YearToAvoid

2012 Volvo XC60 Visibility & Wipers Problems

NHTSA lists 22 Visibility & Wipers complaints for the 2012 Volvo XC60, 48% of its 46 total complaints, with a median failure mileage of 79,500 miles. No related recall exists for this issue.

Visibility & Wipers complaints
22
48% of 46
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
79,500 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical visibility and wiper symptoms owners report

  • Owners describe water leaking into the cabin from the top of the windshield during rain or car washes, often dripping onto the steering wheel or driver's lap.
  • Several report the windshield bonding or adhesive separating from the frame, with one owner noting the glass moved when pressed by hand.
  • Some describe water pooling near the dashboard, draining into light fixtures, gears, and the sunroof controls, which caused electrical malfunctions.
  • A few owners noted fogged or frosted interior glass in cold weather, which they say obstructed visibility while driving.
  • Multiple complaints mention water staining the headliner and continuing to leak even after dealer visits, with no repair performed due to being out of warranty.

When 2012 Volvo XC60 visibility and wiper complaints were filed

First complaint Oct 9, 2017, latest May 31, 2024.

2012 Volvo XC60 visibility & wipers complaints: complaints filed per month2Oct 2017Apr 2019Jul 2020Aug 2021Mar 2022Jul 2022
22 complaints filed with NHTSA from Oct 2017 to May 2024; peak Mar 2019 (2).

Visibility & Wipers recalls for the 2012 Volvo XC60

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Visibility & Wipers complaints by XC60 model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 20109 (17%)
  2. 20118 (22%)
  3. 201222 (48%)
  4. 201329 (44%)
  5. 20142 (13%)
  6. 20152 (4%)
  7. 20161 (3%)
  8. 20170 (0%)
  9. 20182 (6%)
  10. 20190 (0%)
  11. 20202 (9%)
  12. 20213 (6%)
  13. 20222 (3%)
  14. 20235 (9%)
  15. 20241 (4%)
  16. 20257 (21%)

Frequently asked questions

Is windshield leaking a common problem on the 2012 Volvo XC60?
Yes. NHTSA lists 22 Visibility & Wipers complaints for this model year, making up 48% of its 46 total complaints, with owners most often describing windshield seal or bonding leaks.
Is there a recall for the 2012 Volvo XC60 windshield leak?
No. NHTSA's database shows no related recalls for this issue on the 2012 XC60.
At what mileage do these windshield leaks usually appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA for this problem area is 79,500 miles.
Did the windshield leaks cause any crashes or injuries?
NHTSA records show 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 0 injuries linked to these Visibility & Wipers complaints on the 2012 XC60.
How does the 2012 XC60 compare to other years for this issue?
The 2012 XC60 had 22 complaints (48% share) in this area, close to the 2013 model's 29 complaints (44% share), both notably higher than most other model years.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.