VehicleVerdict

2013 Volvo S60 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 105 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.4 times the median S60 year — the 2013 model ranks #6 of 26 S60 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 37 reports (35% of the total). In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

105

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

1

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2013 compare to other S60 years?

S60 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted262 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 1 complaints2001: 262 complaints2002: 248 complaints2003: 168 complaints2004: 262 complaints2005: 57 complaints2006: 42 complaints2007: 34 complaints2008: 14 complaints2009: 9 complaints2011: 5 complaints2012: 167 complaints2013: 105 complaints2014: 35 complaints2015: 81 complaints2016: 34 complaints2017: 17 complaints2018: 5 complaints2019: 31 complaints2020: 22 complaints2021: 12 complaints2022: 28 complaints2023: 3 complaints2024: 31 complaints2025: 0 complaints
S60 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2013 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S60 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2013 Volvo S60 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine3735%
Other1413%
Electrical System88%
Airbags77%
Tires & Wheels66%
Visibility & Wipers55%
Transmission55%
Brakes55%
Seat Belts44%
Speed Control33%
Fuel System33%
Body & Structure33%
Latches & Locks22%
Driver Assistance11%
Lighting11%
Steering11%

Does the 2013 Volvo S60 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

20V378000Seat BeltsJune 30, 2020 · 308,260 units

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.

Consequence

An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

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.

19V849000Latches & LocksNovember 26, 2019 · 144,937 units

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.

Consequence

A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

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.

13V084000OtherMarch 5, 2013 · 7 units

Defect

Volvo is recalling certain model year 2013 S60 and XC60 vehicles, manufactured on January 7, 2013. The product identification labels were printed with the incorrect manufacture year. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification Regulation."

Consequence

With an incorrect date of manufacture on the certification label, the vehicle owner may not be to determine if they are affected by future vehicle recalls, increasing their risk of a crash of injury.

Remedy

Volvo has quarantined the affected vehicles and will install correct labels prior to sale. The recall began during March 2013. Owner notification letters will not be sent.

12V439000AirbagsSeptember 10, 2012 · 9 units

Defect

Volvo is recalling certain model year 2013 S60 and XC60 vehicles. A manufacturing defect within the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) control unit may lead to an inadvertent deployment of the seat belt pretensioner and/or inflatable curtain.

Consequence

If the seat belt pretensioner and/or inflatable side curtain deploy without cause, the driver could be distracted and the driver's visibility could be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

These vehicles have not been sold and the SRS control unit will be replaced prior to the cars being sold. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“WE BELIEVED THE 2013 VOLVO S60 WAS LEAKING OIL BUT THE MECHANIC FROM LOCAL SERVICE STATION DID NOT FIND A LEAK. THE LOCAL MECHANIC CALLED BOSTON VOLVO SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VOLVO S60'S HAS PISTON RING PROBLEMS AND TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO BOSTON VOLVO FOR CONFIRMATION. BOSTON VOLVO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · September 17, 2020

“The "brushed aluminum" interior panels are peeling. The metallic part has separated from the plastic in multiple area. This creates curled up (perpendicular to the original) pieces that are VERY sharp. I have no less than 10 cuts in the last year. The pieces are razor blade sharp. I don't allow my…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 25, 2022

“VEHICLE INVOLVED DAMAGE FRONT AND LEFT FRONTAL AREA. SPEED 40-45 MPH. NO FRONTAL OR SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG AND CURTAIN DEPLOYMENT. FAILURE OF COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM AND ELECTRONICAL INDICATORS, ABS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · February 22, 2013 · crash

“VEHICLE INVOLVED DAMAGE FRONT AND LEFT FRONTAL AREA. SPEED 40-45 MPH. NO FRONTAL OR SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG AND CURTAIN DEPLOYMENT. FAILURE OF COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM AND ELECTRONICAL INDICATORS, ABS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · February 22, 2013 · crash

“NOTE AHORA SE HAN MUDADO AL 755 NW 20 ST MIAMI FL 33127 UNDER NAME GOLDEN GLADE COLLISION CENTER, INSURANCE KNOWS ABOUT AIR BAG IT DOES NOT WORKING PROPERLY,, THEY KNOW ABOUT FRAUD,, INVESTIGATOR KNOWS ABOUT SAFETY PARTS,, INSURANCE PAY THEM WITH FAKE PAPERS,, INSURANCE KNOWS ABOUT STOLEN MONEY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · August 6, 2014 · crash

2013 Volvo S60 — common questions

Is the 2013 Volvo S60 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 105 complaints put the 2013 model at #6 of 26 S60 years. It is one of the S60 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2013 S60 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (37 complaints), other (14 complaints), electrical system (8 complaints).

Does the 2013 Volvo S60 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2013 Volvo S60. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Volvo S60 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the S60 years to avoid are 2004, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2005. The cleanest record among S60 years belongs to 2025.

How safe is the 2013 Volvo S60?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2013 Volvo S60 earned an overall rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.