Known Faults Database

Volvo S60 problems, reliability and years to avoid

If you are considering buying a used Volvo S60, these are the common problems worth knowing about first. Our garage database tracks 2 known faults for this model, 1 of them rated high severity. Every one below is a repair bill a seller has good reason not to mention.

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Is the Volvo S60 reliable?

The Volvo S60 has 2 known faults in our database, 1 of them rated high severity. The most serious are engine (belt-drive failure on the five-cylinder diesel can wreck the engine) and engine (fuel injected to burn off the particulate filter can get past the pistons into the sump). None of them makes the car a bad buy on its own; the risk is a seller who knows and says nothing.

That is a count of the faults we hold, not a reliability score. Popular cars get written about more, and a newer generation has had less time to show its faults.

Which Volvo S60 years should you avoid?

No year is a write-off on its own. What matters is which serious faults a given year and engine can have, and whether the car in front of you has had them fixed.

Years and engines with a serious known fault

  • 2001 to 2015, Five-cylinder diesel: 2.4 D5 and 2.4D, plus the D3 and D4 versions of the same engine (2.0 or 2.4) sold until about 2014: belt-drive failure on the five-cylinder diesel can wreck the engine

Each one is set out in full below, with the symptoms, the typical mileage and a rough repair cost.

Generation 1 of 12 known faults · 7 owner reports · 3 good notes

Volvo S60 Various (2001 to 2015) problems

Engine/EmissionsHigh severity📝 Editorial

Belt-drive failure on the five-cylinder diesel can wreck the engine. On earlier cars the timing belt tensioners and idler pulleys may give out ahead of the planned belt change and throw the belt, with many failures around 65,000 miles. On V70 and XC60 builds from 2007 to 2010 the auxiliary belt tensioner was recalled in the UK, because a failed tensioner or belt can get into the timing belt. Owners have had the auxiliary belt snap at 46,790 miles on a 2011 V70 D3, and a newly fitted one come off and wrap round the lower timing belt pulleys on a 50,000-mile 2011 XC60.

Typical symptoms

  • squeal or chirp from the belts, especially from cold
  • battery or power steering warning if the auxiliary belt comes off
  • engine stops suddenly and will not restart

Affected vehicles

Engines:
Five-cylinder diesel: 2.4 D5 and 2.4D, plus the D3 and D4 versions of the same engine (2.0 or 2.4) sold until about 2014
Typical mileage:
46000-65000 miles
🔍 We have a specific pre-purchase check for this faultCheck an advert →
Engine/EmissionsMedium severity📝 Editorial

Fuel injected to burn off the particulate filter can get past the pistons into the sump, so the oil level creeps up and the oil is thinned with diesel. Volvo issued a service bulletin in 2010 for D5 engines with a filter: new engine software to use less fuel during regeneration, and draining the oil back to the middle of the dipstick. A 2010 V70 D3 covering only around 7,300 miles annually needed 0.5 litres of oil taken out after a service warning, and a 2015 V70 D4 had diesel found in its oil after regenerating, with the oil changed free.

Typical symptoms

  • oil level above the maximum mark on the dipstick
  • engine oil that smells of diesel
  • engine service or check warning on the dash

Affected vehicles

Engines:
Diesels with a particulate filter: the five cylinder D5, D3 and D4 (2.4 and 2.0), and the later four cylinder 2.0 D4 (VEA)
Typical mileage:
unknown miles
🔍 We have a specific pre-purchase check for this faultCheck an advert →

What owners report on the Various

7 single reports, unconfirmed

One owner each, in their own words rewritten as a line, and not counted in our risk scoring. A fault joins the list above once a second report or an editorial source backs it.

  • Engine · March 2015The throttle body on a 2006 Volvo S60 2.4D failed at 68,000 miles, with Volvo refusing a free replacement due to independent servicing.
  • Exhaust · August 2014A 2010 Volvo S60 1.6 D2 diesel at 44,000 miles required a DPF and injector replacement, costing £3050, later reduced by 50 per cent.
  • Electrics · July 2013Erroneous dashboard warnings like "anti-skid service required" can indicate a faulty steering angle sensor.
  • Electrics · February 2013The infotainment system in a 2013 S60 repeatedly blew fuses, leading to partial car disablement, indicating an underlying electrical issue.
  • Electrics · May 2012A non-functional GPS satellite navigation system can sometimes be rectified by cleaning the system's disc.
  • Gearbox and clutch · January 2012Clunking noises from the drivetrain of a DRIVEe 1.6 D2 are likely due to the dual mass flywheel at low engine speeds.
  • Brakes · December 2011One report detailed a complete brake failure while braking from 25mph in traffic.

What owners like about the Various

3 notes
  • The car offers impressive solidity, along with competent handling and good roadholding characteristics.
  • This model achieved a 98% breakdown-free record in a 2003 Which? survey, indicating strong reliability.
  • Volvo models generally showed slightly below average warranty repair costs in a 2003 reliability index.
Other years0 known faults · 1 good note

Other Volvo S60 years: owner reports

What owners like

1 note
  • The car achieved a five-star Euro NCAP safety rating, with high scores for adult and child protection.

Sellers rarely admit these faults outright

We track 6 specific phrases sellers use in adverts to soft-pedal these exact issues. Paste any Volvo S60 advert and we check it in seconds.

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Volvo S60 recalls

Recall work is done by the manufacturer, and GOV.UK says you will not usually have to pay for it. These are the 28 DVSA recalls for the S60, newest first. They do not tell you whether this particular car has had the work: for that, put the registration into the free GOV.UK MOT history check, which shows a recall status where the manufacturer shares it, or ask a franchised dealer to check the VIN.

🏛️ March 2025Cars built February 2019 to November 2021

SPA1 Cell Modules

On affected vehicles the High Voltage (HV) Battery may have a manufacturing defect which could cause the battery cells to overheat when the HV Battery is fully charged. In a worst-case scenario there is a risk of fire when the vehicle is parked up with a fully charged HV Battery.

Put right by: Check and replace the HV Battery if necessary and install modified software.

DVSA R/2025/11740 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ November 2024Cars built June 2019 to August 2020

BCM2 - Push Road

The rod connecting the brake pedal to the brake booster may not have been assembled correctly. The final torque might not be according to manufacturing specification due to deviations in the equipment. If the rod does disconnect the mechanical connection between brake pedal and brake booster cannot be guaranteed. In the worst-case scenario if the rod disconnects the brake pedal function cannot be guaranteed

Put right by: A Volvo retailer will check and if necessary tighten the rod to correct specification.

DVSA R/2024/44655 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ November 2023Cars built August 2018 to July 2023

The passenger air bag may not have been correctly secured.

The passenger air bag may not have been correctly secured.

Put right by: Inspect and re torque retaining bolts.

DVSA R/2023/34017 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ September 2023Cars built October 2021 to July 2023

During driving or idle the O-Ring may become twisted or break. Should this occur there could be an oil leak a message for low engine oil level displayed in the vehicle or an unusual smell in the cabin. In a worst case scenario this could cause a thermal event.

During driving or idle the O-Ring may become twisted or break. Should this occur there could be an oil leak a message for low engine oil level displayed in the vehicle or an unusual smell in the cabin. In a worst case scenario this could cause a thermal event.

Put right by: Replace O-Ring

DVSA R/2023/26313,701 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ January 2023Cars built September 2022 to January 2023

There may be a potential software error in the brake control module.

There may be a potential software error in the brake control module.

Put right by: Update the brake control module software.

DVSA R/2023/02510,197 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ October 2022Cars built April 2021 to September 2022

A software error may prevent the engine control module from starting the engine

The Engine Control Module (ECM) may prevent the combustion engine from starting.

Put right by: Download updated software.

DVSA R/2022/3134,755 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ September 2021Cars built December 2020 to January 2021

Potentially insufficient or missing welding connection in the hydraulic unit of the brake system

There may be an insufficient or missing welding connection in the Hydraulic Unit of the Brake System.

