2020 Volvo S60 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2020 Volvo S60 has a complaint index of 26, the second-lowest among 20 model years, and carries a Good verdict. It ranks 15th worst (meaning 5th best) out of 19 years with data, with 11 complaints and 4 recalls logged.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 26/100
- #15 of 20 S60 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 11
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Brakes
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 27
- 23 city / 33 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2020 Volvo S60 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Brakes5 (45%)
- Electrical System3 (27%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (27%)
- Steering3 (27%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (27%)
- Engine2 (18%)
- Other1 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (9%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (9%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report low brake fluid warnings appearing at very low mileage, sometimes resolved by a dealer topping off fluid only to recur days later.
- Some describe rear brakes and rotors wearing out or grooving well before expected, with dealers calling it normal wear rather than a defect.
- Several drivers report a front-end vibration at highway speeds around 65-75 mph that persists even after multiple tire replacements and rotor swaps.
- One owner reported the steering wheel controls, turn signal, and wipers all stopped working at once, prompting a tow after a manufacturer warning not to drive.
- A driver reported the collision avoidance system failed to engage and the vehicle drove forward into another car while stopped at a light, causing a crash.
- One complaint described the automatic braking system triggering unexpectedly on the highway, causing sudden jerking and hard stops.
2020 Volvo S60 recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V179000Mar 24, 2025Electrical System7,483 vehicles
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery
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.
Risk: A short circuit in a high-voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high-voltage battery module as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the software to monitor the battery. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 28, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10312.
- NHTSA 23V780000Nov 21, 2023Airbags346 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
Volvo Car USA, LLC. (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2024 S60 vehicles. The passenger air bag may not be secured properly, which can cause the air bag to deploy improperly.
Risk: An air bag that does not deploy properly in a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts securing the passenger air bag, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 5, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10254.
- NHTSA 21V414000Jun 2, 2021Fuel System85,550 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2020 V90, XC60, S60, V60, V60CC, S90, V90CC, S90L, and XC90 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump can blow a fuse and fail.
Risk: Failure of the low-pressure fuel pump can cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 2, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10100.
2020 Volvo S60 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 23 MPG
- Highway
- 33 MPG
- Combined
- 27 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $2,950
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- 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.
2020 compared with other S60 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Volvo S60 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 S60 rates Good, with a complaint index of 26 and only 11 complaints logged, ranking 15th worst out of 19 model years with data.
- What are the most common problems with the 2020 Volvo S60?
- Brakes lead with 5 complaints (45% share), followed by Electrical System, Collision Avoidance & Cameras, Steering, and Suspension issues, each at 27% share.
- Does the 2020 Volvo S60 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2020 S60, covering the electrical system/high-voltage battery, airbags, fuel system, and collision avoidance software.
- At what mileage do 2020 S60 problems typically show up?
- The median mileage at failure logged by NHTSA is 11,750 miles overall, though brake and electrical complaints show a median of 7,500 miles.
- How does the 2020 S60 compare to other Volvo S60 years?
- The 2020 model year scores better than most S60 years; only 2021 (index 21, Best) scores lower, while years like 2012, 2013, 2015, 2019, and 2024 carry Avoid verdicts with much higher complaint indexes.