2018 Volvo XC60 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2018 Volvo XC60 has a Complaint Index of 50, ranking 9th of 17 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. Owners logged 36 complaints, mostly electrical system issues, plus 5 recalls covering seat bolts, wipers, seat rails, tailgate arms, and connectivity software.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 50/100
- #9 of 17 XC60 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 36
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 5
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 4
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 22 city / 28 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2018 Volvo XC60 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System12 (33%)
- Brakes9 (25%)
- Engine6 (17%)
- Structure & Body5 (14%)
- Airbags4 (11%)
- Other4 (11%)
- Lane Departure3 (8%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (8%)
- Steering2 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers2 (6%)
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 the engine suddenly shutting off while driving at low speed, cutting power steering and brakes along with it.
- Some describe unintended acceleration after starting the vehicle, with the car surging forward despite the brake pedal being pressed.
- The lane keep/autopilot system reportedly shuts off after a driver misses steering wheel touch warnings, letting the vehicle veer out of its lane.
- The blind spot monitor is said to turn off without warning.
- Several owners describe loud noise and severe vibration or bouncing while driving, strong enough to make them pull over.
- One owner reported the seatbelt warning chime cutting out early at engine start and not sounding again.
2018 Volvo XC60 recalls
5 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V818000Nov 25, 2025Structure & Body3 vehicles
Seats:critical fasteners
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2026 XC60MHEV, 2018 and 2025 XC60 vehicles. The front seat bolts may have been improperly tightened, resulting in loose bolts.
Risk: A seat with loose bolts may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the front seat bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10345. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 5, 2025.
- NHTSA 20V503000Aug 25, 2020Visibility & Wipers87,226 vehicles
Visibility/wiper
Volvo Car of N.A., LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2018-2020 XC60 vehicles. The nuts that secure the front wipers may not have been sufficiently tightened, possibly causing the wipers to not function properly.
Risk: The risk of the front wiper arms nut fixation to loosen and not holding the arm in correct position, the wiper function could be reduced and vision could be impaired, thus increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the nuts holding the front windshield wiper arms in position, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10044.
- NHTSA 19V220000Mar 20, 2019Structure & Body2,297 vehicles
Seats
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2018-2019 XC60 and S90 vehicles. The driver and passenger front seat rail rear flange nuts may not have been installed during assembly.
Risk: If the nuts are missing, in the event of a crash, the front seat structure and position may be affected, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat rails for missing flange nuts, installing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R19931.
2018 Volvo XC60 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,300
- 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.
2018 compared with other XC60 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Volvo XC60 reliable?
- Compared to other XC60 model years, 2018 ranks 9th of 17 with a Complaint Index of 50 and a Caution verdict, putting it in the middle of the pack rather than among the best or worst years.
- What are the most common complaints on the 2018 Volvo XC60?
- Electrical system issues lead with 12 complaints (33% share), followed by brakes with 9 complaints (25%) and engine problems with 6 complaints (17%).
- Does the 2018 Volvo XC60 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2018 XC60, covering loose front seat bolts, improperly tightened wiper arm nuts, missing seat rail flange nuts, tailgate lift arms that can freeze and separate, and a Vehicle Connectivity Module software issue.
- What year Volvo XC60 should I avoid instead of 2018?
- Based on Complaint Index scores, 2021 through 2025 all carry Avoid verdicts, with 2025 scoring highest at 100, while 2018 sits lower at 50 with a Caution verdict.
- At what mileage do 2018 XC60 problems typically show up?
- Electrical system and engine complaints show a median failure mileage of 5,000 miles, while brake complaints show a median of 12,500 miles.