Put right by: Replace the Hydraulic Unit.

DVSA R/2021/33128 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ August 2021Cars built May 2021 to July 2021

Pressure in the fuel tank could cause the fuel level sender to indicate fuel in the tank when it could be empty

Pressure in the fuel tank could cause the fuel level sender to indicate fuel in the tank when it could be empty.

Put right by: Update software which will allow the electronic fuel tank ventilation valve to release pressure when required.

DVSA R/2021/282256 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ June 2021Cars built June 2018 to December 2019

There is a risk that the 15amp fuse could blow which will prevent the low pressure fuel pump from operating

There is a risk that the 15amp fuse could blow which will prevent the low pressure fuel pump operating.

Put right by: Replace the 15A fuse with a 20A fuse which can withstand this peak.

DVSA R/2021/20514,380 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ July 2020Cars built October 2013 to October 2016

There is a risk for trapped air to be in the cooling system which may result in insufficient cooling of engine components

There is a risk for trapped air to be in the cooling system which may result in insufficient cooling of engine components.

Put right by: Add an extra degassing line (Bleeder Hose) between the cooling system radiator and the cooling system expansion tank which will evacuate the trapped air

DVSA R/2020/21076,945 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ July 2020Cars built November 2012 to February 2017

There is a risk for trapped air to be in the cooling system

There is a risk for trapped air to be in the cooling system which may result in insufficient cooling of engine components.

Put right by: Add an extra degassing line (Bleeder Hose) between the cooling system radiator and the cooling system expansion tank which will evacuate the trapped air.

DVSA R/2020/20515,167 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ July 2020Cars built May 2010 to August 2018

Potential breakage/fatigue of a flexible steel cable supporting the front seatbelt anchor point

Potential breakage/fatigue of a flexible steel cable supporting the front seatbelt anchor point.

Put right by: Replace the seat belt fastener with a new designed seat belt fastening.

DVSA R/2020/192170,160 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ March 2020Cars built February 2019 to March 2020

Software issue means that automatic emergency brake system may not engage

The Automatic Emergency Brake System a function of the IntelliSafe system may not always engage increasing the risk of a collision

Put right by: Affected vehicles must have new software downloaded

DVSA R/2020/07356,385 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ October 2019Cars built November 2012 to June 2018

The engine's plastic inlet manifold may melt and deform

The engines plastic inlet manifold may melt and deform

Put right by: Update vehicles with improved soot reducing software cleaning of TMAP and EMAP. Fit additional hoses where necessary.

DVSA R/2019/180
🏛️ January 2019Cars built April 2015 to May 2016

Small cracks on the inside of a rubber fuel hose

Small cracks on the inside of a rubber fuel hose.

Put right by: Replacement of affected fuel hoses.

DVSA R/2018/37730,777 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ January 2017Cars built August 2016 to October 2016

One or more airbags may fail to deploy in the event of a collision

It has been identified by the manufacturer that the air-bag initiator does not meet specification. This can therefore result in the initiator not functioning correctly which can lead to none deployment of the air-bag. Should a collision occur then there is an increased risk of injury to the occupants of the vehicle.

Put right by: Recall all affected vehicles to replace the air-bags with a new quality assured component.

DVSA R/2017/0021,415 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ November 2016Cars built June 2015 to August 2016

Seatbelt may separate from the buckle

It has been identified there is a possibility the front seatbelt buckle stud may not have been punched correctly during production. This may result in a separation between the buckle and seatbelt bracket if the vehicle is involved in a collision.

Put right by: Recall all affected vehicles to inspect the seatbelt buckle and if required to replace the seatbelt buckle.

DVSA R/2016/25747 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ October 2016Cars built July 2010 to April 2015

Coolant leakage may result in a fire

It has been identified that during the engine warm-up process and under certain driving/climate conditions for instance periods of high acceleration or high engine load immediately after a cold start in cold climates there is the possibility for coolant leakage or oil seepage. This can lead to the possibility in a worst-case scenario of smoke or a slow developing fire in the engine compartment. However the driver will receive a warning message on the Drivers Information Module indicating a low coolant level.

