2021 Volvo XC60 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
73/100
#5 most-complained of 16 XC60 years
The 2021 Volvo XC60 has a Complaint Index of 73 and ranks 5th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 48 complaints, 5 recalls, and 4 crashes, with Electrical System issues leading at 29% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 48
- Recalls
- 5
- Crashes / fires
- 4 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24.5
- 21.5 city / 28 hwy
Top 2021 Volvo XC60 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System14 (29%)
- Other11 (23%)
- Brakes9 (19%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras7 (15%)
- Lane Departure7 (15%)
- Steering7 (15%)
- Engine6 (13%)
- Fuel System5 (10%)
- Structure & Body3 (6%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (6%)
What owners report
- Steering wheel goes stiff or locks up suddenly at low speeds, sometimes triggering a power steering warning message.
- Pilot Assist has steered the vehicle toward guardrails or other cars and failed to brake for stopped traffic ahead.
- The Sensus infotainment and instrument panel screens go black and reboot multiple times, disabling cruise control and phone functions.
- Side curtain airbags on the impact side failed to deploy during a crash, according to one owner report.
- Brakes reportedly failed to stop the vehicle during sudden acceleration at low speed, resulting in a crash.
- Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) warning light malfunctions intermittently, and dealers have been unable to replicate the issue.
2021 Volvo XC60 recalls
5 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 23V001000Jan 5, 2023Steering74 vehicles
Steering
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2022 V60CC, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. During steering gear assembly, double screws may have been assembled on top of each other, which can cause a screw to fall into the gearbox housing.
Risk: A screw inside the gearbox housing can cause the steering wheel to lock up and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 1, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10213.
- NHTSA 21V716000Sep 15, 2021Brakes9 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 S90L, 2020-2021 XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.
Risk: Separation of the rotor and shaft may cause a reduction in braking assistance and a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hydraulic unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10120.
2021 Volvo XC60 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21.5 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 24.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 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.
2021 compared with other XC60 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Volvo XC60 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2021 XC60 carries a Complaint Index of 73, ranking 5th worst among 16 model years and earning a Caution verdict relative to other XC60 years.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volvo XC60?
- Electrical System complaints lead at 29% of the total, followed by Brakes at 19%, and Collision Avoidance & Cameras and Lane Departure each at 15%. Median mileage at failure for electrical issues is 18,000 miles.
- Does the 2021 Volvo XC60 have recalls?
- NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2021 XC60, covering the high-voltage battery, steering gear screws, brake hydraulic unit welding, seat belt retractors, and SRS airbag control unit mounting.
- How does the 2021 XC60 compare to other XC60 years?
- The 2021 model's Complaint Index of 73 is worse than most earlier years like 2020 (20) and 2017 (7), but better than 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, which all carry Avoid verdicts with higher indexes.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2021 Volvo XC60?
- EPA rates the 2021 XC60 at 24.5 mpg combined (21.5 city / 28 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,250.