VehicleVerdict

2020 Volvo S60 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 22 complaints on file for the 2020 Volvo S60 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

22

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

1

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2020 compare to other S60 years?

S60 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2020 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, 2020 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S60 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2020 Volvo S60 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Brakes523%
Driver Assistance418%
Steering314%
Suspension29%
Electrical System29%
Tires & Wheels29%
Other15%
Visibility & Wipers15%
Speed Control15%
Transmission15%

Does the 2020 Volvo S60 have recalls?

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

25V179000Electrical SystemMarch 24, 2025 · 7,483 units

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.

Consequence

A short circuit in a high-voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.

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.

23V780000AirbagsNovember 21, 2023 · 346 units

Defect

Volvo Car USA, LLC. (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2024 S60 vehicles. The passenger air bag may not be secured properly, which can cause the air bag to deploy improperly.

Consequence

An air bag that does not deploy properly in a crash increases the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts securing the passenger air bag, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 5, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10254.

21V414000Electrical SystemJune 2, 2021 · 85,550 units

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.

Consequence

Failure of the low-pressure fuel pump can cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

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.

20V144000Driver AssistanceMarch 12, 2020 · 121,605 units

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.

Consequence

If the automatic emergency braking system does not engage as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“'THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW STOP SAFELY' MESSAGE CAME ON AT LESS THAN 87 MILES ON THE ODOMETER WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING ON MY DRIVEWAY. A VOLVO DEALER STATED THE FOLLOWING: FLUID WAS LOW NO EXTERNAL LEAK FOUND TOPPED OFF BRAKE FLUID TO FULL MARK 'THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW STOP SAFELY' MESSAGE CAME ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · January 3, 2020

“The contact owns a 2020 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while at a stop light, the vehicle erroneously drove forward and crashed into a second vehicle. The contact indicate that during the crash the collision avoidance feature did not activate. No injuries were reported. A police report was…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Driver Assistance · December 28, 2021 · crash

“Ongoing Problem as mentioned in Volvo's Technical Journal "Speed Dependent Vibrations at Highway Speeds" Ref No: TJ 20803.20.0 . At any speed of 75 mph and above the front continuously vibrates. The tires have been replaced two times in less than 2 weeks and road forced balanced by the dealership…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Steering · April 1, 2021

“Ongoing Problem as mentioned in Volvo's Technical Journal "Speed Dependent Vibrations at Highway Speeds" Ref No: TJ 20803.20.0 . At any speed of 75 mph and above the front continuously vibrates. The tires have been replaced two times in less than 2 weeks and road forced balanced by the dealership…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · April 1, 2021

“I turned the car on and got an error message that said the turn indicator system failed. After trying to clear the message from the dash using the button on the steering wheel, I discovered that nothing on the steering wheel was working, including the windshield wipers or any buttons on the…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · June 20, 2021

2020 Volvo S60 — common questions

Is the 2020 Volvo S60 reliable?

The record is thin — 22 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2020 S60 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are brakes (5 complaints), driver assistance (4 complaints), steering (3 complaints).

Does the 2020 Volvo S60 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2020 Volvo S60. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2020 Volvo S60 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

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.

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.