Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD

2013 Volvo XC60Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 66 owner complaints for the 2013 Volvo XC60. Most complaints involve visibility/wiper (27) and electrical system (9). The EPA rates it 20–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
20–21mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Jun 2020
Owner complaints
66
Top: visibility/wiper
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 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

Equipment: labels

Free remedy

Volvo is recalling certain model year 2013 S60 and XC60 vehicles, manufactured on January 7, 2013. The product identification labels were printed with the incorrect manufacture year. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification Regulation."

EquipmentReported Mar 5, 2013NHTSA 13V084000

Air bags: sensor

Free remedy

Volvo is recalling certain model year 2013 S60 and XC60 vehicles. A manufacturing defect within the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) control unit may lead to an inadvertent deployment of the seat belt pretensioner and/or inflatable curtain.

Air bagsReported Sep 10, 2012NHTSA 12V439000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

66 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2014 – Jun 2026
  1. Visibility/wiper27
  2. Electrical system9
  3. Air bags7
  4. Structure5
  5. Engine3
  6. Visibility2
  7. Forward collision avoidance2
  8. Service brakes2
  9. Steering2

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
1
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Visibility/wiper

27 reports
“Windshield leaks water into cabin. Volvo dealership charged $190 to diagnose problem. Told me I need a new windshield but they do not do glass replacement or repairs. They said sealant is bad at top of windshield. This is the original factory windshield. They referred me to a independent glass company who quoted $900 - $1285 for replacement. Cannot repair only install new windshield. This seems to be a known problem with Volvo cars and the sealant that was used at factory? Not covered by insurance. Car was parked outside during rain.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 18, 2026Visibility/wiperODI 11744958

Electrical system

9 reports1 fire
“The component or system that failed is the driver side door controls for all four windows and both side mirrors. My safety is at risk as I am unable to adjust my mirrors manually or electronically in order to see. I am also unable to roll down any of the windows in the vehicle from the driver door in the event of an emergency. Yes, the problem has been confirmed by the Volvo service center. According to my local Volvo service center, this is a common problem in Volvos and they are very familiar with the repair needed to correct. The problem is that the driver door wiring is zip-tied together and over time, as the driver door opens and closes, the zip tie chafes the insulation off of the wiring causing the copper part of the wires to be exposed and twisted together. There are no warning lights reporting this issue, only that the window and mirror controls stop working. The following video link between 9:38-12:16 explains this issue in Volvos. I am writing to advocate for a vehicle recall. I believe this is a manufacturing flaw which could have been avoided by simply using electrical tape and not a zip tie. The repair has been quoted at $800. Driver side door…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 8, 2024Electrical systemODI 11607357

Air bags

7 reports1 crash
“"During airbag deployment, the driver’s hand was burned with blistering. I believe hot gas or chemicals vented abnormally. This caused a painful injury requiring treatment."”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 6, 2025Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11659242
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD, Small 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 9, 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
192521$2,950415
XC60 AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
172320$3,100445
XC60 AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L · All-Wheel Drive
182420$3,100438
  • XC60 FWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    19 city · 25 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • XC60 AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.0 L, Turbo
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • XC60 AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    18 city · 24 hwy · $3,100/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 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 FWD
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 AWD
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 9, 2026Vehicle 7118Vehicle 7117
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

2013 XC60 questions

How many recalls does the 2013 Volvo XC60 have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 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 2013 Volvo XC60 problems?

Owners filed 66 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are visibility/wiper (27), electrical system (9), air bags (7). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2013 Volvo XC60 get?

The EPA rates the 2013 Volvo XC60 at 20–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

How safe is the 2013 Volvo XC60?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2013 Volvo XC60 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026