SEAT BELTS:FRONT
2013 Volvo S60
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 86 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Volvo S60, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and airbags categories. 4 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 271 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 2014 | 1 | 6 |
| Mar 2014 | 1 | 7 |
| May 2014 | 1 | 8 |
| Oct 2014 | 1 | 9 |
| Nov 2014 | 1 | 10 |
| Jun 2015 | 1 | 11 |
| Jul 2015 | 1 | 12 |
| Aug 2015 | 1 | 13 |
| Jan 2016 | 1 | 14 |
| Feb 2016 | 1 | 15 |
| Jul 2016 | 1 | 16 |
| Oct 2016 | 4 | 20 |
| Feb 2017 | 1 | 21 |
| Sep 2017 | 1 | 22 |
| Oct 2017 | 1 | 23 |
| Nov 2017 | 1 | 24 |
| Dec 2017 | 2 | 26 |
| Jan 2018 | 1 | 27 |
| Apr 2018 | 1 | 28 |
| Dec 2018 | 1 | 29 |
| Mar 2019 | 2 | 31 |
| Apr 2019 | 1 | 32 |
| Jul 2019 | 2 | 34 |
| Aug 2019 | 3 | 37 |
| Nov 2019 | 1 | 38 |
| Dec 2019 | 1 | 39 |
| Jan 2020 | 3 | 42 |
| Feb 2020 | 1 | 43 |
| Apr 2020 | 1 | 44 |
| May 2020 | 1 | 45 |
| Jun 2020 | 1 | 46 |
| Aug 2020 | 1 | 47 |
| Nov 2020 | 2 | 49 |
| Jan 2021 | 3 | 52 |
| Feb 2021 | 2 | 54 |
| Mar 2021 | 1 | 55 |
| May 2021 | 1 | 56 |
| Jun 2021 | 1 | 57 |
| Jul 2021 | 1 | 58 |
| Aug 2021 | 1 | 59 |
| Oct 2021 | 2 | 61 |
| Nov 2021 | 1 | 62 |
| Feb 2022 | 1 | 63 |
| May 2022 | 1 | 64 |
| Jun 2022 | 1 | 65 |
| Oct 2022 | 1 | 66 |
| Jan 2023 | 3 | 69 |
| Feb 2023 | 4 | 73 |
| Jul 2023 | 1 | 74 |
| Sep 2023 | 1 | 75 |
| Oct 2023 | 1 | 76 |
| Jan 2024 | 2 | 78 |
| Apr 2024 | 1 | 79 |
| May 2024 | 1 | 80 |
| Jul 2024 | 1 | 81 |
| Aug 2024 | 1 | 82 |
| Oct 2024 | 1 | 83 |
| May 2025 | 1 | 84 |
| Jun 2025 | 1 | 85 |
| Aug 2025 | 1 | 86 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine3740.7%
- Electrical77.7%
- Airbags77.7%
- Visibility55.5%
- Brakes55.5%
- Powertrain (other)55.5%
- Other / unspecified44.4%
- Driver assistance44.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
4 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govLATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The “Tire Pressure System” warning appeared and has not turned off. New TPMS sensors were installed but the dealership could not get the car to calibrate despite multiple attempts. It has come to my attention that other models of Volvo have this same trouble, and a software update is required.
- NHTSA ID
- 11682826
- Incident
- Jul 1, 2025
In 2023, the engine of my 2013 Volvo S60 failed completely without prior warning and the vehicle had to be scrapped. Before that, in 2022, I paid $1,500 for a full front-end suspension rebuild due to abnormal wear. These failures were later determined to be consistent with high mileage. I had purchased the vehicle in 2019 believing it had 85,125 miles, but a 2025 VINinspect report based on NMVTIS data revealed the true mileage at sale was over 137,000 — a rollback of more than 50,000 miles. The title is now branded “Not Actual Mileage” by the federal database. This odometer fraud misled me into driving a severely worn vehicle that could have posed a serious safety risk, especially once the engine failed unexpectedly. No warning lights appeared prior to failure, and the engine is no longer available for inspection as the vehicle was sold for scrap. Independent mechanics noted the level of wear was not consistent with the mileage shown at the time of purchase. I have reported this case to NHTSA, the NY DMV, FTC, Attorney General, BBB, and others
- NHTSA ID
- 11666651
- Incident
- Apr 25, 2019
I am submitting this report to formally document a severe safety-related failure involving my 2013 Volvo S60, VIN # [XXX] . This vehicle is part of the Volvo brand, widely recognized and marketed as among the safest in the world. Incident Summary: On [XXX], at approximately [XXX] in Norwalk, Connecticut, the vehicle experienced a catastrophic mechanical failure while in operation. The auxiliary (serpentine) belt suddenly failed, shredded itself, and wrapped around the timing pulley. Debris from the failed belt entered the timing belt housing — a supposedly sealed and protected compartment — causing the timing belt to jump. This resulted in an immediate loss of engine power while driving, placing me in a highly vulnerable position. Fortunately, I was not on a multi-lane highway or in fast-moving traffic. Had I been traveling on a busier route, the sudden loss of power could have led to a serious crash and potential injury. This failure represented a genuine threat to my safety. Further inspection revealed that: The lower crankshaft sprocket had skipped three teeth due to the intrusion of the auxiliary belt. The timing belt, although not broken, was off track. A new timing belt was installed in an attempt to restart the engine. The engine would crank but failed to start. A compression test revealed zero compression in all cylinders. The valve train was severely damaged (bent valves), and the engine sustained internal mechanical failure beyond repair. Conclusion and Context: This is not an isolated incident. Upon further research, I discovered that this failure — specifically the auxiliary belt disintegrating and compromising the timing belt system — is a known and well-documented problem in vehicles equipped with the B5254T12 Turbo engine. Volvo has been previously alerted to similar cases before. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11660749
- Incident
- Apr 24, 2025
I was driving approximately 65 MPH on the highway and suddenly my car started shuttering, stuttering, and my check engine light started blinking. My car started slowing down as if it was having trouble accelerating. I also received a warning message that said, “Reduce speed or shift up.” I only have 123,263 miles on the vehicle. My mechanic informed me I was having a cylinder 2 misfire and that my exhaust valve burnt up. I also need a new timing belt. This is not the first time I’ve had a cylinder misfire on this car, so I believe there is something faulty in this vehicle. As a result of this incident, I pulled over on the highway and waited for a tow truck.
