2012 Volvo XC60 reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 46 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Volvo XC60 over 15 years — 1 per year. That is more complaints per year than most XC60 years here — over the median of the other years, which is 0. NHTSA has 3 recalls on file, including Front, Structure, body, and Wiring.

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Visibility and wipers (19 of 46), then Electrical system (4) and Structure (4). Those filings include 2 that report a crash and 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2013

The 2013 XC60 has 66 complaints, 0 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 XC60. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (3)

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 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.

Complaints by component (46 total)

Visibility and wipers

Electrical system

Structure

Steering

Visibility

Air bags

Engine

Tires

Wheels

Electronic stability control (ESC)

Fuel and propulsion system

Powertrain

Seat belts

Seats

Speed control

Show 7 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"Four tires purchased June 2022. As of July 2025 with 17,500 miles on the tires there is ozone/weather cracking on the entire tire and the sidewall near the rim is failing with the cord visible on one tire."
Tires · filed 2025-07-09
"The contact owns a 2012 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that while it was raining, water seeped through the driver's side front windshield and onto the steering wheel. The contact placed a towel on top of the steering…"
Visibility · filed 2024-05-31
"The windshield leaks constantly. I'm worried about the windshield blowing out or electrical components being damaged. This seems to be a constant complaint according to internet search. Why hasn't this been addressed as…"
Unknown or other · filed 2024-01-20
"During rain, water is leaking inside the car from the driver’s side windshield while I’m driving, obstructing my vision."
Visibility and wipers · filed 2023-12-22
"It was explained to me that since the Back rear seat in the Volvo XC60 seatbelt had a fault that it alerted the SRS airbag system. In event of a crash the airbags in my car would not deploy and that the only remedy was…"
Air bags, Seat belts, Seats · filed 2023-05-19

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2012 Volvo XC60 SUV AWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2012 Volvo XC60 SUV FWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 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
XC60 all-wheel drive	3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	All-wheel drive	17	23	20 MPG	$3250
XC60 all-wheel drive	3.2L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	All-wheel drive	18	24	20 MPG	$3250
XC60 front-wheel drive	3.2L, 6-cyl	Automatic (6-speed)	Front-wheel drive	19	25	21 MPG	$3100

Specs and fitment

First generation XC60, 2012–2017

Body styles SUV

Oil 0W-20, 0W-30 or 5W-30 (engine-dependent; ~5.7 qt with filter on typical fills) , 5.7 qt capacity

Tire size 235/60R18 or 255/45R20 (trim-dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 19V220000 covers certain 2018-2019 Volvo XC60 and S90 vehicles. Driver and passenger front seat rail rear flange nuts may not have been installed during assembly, which can allow the seat to move in a crash and increase injury risk. Recall 19V046000 covers certain 2018-2019 XC60 vehicles where tailgate lifting arms may freeze in cold conditions and separate from the gas struts when the tailgate is opened.

Compare

Next year 2013 Volvo XC60 See every Volvo XC60 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2012 Volvo XC60 reliable?

What are common problems with a 2012 Volvo XC60?

The complaints owners file most often name Visibility and wipers (19 of 46), then Electrical system (4) and Structure (4). Those filings include 2 that report a crash and 1 that reports an injury.

Is the 2012 Volvo XC60 more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2013 XC60 has 66 complaints, 0 per year. The 2012 has more complaints per year than the 2013.

Has the 2012 Volvo XC60 been recalled?

The 2012 Volvo XC60 has 3 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 XC60?

Owners have filed 46 complaints about the 2012 Volvo XC60 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2012 Volvo XC60 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2012 Volvo XC60 is 20.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What engine oil does a Volvo XC60 use?

First-generation models commonly list 0W-20/0W-30/5W-30 (~5.7 qt); SPA models commonly list 0W-20 (~5.9 qt).

What tire sizes does a Volvo XC60 use?

OEM sizes commonly include 235/60R18 and 255/45R20 on earlier cars and 235/60R18 through 265/35R22 on SPA models.

What seat-rail recall covers certain XC60 models?

Recall 19V220000 covers certain 2018-2019 Volvo XC60 and S90 vehicles where front seat-rail rear flange nuts may not have been installed during assembly.