2016 Volvo S60 Problems

In November of 2021, I purchased my dream car, a 2016 Volvo s60 Cross Country, proud to own a vehicle from a company known for their safe and reliable vehicles. In April of 2022, a class action case ([XXX], et al., v. Volvo Car USA, LLC, Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, and Volvo Personvagnar AB) was issued against Volvo due to a KNOWN-TO-VOLVO DESIGN FLAW in their engines which could lead to engine failure. The case was settled out of court in early 2023 and Volvo issued an extended warranty for vehicles owners to take preventative measures against potential engine failure. Although my car is listed under the extended warranty, I was never sent any notice of it from Volvo. On [XXX], while driving on a highway, at speed limit, my 2016 Volvo s60 Cross Country's engine failed. I learned about the Extended Warranty from a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Quality Bulletin (Extended Warranty P10183: I5T Oil Consumption Replace; Model Year 20132016 S60, 2015-2016 V60, V60CC and XC60, 2016 XC70, S60CC and S60L) while researching the issue with my car online. I contacted Volvo Customer Care to ask why I was not sent notice and what they could do. I was told that to open a case with Volvo I would need a diagnostic from a dealership. On August 5, 2024, I took my car in for a diagnostic at Patrick Volvo Cars in Schaumburg, IL, from who I also purchased the car in 2021. August 6, 2024 I received a partial diagnostic and was told that they would require 10x the original diagnostic price to find the root of the issue in the engine. On the same day, I called Volvo customer care and opened a case. After weeks of little to no communication, on September 3 Volvo denied my case. I was not provided any opportunity to communicate over the phone with my case manager at Volvo - only after she sent me the decision did I receive a call from her to learn Volvo does not care about my side of the story. Please view attached documents for more details, thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

The alternator seized on the highway snapping the serpentine belt which got sucked into the timing and stopped the car in the left lane at highway speed. The timing guard failed allowing the belt to damage the timing. Volvo says it needs a head job I have possession of the vehicle and all maintenance records. Cars behind me dodged onto the shoulder to avoid hitting me. There was no warning. Furthermore this is a known problem a quick search of Volvo forums turned up over a dozen cars with insufficient timing guards

The contact owns a 2016 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the SRS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who repaired the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V378000 (Seat Belts) and 16V798000 (Seat Belts). The dealer also repaired an unstated electrical failure. The contact stated that the cells in the battery were faulty. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The contact stated that after several weeks, the SRS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer who informed the contact that the vehicle had been in an accident previously and the wiring was faulty. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact of a fault with the rear of the battery. The auxiliary battery was draining, and the battery was leaking. The mechanic informed the contact that the pretensioner needed to be replaced; however, the mechanic was unable to obtain the parts from the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 27,859.

The alternator seized on the highway snapping the serpentine belt which got sucked into the timing and stopped the car in the left lane at highway speed. The timing guard failed allowing the belt to damage the timing. Volvo says it needs a head job I have possession of the vehicle and all maintenance records. Cars behind me dodged onto the shoulder to avoid hitting me. There was no warning. Furthermore this is a known problem a quick search of Volvo forums turned up over a dozen cars with insufficient timing guards

Windscreen wiper motors failed during inclement weather making visibility impossible. The vehicle was only approximately 2 years old at the time of failure. This created a serious safety issue and may have led to a crash and injury. The dealer diagnosed the issue as failed wiper motors and replaced the motors under manufacturer's warranty.

THE SUNROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED OUTWARD ON THE HIGHWAY, NO POSSIBILITY OF ROAD DEBRIS HITTING IT AS NO OTHER CARS WERE NEARBY, AND I WAS NOT CLOSE TO AN OVERPASS. I BELIEVE TEMPERATURE FLUCTUATION CAUSES IT, AS I WAS RECENTLY IN BELOW-FREEZING WEATHER (15*F). ON THE DAY OF THE EXPLOSION I DROVE SOUTH STARTING AT 40*F DRIVING TO 86*F.

THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT CORRECTED A KNOWN RECALL. NOR HAVE I RECEIVED AN UPDATE. THE RECALL NOTICES STATE THERE IS NOT YET PARTS AVAILABLE TO CORRECT IT. BUT ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA WEB SITE VIN LOOK-UP, THE RECALL IS LISTED AS RECALL INCOMPLETE . WHEN IF THERE IS NO FIX AVAILABLE IT SHOULD BE LISTED AS RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE . WE HAVE RECEIVED RECALL NOTIFICATIONS, THE FIRST ATTACHMENT. WE HAVE NOT RECEIVED A FOLLOW-UP NOTIFICATION FOR EITHER RECALL NOTICES. IN THE ONE FOR NHTSA RECALL 19V849 (RECALL R89978: DOOR LATCHES) STATES: "UNFORTUNATELY AT THIS TIME, REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THIS REPAIR. PLEASE BE ASSURED THAT VOLVO IS WORKING TO SECURE THE NEEDED REPLACEMENT DOOR LATCHES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. WE WILL SEND YOU A SECOND NOTIFICATION LETTER AS SOON AS THE REPLACEMENT DOOR LATCHES ARE AVAILABLE." MY PROBLEM IS THAT I AM A U.S. GOVERNMENT CIVILIAN EMPLOYEE PREPARING TO RELOCATE FROM ITALY TO THE U.S. I SHIPPED THIS CAR TO ITALY FROM THE U.S. IN NOVEMBER 2018. THE SHIPPING COMPANY WILL NOT SHIP A CAR WITH AN OPEN RECALL. I NEED SOMETHING IN WRITING THAT ACCURATELY REFLECTS THE RECALL STATUS; "RECALL INCOMPLETE" OR "RECALL INCOMPLETE. REMEDY NOT YET AVAILABLE"?

RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER IN JANUARY 2020 BUT NO FOLLOWUP FROM VOLVO YET. IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN REGARDING FAULTY DOOR LATCHES AND I AM CONCERNED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE.

The contact owns a 2016 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the SRS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who repaired the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V378000 (Seat Belts) and 16V798000 (Seat Belts). The dealer also repaired an unstated electrical failure. The contact stated that the cells in the battery were faulty. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The contact stated that after several weeks, the SRS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer who informed the contact that the vehicle had been in an accident previously and the wiring was faulty. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact of a fault with the rear of the battery. The auxiliary battery was draining, and the battery was leaking. The mechanic informed the contact that the pretensioner needed to be replaced; however, the mechanic was unable to obtain the parts from the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 27,859.

2016 VOLVO S60. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 20V-378. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS

WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED FROM A VOLVO DEALERSHIP IN AUGUST OF 2019 WHILE STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. IT HAS 19-INCH VOLVO ALLOY WHEELS WITH 235/40/R19 TIRES. IN A LITTLE OVER A YEAR, TWO OF THE WHEELS HAVE CRACKED PRESUMABLY AFTER HITTING POTHOLES. WE HAD BOTH WHEELS REPAIRED AT A PROFESSIONAL WHEEL REPAIR FACILITY. THE REPAIR WORKED (SO FAR) ON THE FIRST WHEEL BUT THE PROBLEM HAS RECURRED TWICE ON THE SECOND WHEEL REPAIR. THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP'S ONLY OFFER IS TO SELL US A NEW WHEEL AT OVER $700 EACH. WE HAVE NEVER CRACKED A WHEEL PREVIOUSLY IN OVER 40 YEARS OF DRIVING. THIS WHEEL/TIRE COMBINATION SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN ALLOWED ON THE ROAD BEING SO PRONE TO CRACKING. WE ARE AT A MUCH-INCREASED RISK OF A FLAT TIRE/BLOWOUT AND POSSIBLE ACCIDENT. THE CAR ALSO CAME FROM THE FACTORY WITHOUT A SPARE TIRE WHICH IS ALSO NOT GOOD SINCE WE ARE MORE LIKELY TO BE STRANDED IN THE EVENT OF A FLAT TIRE. WE NO LONGER CONSIDER THIS CAR ROADWORTHY AND ARE FACED WITH THE EXPENSIVE OPTIONS OF EITHER REPLACING THE DAMAGED WHEEL WITH A NEW VOLVO WHEEL (AND EXPECT THE SAME RESULT), REPLACING ALL FOUR WHEELS WITH AFTERMARKET WHEELS THAT MAY OR MAY NOT BE BETTER, OR SELLING THE CAR. WE SHOULD NEVER HAVE BEEN PUT IN THIS POSITION FROM A SAFETY AND FINANCIAL PERSPECTIVE BY THIS WHEEL OR WHEEL/TIRE COMBINATION BEING ALLOWED ON THE ROAD.