- NHTSA ID
- 11621005
- Incident
- Sep 25, 2024
Engine has excessive oil consumption and sets owners up for expensive testing and repairs, because when the original recall came out, many Volvo s60 with excessive oil consumption were barely out of the allowed mileage range, which sticks the owners with excessive repairs. Volvo should stand behind this problem that effects numerous Volvo s60’s and compensate the repairs.
- NHTSA ID
- 11610422
- Incident
- Aug 23, 2024
Since we purchased the car in December, water was observed on occasion streaking down the inside of the windshield. The headliner is damp after rain, and is stained from water as a result. Additionally defrost/defog wasn’t working, and my son reported having to pull over and wait for the rain to stop so he could drive with the windows down in order to be able to see the road. INCREDIBLY unsafe/unable to drive in the rain. I recently applied pressure to the inside of the windshield with my fingertips by the A-pillars on both driver and passenger side to test the seal and visually confirmed the windshield was lifting off of the frame, revealing a broken seal along the top and sides of the windshield.
- NHTSA ID
- 11602261
- Incident
- Jul 13, 2024
car has high oil consumption. takes a full oil change every month
- NHTSA ID
- 11589549
- Incident
- Aug 8, 2023
Vehicle was off in driveway and fire started from right rear taillight. Fire extinguished via fire extinguisher after 5 minutes but car totaled. Inspection by fire department indicated source of fire was right rear tail light.
- NHTSA ID
- 11584150
- Incident
- Apr 17, 2024
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ENGINE
This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test. Perform the test. Follow service procedure Description and Service sections updated to clarify that vehicle reports are not required.
This is a TJ text only - The purpose of this TJ is to be a master reference list to easily identify any components that are on prior approval. This TJ will be regularily updated as items are added or removed from prior approval. Current items under prior approval are listed in the "Service" section
This is a Technical Journal. Vehicle type and platform identification.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
This is a Technical Journal: Remote connection, BOMGAR application. Before joining a remote session: •Connect a suitable battery maintainer/charger and verify that the battery voltage indicated in VIDA is between 12.5V and 14.9V. •Connect to the vehicle over a wired connection using a VOE (Volvo OBD to Ethernet) adapter and perform a NEW vehicle readout.
Volvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has decided to launch Service Action S10303 on certain model year 2025 EX90 vehicles. Volvo Car Investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob. As a result, there is a possibility that the customer’s key fob is not paired to the vehicle. The corrective action is to download SP Software. S10303 affects 151 vehicles in the U.S and 5 in Canada.
Volvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has decided to launch Service Action S10303 on certain model year 2025 EX90 vehicles. Volvo Car Investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob. As a result, there is a possibility that the customer’s key fob is not paired to the vehicle. The corrective action is to download SP Software. S10303 affects 151 vehicles in the U.S and 5 in Canada.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 18 | 3 | 0 | 60.5 |
| 2023 | 3 | 6 | 0 | — |
| 2022 | 15 | 4 | 1 | 46.9 |
| 2021 | 7 | 3 | 1 | — |
| 2020 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 58.0 |
| 2019 | 24 | 4 | 1 | 57.6 |
| 2018 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2017 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 60.5 |
| 2016 | 25 | 4 | 0 | 44.5 |
| 2015 | 57 | 2 | 0 | 51.0 |
| 2014 | 25 | 3 | 0 | 51.1 |
| 2013Viewing | 86 | 4 | 0 | 52.0 |
| 2012 | 121 | 8 | 0 | 57.7 |
| 2011 | 5 | 6 | 0 | — |
| 2010 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2009 | 7 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2008 | 10 | 2 | 0 | 56.5 |
| 2007 | 21 | 2 | 0 | 47.9 |
| 2006 | 31 | 4 | 0 | 43.2 |
| 2005 | 44 | 4 | 0 | 41.1 |
| 2004 | 198 | 6 | 0 | 54.0 |
| 2003 | 120 | 7 | 0 | 46.8 |
| 2002 | 186 | 9 | 2 | 55.3 |
| 2001 | 223 | 9 | 3 | 57.4 |
| 2000 | 1 | 0 | 2 | — |
| 1999 | 0 | 0 | 2 | — |
| 1993 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.