE AMOUNT OF WATER THAT ACCUMULATES ON THE FLOOR OF THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE. THIS LEAVES A WET DAMP UNPLEASANT SMELL IN THE CAR. TOOK THE CAR TO A GLASS COMPANY TO GET THE WINDSHIELD CHECK AND THE WINDSHIELD IS LOOSE AND SHAKY TO THE TOUCH.”
NHTSA complaint #11160829, 2018

Visibility/Wiper 6

“Windshield is original from Volvo but leaks during rain and car washes. Rain floods my driver’s side floor board and heavy enough might effect my electrical system.”
NHTSA complaint #11570078, 2024

“Original OEM front windshield developed a leak causing water to start dripping onto my hands on the steering wheel and on my lap during a rainstorm. seems to be numerous accounts of the front windshield bonding failing, definitely can be hazardous when driving in an already higher-risk situation rain causes. Not to mention the dripping runs down the inside of the windshield they don't make windshield wipers for the inside of the car and you have to wipe it away while driving to help with the visibility.”
NHTSA complaint #11460995, 2022

“MY CAR HAS AN ODOR FOR DAYS AFTER IT RAINS WHEN THE WINDSHIELD STREAMS WATER ABOVE THE DRIVERS STEARING WHEEL AND ALSO ALLOWS WATER TO STREAM DOWN INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR BOARD- IT'S A FULL ON STREAM OF WATER THAT COMES OUT THE TOP CORNER DRIVER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND ROLLS DOWN OVER THE STEARING WHEEL AND DRIVERS HANDS AND DOWN THROUGH THE DRIVERS FLOORBOARD OVER THE ACCELERATOR AND THE DRIVERS FEET. I'VE BEEN IN THE CAR DURING THE RAIN AND WHILE AT THE CAR WASH TO WITNESS THIS STREAMING OF WATER. THERE IS A 1 TO 2 INCH PUDDLE OF WATER THAT FORMS IN THE FLOOR BOARD RIGHT UNDER THE A…”
NHTSA complaint #11258379, 2019

Engine 3

“The contact owns a 2011 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that she noticed an oil leak underneath the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the turbo needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11478127, 2022

“LOW OIL LIGHT - TWO INCIDENTS. PISTONS HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THEN ENTIRE ENGINE. BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. DOESN'T SEEM TO BE SAFE OR RELIABLE. A VOLVO? *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10626842, 2014

“I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 84 IN CONNECTICUT WHEN THE LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR, WHICH IS DEALER SERVICED, UNDER WARRANTY, NEEDED ALMOST 2 QUARTS OF OIL. I ADDED THE OIL AND BROUGHT IT TO THE SERVICING DEALER, WHO TOLD ME THAT THE CAR NEEDED NEW RINGS, AND THAT THEY WOULD ALSO REPLACE THE PISTONS. THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A DEFECT FOR THIS CAR MODEL, AND HAD BEEN CORRECTED IN LATER MODELS. II WAS UNAWARE THAT THIS CAR HAD ENGINE ISSUES - THERE HAVE BEEN NO NOTICES OR RECALLS FROM VOLVO. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE PISTONS AND RINGS, BUT CURRENTLY IS UNWILLING TO EXTEND THE ENGINE W…”
NHTSA complaint #10534811, 2013

Steering 3

“I WAS ADVISED BY THE VOLVO SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE CLAMP DESIGN RESULTED IN THE CUTTING BOTH OF THE OUTER CV BOOTS THAT WAS OCCURRING OVER THE YEARS. THIS IS A DESIGN ERROR TO SEE A FAILURE LIKE THIS THAT CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF LIFE. ONCE THE BOOT IS CUT THE GREASE CAN CATCH ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE. THE FIRE COULD OF STOPPED THE VEHICLE WHILE ON THE ROAD RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT CAUSING INJURIES OR DEATH. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10660082, 2014

“WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN, BRAKING THE VEHICLE TO A SUDDEN STOP AND LOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE MIDDLE OF MOVING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A SUDDEN COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT NARROWLY AVOIDING A COLLISION. VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START OR BE MOVED AND HAD TO BE PLACED ON A FLATBED BY THE USE OF A DOLLY SYSTEM. IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY CONTROL WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST CAUSING A VERY SERIOUS AND MOST LIKELY FATAL ACCIDENT. PLEASE ADVISE THE NEXT STEP IN THIS PROCEDURE AS I FEEL THIS CAR IS UNSAFE, IN THAT NO W…”
NHTSA complaint #10494944, 2013

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO XC60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,500.”
NHTSA complaint #10452746, 2012

Structure 3

“MY CAR HAS AN ODOR FOR DAYS AFTER IT RAINS WHEN THE WINDSHIELD STREAMS WATER ABOVE THE DRIVERS STEARING WHEEL AND ALSO ALLOWS WATER TO STREAM DOWN INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR BOARD- IT'S A FULL ON STREAM OF WATER THAT COMES OUT THE TOP CORNER DRIVER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND ROLLS DOWN OVER THE STEARING WHEEL AND DRIVERS HANDS AND DOWN THROUGH THE DRIVERS FLOORBOARD OVER THE ACCELERATOR AND THE DRIVERS FEET. I'VE BEEN IN THE CAR DURING THE RAIN AND WHILE AT THE CAR WASH TO WITNESS THIS STREAMING OF WATER. THERE IS A 1 TO 2 INCH PUDDLE OF WATER THAT FORMS IN THE FLOOR BOARD RIGHT UNDER THE A…”
NHTSA complaint #11258379, 2019

“THE FRONT WINDSHIELD (ORIGINAL, FACTORY) ADHESIVE HAS FAILED AND THE WINDSHIELD IS LOOSE. BESIDES THE ANNOYANCE OF WATER LEAKING IN, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE WINDSHIELD IS A STRUCTURAL COMPONENT WHICH RETAINS THE AIRBAGS AND OCCUPANTS. THIS IS APPARENTLY A FAIRLY COMMON KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE FACTORY WINDSHIELDS.”
NHTSA complaint #11170117, 2019

“WINDSHIELD SEAL FAILED, RESULTING IN WATER LEAK. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THE WINDSHIELD BONDING FAILURE MAY RESULT IN THE AIRBAGS FAILING TO FUNCTION AS THEY SHOULD.”
NHTSA complaint #10726452, 2015

Air Bags 2 1 crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO XC60. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10992487, 2015 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO XC60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE THE WARNING LIGHT WAS RESET BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:10V489000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,156.”
NHTSA complaint #10680994, 2015

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2

“THE PARK ASSIST DOES NOT WORK, REAR CAMERA NOT WORKING. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #11326154, 2020

“ABS GOES OFF UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN BRAKING AND TURNING AND HAS GOTTEN WORST. FEAR FOR MY LIFE AS SOMEONE CAN REAR END ME AND MY CHILDREN.”
NHTSA complaint #11065642, 2018

Equipment 2

“2011 VOVLO XC60. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BLIS SYSTEM PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES, TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS THE LIGHT INDICATORS FLASHED WHEN IN FACT THERE WAS NO VEHICLE IN HIS BLIND SPOT. *JB”
NHTSA complaint #10609395, 2014

“I PURCHASED THE THULE "DOUBLE DECKER SURFBOARD CARRIER 809" IN APRIL 2011. IT IS ADVERTISED AS HAVING A THREE BOARD CAPACITY. I USED IT AS A SINGLE SHORT BOARD CARRIER. MY BOARD IS ONLY 6' 6". IT WAS ATTACHED TO A THULE CROSS BAR SYSTEM INSTALLED ON MY 2011 XC60 3.2 VOLVO. THE REAR RACK IS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS WITH EACH SECTION SECURED BY TWO BOLT HEADS THAT FLOAT IN A ALUMINUM CHANNEL FOR WIDTH ADJUSTMENT. THE SURFBOARD IS MOUNTED ON THE RACK AND IS SECURED BY A STRAP WITH A KEY LOCKING MECHANISM. I TRAVEL 40 MILES ON THE FREEWAY EACH WAY TO THE BEACH AT LEAST ONCE PER WEEK. THE S…”
NHTSA complaint #10426974, 2011

Service Brakes 2

“ABS GOES OFF UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN BRAKING AND TURNING AND HAS GOTTEN WORST. FEAR FOR MY LIFE AS SOMEONE CAN REAR END ME AND MY CHILDREN.”
NHTSA complaint #11065642, 2018

“WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN, BRAKING THE VEHICLE TO A SUDDEN STOP AND LOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE MIDDLE OF MOVING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A SUDDEN COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT NARROWLY AVOIDING A COLLISION. VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START OR BE MOVED AND HAD TO BE PLACED ON A FLATBED BY THE USE OF A DOLLY SYSTEM. IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY CONTROL WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST CAUSING A VERY SERIOUS AND MOST LIKELY FATAL ACCIDENT. PLEASE ADVISE THE NEXT STEP IN THIS PROCEDURE AS I FEEL THIS CAR IS UNSAFE, IN THAT NO W…”
NHTSA complaint #10494944, 2013

Visibility 2

“The contact owns a 2011 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that the front driver’s side belt was restraining her extremely tightly and failed to release as needed. No warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that water had leaked from around the windshield into the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that water was in the vehicle and the sunroof drain needed to be flushed out however, the contact stated that she was denied service unless the sunroof drain was flushed out. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred, and the contact w…”
NHTSA complaint #11503120, 2018

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO XC60. SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS TINTED SO MUCH THAT SHE COULD NOT SEE OUT OF THE REAR WINDOW. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 2,500”
NHTSA complaint #10353749, 2010

Engine And Engine Cooling 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT USING THE REMOTE KEY FOB, THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED. THE CONTACT RETURNED TO THE VEHICLE TWENTY-FIVE MINUTES LATER AND THE DOORS WERE UNLOCKED, AND THE ENGINE WAS TURNED ON. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,950 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 17,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10453935, 2012

Fuel/Propulsion System 1 1 crash

“VEHICLE WAS COASTING INTO PARKING SPOT AND EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, HIT WALL. NEITHER GAS NOR BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT THIS POINT AND FLOOR MATS WERE CLEAR OF PEDALS. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10472122, 2012 · crash

Power Train 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO XC60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,500.”
NHTSA complaint #10452746, 2012

Vehicle Speed Control 1 1 crash

“VEHICLE WAS COASTING INTO PARKING SPOT AND EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, HIT WALL. NEITHER GAS NOR BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT THIS POINT AND FLOOR MATS WERE CLEAR OF PEDALS. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10472122, 2012 · crash