Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Volvo S-Class problems

Owners filed 129 complaints about the 2012 Volvo S-Class with NHTSA between Jul 2011 and Jun 2026. The most-cited component is engine (61).

Complaints
129
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
9
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
14
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine61
  2. Electrical system17
  3. Steering9
  4. Seat belts9
  5. Structure8
  6. Vehicle speed control7
  7. Air bags7
  8. Fuel/propulsion system7
  9. Service brakes5
  10. Power train5
  11. Exterior lighting3
  12. Latches/locks/linkages3
  13. Seats2
  14. Visibility2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 31, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20111
20124
20136
20145
20157
201613
20179
201812
201913
202015
202116
20228
20237
20249
20251
20263

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

Engine

61 reports1 crash
“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 inspection of the engine revealed smoke coming from the engine department when the oil cap was removed. The dipstick was checked and showed no visible oil on the stick. Later in that evening, 3 additional quarts of oil were added to the engine but the addition of oil did not remedy the noise from the engine. The final result was that the car was towed to a Volvo dealership in Florida for repair. I checked the status of the recalls (oil comsumption and no oil pressure light) and the status is closed. From what I can tell, this issue appears to be directly related to previous recalls for the vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 22, 2026EngineODI 11732954

Electrical system

17 reports1 crash1 related recall
“On June 2, 2023 I went to start my car and the engine would not turn over. The dashboard displayed a number of warning lights and messages (DSTC Service Required, SRS Airbag Service Urgent, Transmission Service Required, Coolant System Service Required). When the tow truck driver arrived later that day, they tried to jumpstart my car but reported the battery was completely dead. I had the car taken to a local shop that specialized in Volvo cars. A few days later the shop called to tell me that not only was the battery dead, but my car key was no longer responding, and that the Engine Control Module "exploded." None of the mechanics at the shop had seen such a thing before. The shop also told me that they could not figure out what had been draining the battery. I was advised to reach out to the dealership. I did and happened to meet with the general manager and a lead technician who happened to be on site. I was told that while rare, the Engine Control Module can "explode." I was willing to drop the matter until I started seeing "Low Battery" warnings in early Sept. of 2023. I was finally able to get the car into the dealership on 1/2/24. After talking with the…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 10, 2024Electrical system, EngineODI 11564522

Steering

9 reports1 crash
“A batch of metal used for the steering wheel trim prematurely wears down at the base of the steering wheel in 2 locations out of sight with normal use and becomes razor sharp. When turning the wheel, the spinning razor edge can cause the driver to lose control due to sudden pain due to slicing into the fingers. The metal slices into the skin drawing blood much like that of a papercut. I have experienced sudden cuts in turning on 2 separate occasions recently having to re-grab the steering wheel due to involuntary pain reflex release to prevent total loss of control and the problem has not been confirmed by the dealer. There is no prior warning when this issue suddenly occurs.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 25, 2024Steering, Unknown or otherODI 11579271

Seat belts

9 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“The contact owns a 2012 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the driver’s side rear door opened unintendedly without the driver touching the door handle. The contact pulled over to the side of the road and inspected the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that on several occasions when the seat belt tongue was inserted inside the buckle, the seat belt failed to latch properly. The contact stated that the latch plate latched securely after several attempts. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 9, 2023Seat belts, Latches/locks/linkagesODI 11537428

Structure

8 reports2 crashes1 related recall
“RECALL NOTICE ON 11/2019 TO REPLACE ALL DOORS DUE TO A SAFETY ISSUE (RECALL #: R89978: DOOR LATCHES). RECENTLY ON 12/1/2019, 12/23/2019 AND 1/5/2020 I NOTICED THAT MY REAR RIGHT DOOR SLIGHTLY OPENED WHILE CITY DRIVING IN SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOOD (LOTS OF STOPS) AND THE DOOR SIGNAL DID NOT INDICATE. THEY DID NOT FULLY OPEN BUT THE LATCH SEEMS TO HAVE AN ISSUE. HAVE BEEN REACHING OUT TO SERVICE AND VOLVO DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS NEEDED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 6, 2021Seat belts, StructureODI 11386744

Vehicle speed control

7 reports3 crashes
“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 it was too late I was ejected from the vehicle and nearly died my brakes scrubbed and I pressed my brakes as hard as I could and my car continued to acceleration. The police has the vehicle and there were no warnings signs . I had just bought the vehicle and was on my way home from the dealership never made it home”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 23, 2026Vehicle speed control, Unknown or other, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11746049
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 31, 2026

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.