2011 Volvo S60 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2011 Volvo S60 has a complaint index of 68 and ranks 7th worst out of 20 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 5 complaints, 6 recalls, and 2 crashes tied to this year, with suspension issues the top reported problem area.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 68/100
- #7 of 20 S60 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 5
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 5
- Top issue
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 26 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 5 / 0
Top 2011 Volvo S60 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (40%)
- Engine1 (20%)
- Steering1 (20%)
- Structure & Body1 (20%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Suspension component or tire pressure problems appeared after new tire installation, with owners struggling to get shops to inspect or address low pressure warnings.
- One owner reported the engine suddenly stalling at highway speed and had to coast to the shoulder before towing, at a median mileage of 906 miles for engine complaints.
- A rear passenger door would not open from the inside after locking or unlocking, even after the door lock actuator was replaced, at 21,000 miles.
- The steering wheel's metal trim frayed and cut the driver's hands during turns, reported at 35,000 miles.
2011 Volvo S60 recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 20V378000Jun 30, 2020Seat Belts308,260 vehicles
Seat belts:front
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.
Risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.
- NHTSA 19V849000Nov 26, 2019Structure & Body144,937 vehicles
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Volvo Car of USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2011-2017 S60, S60I, V60, S60CC and V60CC vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89978.
- NHTSA 13V592000Nov 22, 2013Engine30,929 vehicles
Engine and engine cooling:engine
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S60 vehicles manufactured June 22, 2010, through May 14, 2012, and equipped with 5-cylinder B5254T5 (VIN code 62) engines. In the affected vehicles, the vehicle may not alert the driver of a low oil pressure situation.
Risk: Without being warned of a low oil pressure situation, the driver may continue to drive the vehicle until it stalls, which increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software so that the driver is alerted should there be a low oil pressure situation, free of charge. The recall began on January 10, 2014. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this campaign is R29436.
2011 Volvo S60 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2011 compared with other S60 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2011 Volvo S60 reliable?
- NHTSA data shows 5 complaints and 6 recalls for the 2011 S60, giving it a complaint index of 68, ranked 7th worst among 20 model years and rated Caution relative to other S60 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2011 Volvo S60?
- The top reported problem area is Suspension, Wheels & Tires, making up 40% of complaints, followed by Engine, Steering, and Structure & Body issues, each at 20%.
- Does the 2011 Volvo S60 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls affecting the 2011 S60, covering seat belts, door latches, engine control module software, front power seat stops, and an engine software calibration issue, none of them do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2011 S60 compare to other S60 years?
- The 2011 S60's complaint index of 68 is worse than years like 2009 (16) and 2021 (21, rated Best), but better than 2012 and 2013, which are both rated Avoid with complaint indexes of 100 and 95.
- What year Volvo S60 should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2019, and 2024 are rated Avoid, with complaint indexes of 100, 95, 84, 79, and 89 respectively, all higher than the 2011 model's 68.