Head-to-head reliability
Volvo S60 vs Volvo V60
How the Volvo S60 and Volvo V60 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Volvo S60 vs Volvo V60: The S60 has 266 complaints (26.6/yr) vs the V60's 45 (4.5/yr). Both suffer from sunroof drain clogs causing electrical failures, but the S60 also has frequent brake pulsation issues. The V60 has fewer issues per year but includes critical fuel pump failures. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo S60 or Volvo V60 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo S60
The Volvo S60, with 266 complaints over 10 years (26.6/yr), shows a pattern of electrical and brake issues that can affect daily usability. Owners frequently report water intrusion from clogged sunroof drains causing electrical failures, and brake pulsation/shaking at high speeds. With 32 recalls, including seat belts and air bags, it demands careful pre-purchase inspection.
Volvo V60
The Volvo V60, with 45 complaints over 10 years (4.5/yr), is notably more reliable on paper. However, owners report critical electrical failures like fuel pump shutdowns and brake loss due to sunroof drain clogs flooding electronics. Recalls focus on software and safety systems, suggesting a need for software updates and drain maintenance.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo S60 | Volvo V60 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 266 | 45 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 32 | 28 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 11 | 1 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 26.6 | 4.5 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 7 | 1 Better |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Volvo S60
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM66
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER57
- 03SERVICE BRAKES49
- 04FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE34
- 05STEERING31
Owners report water entering the cabin through clogged sunroof drains, accumulating under seats and causing catastrophic electrical failures. This can disable multiple systems, including brakes and airbags.
Severe steering wheel shake and brake pedal pulsation under braking, diagnosed as warped rotors or runout issues. This worsens over time and compromises braking confidence at high speeds.
Complaints indicate false activations or system failures, though specific symptoms are not detailed in the sample. This system's unreliability can lead to unexpected braking or lack of intervention.
“2021 Volvo S60 T8 AWD, VIN [XXX] , ~71k miles Component: SUNROOF / DRAINAGE SYSTEM / ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Summary: Water entered the passenger compartment through clogged sunroof drain hoses and accumulated under the front passenger seat, causing catastrophic fa…”
“2021 Volvo S60 T8 AWD, VIN [XXX] , ~71k miles Component: SUNROOF / DRAINAGE SYSTEM / ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Summary: Water entered the passenger compartment through clogged sunroof drain hoses and accumulated under the front passenger seat, causing catastrophic fa…”
Volvo V60
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM17
- 02SERVICE BRAKES12
- 03VISIBILITY/WIPER6
- 04UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6
High-pressure fuel pump failure can shut down the car in traffic, leaving occupants stranded and unable to shift into neutral. This is a critical safety risk, especially in moving traffic.
Brake rotors exceeding runout specifications cause pulsation and vibration. Additionally, sunroof drain clogs can flood electronics, leading to brake loss and airbag failure.
Rearview mirrors fail to return to saved positions after reversing, compounding over time. Camera systems at night rely on front exposure, causing poor rear visibility.
“Me and my partners safety was put at risk when the vehicle’s high pressure fuel pump went out, shut the car down, and left us stranded in the middle of two lane traffic. What was scarier was how the vehicle couldn’t be manually overridden to shift into neutra…”
“Me and my partners safety was put at risk when the vehicle’s high pressure fuel pump went out, shut the car down, and left us stranded in the middle of two lane traffic. What was scarier was how the vehicle couldn’t be manually overridden to shift into neutra…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Volvo S60 — 32 recalls
The defect: 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…
The risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: 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.
The defect: 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.
The risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
The fix: 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.
The defect: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2017 S60 and S60 Cross Country, V60 and V60 Cross Country, and XC60 vehicles manufactured August 16, 2016, through October 21, 2016. The affected vehicles have driver and front passenger seat side mounted side air bags (SAB) with inflator in…
The risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front seat side air bags, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552.…
The defect: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017 S60, S60CC, V60, V60 Cross Country, and XC60 vehicles. The affected vehicles have driver and front passenger seat side mounted side air bags (SAB) with inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash. As such, these vehicles fail to com…
The risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front seat side air bags, free of charge. The recall began March 31, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for th…
Volvo V60 — 28 recalls
The defect: 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 improper…
The risk: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
The fix: 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.
The defect: 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…
The risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix: 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.
The defect: 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 improper…
The risk: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
The fix: 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.
The defect: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2017 S60 and S60 Cross Country, V60 and V60 Cross Country, and XC60 vehicles manufactured August 16, 2016, through October 21, 2016. The affected vehicles have driver and front passenger seat side mounted side air bags (SAB) with inflator in…
The risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front seat side air bags, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552.…
Buyer analysis
Volvo S60 or Volvo V60: which should you buy?
The Volvo V60 has far fewer complaints per year (4.5 vs 26.6), indicating a lower likelihood of issues in ownership. In practice, the S60's higher complaint rate, especially for brakes and electrical, means more frequent dealer visits and potential safety concerns.
Key differences
- The S60 has 6x more complaints per year than the V60 (26.6 vs 4.5).
- S60 owners frequently report brake pulsation and steering shake; V60 owners report fuel pump failures and camera issues.
- Both suffer from sunroof drain clogs causing electrical failures, but the S60 has more complaints about this.
- The V60 has more software-related recalls (electrical system software, back-over prevention), while the S60 has more hardware recalls (seat belts, latches).
- Check for water stains or musty odors under front seats, indicating past sunroof drain clogs.
- Test brakes at highway speed for steering wheel shake or pedal pulsation, a common S60 issue.
- Verify that the high-pressure fuel pump has been inspected or replaced; ask for service records.
- Test rearview mirror memory function and camera exposure at night to ensure proper operation.
Before you buy
- Inspect sunroof drains by pouring water into the channels and checking for proper drainage.
- Request a brake rotor thickness and runout measurement from a mechanic.
- Check for open recalls using the VIN and ensure all software updates are applied.
- Test drive at highway speeds and brake firmly to feel for vibrations.
- Review service history for any electrical or fuel system repairs.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Volvo S60 | Volvo V60 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 2 |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 36 | 6 |
| 2023 | 3 | 2 |
| 2022 | 75 | 1 |
| 2021 | 28 | 6 |
| 2020 | 36 | 18 |
| 2019 | 69 | 3 |
| 2018 | 4 | 1 |
| 2017 | 15 | 6 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Volvo S60 or Volvo V60 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo S60 vs Volvo V60
- Volvo S60 total complaints
- 266
- Volvo V60 total complaints
- 45
- Volvo S60 total recalls
- 32
- Volvo V60 total recalls
- 28
- Volvo S60 avg complaints/year
- 26.6
- Volvo V60 avg complaints/year
- 4.5
- More reliable overall
- Volvo V60
- Volvo S60 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Volvo V60 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM