2016 Volvo S60 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
43/100
#9 most-complained of 15 S60 years
The 2016 Volvo S60 has a Complaint Index of 43 and ranks 9th worst out of 15 model years, earning a "Good" verdict relative to other S60 years. NHTSA lists 25 complaints and 4 recalls, with Engine issues the top problem area at 36% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 25
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 20 city / 28 hwy
Top 2016 Volvo S60 problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Some owners report sudden loss of power, steering, and lighting while driving in traffic, with the vehicle stalling on the road.
- Others describe the engine shutting down unexpectedly at speed, with warning lights flashing before the car restarts after coming to a stop.
- Owners report the engine seizing after a recalled oil pressure sensor repair, sometimes requiring a full engine replacement that later recurred.
- Some describe spark plugs breaking loose in their housing, damaging a cylinder and causing misfires and smoke from the engine.
- Owners note the eco start/stop system shutting the engine off unpredictably, including while the car was in motion.
- A few report persistent wheel or axle noise that recurred after multiple parts were replaced by dealers.
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?
- Compared with other S60 model years, the 2016 ranks 9th worst of 15 years with a Complaint Index of 43, and NHTSA data gives it a "Good" verdict relative to the rest of the lineup.
- What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volvo S60?
- Engine issues make up 36% of complaints, followed by Electrical System issues at 20%. Median mileage at failure across all reported problems is 33,000 miles.
- Does the 2016 Volvo S60 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2016 S60, covering Seat Belts, Structure & Body (door latches), and an Electrical System starter motor fuse issue. None are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2016 S60 compare to the 2012 and 2013 S60?
- The 2012 and 2013 S60 both carry "Avoid" verdicts with Complaint Index scores of 100 and 93, far higher than the 2016 model's 43.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2016 Volvo S60?
- EPA rates the 2016 S60 at 23 mpg combined (20 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800.