Research · Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 5 NHTSA variants

2020 Volvo XC60Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 22 owner complaints for the 2020 Volvo XC60. Most complaints involve electrical system (8) and service brakes (4). The EPA rates it 23–27 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
23–27mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Mar 2025
Owner complaints
22
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Electrical system: software

Free remedy

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020-2021 S90, 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60, XC90, and 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.

Electrical systemReported Mar 24, 2025NHTSA 25V179000

Steering

Free remedy

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2022 V60CC, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. During steering gear assembly, double screws may have been assembled on top of each other, which can cause a screw to fall into the gearbox housing.

SteeringReported Jan 5, 2023NHTSA 23V001000

Service brakes

Free remedy

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 S90L, 2020-2021 XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.

Service brakes, hydraulicReported Sep 15, 2021NHTSA 21V716000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

22 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2020 – Aug 2026
  1. Electrical system8
  2. Service brakes4
  3. Wheels2
  4. Engine2
  5. Fuel/propulsion system1
  6. Structure1
  7. Power train1
  8. Air bags1
  9. Lane departure1

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
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
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

Electrical system

8 reports
“On July 28, 2026, while driving my 2020 Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered, the vehicle repeatedly displayed “Hybrid system failure – Service required,” together with the check-engine light and hybrid/battery warning indicators. The warning repeatedly reappeared while the vehicle was being driven. I brought the vehicle to an authorized Volvo dealer, North Point Volvo, on July 30, 2026. The dealer diagnosed a fault in high-voltage battery cell module “B” and documented that the module requires replacement. Repair Order #522934 states that the replacement parts are on order with “NO ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL.” The dealer advised me that the vehicle was mechanically safe to drive as long as I did not charge it. Because the hybrid-system failure warning repeatedly appeared while driving and the diagnosed fault involves the high-voltage traction battery, I did not consider continued operation appropriate. The vehicle remains unrepaired at the Volvo dealer. I am reporting this because the failure involves the high-voltage propulsion battery and occurred while driving. I am not aware of any crash, fire, injury, or loss of propulsion associated with my incident.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 22, 2026Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11758682

Service brakes

4 reports
“Vehicle with 34,000 miles has started to have surging of rotors when applying brakes at 33,000. Vehicle has had brake disc kit replaced due to warping at 13,058 miles. Vehicle had brake disc kits and front and rear brake rotors replaced due to high spots for pad engagement at 22,996 miles. The vehicle has a continuous problem with brake/rotor system!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 1, 2025Service brakesODI 11633493

Wheels

2 reports
“Good Morning: I've attached a letter that I've written to Volvo USA regarding their security lug bolts on the wheels of their vehicles and the adapter that they provide to remove this. I found out after incurring a flat tire that these adapters are often non-functional and that the dealer is well aware of this. I think this is an issue that Volvo should address for all current and past owners. Also, during this incident I experienced what I think is a flaw in their tire pressure monitoring system - it illuminated a yellow caution which, I've seen happen when one tire was not at the same pressure as the others. In this instance the tire was flat. Shouldn't that warrant a different indication? Thank you for your attention to this.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 16, 2024WheelsODI 11620083
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo supercharged plug-in hybrid · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo supercharged
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive · Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
EV range
520 mi (EPA)

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 AWD PHEV
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, Sup Charg · All-Wheel Drive
262827$2,850196
XC60 FWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
222924$3,200362
XC60 AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, Sup Charg · All-Wheel Drive
202723$3,350386
XC60 AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
202723$3,350387
  • XC60 AWD PHEV
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, Sup Charg
    26 city · 28 hwy · $2,850/yr
    27
    mpg comb.
  • XC60 FWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 29 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • XC60 AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, Sup Charg
    20 city · 27 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • XC60 AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 27 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    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

5 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Volvo XC60 T5 SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.7%
Overall
5 / 5
Volvo XC60 T5 SUV FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.5%
Overall
5 / 5
Volvo XC60 T6 SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
14.7%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 14303Vehicle 14302Vehicle 14304
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

2020 XC60 questions

How many recalls does the 2020 Volvo XC60 have?

6 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 2020 Volvo XC60 problems?

Owners filed 22 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (8), service brakes (4), wheels (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2020 Volvo XC60 get?

The EPA rates the 2020 Volvo XC60 at 23–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2020 Volvo XC60?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2020 Volvo XC60 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026