2012 Volvo S60 reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 121 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Volvo S60 over 15 years — 5 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 13 S60 years on this site. NHTSA has 8 recalls on file, including Front, Latch, and Engine.

Complaints

121

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (61 of 121), then Electrical system (17) and Seat belts (9). Those filings include 8 that report a crash and 11 that report an injury.

Next to 2013

The 2013 S60 has 86 complaints, 4 per year. The 2012 has more complaints per year than the 2013.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2012 Volvo S60. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (8)

Recall seat belts, front 2020-06-30 · NHTSA campaign 20V378000

Summary 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 outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.

Remedy 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.

Recall latches, locks, and linkages, doors, latch 2019-11-26 · NHTSA campaign 19V849000

Summary 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.

Remedy 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.

Recall Engine 2013-11-22 · NHTSA campaign 13V592000

Summary Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S60 vehicles manufactured June 22, 2010, through May 14, 2012, and equipped with 5-cylinder B5254T5 (VIN code 62) engines. In the affected vehicles, the vehicle may not alert the driver of a low oil pressure situation.

Remedy Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software so that the driver is alerted should there be a low oil pressure situation, free of charge. The recall began on January 10, 2014. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this campaign is R29436.

Recall structure, body 2012-03-14 · NHTSA campaign 12V101000

Summary VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60 AND XC60 PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN INCORRECT MIXTURE OF UNDERBODY COATING AND OVER-APPLICATION CAN RESULT IN RIGID, ICICLE-LIKE AREAS HANGING FROM VEHICLES UNDERCARRIAGE.

Remedy DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE UNDERCARRIAGE, AND IF EXCESSIVE UNDERBODY COATING IS FOUND IN THE FUEL LINE AREA, IT WILL BE REMOVED. IF THE INSPECTION REVEALS THAT THE FUEL LINES ARE DAMAGED, THEY WILL BE REPLACED. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 25, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CUSTOMER CARE CENTER AT 1-800-458-1552.

Recall electrical system, wiring 2012-02-28 · NHTSA campaign 12V075000

Summary VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60, XC60, S80 AND XC70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 16, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 6, 2011. IN THESE VEHICLES, THE WIRE HARNESS UNDER THE FRONT SEATS MAY HAVE NOT BEEN ATTACHED PROPERLY TO THE SEAT FRAME. AS A RESULT, WHEN THE SEATS ARE MOVED TO ADJUST THE SEATING POSITION, THE WIRE HARNESS MAY GET PULLED, CAUSING IT TO DISCONNECT.

Remedy VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, SECURE THE SEAT WIRE HARNESS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.

Recall Labels 2011-10-18 · NHTSA campaign 11V508000

Summary VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2012 C70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2005, THROUGH JULY 31, 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 S60 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 14, 2010, THROUGH APRIL 16, 2011, THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ACCESSORY SPARE TIRE KIT. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES DO NOT CONTAIN THE CORRECT INFORMATION FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL ACCESSORY SPARE TIRE AND WHEEL KIT.

Remedy VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND INSTALL THE LABEL AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-201-768-7300.

Recall gasoline fuel system, delivery, hoses and fittings 2011-06-06 · NHTSA campaign 11V311000

Summary VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 18, 2011, THROUGH JANUARY 28, 2011. THE MALE PART OF THE FUEL LINE QUICK CONNECTOR END SHAPE WAS PRODUCED WITH DIMENSIONS OUT OF SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESSIVE ASSEMBLY FORCE ON THE FEMALE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE LOCKING FUNCTION MAY NOT BE ENGAGED.

Remedy VOLVO DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 24, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-201-768-7300.

Recall Fuel pump 2011-06-01 · NHTSA campaign 11V303000

Summary VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 18, 2010, THROUGH MAY 5, 2011. THE SOFTWARE FOR THE FUEL PUMP UNITS MAY NOT BE COMPATIBLE WITH ALL FUEL PUMPS AND COMPONENTS RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT FUEL TRANSFER IN THE PUMP UNIT.

