2016 Volvo XC60 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
GoodComplaint Index
27/100
#12 most-complained of 16 XC60 years
The 2016 Volvo XC60 has a complaint index of 27 and ranks 12th of 16 model years, earning a "Good" verdict. NHTSA lists 38 complaints, 3 recalls, 2 crashes, and 1 fire, with Engine issues the top problem area at 45% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 38
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 2 / 1
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- 5 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 22
- 19 city / 27 hwy
Top 2016 Volvo XC60 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine17 (45%)
- Other9 (24%)
- Seat Belts6 (16%)
- Electrical System5 (13%)
- Brakes3 (8%)
- Airbags2 (5%)
- Fuel System1 (3%)
- Structure & Body1 (3%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (3%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (3%)
What owners report
- Owners report sudden unintended acceleration tied to the electric control system, in one case driving through a garage door with side airbags deploying.
- City Safety braking system reportedly engages brakes without warning, causing the car to lunge or shake suddenly at highway speeds.
- Front seat belt anchor cables or buckle studs are subject to recall, but several owners report dealers had no replacement parts available for extended periods.
- Windshields reportedly leak heavily at the top, with condensation affecting the passenger airbag and door control electronics.
- Adaptive bending headlights and headlamp lenses reportedly malfunction or fog up within a few years, dimming night visibility despite the vehicle being under warranty.
2016 Volvo XC60 recalls
3 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 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.
- NHTSA 15V555000Sep 2, 2015Electrical System7,855 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring:fuses and circuit breakers
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo S60, V60, V60CC, XC60, XC70, and S80 vehicles manufactured April 8, 2015 to August 19, 2015. In certain driving conditions when using the automatic engine stop/start function, the starter motor fuse may blow, preventing the car from restarting when necessary.
Risk: If the vehicle is unexpectedly unable to be started in the middle of traffic, such as when stopped at an intersection, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing starter motor fuse with a higher amperage fuse, free of charge. The recall began on October 26, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552 or by visiting http://volvo.custhelp.com. Volvo's number for this recall is R39574.
2016 Volvo XC60 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 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 XC60 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Volvo XC60 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2016 XC60 a complaint index of 27 and a "Good" verdict, ranking 12th out of 16 XC60 model years covered. It has 38 complaints and 3 recalls, with Engine problems being the most common at 45% of complaints.
- What year Volvo XC60 should I avoid?
- Based on complaint index, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025 are rated "Avoid," with 2022 the highest at a complaint index of 93. The 2016 model year is rated "Good" by comparison.
- Does the 2016 Volvo XC60 have a seat belt recall?
- Yes. NHTSA recall 20V378000 covers front seat belt anchor cables, and recall 16V798000 covers the front passenger seat belt buckle stud, both affecting the 2016 XC60.
- What is the most common problem on the 2016 Volvo XC60?
- Engine issues are the top problem area, accounting for 17 of 38 complaints (45%), with a median mileage at failure of 44,000 miles for the vehicle overall.
- Are there any electrical recalls on the 2016 Volvo XC60?
- Yes, recall 15V555000 covers a starter motor fuse replacement for certain 2016 XC60 vehicles due to an electrical system issue.