Put right by: Recall all affected vehicles to modify the coolant bypass valve and install a new exhaust manifold gasket.

DVSA R/2016/2493,192 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ February 2016Cars built April 2015 to February 2016

Stalling and loss of steering power assistance

Involved vehicles may have a software issue which could cause the engine to momentarily cut-out and restart while driving. This could also cause disturbances in some electrical systems such as shut down of the instrument cluster infotainment system and loss of power steering assistance.

Put right by: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and upgrade the software of the control units.

DVSA R/2016/02714,474 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ January 2016Cars built November 2014 to April 2015

Fuel guage may not show fuel level correctly

Fuel gauge may not show correct level

Put right by: The remedy is not yet available for all models. Until a remedy is available the manufacturer advises to maintain fuel level above approx one third.

DVSA R/2015/2531,109 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ December 2015Cars built November 2014 to April 2015

Fuel guage may not show fuel level correctly

Fuel gauge may not show correct level

Put right by: The remedy is not yet available for all models.. Until a remedy is available the manufacturer advises to maintain fuel level above approx one third.

DVSA R/2015/2542,743 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ December 2015Cars built March 2015 to December 2015

Fuel guage may not show fuel level correctly

Fuel gauge may not show correct level

Put right by: Dependent on affected Model update software. Until updated the manufacturer advises to maintain fuel level above approx one third.

DVSA R/2015/24910,708 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ February 2015Cars built June 2011 to January 2015

Parking brake may unintentionally release

Vehicles with manual gearboxes and start/stop functionality have Parking Brake Module (PBM) software that may allow the parking brake to unintentionally release. The unintended release of the parking brake can only occur when the engine is running and the gearstick moved so it will happen when the vehicle is attended.

Put right by: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to download upgraded Parking Brake Module (PBM) software.

DVSA R/2015/0402,146 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ November 2013

Loss of power steering assistance

The auxiliary drive belt tensioner can suffer from premature wear which may cause it to fail. This can lead to loss of steering power assistance and a slight possibility of loss of drive should the drive belt or tensioner invade the cambelt area.

Put right by: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace the auxiliary drive belt and tensioner.

DVSA R/2013/1403,134 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ November 2012

Trim panel may cause injury during collision

Volvo's quality follow-up procedures have identified an issue with a limited number of S60 & V60 Volvos (MY2013). The securing screws for the inner A-pillar panels may have been torqued incorrectly. This could cause the A-pillar panels to crack and this may affect the attachment of the trims during a collision should the inflatable curtain be activated. If the trims become detached they could cause injury to the occupants in the front seats. The corrective action is to replace both A-pillar trims as well as the securing screws.

Put right by: Replace both trim panels and screws.

DVSA R/2012/14470 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ April 2012

Engine may fail

There could be a sudden and unexpected failure of the bottom end of the engine because of a non-conformity during production of the connecting rods.

Put right by: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace the engine.

DVSA R/2012/0566 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ March 2012Cars built January 2012 to February 2012

Fuel may leak

Some vehicles may have had excessive underbody protection applied which when drying. could have formed small stalactite shaped formations. These formations may have formed close to the underbody fuel lines and could damage them and cause a fuel leak. Due to the positioning of the fuel lines escaping fuel or fuel vapour could potentially lead to a fire.

Put right by: Inspect all vehicles and cut any stalactite shaped formations off. If the fuel line is damaged it will be replaced. Only 1% of vehicles are expected to have any damage to the fuel line.

DVSA R/2012/032481 vehicles affected in the UK
🏛️ March 2012

Airbags may not deploy in a collision

It has been identified that the wiring harness for the SRS system may not have been correctly attached to the front seat frames. It is possible that continued adjustment of the seat position may cause the harness to become detached. If this should occur a warning light will illuminate on the instrument panel warning the driver of a fault with the SRS system. However in this condition the front and side airbags may not deploy if the vehicle is involved in a collision.