Remedy VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-201-768-7300.

Complaints by component (121 total)

Engine

Electrical system

Seat belts

Steering

Fuel and propulsion system

Structure

Air bags

Speed control

Service brakes

Powertrain

Exterior lighting

Latches, locks, and linkages

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Forward collision avoidance

Visibility

Visibility and wipers

Adaptive and mobility equipment

Back-over prevention

Engine and engine cooling

Equipment

Fuel system, gasoline

Hydraulic brakes

Seats

Show 15 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"Brakes , and vacuum booster, speed control I experienced a sudden acceleration phenomenon and reached speeds of 100+ mph I manipulated the brakes and the gas in order to safe my life I eventually got my speeds down but…"
Speed control, Unknown or other, Service brakes · filed 2026-06-23
"The driver's side seat airbag system failed. Specifically, diagnostic trouble code SRS-B002011 was retrieved, indicating a circuit short to ground in the left side airbag deployment control system. The technician found…"
Air bags, Unknown or other · filed 2026-06-07
"I experienced an engine issue that I believe is related to excessive oil consumption and the lack of an oil pressure light warning. The car was driven out of town when a noise was heard coming from the engine. A visual…"
Engine · filed 2026-04-22
"Engine has failed and is unrepairable. The car has been maintained well according to the manufacturer’s guidelines with regular oil changes. It has only 94,875 miles. The mechanic said that there is probably a piston…"
Engine · filed 2025-02-22
"At temperatures around 90* and higher the rear camera flickers and is unusable. This happens without any warning and when vehicle attempting to reverse."
Back-over prevention · filed 2024-08-14

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2012 Volvo S60 4 DR AWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars
2012 Volvo S60 4 DR FWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
S60 all-wheel drive	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	All-wheel drive	18	26	21 MPG	$3100
S60 front-wheel drive	2.5L, 5-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Front-wheel drive	20	30	23 MPG	$2800

Specs and fitment

Second generation (P3), 2012–2018

Body styles Sedan

Oil 0W-20 (2.0L); 0W-30/5W-30 (2.5L and 3.0L) , 5.7 qt capacity

Tire size 215/50R17, 235/45R17, 235/40R18, 235/40R19 or 245/35R20 (trim-dependent) front / 215/50R17–245/35R20 (trim-dependent) rear

Known issues for this generation

Recall 19V849000 covers certain 2011-2017 S60, S60I, V60, S60CC, and V60CC vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, making doors difficult to latch or leading an occupant to believe a door is closed when it is not; an unlatched door can open while the vehicle is moving. Recall 20V378000 covers certain 2011-2018 S60 and V60 vehicles (among other Volvo models). The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time so the belt does not secure the occupant in a crash.

Compare

Next year 2013 Volvo S60 See every Volvo S60 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Volvo S60 reliable?

What are common problems with a 2012 Volvo S60?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (61 of 121), then Electrical system (17) and Seat belts (9). Those filings include 8 that report a crash and 11 that report an injury.

Is the 2012 Volvo S60 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 S60 has 86 complaints, 4 per year. The 2012 has more complaints per year than the 2013.

Has the 2012 Volvo S60 been recalled?

The 2012 Volvo S60 has 8 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2012 Volvo S60?

Owners have filed 121 complaints about the 2012 Volvo S60 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Volvo S60 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Volvo S60 is 22 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a Volvo S60 use?

Earlier models commonly list 0W-20 (2.0L) or 0W-30/5W-30 (2.5L/3.0L); SPA 2.0L models commonly list 0W-20 (~5.9 qt with filter).

What tire sizes does a Volvo S60 use?

OEM sizes commonly include 215/50R17 through 245/35R20 on earlier cars and 235/45R18 or 235/40R19 on SPA models.

What door-latch recall covers certain S60 models?

Recall 19V849000 covers certain 2011-2017 S60, S60I, V60, S60CC, and V60CC vehicles where a door-latch component may break.