Problems · NHTSA complaints
2011 Volvo XC60 problems
Owners filed 36 complaints about the 2011 Volvo XC60 with NHTSA between Sep 2010 and Feb 2024. The most-cited component is seat belts (8).
Complaints
36
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Seat belts8
- Visibility/wiper6
- Electrical system6
- Engine3
- Structure3
- Steering3
- Visibility2
- Electronic stability control (esc)2
- Service brakes2
- Air bags2
- Equipment2
- Vehicle speed control1
- Fuel/propulsion system1
- Engine and engine cooling1
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 Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
2
3
2
3
5
1
1
2
6
4
1
3
1
1
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 3 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 4 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
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.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Seat belts
8 reports1 related recall
“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.”
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.”
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.”
Engine
3 reports
“The contact owns a 2011 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that she noticed an oil leak underneath the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the turbo needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.”
Structure
3 reports
“MY CAR HAS AN ODOR FOR DAYS AFTER IT RAINS WHEN THE WINDSHIELD STREAMS WATER ABOVE THE DRIVERS STEARING WHEEL AND ALSO ALLOWS WATER TO STREAM DOWN INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR BOARD- IT'S A FULL ON STREAM OF WATER THAT COMES OUT THE TOP CORNER DRIVER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND ROLLS DOWN OVER THE STEARING WHEEL AND DRIVERS HANDS AND DOWN THROUGH THE DRIVERS FLOORBOARD OVER THE ACCELERATOR AND THE DRIVERS FEET. I'VE BEEN IN THE CAR DURING THE RAIN AND WHILE AT THE CAR WASH TO WITNESS THIS STREAMING OF WATER. THERE IS A 1 TO 2 INCH PUDDLE OF WATER THAT FORMS IN THE FLOOR BOARD RIGHT UNDER THE ACCELERATOR IF LEFT TO STREAM FREELY. THE WATER DOES NOT GUSH OUT RIGHT AWAY BUT SOMETIMES WILL REMAIN DRY UNTIL MOVING -HAS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEEDS WHILE PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY BUT AS DELAYED UP TO10 MINUTES LATER AFTER I'VE GOTTEN ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE I'M AT A SPEED OF @ 70MPH) ITS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD- I HAVE BEEN STARTLED (SAFETY DISTRACTION) BECAUSE OF UNEXPECTED COLD WATER FLOODING MY FOOT AND MY PANT LEG WHILE ON THE ACCELERATOR.I'VE SPOKE TO AUTO GLASS REPAIR COMPANIES, WHO REPORT SEVERAL THINGS COULD BE HAPPENING BUT EITHER WAY, COST ME A LOT OF MONEY WHILE…”
Steering
3 reports
“I WAS ADVISED BY THE VOLVO SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE CLAMP DESIGN RESULTED IN THE CUTTING BOTH OF THE OUTER CV BOOTS THAT WAS OCCURRING OVER THE YEARS. THIS IS A DESIGN ERROR TO SEE A FAILURE LIKE THIS THAT CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF LIFE. ONCE THE BOOT IS CUT THE GREASE CAN CATCH ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE. THE FIRE COULD OF STOPPED THE VEHICLE WHILE ON THE ROAD RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT CAUSING INJURIES OR DEATH. *TR”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.