Problems · NHTSA complaints

2016 Volvo XC60 problems

Owners filed 39 complaints about the 2016 Volvo XC60 with NHTSA between Jun 2016 and Oct 2026. The most-cited component is engine (16).

Complaints
39
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
2
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Engine16
  2. Seat belts6
  3. Electrical system3
  4. Service brakes3
  5. Power train2
  6. Engine and engine cooling2
  7. Air bags2
  8. Exterior lighting2
  9. Fuel system, gasoline1
  10. Equipment1
  11. Seats1
  12. Visibility/wiper1
  13. Other / unknown8

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
20161
20172
20182
20191
20202
20215
20223
20237
20245
20259
20262

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

16 reports
“Engine suffered severe mechanical damage/failure due to excessive oil consumption caused by defective factory piston rings (Volvo Quality Bulletin P10207). Vehicle exhibited heavy engine knocking and flashing warning lights during operation, creating a risk of sudden stall or complete power loss. Annapolis Volvo confirmed severe internal engine failure via dealer diagnostic invoice. Purchased vehicle only 10 months ago under 100k miles (currently 98k), long after Bulletin P10207's quiet expiration. Volvo never notified subsequent purchasers of this known defect, and front-line Consumer Care repeatedly issued automated denials without reviewing dealer diagnostic uploads or appeals. Annapolis Volvo quoted $14k–$17k for a used engine and ~$26k for a new engine—repair costs that exceed the entire purchase price and value of the vehicle, rendering an acknowledged, severe safety defect financially unresolvable. The video of the dealer diagnostic test that shows the catastrophic engine failure is directly related to this Quality Bulletin: [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 27, 2026Power train, EngineODI 11774082

Seat belts

6 reports2 related recalls
“I just purchased 2016 VolvoXC60. Looked up ti see 3 recalls it has. I went to Volvo Dealership in Culver City where I was told recalls where taken care of years ago. No recalls exist today? This raises the question if indeed where preformed on my new vehicle and why I submitting my concern to you today. If you can provide me with any information regarding this issue, I would be very appreciated! [XXX]”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 4, 2025Seat belts, Unknown or otherODI 11685055

Electrical system

3 reports1 related recall
“appears to be significant electrical issue or internal computer issue causing a safety issue”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2025Electrical system, Unknown or otherODI 11695533

Service brakes

3 reports1 crash
“I DROVE MY CAR TO THE GARAGE AND WANT TO TURN OFF THE CAR. THE CAR SUDDENLY START TO ACCELERATE AND WENT THROUGH MY GARAGE DOOR. ALL SIDE AIRBAGS ARE POPPED UP, BUT NOT FRONT AIRBAG. *DT *AS AROUND A YEAR AGO, WHEN MY DROVE HER CAR SLOWLY DUE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE CAR STOPPED AND NEEDED TO TURN ON THE CAR. I AM NOT THE EXPERT BUT THINK THE ELECTRIC CONTROL SYSTEM MAY HAVE PROBLEM OF MY CAR.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 22, 2019Air bags, Unknown or other, Service brakesCrash reportedODI 11257227

Power train

2 reports1 crash
“ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016, AT 10:00 A.M., I PUT MY CAR IN PARK ON MY DRIVEWAY. MY CAR WAS STATIONARY ON MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I EXITED IT AND WENT INTO MY GARAGE. WHEN I TURNED AROUND, MY UNOCCUPIED CAR WAS COMING TOWARD ME FROM THE DRIVEWAY INTO THE GARAGE. I WAS UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF THE CAR AND ENDED UP PINNED BETWEEN THE LEFT WALL OF MY GARAGE, A RECYCLE CAN, AND THE CAR. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR WAS ROLLING INTO THE GARAGE IN A STRAIGHT LINE, WHICH LEFT JUST ENOUGH SPACE BETWEEN MY BODY, THE CAR, AND THE WALL; OTHERWISE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN CRUSHED AND KILLED. A LARGE RECYCLE TRASH CAN AND A LADDER STOPPED THE CAR BEFORE IT CONTINUED STRAIGHT THROUGH THE REAR GARAGE WALL AND INTO MY FAMILY ROOM WHERE MY DISABLED HUSBAND WAS SITTING. A WORKMAN ON MY PROPERTY, WHO WITNESSED THE ENTIRE EVENT, HELPED ME GET OUT OF THE SPACE BETWEEN THE WALL AND CAR AND REMOVED THE CAR FROM THE GARAGE. I MUST HAVE BEEN IN A STATE OF SHOCK FROM THE ACCIDENT BECAUSE I CANNOT REMEMBER SOME DETAILS AND MUST HAVE BEEN HIT BY THE CAR BECAUSE I STILL HAVE DAMAGE TO MY LEFT LEG AND PAIN IN MY LOWER BODY; ALSO, THE CAR HAD DAMAGE TO ITS LEFT FENDER. I VISITED MY DOCTOR REGARDING THE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 20, 2016Power trainCrash reportedODI 10875450

Engine and engine cooling

2 reports
“The contact owns a 2016 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the low oil warning light illuminated. The contact pulled into a gas station, exited the vehicle, raised the hood of the vehicle, and added engine oil to the engine. The contact stated that while buckling the seat belt, the air bag warning light illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the failure had occurred on several occasions. The contact associated the failure with Technical Service Bulletin: TJ 35526 (Engine Oil Consumption Test); however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided, and the contact was informed that the TSB had expired. The approximate failure mileage was 62,800.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 1, 2026Engine and engine coolingODI 11747694
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.