Volvo XC60 Best and Worst Years (2009–2025)
Avoid the 2021-2025 Volvo XC60 model years; each carries a complaint index between 75 and 100, the highest of the 17 model years, driven mainly by Electrical System and Collision Avoidance & Cameras complaints. Best years are 2011, 2014, and 2017, with complaint indexes of 19, 6, and 13.
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2021Avoid 2022Avoid 2023Avoid 2024Avoid 2025Best 2011Best 2014Best 2017
- Model years
- 17
- 2009–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 647
- Recall campaigns
- 36
- Crashes reported
- 43
- Fires reported
- 7
- Top problem area
- Electrical System
XC60 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Volvo XC60 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | No verdict | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | 18 | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 69 | 56 | 3 | 1 | 7 | Electrical System | 18 | — |
| 2011 | Best | 19 | 36 | 2 | 0 | 4 | Seat Belts | 20 | 5★ |
| 2012 | Good | 38 | 46 | 2 | 0 | 3 | Visibility & Wipers | 20 | 5★ |
| 2013 | Good | 44 | 66 | 1 | 2 | 3 | Visibility & Wipers | 20 | 5★ |
| 2014 | Best | 6 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Engine | 20 | 5★ |
| 2015 | Caution | 56 | 47 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Engine | 21 | 5★ |
| 2016 | Good | 25 | 38 | 2 | 1 | 3 | Engine | 22 | 5★ |
| 2017 | Best | 13 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 4 | Electrical System | 23 | 5★ |
| 2018 | Caution | 50 | 36 | 4 | 0 | 5 | Electrical System | 24 | — |
| 2019 | Caution | 63 | 36 | 5 | 0 | 8 | Electrical System | 23.5 | — |
| 2020 | Good | 31 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 6 | Electrical System | 23.5 | — |
| 2021 | Avoid | 81 | 48 | 4 | 0 | 5 | Electrical System | 24.5 | — |
| 2022 | Avoid | 94 | 73 | 3 | 0 | 6 | Electrical System | 25 | — |
| 2023 | Avoid | 88 | 54 | 3 | 0 | 5 | Electrical System | 25.5 | — |
| 2024 | Avoid | 75 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 26.5 | — |
| 2025 | Avoid | 100 | 34 | 4 | 0 | 3 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 27 | — |
XC60 years to avoid: what went wrong
2025 Volvo XC60 Index 100 · 34 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2025 XC60 has the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, ranking it worst of 17 model years. Collision Avoidance & Cameras complaints are 35% of the total, and Electrical System issues are 32% with a median failure mileage of 3,000. Engine complaints sit at 12% with a median mileage of 19,000. Owners describe unintended acceleration while parking that leads to sideswipes and rear-end collisions, and lane-keeping assistance that cannot be fully disabled and steers the car unexpectedly. Three recall campaigns cover camera display defects and improperly tightened front seat bolts.
2022 Volvo XC60 Index 94 · 73 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2022 XC60 has a complaint index of 94, ranked 2nd worst of 17 model years. Electrical System issues are 47% of complaints at a median 15,750 miles, and Collision Avoidance & Cameras are 33% at a median 40,000 miles. Owners describe repeated dealer visits for infotainment failures, brakes that fail to stop the car during slow-speed maneuvers, rearview camera blackouts paired with unintended acceleration, and HVAC, turn signal, and navigation systems failing together, requiring a manual reboot. Six recall campaigns cover rearview camera display issues and the high-voltage battery short-circuit risk.
2022 electrical system problems →2022 collision avoidance & cameras problems →
2023 Volvo XC60 Index 88 · 54 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2023 XC60 carries a complaint index of 88, ranked 3rd worst of 17 model years. Electrical System complaints are 41% of the total with a median failure mileage of just 350 miles. Collision Avoidance & Cameras follow at 26%, and Brakes at 17%. Owners describe automatic emergency braking triggering unnecessarily and locking the steering wheel, brakes failing to hold the car while stopped in traffic, engine surges to 3,000-4,000 RPM while braking, and premature paint damage. Five recall campaigns address camera display defects and a false e-Call diagnostic code.
2021 Volvo XC60 Index 81 · 48 complaints · 5 recalls
NHTSA lists a complaint index of 81 for the 2021 XC60, ranked 4th worst of 17 model years. Electrical System complaints make up 29% of reports, with a median failure mileage of 18,000. Brakes account for 19% and Collision Avoidance & Cameras and Lane Departure each account for 15%. Owners describe unexpected acceleration paired with brake failure, side airbags deploying only on the impact side, sudden power steering loss while merging, and Pilot Assist steering toward guardrails or other vehicles. Five recall campaigns apply, covering high-voltage battery short circuits, steering gear screws, and a brake rotor welding defect.
2024 Volvo XC60 Index 75 · 23 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2024 XC60 has a complaint index of 75, ranked 5th worst of 17 model years. Electrical System complaints make up 30% of reports and Collision Avoidance & Cameras 26%. Owners describe sudden unintended acceleration while backing into a garage or driveway, rearview cameras and sensors failing during reverse maneuvers, automatic braking not engaging when another vehicle struck the car, and brakes suddenly losing pressure while exiting a parking garage, leading to repeated forward collisions. Two recall campaigns cover rearview camera display problems.
Most common Volvo XC60 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Electrical System179 (28%)
- Other133 (21%)
- Engine105 (16%)
- Visibility & Wipers98 (15%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras75 (12%)
- Brakes70 (11%)
- Structure & Body44 (7%)
- Fuel System42 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires40 (6%)
- Airbags34 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Volvo XC60 should I avoid?
- NHTSA data points to 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 as the years to avoid, with complaint indexes of 81, 94, 88, 75, and 100 respectively, the five highest of the 17 model years covered.
- What are the best Volvo XC60 model years?
- The 2011, 2014, and 2017 model years rate Best, with complaint indexes of 19, 6, and 13, the lowest in the lineup.
- What is the most common problem on the Volvo XC60?
- Electrical System issues are the top problem area across all model years, accounting for 179 of 647 total complaints, or 28%. Engine problems follow at 16% and Visibility & Wipers at 15%.
- Does the 2022 Volvo XC60 have recalls?
- Yes, the 2022 XC60 has 6 recall campaigns on record, including ones covering rearview camera display failures and a high-voltage battery short-circuit risk.
- Is the newest Volvo XC60 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2025 XC60 has the highest complaint index of any XC60 model year at 100, driven largely by Collision Avoidance & Cameras and Electrical System complaints.