VOLVO DEALERS FAILED TO FIX A WHEEL NOISE ISSUE IN MY CAR AFTER SIX VISITS IN THE PAST THREE MONTHS. AXLE, TIRE, SHOCK, AND WHEEL ARE ALL CHANGED AND IT IS STILL THERE. WITHOUT A REAL TEST ON THE REMAINING THREE TIRES ON THE ROAD, NOW VOLVO DEALER STARTS TO BLAME THE REMAINING THREE TIRES WHICH WERE CLAIMED AS "GOOD" BY THEIR DEALER TECHNICIANS AT THE VERY BEGINNING. VOLVO REFUSED TO SEND CORPORATE TECHNICIANS TO CHECK THE ISSUE, AND REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ELSE FOR THE CASE. THE NOISE IS VERY LOUD WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN IN 40-45 MILES PER HOUR. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THERE ARE OTHER PROBLEMS THEY HAVEN'T DETECT WITH THE UNUSUAL NOISE IN THE CAR.

2016 VOLVO S60 AUDIO MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING. THIS CONTROLS THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM, TELEPHONE, RADIO, CAR OPTIONS, AUDIO FOR SAFETY ALERTS, ETC. STOP WORKING AS I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET. ALSO DRAINED BATTERY AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY TOO. *TR

AS FAR BACK AS 2011, THERE WERE COMPLAINTS THAT VOLVOS EQUIPPED WITH THE CITY SAFETY SYSTEM WOULD SUDDENLY STOP OR SLOW DOWN FOR NO REASON. THIS SAME SITUATION HAPPENED TO ME IN SEPTEMBER 2018. AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN TO CROSS AN INTERSECTION, MY VOLVO S60 SUDDENLY CAME TO A HALT. THERE WAS NOTHING IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS NOT SURE WHAT HAD HAPPENED AS I HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. I PULLED THE CAR OVER AND AS I WAS ABOUT TO GET OUT OF THE CAR, I NOTICED A WARNING ON THE DASH THAT THE CITY SAFETY HAD GONE OFF. FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON, MY VOLVO HAD DECIDED TO JUST STOP. FORTUNATELY FOR ME, THERE WERE NO CARS APPROACHING THE INTERSECTION FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE AND NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. HAD THERE BEEN, I COULD EASILY BEEN REAR ENDED OR SIDE SWIPED. THE FOLLOWING DAY, I IMMEDIATELY CONTACT VOLVO AND SCHUMACHER VOLVO IN WEST PALM BEACHES. DESPITE PROVIDING A FULL EXPLANATION TO VOLVO, THEY REFUSED TO COMMENT OR ADDRESS THE MATTER. SCHUMACHER TOOK MY CAR AND DID A FULL INSPECTION, WHAT THEY FOUND WAS THAT THE CAMERA WAS DIRTY AND THEY HAD TO REMOVE AND CLEAN IT. NOW LET ME BE CLEAR, THE INSIDE OF MY WINDSHIELD IS SPOTLESS. THE OUTSIDE IS CLEAN. WHAT SCHUMACHER WAS REFERRING TO WAS THE CAMERA INSIDE THE UNIT THAT IS SEALED UP AGAINST THE TOP OF THE INSIDE WINDSHIELD. HOW COULD THIS CAMERA EVEN GET DIRTY? THIS IS THE REASON THE CITY SAFETY SYSTEM COULD HAVE CAUSED A FALSE POSITIVE. THE SYSTEM COULD INCORRECTLY ASSUME THERE WAS SOMETHING IN FRONT OF THE CAR AND PUT ON THE BRAKES. AFTER SCHUMACHER HAD CLEANED THE CAMERA, THEY STATED THE SYSTEM HAD BEEN TESTED AND WAS WORKING. I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER, RICHARD, IF WE COULD TEST MY CAR OUT WHEN I PICKED IT UP. UNBELIEVABLY, HIS RESPONSE WAS: 'VOLVO WON'T LET US TEST THE CITY SAFETY SYSTEM. IT IS FAR TOO DANGEROUS. WE CANNOT DO ANYTHING THAT WOULD PUT OUR CUSTOMERS IN DANGER OR DAMAGE A CUSTOMER'S VEHICLE'.

