CSR

Volvo · NHTSA safety record

2020 Volvo XC60

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

Owners have filed 22 safety complaints about the 2020 Volvo XC60 with the US government. Of those, 2 people were injured and no death is recorded. 6 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 8 complaints, 36% of the total.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers June 2020 to August 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

22 complaints on file

22

Complaints

0

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

2

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8 · 36%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 5 · 23%
SERVICE BRAKES 4 · 18%
ENGINE 2 · 9%
WHEELS 2 · 9%
AIR BAGS 1 · 5%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 · 5%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 1 · 5%
LANE DEPARTURE 1 · 5%
POWER TRAIN 1 · 5%
STRUCTURE 1 · 5%
TIRES 1 · 5%
0 4 8

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 22.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2026 at 5.

8 6 4 2
20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2020 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2020 Volvo XC60. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

6 on file

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

25V179000 · March 24, 2025

The defect
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020-2021 S90, 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60, XC90, and 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.
The risk
A short circuit in a high-voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high-voltage battery module as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the software to monitor the battery. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 28, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10312.

Volvo Car USA, LLC · up to 7,483 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING

23V001000 · January 5, 2023

The defect
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2022 V60CC, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. During steering gear assembly, double screws may have been assembled on top of each other, which can cause a screw to fall into the gearbox housing.
The risk
A screw inside the gearbox housing can cause the steering wheel to lock up and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 1, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10213.

Volvo Car USA, LLC · up to 74 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

21V716000 · September 15, 2021

The defect
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 S90L, 2020-2021 XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.
The risk
Separation of the rotor and shaft may cause a reduction in braking assistance and a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the hydraulic unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10120.

Volvo Car USA, LLC · up to 9 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

21V414000 · June 2, 2021

The defect
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2020 V90, XC60, S60, V60, V60CC, S90, V90CC, S90L, and XC90 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump can blow a fuse and fail.
The risk
Failure of the low-pressure fuel pump can cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 2, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10100.

Volvo Car USA, LLC · up to 85,550 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

20V503000 · August 25, 2020

The defect
Volvo Car of N.A., LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2018-2020 XC60 vehicles. The nuts that secure the front wipers may not have been sufficiently tightened, possibly causing the wipers to not function properly.
The risk
The risk of the front wiper arms nut fixation to loosen and not holding the arm in correct position, the wiper function could be reduced and vision could be impaired, thus increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the nuts holding the front windshield wiper arms in position, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10044.

Volvo Car USA LLC · up to 87,226 vehicles across all model years covered

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

20V144000 · March 12, 2020

The defect
Volvo Cars USA LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2019-2020 S60, V60, V60 Cross Country, S90L, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC40, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. Due to a software/hardware incompatibility, the Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB) system may not detect obstacles and engage as intended.
The risk
If the automatic emergency braking system does not engage as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the Active Safety Domain Master (ASDM) software, 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 R29998.

Volvo Car USA LLC · up to 121,605 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Pedestrian alert sounds

DP22005

Closed defect petition · opened January 27, 2023 · closed August 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000

the electrical system

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

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

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured · towed · 6,000 miles

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2020 VOLVO XC60. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE INDEPENDENTLY AND SHE DEPRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED SHE CONTINUED TO DRIVE TO HER DESTINATION. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V144000 (FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOCAL DEALER VOLVO CARS SAN DIEGO LOCATED AT 5350 KEARNY MESA RD, SAN DIEGO, CA 92111, (858) 279-9700 WHERE THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED, WHILE DRIVING AT A SLOW SPEED AND APPROACHING ANOTHER VEHICLE TURNING TO

NHTSA complaint 11364197, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 injured

I have had an issue several times with the hatch of my Volvo xc60. It has a feature where if you wave your foot under the rear door, the hatch will open or close automatically. This has been triggered inadvertantley several times, nearly injuring several people. This is especially dangerous for small children. You can be trapped by the closing door. In one incident, while parked in our garage, the hatch inadvertently opened and pinned me against the wall while holding a small child. The force could injure a child without question. I tried to disable this feature and couldn’t find a way to do it. If you google it, this is a common issue that others have had happen too.

NHTSA complaint 11551241. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
On July 28, 2026, while driving my 2020 Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered, the vehicle repeatedly displayed “Hybrid system failure – Service required,” together with the check-engine light and hybrid/battery warning indicators. The warning repeatedly reappeared while the vehicle was being driven. I brought the vehicle to an authorized Volvo dealer, North Point Volvo, on July 30, 2026. The dealer diagnosed a fault in high-voltage battery cell module “B” and documented that the module requires replacement. Repair Order #522934 states that the replacement parts are on order with “NO ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL.” The dealer advised me that the vehicle was mechanically safe to drive as long as I

NHTSA complaint 11758682, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
While in service at Volvo Cars Clear Lake for Recall R103312/ Campaign 25V-179, three of four hybrid battery modules failed on installation, yet Volvo refuses to replace the entire battery. This is a covered warranty repair that has not been completed, and the car has been out of service for more than 100 days. During part of that time, it was being stored outdoors with the battery removed and the floor open to the ground.

NHTSA complaint 11754507. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Recall identified over a year ago during Q1 2025. Manufacturer and dealer have failed to provide appropriate updates for the repair, and no ETA has been given for repair. The only direction received from manufacturer and dealer was to not plug in the vehicle until the recall is completed. So as it stands, I paid for a plug in hybrid vehicle I haven’t been able to plug it in for over a year as it has a flawed hybrid system that apparently can’t be repaired.

NHTSA complaint 11745254. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The seal on my 2020 Volvo XC60 moonroof allowed water to leak under the floorboards. My car is only 6 years old. We had a lot of rain over a short period and I noticed the sound of water sloshing around under the floor. Nothing was wet inside the car. My Check Engine light came on as well. I took it to the Volvo service dept. They are now saying wires are corroded and that it will cost me over $11,000 to fix this problem. Again - my car is only 6 years old, and less than 70K miles. With my previous Volvo, that I had for 18 years, I never had this problem.

NHTSA complaint 11742884. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Volvo has failed to repair or compensate me for the NHTSA Recall 25V-179. I received a notification of te recall in a letter dated May 14, 2025. I have repeatedly visited the local dealership as well as called Volvo Customer Care. Today, in a conversation with a Volvo Customer Care representative, I was told there is no timeline for the batteries to be replaced. I would like Volvo to rectify the issue by replacing my battery or car in a timely matter. Thank you for your help, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint 11735113. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
Vehicle with 34,000 miles has started to have surging of rotors when applying brakes at 33,000. Vehicle has had brake disc kit replaced due to warping at 13,058 miles. Vehicle had brake disc kits and front and rear brake rotors replaced due to high spots for pad engagement at 22,996 miles. The vehicle has a continuous problem with brake/rotor system!

NHTSA complaint 11633493. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Volvo XC60

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 35 3 —
2024 23 2 —
2023 54 5 —
2022 74 6 —
2021 48 5 —
2019 36 8 —
2018 36 5 —
2017 16 4 —
2016 38 3 —
2015 47 1 —
2014 16 2 —
2013 66 3 —
2012 46 3 —
2011 36 4 —
2010 56 7 —

Other 2020 Volvo models

XC90 32 XC40 12 S60 11 V60 8

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Volvo on this site — 71 vehicles.

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. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

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
Independent developer and analyst