VehicleVerdict

2016 Volvo S60 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2016 Volvo S60 sits mid-pack among S60 years: 34 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 31, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (8), electrical system (6), and other (4), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

34

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2016 compare to other S60 years?

S60 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2016 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, 2016 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S60 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Volvo S60 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine824%
Electrical System618%
Other412%
Visibility & Wipers39%
Seat Belts39%
Body & Structure39%
Tires & Wheels26%
Transmission13%
Speed Control13%
Airbags13%
Fuel System13%
Brakes13%

Does the 2016 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.

16V798000Seat BeltsNovember 2, 2016 · 74,027 units

Defect

Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 XC90, S90, XC60, V60 Cross Country, V60, S60 Cross Country, S60, and S60 Inscription vehicles manufactured February 16, 2015, to August 22, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the front passenger seat belt buckle attaching stud may loosen, allowing the buckle to separate from the seat belt bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages" and number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

Consequence

If the seat belt buckle separates from the bracket, the front seat passenger may not be adequately restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt buckle stud, replacing the seat belt buckle as needed, free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89708.

15V555000Electrical SystemSeptember 2, 2015 · 7,855 units

Defect

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo S60, V60, V60CC, XC60, XC70, and S80 vehicles manufactured April 8, 2015 to August 19, 2015. In certain driving conditions when using the automatic engine stop/start function, the starter motor fuse may blow, preventing the car from restarting when necessary.

Consequence

If the vehicle is unexpectedly unable to be started in the middle of traffic, such as when stopped at an intersection, there is an increased risk of a crash.

Remedy

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing starter motor fuse with a higher amperage fuse, free of charge. The recall began on October 26, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552 or by visiting http://volvo.custhelp.com. Volvo's number for this recall is R39574.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2016 VOLVO S60 - THE CAR AT INCIDENT DATE HAD 200 MILES ON IT. WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC ON A CALIFORNIA FREEWAY - THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, STEERING, LIGHTS, ETC WHILE IN THE NUMBER 4 OF 7 LANE FREEWAY AT NIGHT. THE CAR WAS BLACKED OUT, NO LIGHTS, NO POWER, NO ENGINE, STALLED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · December 18, 2015 · crash

“PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2016 VOLVO S60 - THE CAR AT INCIDENT DATE HAD 200 MILES ON IT. WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC ON A CALIFORNIA FREEWAY - THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, STEERING, LIGHTS, ETC WHILE IN THE NUMBER 4 OF 7 LANE FREEWAY AT NIGHT. THE CAR WAS BLACKED OUT, NO LIGHTS, NO POWER, NO ENGINE, STALLED…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 18, 2015 · crash

“DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN A ROAD AND AT A SPEED OF AROUND 40 MPH, ALL WARNING LIGHTS FLASHED AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. AFTER A DISTANCE, THE CAR CAME TO A STOP AND I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART IT. I SHIFTED THE CAR INTO PARK AND WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THE ENGINE TO RESTART.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · January 16, 2016

“Windscreen wiper motors failed during inclement weather making visibility impossible. The vehicle was only approximately 2 years old at the time of failure. This created a serious safety issue and may have led to a crash and injury. The dealer diagnosed the issue as failed wiper motors and replaced…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · January 18, 2019

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V849000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 24, 2020

2016 Volvo S60 — common questions

Is the 2016 Volvo S60 reliable?

It is close to typical for the S60: 34 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2016 S60 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (8 complaints), electrical system (6 complaints), other (4 complaints).

Does the 2016 Volvo S60 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 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 2016 Volvo S60?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2016 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.