THE BRAKE SUDDENLY LOST BRAKING POWER AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT A RED LIGHT ON A LOCAL STREET. EVERY TIME I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AFTER THE INCIDENT, I COULD HEAR A SOUND OF AIR LEAKING SOMEWHERE BEHIND THE PEDAL. OTHER SYSTEMS SEEM FINE AND I MANAGED TO ROLL THE CAR BACK TO OUR PARKING LOT ABOUT HALF A MILE AWAY, AND HAD THE CAR TOLLED TO A LOCAL DEALER THE NEXT DAY. I WAS TOLD LATER BY THE DEALER THAT IT'S CAUSED BY MALFUNCTION OF BRAKE "BOOSTER" OR VACUUM PUMP(?) AND REPAIRED IT AT A COST OF ~$2500.00

PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2016 VOLVO S60 - THE CAR AT INCIDENT DATE HAD 200 MILES ON IT. WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC ON A CALIFORNIA FREEWAY - THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, STEERING, LIGHTS, ETC WHILE IN THE NUMBER 4 OF 7 LANE FREEWAY AT NIGHT. THE CAR WAS BLACKED OUT, NO LIGHTS, NO POWER, NO ENGINE, STALLED WITHOUT POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY. - WE WERE ALMOST KILLED AS A RESULT OF THIS INCIDENT. THERE WERE NUMEROUS COLLISIONS THAT OCCURRED BEHIND AND AROUND US AS A RESULT OF THIS CAR BEING DEAD IN THE WATER IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FREEWAY AT NIGHT. I HAVE VIDEO FROM INSIDE THE CAR AS 18 WHEEL SEMIS SKIDDED SIDEWAYS, ALMOST KILLING US AT 60MPH FROM BEHIND - AS WELL AS MANY OTHER CARS. FAST FORWARD TO AN EXPLANATION FROM VOLVO - THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CAR TOLD ITSELF THAT IT RAN OUT OF GAS WITH 1/4 GAS IN THE TANK. STATED THERE WAS SOME SORT OF FUEL SENDING ISSUE AND THEY WERE TRYING TO EVALUATE. WE STILL HAVE HEARD NOTHING, OTHER THAN IT WILL BE TWO TO THREE WEEKS AT THE DEALER - WE HAVNT EVEN HAD THIS BRAND NEW CAR THAT LONG.

CAR WAS PURCHASED ON 5/31/2016, IN LESS THAN 4 MONTHS I EXPERIENCED REPEATED STALLS WHILE ACCELERATING. THE CAR WOULD REV HIGH AND THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE. DURING THIS TIME THE CAR WAS IMMOBILIZED. THIS OCCURRED MID-FLIGHT WHILE ACCELERATING. ON SEPTEMBER 23, I TOOK THE CAR TO NORTHPOINT VOLVO TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. I WAS TOLD NOTHING SHOWED UP IN THE VEHICLE COMPUTER AND THAT THEY ADJUSTED THE SOFTWARE. OK. I HAVE RECEIVED ALL OF MY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AT 10K AND 20K MILES, WITH THE LAST ONE BEING PERFORMED JUNE 14, 2017. OVER THE LAST MONTH THE CAR HAS STALLED TWICE MID-FLIGHT. THE CAR'S RPMS INCREASED AND THE GAS PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE THE CAR. I PRESS THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR ENGINE REVS, AND THE CAR DOES NOT MOVE. I CANNOT GET IT OUT OF TRAFFIC. THAT IS VERY DANGEROUS AND LIFE THREATENING. THE LAST INCIDENT WAS TERRIFYING AS A I WAS ALMOST RAMMED FROM BEHIND BY A PICKUP TRUCK. ALL OF THESE INCIDENTS HAVE HAPPENED WHILE THE CAR HAS BEEN IN MOTION - NORMALLY UPON ACCELERATION. I ACTUALLY FEAR FOR MY SAFETY IN THIS CAR WHICH IS CRAZY BECAUSE VOLVO SALESPEOPLE SELL THE SAFETY FEATURES OF THE CAR ABOVE EVERYTHING. I NOTED ALL OF THIS IN A SURVEY TO VOLVO MONTHS AGO AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY CONTACT FROM VOLVO - I ASSUME THEY DON'T CARE. BECAUSE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME MULTIPLE TIMES ON A NEW CAR, I FEEL COMPELLED TO REPORT IT TO THE NTSB.

The contact owns a 2016 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the SRS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who repaired the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V378000 (Seat Belts) and 16V798000 (Seat Belts). The dealer also repaired an unstated electrical failure. The contact stated that the cells in the battery were faulty. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The contact stated that after several weeks, the SRS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer who informed the contact that the vehicle had been in an accident previously and the wiring was faulty. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact of a fault with the rear of the battery. The auxiliary battery was draining, and the battery was leaking. The mechanic informed the contact that the pretensioner needed to be replaced; however, the mechanic was unable to obtain the parts from the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 27,859.