Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2011 Volvo XC60Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 36 owner complaints for the 2011 Volvo XC60. Most complaints involve seat belts (8) and visibility/wiper (6). The EPA rates it 19–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
19–21mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Jun 2020
Owner complaints
36
Top: seat belts
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seat belts: front

Free remedy

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.

Seat beltsReported Jun 30, 2020NHTSA 20V378000

Seats

Free remedy

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER FRONT PASSENGER SEATS. THE FRONT SEAT RAIL'S DETECTION SYSTEM WAS MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY AND MAY PERMIT THE PASSENGER TO FORWARD THE SEAT BEYOND THE INTENDED MAXIMUM.

SeatsReported Nov 22, 2010NHTSA 10V591000

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011, S80, S60, XC70 AND XC60 VEHICLES. THE SOFTWARE CALIBRATION FOR THE FUEL CUT-OFF FUNCTIONALITY IN THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) IS TOO SENSITIVE.

Engine and engine coolingReported Nov 17, 2010NHTSA 10V579000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

36 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2010 – Feb 2024
  1. Seat belts8
  2. Visibility/wiper6
  3. Electrical system6
  4. Engine3
  5. Structure3
  6. Steering3
  7. Visibility2
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)2
  9. Service brakes2

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

By model year

Complaints for each XC60 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
201056
201136
201246
201366
201416
201548
201639
201716
201836
201938
202022
202131
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Seat belts

8 reports
“The contact owns a 2011 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that the front driver’s side belt was restraining her extremely tightly and failed to release as needed. No warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that water had leaked from around the windshield into the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that water was in the vehicle and the sunroof drain needed to be flushed out however, the contact stated that she was denied service unless the sunroof drain was flushed out. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred, and the contact was concerned for her safety. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 23, 2023Visibility, Seat beltsODI 11503120

Visibility/wiper

6 reports
“Windshield is original from Volvo but leaks during rain and car washes. Rain floods my driver’s side floor board and heavy enough might effect my electrical system.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 5, 2024Visibility/wiperODI 11570078

Electrical system

6 reports
“LOCKING MECHANISMS IN PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FAILING, UNABLE TO LOCK OR UNLOCK REMOTELY, HAVE TO MANUALLY LOCK OR UNLOCK FROM REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO ENTER VEHICLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 27, 2020Electrical systemODI 11361346
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.2L 6-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
XC60 FWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182521$2,950423
XC60 AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L · All-Wheel Drive
182420$3,100444
XC60 AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
172219$3,300468
  • XC60 FWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    18 city · 25 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • XC60 AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • XC60 AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    17 city · 22 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Volvo XC60 SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.6%
Overall
5 / 5
Volvo XC60 SUV FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.6%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 641Vehicle 488
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2011 XC60 questions

How many recalls does the 2011 Volvo XC60 have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2011 Volvo XC60 problems?

Owners filed 36 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are seat belts (8), visibility/wiper (6), electrical system (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2011 Volvo XC60 get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Volvo XC60 at 19–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2011 Volvo XC60?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2011 Volvo XC60 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026