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Volvo · NHTSA safety record

2021 Volvo XC60

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

Owners have filed 48 safety complaints about the 2021 Volvo XC60 with the US government. Of those, 4 describe a crash, 4 people were injured and no death is recorded. 5 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 14 complaints, 29% of the total.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers July 2021 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

48 complaints on file

48

Complaints

4

Describe a crash

0

Mention fire

4

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.

Complaints more than doubled year on year: 12 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 6 in the twelve before.

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 14 · 29%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 11 · 23%
SERVICE BRAKES 9 · 19%
LANE DEPARTURE 7 · 15%
STEERING 7 · 15%
ENGINE 6 · 13%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 6 · 13%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 5 · 10%
AIR BAGS 2 · 4%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 2 · 4%
POWER TRAIN 2 · 4%
SEAT BELTS 2 · 4%
0 8 15

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 48.

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 2022 at 13.

16 12 8 4
21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2021 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 2021 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

5 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

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR

21V682000 · September 1, 2021

The defect
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 XC40, XC 40 Recharge, V60CC, V90, V90CC, XC90, and 2021-2022 V60, XC60, S60 vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10111.

Volvo Car USA, LLC · up to 19,149 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS

21V001000 · January 7, 2021

The defect
Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 Volvo V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. The Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) control unit may not have been properly attached to the car body and may detach during a crash.
The risk
A detached SRS control unit can decrease the performance of occupant protection systems such as air bags, seat belts, and high voltage battery disconnect, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
The remedy
Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the SRS control unit mounting screws, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10068.

Volvo Car USA, LLC · up to 2,883 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 · crash · towed

The contact owned a 2021 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle suddenly began to accelerate and the brakes failed to stop. The vehicle crashed into a nearby fence causing the vehicle to flip. The air bags did deploy. The contact received injuries to their right shoulder and left knee. Medical attention was needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and had not been deemed totaled as of yet however, damage to the vehicle would be considered unrepairable. The dealer was informed of the incident however they were unable to assist. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA complaint 11433852. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

1 injured · crash · towed

The car started to move and accelerate with brake pressed. Accident prevention system did not activate itself. It did not display any warnings as it typically do during parking and being close to other cars. The car caused an accident with mild injuries to the driver of the other car, but could have hit a pedestrian or go to the intersection and involved with an accident with a car moving perpendicularly at a higher speed. I am waiting for an investigator from Volvo and Travelers Insurance. Prior to the accident the electronic display of the car started to malfunction. I have a video of the whole accident , but it is in mp4 format and thus i could not upload it. The dashboard camera's

NHTSA complaint 11461792, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed

Side impact curtain air bags only deployed on right side (side of impact), causing head concussion from hitting driverside window on left side. Vehicle has been towed for repair, but may still be available for inspection for a short time. Fire department stated airbags tried but failed deployment. Contacted dealer. Dealer said contact Volvo North America. Volvo has yet to connect me to the right person or department.

NHTSA complaint 11475285. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 injured

I leased the vehicle in December, 2020. Periodically while the tailgate is open and I am underneath it, the tailgate has closed on me and hit me in the back. In February, 2021, the struts on the tailgate were replaced at Patrick Volvo, Fort Myers, Florida, after I received a recall letter from Volvo. On September 9, 2021 at approximately 11:00 a.m. (CST) I was under the opened tailgate and it closed three times in a row and hit me in the back. Each time that it hit me, it reversed direction and went back into the open position. I was not injured but my back was sore for the rest of the day. I brought the SUV into Patrick Volvo, Shaumburg, Illinois. The service representative (SR) explained

NHTSA complaint 11433850, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The air conditioning system in my 2021 Volvo XC60 failed, blowing hot air instead of cold. A Volvo dealer diagnosed the cause as a failed A/C evaporator core and quoted $7,800 to replace it. Volvo Cars North America has declined to provide any goodwill assistance despite this being a widely reported failure across multiple Volvo models (S60, S90, V60, XC60, XC90) at similar mileage/age, and despite Volvo having issued a running design change (a resistor harness, part no. 32241228) intended to prevent the evaporator core from over-cooling and freezing — indicating the manufacturer is aware of the underlying defect. Beyond the loss of cabin cooling, this failure created a separate safety

NHTSA complaint 11766432, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VISIBILITY/WIPER
The A/C evaporator core on my 2021 Volvo XC60 suffered a premature structural failure, creating an immediate and severe safety hazard while driving. The component failed precisely five weeks after the Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) warranty wrapper expired. An authorized Volvo dealership service department formally inspected the vehicle and verified an active, heavy refrigerant leak utilizing UV filter video diagnostics. This component defect directly compromises vehicle safety in two distinct ways: Complete Loss of Windshield Defrost Capability: Due to the total failure of the climate control and dehumidification system, the vehicle completely loses its ability to clear the windshield during

NHTSA complaint 11766267, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Hood latch assembly corrodes making it impossible to open hood or service the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint 11759733. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My SUV has a had the check engine light on from a failed battery cell for my 2021 grey Volvo XC60 recharge (VIN [XXX]). I have been without the electric functionality (to charge the hybrid car or use electric power) since mid December and waiting on a warranty part since Dec. 23, 2025. I have been told April 2026 and then August 2026 for this warranty issue that both the dealership and Volvo corporate have agreed is under warranty and needs replaced to make the car functional as intended. They claim the part as been backordered for the entire 8 months. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint 11756600. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
After backing up out of a parking space, the side mirror on the drivers side moves to an unpredictable position and does not return to its original position. This is potentially dangerous because the driver is not aware of this change in position, and when changing lanes may rely on mirror that is in a faulty position. This appears to be some sort of flaw in the logic that tilts the mirror down when backing up and returns to original position when the car is put back in drive. Regardless of whether I turn this feature on or off, the same malfunction occurs.

NHTSA complaint 11753923. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
The entire right ride of the car just stopped working. Back right door became permanently locked and could not open from outside or inside. When hitting lock/unlock buttons on key fob i) front passenger door would not lock/unlock and ii) right side mirror would not fold in/out. Blind spot monitor and TPMS said they needed service. Left side of car was fine and worked. Car would start normally. I checked all relevant fuses and none were blown. Then all of a sudden it all started working again. My fear is that in the heat of summer what if all doors became locked somehow and i did not have the key fob with the manual key? I have 2 children

NHTSA complaint 11747588. 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 —
2020 22 6 —
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 2021 Volvo models

XC40 52 XC90 37 S60 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