RoadVitals

2012 Volvo S60 Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Jun 12, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 121 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2012 Volvo S60 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Steering
Filed Jun 12, 2023

I have experienced the steering in my car to become looser over time. I have found the culprit to be a plastic tension cap on the steering rack itself. The cap appears to have stripped and backed out completely and is now resting against the subframe. There is no warning of this happening and very hard to pinpoint the cause. The effect is that there is about 10 degrees of play in the steering wheel. It appears that it only affects the left wheel as that one is loose and the right wheel is tight. I will be taking it to the dealer to see if there is a replacement or an upgraded version of this cap but feel this should be addressed further as this could happen without warning.

NHTSA ID
11526710
Incident
Jun 12, 2023
Steering
Filed Sep 7, 2022
1 injury reported

The steering wheel trim peeled and created a razor sharp surface at the bottom which sliced through my finger and caused pain and bleeding. It is difficult to avoid touching the sharp part of the steering wheel especially at highway speeds. This startled me while driving and distracted me while I attempted to stop the bleeding. Volvo has agreed to replace the trim but will charge for labor if I choose to go into a dealer.

NHTSA ID
11483292
Incident
Aug 14, 2022
Steering
Filed Dec 30, 2017
1 injury reported

A METAL SILVER PIECE ON STEERING HAS A SHARP EDGE THAT RESULTED IN A CUT ON FINGER WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND TURNING.

NHTSA ID
11057659
Incident
Dec 29, 2017
Mileage
39,000 mi
EngineSteering
Filed Jan 1, 2016

1) POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING CONSTANTLY SINCE PURCHASING CAR AT 52K MILES; DIAGNOSED AS RACK AND PINION FAILURE 2) ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE MADE WHISTLING NOISE AT 60K MILES WHILE DRIVING; DIAGNOSED AS PCV FAILURE

NHTSA ID
10817350
Incident
Nov 30, 2015
Mileage
52,000 mi
Steering
Filed Apr 24, 2015

AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING WHEEL BEZEL, A SHARP EDGE IS EXPOSED. THIS EDGE IS RAZOR SHARP AND HAS CAUSED LACERATIONS. I SEE NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10503380 AND 10534272 APPEAR TO DESCRIBE THE SAME PROBLEM. (INCIDENT DATE IS APPROXIMATE). *TR

NHTSA ID
10712672
Incident
Apr 1, 2014
ElectricalSteering
Filed Sep 11, 2013
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THE REAR END SPUN UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DYNAMIC TRACTION CONTROL FAILED TO ACTIVATE AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CURBSIDE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL RIMS. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE RIM AND FRONT BUMPER WAS DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. A TROUBLE CODE WAS DETECTED FOR THE SRS MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,991.

NHTSA ID
10543130
Incident
Aug 24, 2013
Mileage
18,991 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 8, 2013
1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ALUMINUM ON THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DETACHED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE HANDS AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,700.

NHTSA ID
10534272
Incident
Jul 1, 2013
Mileage
21,700 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 18, 2013
1 injury reported

THE STEERING WHEEL BEZEL DELAMINATES ON THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND BECOMES VERY SHARP CAUSING CUTS ON HANDS. DEALER REPLACED THE BEZEL AND WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. IT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OR MANUFACTURE OF THE BEZEL. THERE SHOULD BE NO SHARP CUTTING EDGES ON THE STEERING WHEEL! *TR

NHTSA ID
10503380
Incident
Apr 16, 2012
Mileage
3,500 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .