2013 Volvo S60 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2013 Volvo S60 ranks 2nd worst out of 20 model years, with a complaint index of 95 and 87 complaints, mostly engine-related. It carries an Avoid verdict, four recalls, and NHTSA logged airbag non-deployment cases in crashes.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 95/100
- #2 of 20 S60 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 87
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 5
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 6
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 29 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
Top 2013 Volvo S60 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine40 (46%)
- Other14 (16%)
- Airbags8 (9%)
- Electrical System8 (9%)
- Brakes5 (6%)
- Structure & Body5 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (6%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers5 (6%)
- Seat Belts4 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple front and rear collisions, including one crash at 40-45 mph and another direct rear-end hit.
- One owner reported the vehicle accelerated on its own while parking, then jumped a curb and struck a building.
- A dashboard warning reading 'srs airbag service urgent' appeared after a collision in which no airbags fired.
- Owners described hesitation when pressing the accelerator followed by a sudden lurch, prompting a software upgrade attempt.
- Windshield washer and headlight washer fluid stopped spraying in snowy conditions despite fluid being present, with no low-fluid warning shown.
- A rear taillight caught fire while the car was parked and off in a driveway, resulting in a totaled vehicle.
2013 Volvo S60 recalls
4 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 13V084000Mar 5, 2013Other7 vehicles
Equipment:other:labels
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."
Risk: With an incorrect date of manufacture on the certification label, the vehicle owner may not be to determine if they are affected by future vehicle recalls, increasing their risk of a crash of injury.
Remedy: Volvo has quarantined the affected vehicles and will install correct labels prior to sale. The recall began during March 2013. Owner notification letters will not be sent.
2013 Volvo S60 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 29 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,800
- 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.
2013 compared with other S60 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2013 Volvo S60 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2013 S60 ranks 2nd worst among 20 model years with a complaint index of 95, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other S60 years.
- What are the main problems with the 2013 Volvo S60?
- Engine issues account for 46% of complaints (40 of 87), with a median failure mileage of 74,000. Airbags, electrical system, and brakes each made up smaller shares.
- Does the 2013 Volvo S60 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists four recalls for the 2013 S60, covering seat belt anchor cables, door latches, incorrect manufacture-year labels, and an airbag control unit defect.
- How does the 2013 S60 compare to other S60 years?
- The 2013 model's complaint index of 95 is close to the worst year, 2012, at 100, while years like 2009 (16) and 2021 (21) scored much lower.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2013 Volvo S60?
- EPA rates the 2013 S60 at 23 mpg combined (20 city / 29 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800.