Put right by: Recall all affected vehicles for an inspection of the wiring harnesses and ensure that it is correctly routed and secured. If not then reroute and securing of the wiring harness.

DVSA R/2012/0289,330 vehicles affected in the UK

Recall data published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency under the Open Government Licence v3.0. A recall listed here may not apply to every car of this model: the build dates and the registration check are what decide it.

Volvo S60 cambelt, and service intervals

An overdue cambelt is the most expensive thing a seller can fail to mention on a used S60. These are the figures UK specialists work to.

Timing belt (cambelt)Belt
2.0 D4, D4204T
90,000 miles or 10 years, whichever comes first

Volvo VEA 4-cylinder engines have a timing belt interval of 90,000 miles or 10 years (whichever comes first). The auxiliary belt and tensioner must also be checked or replaced simultaneously.

Timing belt (cambelt)Belt
2.4 D5, D5
96,000 miles or 8 years, whichever comes first

Volvo's scheduled change for the five-cylinder diesel was 96,000 miles or 8 years on earlier cars; later cars are commonly quoted at 108,000 miles or 10 years, and the shorter scheduled figure is used here. Tensioners and idler pulleys can fail before the scheduled change and throw the belt, and one widely repeated recommendation is to renew the timing belt, tensioner, pulleys and water pump at 60,000 miles or 4 years. Also check when the auxiliary belt and tensioner were changed: on 2007 to 2010 V70 builds that tensioner was recalled in the UK because a failed belt can foul the timing belt.

Always confirm against the vehicle handbook. Intervals vary by engine, and several manufacturers revised theirs after failures in service.

Repair costs are typical UK ranges, not quotes. Actual cost depends on condition and garage.Data last verified: September 2026

Volvo S60 buying questions

Which Volvo S60 years should I avoid?

No Volvo S60 year is a write-off, but the Various (2001 to 2015) carries the most serious faults: engine. Year matters less than whether the specific car has had the known fixes, so check the history for them.

What should I check when viewing a used Volvo S60?

Ask the seller about the engine faults on this page and whether they have been fixed, with invoices. On the test drive watch for squeal or chirp from the belts, especially from cold and oil level above the maximum mark on the dipstick. Read the MOT history for repeat advisories, then paste the advert into the free check, which reads it against its known faults before you travel. Check a Volvo S60 advert →

Are there any recalls on the Volvo S60?

The DVSA lists 28 safety recalls for the Volvo S60 issued between 2012 and 2025. The most recent, from March 2025, is "SPA1 Cell Modules". Recall work is done by the manufacturer, and GOV.UK says you will not usually have to pay for it. This list is by model, so it cannot tell you whether one particular car has had the work: the free GOV.UK MOT history check shows a recall status from the registration where the manufacturer shares it, and a franchised dealer can check the VIN.

What is the real MPG of a Volvo S60?

Owners report 43.1 mpg on average across the Volvo S60 engines with data, about 81% of the official combined figure. The gap between official and real-world economy varies a lot by engine, so the Real MPG page lists every engine and generation separately, from 562 owner submissions. Volvo S60 Real MPG by engine →

Looking at a Volvo S60 right now? Check the advert before you go and see it.

Where this Volvo S60 fault data comes from

If you used to check the Honest John “Good & Bad” section before the site closed in 2026, this page is where that information now lives. We rebuilt the Volvo S60 owner-report history from the archived Honest John dataset, added our own research, specialist and owner-club sources and DVSA recall data, and we keep it free. Each fault above is badged with its source. The same data feeds our free advert check, which reads a listing against every known fault for the exact engine and year.

CarAdCheck is not affiliated with Honest John or Volkswagen Financial Services. What happened to Honest John, and where each feature lives now.

Before you go and see it

Knowing what a Volvo S60 goes wrong with is half of it. The rest is reading the advert and checking the car's history before you hand any money over.

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