2016 Volvo S60 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Volvo S60 has a complaint index of 58, ranking 9th worst of 20 model years, with a Caution verdict. It has 25 complaints, 4 recalls, and Engine issues make up 36% of complaints, with median mileage at failure of 33,000.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 58/100
- #9 of 20 S60 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 25
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2016 Volvo S60 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine9 (36%)
- Electrical System5 (20%)
- Other4 (16%)
- Seat Belts3 (12%)
- Structure & Body3 (12%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (12%)
- Brakes2 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (8%)
- Airbags1 (4%)
- Fuel System1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Some cars lost all power, steering, and lighting while driving on the freeway at low mileage, forcing owners to coast to a stop.
- Warning lights have flashed simultaneously with sudden engine shutdown at highway speed, requiring a shift to park to restart.
- Owners report the engine stalling or shutting off unexpectedly, sometimes tied to the eco start/stop feature, even while the car is in motion.
- A recalled oil pressure sensor was linked to engine seizure in at least one case, and the replacement engine reportedly failed again.
- Spark plugs have reportedly come loose and broken inside the engine, damaging a cylinder and causing misfires and smoke.
- Owners describe door latch parts becoming unavailable for recall repairs, leaving the recall unresolved for extended periods.
2016 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 16V798000Nov 2, 2016Seat Belts74,027 vehicles
Seat belts:front:buckle assembly
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 XC90, S90, XC60, V60 Cross Country, V60, S60 Cross Country, S60, and S60 Inscription vehicles manufactured February 16, 2015, to August 22, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the front passenger seat belt buckle attaching stud may loosen, allowing the buckle to separate from the seat belt bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages" and number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Risk: If the seat belt buckle separates from the bracket, the front seat passenger may not be adequately restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt buckle stud, replacing the seat belt buckle as needed, free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89708.
2016 Volvo S60 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 28 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.
2016 compared with other S60 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Volvo S60 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2016 S60 a complaint index of 58 and a Caution verdict, ranking 9th worst among the 20 model years with data. Engine problems account for 36% of its complaints.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volvo S60?
- Engine issues lead with 9 complaints (36% of the total), followed by Electrical System problems with 5 complaints (20%). Median mileage at failure across all complaints is 33,000.
- Does the 2016 Volvo S60 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2016 S60, covering seat belt buckle studs, door latches, and a starter motor fuse issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 S60 compare to other Volvo S60 years?
- Its complaint index of 58 is worse than years like 2021 (index 21, Best) and 2017 (index 32, Good), but better than 2012 and 2013, which carry Avoid verdicts with indexes of 100 and 95.