2011 Volvo XC60 Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2011 Volvo XC60, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Visibility818.6%
- Seat belts818.6%
- Electrical614.0%
- Engine49.3%
- Driver assistance37.0%
- Steering37.0%
- Body & structure37.0%
- Airbags24.7%
- Brakes24.7%
- Other / unspecified24.7%
- Powertrain (other)12.3%
- Fuel system12.3%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
Windshield is original from Volvo but leaks during rain and car washes. Rain floods my driver’s side floor board and heavy enough might effect my electrical system.
The contact owns a 2011 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that the front driver’s side belt was restraining her extremely tightly and failed to release as needed. No warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that water had leaked from around the windshield into the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that water was in the vehicle and the sunroof drain needed to be flushed out however, the contact stated that she was denied service unless the sunroof drain was flushed out. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred, and the contact was concerned for her safety. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2011 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that the front driver’s side belt was restraining her extremely tightly and failed to release as needed. No warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated that water had leaked from around the windshield into the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that water was in the vehicle and the sunroof drain needed to be flushed out however, the contact stated that she was denied service unless the sunroof drain was flushed out. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred, and the contact was concerned for her safety. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 49,000.
The front passenger seat belt will not release without much difficultly. If the vehicle started on fire or went into water, the passenger would likely die. I contacted Volvo and they will not help other than charging over $800 to replace the seat belt.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
LOCKING MECHANISMS IN PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FAILING, UNABLE TO LOCK OR UNLOCK REMOTELY, HAVE TO MANUALLY LOCK OR UNLOCK FROM REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO ENTER VEHICLE.
THE PARK ASSIST DOES NOT WORK, REAR CAMERA NOT WORKING. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2011 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that she noticed an oil leak underneath the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the turbo needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
LOW OIL LIGHT - TWO INCIDENTS. PISTONS HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THEN ENTIRE ENGINE. BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW. DOESN'T SEEM TO BE SAFE OR RELIABLE. A VOLVO? *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE PARK ASSIST DOES NOT WORK, REAR CAMERA NOT WORKING. *TR
ABS GOES OFF UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN BRAKING AND TURNING AND HAS GOTTEN WORST. FEAR FOR MY LIFE AS SOMEONE CAN REAR END ME AND MY CHILDREN.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I WAS ADVISED BY THE VOLVO SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE CLAMP DESIGN RESULTED IN THE CUTTING BOTH OF THE OUTER CV BOOTS THAT WAS OCCURRING OVER THE YEARS. THIS IS A DESIGN ERROR TO SEE A FAILURE LIKE THIS THAT CAN RESULT IN A LOSS OF LIFE. ONCE THE BOOT IS CUT THE GREASE CAN CATCH ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLE LOSS OF LIFE. THE FIRE COULD OF STOPPED THE VEHICLE WHILE ON THE ROAD RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT CAUSING INJURIES OR DEATH. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN, BRAKING THE VEHICLE TO A SUDDEN STOP AND LOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE MIDDLE OF MOVING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A SUDDEN COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT NARROWLY AVOIDING A COLLISION. VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START OR BE MOVED AND HAD TO BE PLACED ON A FLATBED BY THE USE OF A DOLLY SYSTEM. IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY CONTROL WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST CAUSING A VERY SERIOUS AND MOST LIKELY FATAL ACCIDENT. PLEASE ADVISE THE NEXT STEP IN THIS PROCEDURE AS I FEEL THIS CAR IS UNSAFE, IN THAT NO WARNING WAS PROVIDED IF A MALFUNCTION WERE TO AND DID OCCUR, WHY DID THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, STOPPING THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AND LOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL. NO CONTROL WAS POSSIBLE DUE TO THIS SITUATION. AS STATED PREVIOUSLY IF THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AT THE TIME THIS WOULD SURELY HAVE BEEN FATAL. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY CAR HAS AN ODOR FOR DAYS AFTER IT RAINS WHEN THE WINDSHIELD STREAMS WATER ABOVE THE DRIVERS STEARING WHEEL AND ALSO ALLOWS WATER TO STREAM DOWN INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR BOARD- IT'S A FULL ON STREAM OF WATER THAT COMES OUT THE TOP CORNER DRIVER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND ROLLS DOWN OVER THE STEARING WHEEL AND DRIVERS HANDS AND DOWN THROUGH THE DRIVERS FLOORBOARD OVER THE ACCELERATOR AND THE DRIVERS FEET. I'VE BEEN IN THE CAR DURING THE RAIN AND WHILE AT THE CAR WASH TO WITNESS THIS STREAMING OF WATER. THERE IS A 1 TO 2 INCH PUDDLE OF WATER THAT FORMS IN THE FLOOR BOARD RIGHT UNDER THE ACCELERATOR IF LEFT TO STREAM FREELY. THE WATER DOES NOT GUSH OUT RIGHT AWAY BUT SOMETIMES WILL REMAIN DRY UNTIL MOVING -HAS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEEDS WHILE PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY BUT AS DELAYED UP TO10 MINUTES LATER AFTER I'VE GOTTEN ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE I'M AT A SPEED OF @ 70MPH) ITS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD- I HAVE BEEN STARTLED (SAFETY DISTRACTION) BECAUSE OF UNEXPECTED COLD WATER FLOODING MY FOOT AND MY PANT LEG WHILE ON THE ACCELERATOR.I'VE SPOKE TO AUTO GLASS REPAIR COMPANIES, WHO REPORT SEVERAL THINGS COULD BE HAPPENING BUT EITHER WAY, COST ME A LOT OF MONEY WHILE LIABILITY IS ON ME IF THEY ACCIDENTALLY CRACK THE GOOD WINDSHIELD IF IT ISNT A SIMPLE SEAL PROBLEM. THE MAJORITY OF WINDSHIELD REPAIR COMPANY'S I'VE SPOKEN TO STATE THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE IN THIS MODEL VEHICLE AND IT HAS (IN THIER EXPERIENCE) BEEN A CRACK IN THE SUNROOF DRAINAGE SYSTEM? HOWEVER, JUST TO TEST THIS PROBLEM ALONE IS A $400+ IN SHOP DIAGNOSTICS - I HAVE ALSO READ ON VOLVO FORUMS AND ON NHTSA, OTHER OWNERS HAVE REPORTED THE SAME ISSUE I'M HAVING. IF ANYTHING, I WANTED TO REPORT THE ISSUE TOO IN HOPE OF GAINING INFO ABOUT WHAT THE PROBLEM MAYBE SO I CAN HAVE IT FIXED IN THE MOST EFFICIENT AND LESS COSTLY METHOD OR MAY IT LEAD TO FURTHER INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE RECALL PROCEDURES.
THE FRONT WINDSHIELD (ORIGINAL, FACTORY) ADHESIVE HAS FAILED AND THE WINDSHIELD IS LOOSE. BESIDES THE ANNOYANCE OF WATER LEAKING IN, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE WINDSHIELD IS A STRUCTURAL COMPONENT WHICH RETAINS THE AIRBAGS AND OCCUPANTS. THIS IS APPARENTLY A FAIRLY COMMON KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE FACTORY WINDSHIELDS.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO XC60. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED, BUT THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO XC60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE THE WARNING LIGHT WAS RESET BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER:10V489000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,156.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
ABS GOES OFF UNEXPECTEDLY WHEN BRAKING AND TURNING AND HAS GOTTEN WORST. FEAR FOR MY LIFE AS SOMEONE CAN REAR END ME AND MY CHILDREN.
