RoadVitals

2013 Volvo XC60 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints 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.
66
Latest Jun 18, 2026
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
13
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
3

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 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

  • Visibility2943.9%
  • Airbags710.6%
  • Body & structure57.6%
  • Driver assistance46.1%
  • Engine34.5%
  • Brakes23.0%
  • Steering23.0%
  • Exterior lighting11.5%
  • Other / unspecified11.5%
  • Powertrain (other)11.5%
  • Fuel system11.5%
  • Interior & seats11.5%

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.

29
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Windshield leaks water into cabin. Volvo dealership charged $190 to diagnose problem. Told me I need a new windshield but they do not do glass replacement or repairs. They said sealant is bad at top of windshield. This is the original factory windshield. They referred me to a independent glass company who quoted $900 - $1285 for replacement. Cannot repair only install new windshield. This seems to be a known problem with Volvo cars and the sealant that was used at factory? Not covered by insurance. Car was parked outside during rain.

NHTSA ID 11744958 · filed Jun 18, 2026

During a heavy rain storm, I noticed water running down the inside of the windshield. It impaired my vision.

NHTSA ID 11721556 · filed Mar 2, 2026
All 29 reports naming visibility

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The accelerator got stuck and and the engine went full power. It would not shut off and the overheated.

NHTSA ID 11702146 · filed Nov 30, 2025

The component or system that failed is the driver side door controls for all four windows and both side mirrors. My safety is at risk as I am unable to adjust my mirrors manually or electronically in order to see. I am also unable to roll down any of the windows in the vehicle from the driver door in the event of an emergency. Yes, the problem has been confirmed by the Volvo service center. According to my local Volvo service center, this is a common problem in Volvos and they are very familiar with the repair needed to correct. The problem is that the driver door wiring is zip-tied together and over time, as the driver door opens and closes, the zip tie chafes the insulation off of the wiring causing the copper part of the wires to be exposed and twisted together. There are no warning lights reporting this issue, only that the window and mirror controls stop working. The following video link between 9:38-12:16 explains this issue in Volvos. I am writing to advocate for a vehicle recall. I believe this is a manufacturing flaw which could have been avoided by simply using electrical tape and not a zip tie. The repair has been quoted at $800. Driver side door entry is an essential function and should not be a cause for an electrical fire or drivers’ and passengers’ safety. Link: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID 11607357 · filed Aug 8, 2024
All 9 reports naming electrical

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

7
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

"During airbag deployment, the driver’s hand was burned with blistering. I believe hot gas or chemicals vented abnormally. This caused a painful injury requiring treatment."

NHTSA ID 11659242 · filed May 6, 2025

Water leakage from top of windsheild due to common failure of sealant (known to Volvo) falls directly into steering wheel airbag and, from there, flows into the seam between airbag module and the steering wheel and collecting behind the airbag subjecting the electrical connections of the airbag to moisture trapped behind the airbag. See photos. No warning lights yet. Vehicle is available for inspection by nhtsa.

NHTSA ID 11526446 · filed Jun 11, 2023

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.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

Factory installed windshield is leaking profusely due to faulty adhesive/primer. This is a well known issue that causes havoc on vital electronic systems and should be a national recall. The loose windshield bond can cause the windshield to detach during a crash. The failed windshield bond compromises the structural integrity of the roof.

NHTSA ID 11667548 · filed Jun 17, 2025

WHEN RAINING OUTSIDE WATER DROPS INSIDE ON THE DRIVER FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL . THIS JUST STARTED ON A 7.5 YEAR OLD CAR BUT WITH ONLY 47,850 MILES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE DRIVER IS GETTING WET AND IS TOTALLY DISTRACTED AND, IF IGNORED, THE BODY WILL RUST, LOOSENING THE WINDSHIELD.. THE CAR CANNOT BE SAFELY DRIVEN IN THE RAIN WITH THIS LEAK AND IT CANNOT BE LEFT OUTSIDE AT ALL IF THERE IS ANY CHANCE OF RAIN, UNLESS THE WINDSHIELD IS COVERED WITH PLASTIC. IF I IGNORE THIS THE CAR WILL RUST AROUND THE WINDSHIELD SO AS TO WEAKEN IT'S ROLE AS A PART OF THE SAFETY CONSTRUCTION TO PROTECT THE OCCUPANTS IN A CRASH.

NHTSA ID 11408026 · filed Apr 14, 2021

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.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The accelerator got stuck and and the engine went full power. It would not shut off and the overheated.

NHTSA ID 11702146 · filed Nov 30, 2025

The car came to a complete stop without a reason. This happened while exiting the freeway and no cars or objects were in front of me. I was very lucky that I did not have a car behind me or this would have caused a collision. After the car stopped the message "auto braking by City Safety" appeared on my dashboard

NHTSA ID 11595702 · filed Jun 21, 2024

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.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

The contact owns a 2013 Volvo XC60. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled in the middle of the road. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and proceeded to his destination. The failure recurred several times. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,574.

NHTSA ID 11458378 · filed Mar 25, 2022

THIS VOLVO EXPERIENCES "SUDDEN UNINTENDED ACCELERATION" PERIODICALLY (ESTIMATED AT 2 TIMES PER YEAR) SINCE IT WAS NEW. THIS UNINTENDED ACCELERATION MANIFESTS ITSELF GENERALLY WHEN COMING TO A STOP (RED LIGHT, DRIVE THRU RESTAURANT, PARKING LOT) BUT HAS HAPPENED ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY. THE ENGINE RACES TO FULL THROTTLE AND LUCKILY, FOR THE INSTANCES SO FAR, WE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR WITH THE BRAKES. THE ACCELERATION LASTS FOR ROUGHLY 1-2 MINUTES. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED (MAY 31, 2020), I SHIFTED THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, AND THE ENGINE RACED TO 8,000 RPMS, HELD THERE FOR A FEW SECONDS, AND THEN RETURNED TO NORMAL IDLE SPEED. I HAVE TAKEN THE TO THE DEALER (QUANTRELL VOLVO, LEXINGTON KY) TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RESOLVED NUMEROUS TIMES WITH NO SUCCESS. AT ONE POINT, THE VOLVO ENGINEERING TEAM SUGGESTED A NEW TRANSMISSION TO FIX THE ISSUE, WHICH WAS DONE AT VOLVO'S EXPENSE BY THIS DEALER, AND STILL THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. IT WAS IN FOR SERVICE MOST RECENTLY IN SEPTEMBER (9/25-9/29) 2020. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A "CODE" TO EXPLAIN THE FAULT AND STATED THEY THEREFORE COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FURTHER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I THEN ESCALATED THE ISSUE TO VOLVO CUSTOMER CARE AND WAS GIVEN THE SAME RESPONSE. I CAN UPLOAD DOCUMENTS FROM THE DEALER IF NEEDED, ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE IN GETTING THIS CAR FIXED WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.

NHTSA ID 11362380 · filed Oct 2, 2020

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND PUT MY FOOT DOWN TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN, THE HARDER I PUSHED ONTHE BRAKE THE MORE THE CAR WOULD GO FORDWARD. HAVE YOU HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE.

NHTSA ID 11222007 · filed Jun 23, 2019

UNEVEN BRAKE WEAR . THE CAR HAS 60000 MILES AND THE BACK BRAKES HAVE NEEDED TO BE CHANGED TWICE AS WELL AS ROTORS. THE FRONT PAD HAVE YET TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID 11220803 · filed Jun 18, 2019

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.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE STEERING WHEEL TRIM IS SEPARATING AND LEAVING SHARP METAL EDGES. THE CUTS I HAVE SUSTAINED ARE MINOR IN NATURE BUT THE DISTRACTION OF HAVING BLOOD DRIPPING ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING IS SIGNIFICANT. THE PHOTO SHOWS A CUT FROM A DAY AGO, BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES.

NHTSA ID 11030857 · filed Oct 2, 2017

I HAVE A MINOR LEAK ON THE STEERING PUMP ON 2013 VOLVO XC60. WENT TO THE VOLVO-MISSISSAUGA DEALER TODAY (INVOICE# 197408) AND THEY SAID THAT THIS IS NOT QUALIFYING AS A LEAK BUT RATHER IT IS A "VISIBLE SWEAT" FROM THE STEERING PUMP. "VISIBLE SWEAT" MEANS LOOSING STEERING FLUID. STEERING PUMP IS A SAFETY PART OF THE VEHICLE AND I AM CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY. I HAVE PICTURES TO SHOW THE LEAK. I DISAGREE WITH VOLVO-MISSISSAUGA ASSESSMENT AND OPENED A DEFECT COMPLAIN WITH GOV OF CANADA - TRANSPORT CANADA OFFICE. COMPLAIN NUMBER # 2016-0077.

NHTSA ID 10823747 · filed Feb 2, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

HEADLIGHT MOUNTS LOCATED ON REAR OF ASSEMBLY FRACTURE/BREAK OVER TIME. THIS LEAVES THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY DISCONNECTED FROM THE VEHICLE CHASSIS AND CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES COULD LEAD THE HEADLIGHT TO FALL FROM THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID 10949229 · filed Feb 3, 2017

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

12/24/13 APPROX 6:00 PM DRIVING APPROX. 65 MPH ON ROUTE 9 SOUTH IN CT WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON. NO OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT OR NEARBY AND SUDDENLY THE RED DASHBOARD LIGHT FLASHED AND WARNING SOUNDS AND THE CAR BEGAN TO AUTO BRAKE ABRUPTLY TO 45 MPH. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL THEN RESUMED MY TRIP UNEVENTFULLY. 12/27/13 APPROX 2:00 PM DRIVING APPROX. 60 MPH ON ROUTE 84 IN CT WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON. NO OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT OR NEARBY AND SUDDENLY THE RED DASHBOARD LIGHT FLASHED AND WARNING SOUNDS AND THE CAR BEGAN TO AUTO BRAKE HARD DOWN TO 45 MPH. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL THEN RESUMED MY TRIP UNEVENTFULLY. I CALLED SERVICE MANAGER [XXX]AT GENGRAS VOLVO 860 727 6200 AND ARRANGED TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR ANALYSIS ON 2/17/14. THE SAME BEHAVIOR WAS EXPERIENCED BY [XXX] ON 2/19/14 AS HE RELAYED THE EXPERIENCE TO ME. 5/21/14 [XXX] IS THE NEW GENGRAS VOLVO SERVICE MANAGER, REPLACING [XXX]. HE SAID THEY CHANGED OUT MY FORWARD LOOKING RADAR UNIT WHICH INCLUDES THE CIRCUIT BOARD AND HE ALSO UPDATED THE SOFTWARE (AGAIN). HE STATED THAT IF THE AUTO BRAKE MIS-FUNCTIONS AGAIN THERE IS NO OTHER SERVICE HE CAN PERFORM AND THE CAR SHOULD BE REPLACED. JULY 5, 2015 AFTER 2,000 MILES OF DRIVING WITHOUT NEW INCIDENTS IT APPEARS THAT THE FORWARD LOOKING RADAR UNIT HAD A DEFECT AND CAUSED THE PROBLEM! THIS UNIT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ON ALL VEHICLES IN WHICH IT IS INSTALLED TO AVOID POTENTIALLY FATAL CRASHES CAUSED BY AUTOBRAKE ENGAGING AND RAPIDLY DECELERATING THE CAR FOR NO REASON. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID 10608342 · filed Jul 5, 2014

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLVO XC60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT INITIALLY CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND SPOKE WITH THREE DIFFERENT REPRESENTATIVES WHO REFUSED TO INFORM HIM IF THE VIN WAS UNDER RECALL. THE CONTACT THEN SPOKE TO AUTOBARN VOLVO CARS OAK PARK (1140 GARFIELD ST, OAK PARK, IL 60304) WHERE HE WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE FOR A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE CONTACT DECLINED THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000.*DT*DT*JB*JB

NHTSA ID 11385446 · filed Dec 29, 2020

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.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

The gas gauge no longer reports accurate level of fuel in tank. Thousands of people have reported this issue, yet no recall exists, though this endangers lives - especially in the deserts of the southwest. Volvo service quotes are aways ripoffs, quoting $3000 minimum.

NHTSA ID 11437908 · filed Oct 23, 2021

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

EVERY TIME IT RAINS WATER RUNS IN FROM SUNROOF AND OR FRONT WINDSHIELD GOT TO WHERE YOU CAN'T EVEN DRIVE IN THE RAIN ANYMORE IT IS SO BAD. STILL HAS THE FACTORY WINDSHIELD IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ID 11407973 · filed Apr 13, 2021

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

Data on this page last refreshed .