Volvo · NHTSA safety record

2012 Volvo S60

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

121

Complaints

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Owners of the 2012 Volvo S60 have filed 121 safety complaints with NHTSA between July 2011 and June 2026. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 61 of them (50%). The typical failure was reported at 78,500 miles, the median across the 82 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 8 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (8)

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

20V378000 · June 30, 2020

The defect: Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.
The risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.

Volvo Car USA LLC · up to 308,260 vehicles across all model years covered

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

19V849000 · November 26, 2019

The defect: Volvo Car of USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2011-2017 S60, S60I, V60, S60CC and V60CC vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
The risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
The remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89978.

Volvo Car USA LLC · up to 144,937 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

13V592000 · November 22, 2013

The defect: Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S60 vehicles manufactured June 22, 2010, through May 14, 2012, and equipped with 5-cylinder B5254T5 (VIN code 62) engines. In the affected vehicles, the vehicle may not alert the driver of a low oil pressure situation.
The risk: Without being warned of a low oil pressure situation, the driver may continue to drive the vehicle until it stalls, which increases the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software so that the driver is alerted should there be a low oil pressure situation, free of charge. The recall began on January 10, 2014. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this campaign is R29436.

Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC · up to 30,929 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:BODY

12V101000 · March 14, 2012

The defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60 AND XC60 PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN INCORRECT MIXTURE OF UNDERBODY COATING AND OVER-APPLICATION CAN RESULT IN RIGID, ICICLE-LIKE AREAS HANGING FROM VEHICLES UNDERCARRIAGE.
The risk: IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE UNDERBODY COATING MAY PENETRATE THE FUELS LINES AND CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE UNDERCARRIAGE, AND IF EXCESSIVE UNDERBODY COATING IS FOUND IN THE FUEL LINE AREA, IT WILL BE REMOVED. IF THE INSPECTION REVEALS THAT THE FUEL LINES ARE DAMAGED, THEY WILL BE REPLACED. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 25, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CUSTOMER CARE CENTER AT 1-800-458-1552.

VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. · up to 2,742 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

12V075000 · February 28, 2012

The defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60, XC60, S80 AND XC70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 16, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 6, 2011. IN THESE VEHICLES, THE WIRE HARNESS UNDER THE FRONT SEATS MAY HAVE NOT BEEN ATTACHED PROPERLY TO THE SEAT FRAME. AS A RESULT, WHEN THE SEATS ARE MOVED TO ADJUST THE SEATING POSITION, THE WIRE HARNESS MAY GET PULLED, CAUSING IT TO DISCONNECT.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF CRASH, THE FRONT AND/OR SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY IMPROPERLY OR NOT AT ALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY. ALSO, THE LAP BELT PRETENSIONER MAY NOT DEPLOY.
The remedy: VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, SECURE THE SEAT WIRE HARNESS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.

VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. · up to 32,552 vehicles across all model years covered

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS

11V508000 · October 18, 2011

The defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2012 C70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2005, THROUGH JULY 31, 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 S60 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 14, 2010, THROUGH APRIL 16, 2011, THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ACCESSORY SPARE TIRE KIT. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES DO NOT CONTAIN THE CORRECT INFORMATION FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL ACCESSORY SPARE TIRE AND WHEEL KIT.
The risk: A MISPRINTED LABEL COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND INSTALL THE LABEL AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-201-768-7300.

VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. · up to 20,611 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

11V311000 · June 6, 2011

The defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 18, 2011, THROUGH JANUARY 28, 2011. THE MALE PART OF THE FUEL LINE QUICK CONNECTOR END SHAPE WAS PRODUCED WITH DIMENSIONS OUT OF SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESSIVE ASSEMBLY FORCE ON THE FEMALE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE LOCKING FUNCTION MAY NOT BE ENGAGED.
The risk: IF A VEHICLE EXHIBITS THIS CONDITION, THE FUEL LINE QUICK CONNECTOR MAY DETACH AND THE ENGINE MAY STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE CUSTOMER MAY ALSO NOTICE A FUEL SMELL AND LEAKAGE. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
The remedy: VOLVO DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 24, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-201-768-7300.

VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. · up to 448 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

11V303000 · June 1, 2011

The defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 18, 2010, THROUGH MAY 5, 2011. THE SOFTWARE FOR THE FUEL PUMP UNITS MAY NOT BE COMPATIBLE WITH ALL FUEL PUMPS AND COMPONENTS RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT FUEL TRANSFER IN THE PUMP UNIT.
The risk: UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THERE MAY BE ENGINE HESITATION AND POSSIBLE ENGINE STALL EVEN THOUGH THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATES UP TO 1/4 OF THE FUEL IS LEFT IN THE TANK. THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-201-768-7300.

VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. · up to 8,179 vehicles across all model years covered

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 121.

ENGINE 61 50%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17 14%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 15 12%

SEAT BELTS 9 7%

STEERING 8 7%

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 7 6%

STRUCTURE 7 6%

AIR BAGS 6 5%

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 6 5%

SERVICE BRAKES 5 4%

POWER TRAIN 4 3%

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 3 2%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2021 at 16.

2011 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

AIR BAGS Filed January 21, 2014

2 injured · crash · 15,000 miles

ON AUGUST 24, 2013, I WAS INVOLVED IN A CAR ACCIDENT. A CAR STOPPED SHORT ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME HIT THAT CAR. I THEN HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I HAD ONLY A FEW SECONDS TO REACT. ANOTHER CAR THEN RE-ENDED ME. MY AIRBAG NOR SEATBELT PRETENTIONERS DEPLOYED. I HAD DIFFICULTY TURNING THE CAR OFF. THE CAR WAS TOTALED. WITHIN A FEW WEEKS OF THE INCIDENT, I REPORTED THE MATTER TO VOLVO. THEY SENT AN INVESTIGATOR OUT. VOLVO CLAIMS THAT SENSORS WERE NOT ACTIVATED SINCE THE DAMAGE WAS ABOVE THEM, AND THERE WAS NOT ANY PROBLEM. HOWEVER, AT THE SPEED I HIT, THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR WHY THE AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. EITHER THE CAR IS DESIGNED IMPROPERLY IN TERMS OF WHERE THE

NHTSA complaint 10560896, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS Filed June 20, 2014

2 injured · crash · 30,000 miles

ON JUNE 1ST ANOTHER CAR FAILED TO YIELD THE RIGHT OF WAY AND PULLED INTO THE PATH OF MY CAR WHILE I WAS GOING APPROX. 45MPH. I HIT THE BRAKES HARD AND TURNED TO THE LEFT TO TRY AND AVOID THE CAR AND COLLIDED WITH THE OTHER CAR. I ESTIMATE THE SPEED OF AT LEAST 35MPH AT IMPACT. THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE CAR TOOK MOST OF THE IMPACT. THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND BURNED MY ARM. HOWEVER, DESPITE THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR TAKING THE BRUNT OF THE IMPACT, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE PASSENGER (MY FIANC) WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A CONCUSSION DUE TO THIS ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE THE CONCUSSION MAY HAVE BEEN AVOIDED HAD HER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. VOLVO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CLAIMS FOR SOME

NHTSA complaint 10604730, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Filed June 23, 2026

1 injured · crash · towed

Brakes , and vacuum booster, speed control I experienced a sudden acceleration phenomenon and reached speeds of 100+ mph I manipulated the brakes and the gas in order to safe my life I eventually got my speeds down but it was too late I was ejected from the vehicle and nearly died my brakes scrubbed and I pressed my brakes as hard as I could and my car continued to acceleration. The police has the vehicle and there were no warnings signs . I had just bought the vehicle and was on my way home from the dealership never made it home

NHTSA complaint 11746049. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS Filed November 6, 2015

1 injured · crash · 29,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2012 VOLVO S60. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CUT IN FRONT OF THE CONTACT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A POLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE LOCAL POLICE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE AT THE SCENE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V075000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN IMPACTED, HENCE NO DEPLOYMENT. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE

NHTSA complaint 10788882, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS Filed June 7, 2026

The driver's side seat airbag system failed. Specifically, diagnostic trouble code SRS-B002011 was retrieved, indicating a circuit short to ground in the left side airbag deployment control system. The technician found a broken clip on the airbag connector housing, causing an intermittent connection failure between the connector and the seat airbag itself. The airbag cannot be relied upon to deploy in a crash. The vehicle is available for inspection upon request. I purchased this vehicle on May 10, 2026, and drove it as my primary means of transportation. During that time, the driver's side seat airbag was non-functional due to a circuit short to ground and a broken connector housing. Had I

NHTSA complaint 11742523, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE Filed April 22, 2026

I experienced an engine issue that I believe is related to excessive oil consumption and the lack of an oil pressure light warning. The car was driven out of town when a noise was heard coming from the engine. A visual inspection of the engine revealed smoke coming from the engine department when the oil cap was removed. The dipstick was checked and showed no visible oil on the stick. Later in that evening, 3 additional quarts of oil were added to the engine but the addition of oil did not remedy the noise from the engine. The final result was that the car was towed to a Volvo dealership in Florida for repair. I checked the status of the recalls (oil comsumption and no oil pressure light)

NHTSA complaint 11732954, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE Filed February 22, 2025

Engine has failed and is unrepairable. The car has been maintained well according to the manufacturer’s guidelines with regular oil changes. It has only 94,875 miles. The mechanic said that there is probably a piston gasket failure leading to oil leak into the engine. This appears to have been reported with this year/model vehicles. I would like Volvo to take ownership of poor manufacturing and fix the problem to my satisfaction.

NHTSA complaint 11644323. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS Filed August 14, 2024

At temperatures around 90* and higher the rear camera flickers and is unusable. This happens without any warning and when vehicle attempting to reverse.

NHTSA complaint 11608588. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE Filed July 7, 2024

Discovered that my engine is burning oil. There was no warning from my vehicle or from Volvo (during regular maintenance) that this was happening. It was just sudden that the check engine light went on and I checked the oil and found that it was basically empty. Volvo confirmed that the engine is burning oil and that this model and make was discovered to have this engine issue. Volvo did not offer a solution other than to buy a new vehicle to replace this one. In my research online, this problem is common for this model and make 2012 S60 T5, may other have reported the same issue and it seems that there is a recall for this problem but my vehicle (VIN) does not report this to be a problem

NHTSA complaint 11599825, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Volvo S60

Model year	Complaints	Recalls	Deaths
2024	18	3	—
2022	15	4	—
2020	10	4	—
2019	24	4	—
2017	15	5	—
2016	25	4	—
2015	57	2	—
2014	25	3	—
2013	86	4	—

Other 2012 Volvo models

XC60 46 C70 23 XC70 14 S80 8

Every Volvo on this site — 70 vehicles, 319 recall campaigns and 0 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

Complaints: NHTSA's ODI complaint file , published August 20, 2026. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall campaign API , most recent campaign filed August 12, 2026.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI investigation file , published 2026-08-19.

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by guarledes
Independent developer and analyst