WHILE DRIVING ON A LOCAL STREET THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN, BRAKING THE VEHICLE TO A SUDDEN STOP AND LOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL IN THE MIDDLE OF MOVING TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A SUDDEN COMPLETE STOP WITHOUT DRIVER INPUT NARROWLY AVOIDING A COLLISION. VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO START OR BE MOVED AND HAD TO BE PLACED ON A FLATBED BY THE USE OF A DOLLY SYSTEM. IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY CONTROL WOULD HAVE BEEN LOST CAUSING A VERY SERIOUS AND MOST LIKELY FATAL ACCIDENT. PLEASE ADVISE THE NEXT STEP IN THIS PROCEDURE AS I FEEL THIS CAR IS UNSAFE, IN THAT NO WARNING WAS PROVIDED IF A MALFUNCTION WERE TO AND DID OCCUR, WHY DID THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN, STOPPING THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY AND LOCKING THE STEERING WHEEL. NO CONTROL WAS POSSIBLE DUE TO THIS SITUATION. AS STATED PREVIOUSLY IF THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AT THE TIME THIS WOULD SURELY HAVE BEEN FATAL. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
2011 VOVLO XC60. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BLIS SYSTEM PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES, TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS THE LIGHT INDICATORS FLASHED WHEN IN FACT THERE WAS NO VEHICLE IN HIS BLIND SPOT. *JB
I PURCHASED THE THULE "DOUBLE DECKER SURFBOARD CARRIER 809" IN APRIL 2011. IT IS ADVERTISED AS HAVING A THREE BOARD CAPACITY. I USED IT AS A SINGLE SHORT BOARD CARRIER. MY BOARD IS ONLY 6' 6". IT WAS ATTACHED TO A THULE CROSS BAR SYSTEM INSTALLED ON MY 2011 XC60 3.2 VOLVO. THE REAR RACK IS DIVIDED INTO TWO SECTIONS WITH EACH SECTION SECURED BY TWO BOLT HEADS THAT FLOAT IN A ALUMINUM CHANNEL FOR WIDTH ADJUSTMENT. THE SURFBOARD IS MOUNTED ON THE RACK AND IS SECURED BY A STRAP WITH A KEY LOCKING MECHANISM. I TRAVEL 40 MILES ON THE FREEWAY EACH WAY TO THE BEACH AT LEAST ONCE PER WEEK. THE SYSTEM HAS A LARGE FLAT SURFACE AREA THAT RESULTS IN A LARGE WIND RESISTENT PLATFORM. THE RACK HAS THE APPEARANCE OF BEING VERY DURABLE. WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 65 - 70 MILES PER HOUR IN THE SLOW LANE OF THE FREEWAY THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SECTION RIPPED OUT OF THE ALUMINUM CHANNEL CAUSING MY SURFBOARD TO LAUNCH LIKE A MISSLE. FORTUNATELY THE TAFFIC WAS LIGHT AND NO VEHICLE WAS DIRECTLY STRUCK ALTHOUGH MY BOARD WAS RUN OVER NUMEROUS TIMES. THE BREAK-AWAY SECTION DANGLED ON THE REAR OF MY ROOF STILL SECURED BY THE STRAP SYSTEM. UPON INSPECTION OF THE REMAINS IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THE BOLT HEAD THAT SECURED THE SYSTEM IN THE ALUMINUM CHANNEL WAS TO SMALL FOR AN OPERATIONAL ENVIORMENT OF SIGNIFICANT WIND RESISTENCE/TURBULANCE. I CONTACTED THULE 4 WEEKS AGO RE THIS PROBLEM AND THEY FAILED TO RESPOND. SPORT CHALET, AN OFFICIAL THULE DISTRIBUTOR, UPON INSPECTING THE CHANNEL AND BOLT SYSTEM OFFERED ME A COMPLETE REFUND. THE BOLT HEAD ON THIS SYSTEM IS UNDERSIZED FOR THE FORCES IT HAS TO WITHSTAND. MY USE WAS FOR A SINGLE SHORT BOARD BUT THIS SYSTEM IS ADVERTIZED FOR UP TO THREE LONG BOARDS. I FEAR THAT ANOTHER END USER WHO TRAVELS THE FREEWAY LIKE I DO MAY EXPERIENCE A SIMILIAR CATASTROPHIC SYSTEM FAILURE WITH PERHAPS A MORE DEADLY RESULT. SALE OF THIIS RACK SYSTEM SHOULD BE IMMEDIATELY HALTED UNTIL FIXED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO XC60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE GEAR SHIFTED FROM DRIVE TO REVERSE INDEPENDENTLY AND THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 15,500.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE WAS COASTING INTO PARKING SPOT AND EXPERIENCED SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION, HIT WALL. NEITHER GAS NOR BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT THIS POINT AND FLOOR MATS WERE CLEAR OF PEDALS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .