2013 Volvo S60 Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

Incident: September 10, 2026 · Filed: September 11, 2026

I was driving through an intersection and my curtain airbags on each side deployed on their own without being in a accident or collision of any kind. There were no indicators or warning lights of malfunction at the time. I just heard a loud pop and saw smoke and the airbags were deployed.

Incident: July 1, 2025 · Filed: August 25, 2025

The “Tire Pressure System” warning appeared and has not turned off. New TPMS sensors were installed but the dealership could not get the car to calibrate despite multiple attempts. It has come to my attention that other models of Volvo have this same trouble, and a software update is required.

Incident: April 25, 2019 · Filed: June 12, 2025

In 2023, the engine of my 2013 Volvo S60 failed completely without prior warning and the vehicle had to be scrapped. Before that, in 2022, I paid $1,500 for a full front-end suspension rebuild due to abnormal wear. These failures were later determined to be consistent with high mileage. I had purchased the vehicle in 2019 believing it had 85,125 miles, but a 2025 VINinspect report based on NMVTIS data revealed the true mileage at sale was over 137,000 — a rollback of more than 50,000 miles. The title is now branded “Not Actual Mileage” by the federal database. This odometer fraud misled me into driving a severely worn vehicle that could have posed a serious safety risk, especially once the engine failed unexpectedly. No warning lights appeared prior to failure, and the engine is no longer available for inspection as the vehicle was sold for scrap. Independent mechanics noted the level of wear was not consistent with the mileage shown at the time of purchase. I have reported this case to NHTSA, the NY DMV, FTC, Attorney General, BBB, and others

Incident: April 24, 2025 · Filed: May 13, 2025

I am submitting this report to formally document a severe safety-related failure involving my 2013 Volvo S60, VIN # [XXX] . This vehicle is part of the Volvo brand, widely recognized and marketed as among the safest in the world. Incident Summary: On [XXX], at approximately [XXX] in Norwalk, Connecticut, the vehicle experienced a catastrophic mechanical failure while in operation. The auxiliary (serpentine) belt suddenly failed, shredded itself, and wrapped around the timing pulley. Debris from the failed belt entered the timing belt housing — a supposedly sealed and protected compartment — causing the timing belt to jump. This resulted in an immediate loss of engine power while driving, placing me in a highly vulnerable position. Fortunately, I was not on a multi-lane highway or in fast-moving traffic. Had I been traveling on a busier route, the sudden loss of power could have led to a serious crash and potential injury. This failure represented a genuine threat to my safety. Further inspection revealed that: The lower crankshaft sprocket had skipped three teeth due to the intrusion of the auxiliary belt. The timing belt, although not broken, was off track. A new timing belt was installed in an attempt to restart the engine. The engine would crank but failed to start. A compression test revealed zero compression in all cylinders. The valve train was severely damaged (bent valves), and the engine sustained internal mechanical failure beyond repair. Conclusion and Context: This is not an isolated incident. Upon further research, I discovered that this failure — specifically the auxiliary belt disintegrating and compromising the timing belt system — is a known and well-documented problem in vehicles equipped with the B5254T12 Turbo engine. Volvo has been previously alerted to similar cases before. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: August 23, 2024 · Filed: August 23, 2024

Engine has excessive oil consumption and sets owners up for expensive testing and repairs, because when the original recall came out, many Volvo s60 with excessive oil consumption were barely out of the allowed mileage range, which sticks the owners with excessive repairs. Volvo should stand behind this problem that effects numerous Volvo s60’s and compensate the repairs.

Incident: July 13, 2024 · Filed: July 15, 2024

Since we purchased the car in December, water was observed on occasion streaking down the inside of the windshield. The headliner is damp after rain, and is stained from water as a result. Additionally defrost/defog wasn’t working, and my son reported having to pull over and wait for the rain to stop so he could drive with the windows down in order to be able to see the road. INCREDIBLY unsafe/unable to drive in the rain. I recently applied pressure to the inside of the windshield with my fingertips by the A-pillars on both driver and passenger side to test the seal and visually confirmed the windshield was lifting off of the frame, revealing a broken seal along the top and sides of the windshield.

Incident: August 8, 2023 · Filed: May 19, 2024

car has high oil consumption. takes a full oil change every month

Incident: April 17, 2024 · Filed: April 19, 2024

Vehicle was off in driveway and fire started from right rear taillight. Fire extinguished via fire extinguisher after 5 minutes but car totaled. Inspection by fire department indicated source of fire was right rear tail light.

Incident: January 15, 2024 · Filed: January 29, 2024

I currently own a 2013 S60 2.5L T5 sedan (See Vin # referenced in Subject Line) that recently began displaying on the DIC the following alert/error messages: •Low Oil/No Oil Pressure alert My vehicle only has 67,400 miles on the engine and I am the 2nd owner of the vehicle purchasing it with only 19,560 miles or so, approximately 3.2 yrs ago. Due to my distance from home to the nearest authorized local Volvo dealership (Manasquan NJ), when this warning came up on the car, I immediately took it to an authorized ASE local service repair shop. This vehicle’s oil has always been changed within Volvo manufacturer recommended oil change intervals, so I know that was not a potential cause. I did check the oil level, which was low and there has been no visible under the vehicle oil puddles/stains prior to taking it to determine the root cause of the alert. While at the local service repair center, I was alerted by the service manager that for this year model, there is a known manufacturing issue related to defective O-rings and Pistons causing the vehicle to heavily consume oil, potentially leading to engine failure and poses and immediate safety risk to myself and family members as well as the driving public if there was to be an engine failure. I reached out to Volvo USA earlier today to express my dismay and shock that for one I was not notified of this potential safety recall. I was then to my chagrin informed that my vehicle was not involved/eligible for an extended warranty coverage in an earlier settlement that Volvo was involved in, but also to my surprise I came across a Class Action lawsuit filed against Volvo for deceptive practices related concealing prior knowledge of this safety defect related to the O-Rings and Pistons. (See attached docs for settled Lawsuit Action and an earlier issued Quality Bulletin-[XXX]: Issue Date 1-04-23). After reviewing these two documents, it is clear to me that the bulletin deployed as well as the settling of the NJDCA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Incident: January 4, 2024 · Filed: January 13, 2024

The engine has started to burn excess oil prompting the service engine light to come up way before next oil change. Auto mechanic has to add 5 quarts oil between oil changes on regular basis now telling us the Dealership will need to address the issue. Suggested we replace O rings in engine which is costly repair with no guarantee will solve issue. Could not afford the expensive repair. Recent online research shows this is common issue in the S60 between 50k-100k miles. I Bought this car for daughter as it had every service check required and thinking it was safe reliable car but now risk her running out of oil and engine stop working. 2013 S60 with 90k miles should not have engine problems, especially a Volvo known for high quality. Disappointed that reburbished engine not offered. I am loyal to Volvo having had 2 previous ones but am not impressed with the servicing of this issue.