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2016 Volvo XC60 Problems & Owner Complaints

38 NHTSA owner complaints
2 crash 1 fire

Age-normalised, this year draws ~3.5 complaints per year on the road — ranking 3 of 8 Volvo XC60 years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

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What owners report

Engine is the most-reported problem area on the 2016 Volvo XC60, cited in 15 of 38 filed complaints (39%).

Seat Belts is next (6 complaints, 16%), followed by Electrical System (3), Service Brakes (3), Air Bags (2).

Across all complaints, 2 report a crash, 1 report a fire.

The most safety-critical cluster is Unknown Or Other: 1 crash, 1 fire report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2016 Volvo XC60, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 38.

Engine 15

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11706759, 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 ov…”
NHTSA complaint #11695319, 2025

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11664921, 2025

Unknown Or Other 8 1 crash 1 fire

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11544928, 2023 · fire

“I DROVE MY CAR TO THE GARAGE AND WANT TO TURN OFF THE CAR. THE CAR SUDDENLY START TO ACCELERATE AND WENT THROUGH MY GARAGE DOOR. ALL SIDE AIRBAGS ARE POPPED UP, BUT NOT FRONT AIRBAG. *DT *AS AROUND A YEAR AGO, WHEN MY DROVE HER CAR SLOWLY DUE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE CAR STOPPED AND NEEDED TO TURN ON THE CAR. I AM NOT THE EXPERT BUT THINK THE ELECTRIC CONTROL SYSTEM MAY HAVE PROBLEM OF MY CAR.”
NHTSA complaint #11257227, 2019 · crash

“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, Vol…”
NHTSA complaint #11685225, 2025

Seat Belts 6

“The contact owns a 2016 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that she received NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V378000 (Seat Belts). The contact stated the vehicle was taken to a dealer for routine maintenance where she requested to have the recall remedy completed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the contact said she received a follow-up letter from the manufacturer that said her vehicle had not had the recall addressed. The contact said that there were illustrations on the recall letter that shows that the work was not properly completed by the dealer. The manufacturer had not been informed of the iss…”
NHTSA complaint #11453611, 2021

“I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN AUGUST 2020 (FOR A RECALL ISSUED IN JUNE 2020) AND I CONTACTED MY VOLVO DEALER (DON BEYER DULLES, VA), WHO SAID THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. I RECEIVED A SECOND SAFETY RECALL NOTICE IN DECEMBER AND I CONTACTED MY VOLVO DEALER, WHO SAID THAT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE AND WERE STILL NOT AVAILABLE AS OF JANUARY 28. THE SECOND RECALL NOTICE SAID TO CALL VOLVO CUSTOMER CARE CENTER IF THE RECALL IS NOT CORRECTED WITHIN A REASONABLE PERIOD OF TIME. I CONTACTED THE VOLVO CCC AND THEY TOLD ME TO TRY ANOTHER RETAILER. THAT'S IT - NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. SE…”
NHTSA complaint #11390680, 2021

“I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE JULY OF 2020, AND CAN'T GET THE SERVICE FOR THE SAFETY RECALL PERFORMED. THE RECALL IS FOR THE FRONT SEAT BELTS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND VOLVO BUT HAVEN'T RECEIVED A RESPONSE.”
NHTSA complaint #11406905, 2020

Electrical System 3

“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, Vol…”
NHTSA complaint #11685225, 2025

“appears to be significant electrical issue or internal computer issue causing a safety issue”
NHTSA complaint #11695533, 2024

“There was (still is) an issue with my 2016 Volvo XC60's electrical wiring. I was driving, about to get onto the highway when my volvo stalled on the on ramp. It wouldn't start, it couldn't be jumped. It had to be towed to the repair shop. They charged me over $1,000.00 for a brand new starter, and after they did it started for one day and then it broke down again. I couldn't even drive it out of the repair shop. I had to get it towed again. The dealership said it was an electrical/wiring issue that could be very expensive. I have found out that there was a recall for 2015 XC60 Volvos for wirin…”
NHTSA complaint #11547155, 2023

Service Brakes 3 1 crash

“I DROVE MY CAR TO THE GARAGE AND WANT TO TURN OFF THE CAR. THE CAR SUDDENLY START TO ACCELERATE AND WENT THROUGH MY GARAGE DOOR. ALL SIDE AIRBAGS ARE POPPED UP, BUT NOT FRONT AIRBAG. *DT *AS AROUND A YEAR AGO, WHEN MY DROVE HER CAR SLOWLY DUE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE CAR STOPPED AND NEEDED TO TURN ON THE CAR. I AM NOT THE EXPERT BUT THINK THE ELECTRIC CONTROL SYSTEM MAY HAVE PROBLEM OF MY CAR.”
NHTSA complaint #11257227, 2019 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLVO XC60. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE BRAKES ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT AND OCCURRED TEMPORARILY. VOLVO CARS PRINCETON (2931 BRUNSWICK PIKE, LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY 08648) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. IT WAS UNKNOWN AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11119963, 2018

“CITY SAFETY BRAKES FOR NO REASON. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, BRAKES GRAB AND CAR LUNGES FORWARD, SOMETIME THE CITY SAFETY MESSAGE APPEARS AND OTHER TIMES IT DOES NOT. I WAS BREAKING FOR A STOP WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO REAR ENDED BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. HAS ME WORRIED IF WIFE IS DRIVING. DEALER SAID THERE IS NO PROBLEM, NOT SO!”
NHTSA complaint #11041530, 2017

Air Bags 2 1 crash

“I DROVE MY CAR TO THE GARAGE AND WANT TO TURN OFF THE CAR. THE CAR SUDDENLY START TO ACCELERATE AND WENT THROUGH MY GARAGE DOOR. ALL SIDE AIRBAGS ARE POPPED UP, BUT NOT FRONT AIRBAG. *DT *AS AROUND A YEAR AGO, WHEN MY DROVE HER CAR SLOWLY DUE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE CAR STOPPED AND NEEDED TO TURN ON THE CAR. I AM NOT THE EXPERT BUT THINK THE ELECTRIC CONTROL SYSTEM MAY HAVE PROBLEM OF MY CAR.”
NHTSA complaint #11257227, 2019 · crash

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11610642, 2024

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Engine And Engine Cooling 2

“The contact owns a 2016 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the low oil warning light illuminated. The contact pulled into a gas station, exited the vehicle, raised the hood of the vehicle, and added engine oil to the engine. The contact stated that while buckling the seat belt, the air bag warning light illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact associated the failure with Technical Servic…”
NHTSA complaint #11747694, 2026

Exterior Lighting 2

“The plastic lenses that cover the headlights have fogged up in less than 4 years the lights are no longer bright enough to provide proper driving conditions at night. I spoke with volvo and they said that lenses are not covered even though the cat is still under warranty. This is very car but refuse to fix the problem. This is a major safety issue and I would hope that your department can help protect those that have this issue before someone gets hurt. I amino longe comfortable driving the car at night.”
NHTSA complaint #11431438, 2021

“ADAPTIVE BENDING LIGHTS GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND HEADLAMP MALFUNCTION WARNING ON DASH.”
NHTSA complaint #11405701, 2020

Equipment 1

Fuel System 1

Power Train 1 1 crash

“ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016, AT 10:00 A.M., I PUT MY CAR IN PARK ON MY DRIVEWAY. MY CAR WAS STATIONARY ON MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I EXITED IT AND WENT INTO MY GARAGE. WHEN I TURNED AROUND, MY UNOCCUPIED CAR WAS COMING TOWARD ME FROM THE DRIVEWAY INTO THE GARAGE. I WAS UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF THE CAR AND ENDED UP PINNED BETWEEN THE LEFT WALL OF MY GARAGE, A RECYCLE CAN, AND THE CAR. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR WAS ROLLING INTO THE GARAGE IN A STRAIGHT LINE, WHICH LEFT JUST ENOUGH SPACE BETWEEN MY BODY, THE CAR, AND THE WALL; OTHERWISE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN CRUSHED AND KILLED. A LARGE RECYCLE TRASH CA…”
NHTSA complaint #10875450, 2016 · crash

Seats 1

“ADAPTIVE BENDING LIGHTS GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND HEADLAMP MALFUNCTION WARNING ON DASH.”
NHTSA complaint #11405701, 2020

Visibility/Wiper 1

“THE WINDSHIELD IS LEAKING HEAVILY FROM THE TOP AND CONDENSATION IMPAIRS VISIBILITY. THIS IS EFFECTING SOME OF THE SAFETY AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, SUCH AS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND DOOR CONTROLS.”
NHTSA complaint #11340580, 2019

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2016 Volvo XC60 draws about 3.5 complaints per year on the road, ranking 3 of 8 among the Volvo XC60 model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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Data source: U.S. NHTSA (nhtsa.gov). SaveVIN surfaces public recall data and is not affiliated with or endorsed by NHTSA.

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