Problems · NHTSA complaints

2012 Volvo XC60 problems

Owners filed 46 complaints about the 2012 Volvo XC60 with NHTSA between Mar 2012 and Jul 2025. The most-cited component is visibility/wiper (19).

Complaints
46
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Visibility/wiper19
  2. Electrical system4
  3. Structure4
  4. Visibility3
  5. Steering3
  6. Tires2
  7. Air bags2
  8. Engine2
  9. Wheels2
  10. Seat belts1
  11. Seats1
  12. Fuel/propulsion system1
  13. Electronic stability control (esc)1
  14. Power train1

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
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
20123
20130
20141
20152
20162
20171
20182
20197
20206
20217
202210
20232
20242
20251

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

Visibility/wiper

19 reports
“The front windshield was not properly sealed during manufacturing and is now leaking when it rains. Water drips down the inside of the windshield in front of the driver resulting in distraction and poor visibility. I also fear that in an accident the windshield would not perform as it should and would be a safety issue. I brought it to the Volvo dealer and they just said I had to have it replaced but they do not provide that service. I brought it to a windshield service center and the technician was able to push on the windshield with only his hand and confirm that it was not sealed and showed movement. They also mentioned that have seen this issue many times with these cars. There were no warnings other than the leak which started a few months ago.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 21, 2022Visibility/wiperODI 11475160

Electrical system

4 reports1 related recall
“On October 12, 2022 while driving home from the Schar Cancer Center in Fairfax, my 2012 Volvo XC60 experienced an end of life event. My check engine light came on when I entered my neighborhood. The car began sputtering and the gas pedal was delayed and at times, unresponsive. I was able to make it to my house and made an appointment to service my Volvo. My Volvo was towed to GT Peace Automotive on November 6. The three-week delay was due to their backlog of work. They are a trusted repair service and have provided service to all my vehicles over the past four years. The attached document indicates their assessment. Highlights include that the Volvo was a fire hazard in its current condition, the ignition coils were melted, and the circuits are shorted. GT Peace provided an estimate of $3,500 for repairs as a starting point to fully replace the engine harness. Their evaluation concluded that, based on other findings, the cost would easily go north of $3,500, possibly to $5,500. Based on this assessment and the CARFAX History Based Value of my vehicle (private party value of $10,170), it was in my best interest to donate the vehicle. I gave it to the Auto Tech…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 14, 2022Electrical systemODI 11493444

Structure

4 reports1 crash1 related recall
“The rain water leaking through windshield. It could cause rust in the frame, then cause the failure of whole structure. I checked the Volvo forums, seems there are many Volvo owners have similar issues. I owned other cars, it’s the first time I had leaking water through perimeter of windshield.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 13, 2021StructureODI 11428956

Visibility

3 reports
“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 wheel to prevent water from damaging the electrical system. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,174.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 31, 2024VisibilityODI 11591814

Steering

3 reports
“OVER A PERIOD OF THE LAST 45 DAYS ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS,IN RAIN, AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF 55MPH+, THE OVERALL PERFORMANCE OF THE DRIVER INPUTS FAILED TO FUNCTION. WHEN DRIVING, TURNING THE WHEEL TO LEFT/RIGHT TO CHANGE LANES OR PULL TO THE SLOW LANE; MADE THE CAR FEEL AS IT WANTED TO SPIN OUT UNCONTROLLABLY.TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT, THE CAR WANTED TO GO RIGHT. WHEN GOING STRAIGHT THERE WAS A WOBBLY UNSTABLE FEELING, AND WAS NOTICEABLE TO PASSENGERS IN THE CAR. THE ISSUE DID NOT OCCUR AT LOWER SPEEDS AND CAR PERFORM NORMALLY. THE SENSATION WAS SIMILAR TO THE INPUT ON A BOAT. THE ONLY CORRECTION WHICH WORKED WAS TO SLOW DOWN TO 40-45 AND TAKE SIDE ROADS. AT LOWER SPEEDS BRAKE TESTING AND OTHER MANEUVERS WERE PERFORMED WITHOUT ISSUE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 16, 2019Steering, Unknown or other, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11289227

Tires

2 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 9, 2025TiresODI 11672211
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.