VehicleVerdict

2011 Volvo XC60 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2011 Volvo XC60 sits mid-pack among XC60 years: 50 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 55, with 4 recalls and no defect investigations.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (9), visibility & wipers (8), and other (8), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect. In government crash testing it earned 5 of 5 NCAP stars overall.

50

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

5

NCAP overall · of 5 stars

How does 2011 compare to other XC60 years?

XC60 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted113 complaints2009: 0 complaints2010: 79 complaints2011: 50 complaints2012: 56 complaints2013: 81 complaints2014: 26 complaints2015: 67 complaints2016: 45 complaints2017: 21 complaints2018: 55 complaints2019: 62 complaints2020: 28 complaints2021: 74 complaints2022: 113 complaints2023: 74 complaints2024: 34 complaints2025: 38 complaints
XC60 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all XC60 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Volvo XC60 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System918%
Visibility & Wipers816%
Other816%
Seat Belts816%
Engine48%
Steering36%
Body & Structure36%
Brakes24%
Airbags24%
Speed Control12%
Fuel System12%
Transmission12%

Does the 2011 Volvo XC60 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.

10V591000SeatsNovember 22, 2010 · 7,420 units

Defect

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER FRONT PASSENGER SEATS. THE FRONT SEAT RAIL'S DETECTION SYSTEM WAS MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY AND MAY PERMIT THE PASSENGER TO FORWARD THE SEAT BEYOND THE INTENDED MAXIMUM.

Consequence

POSITIONING OF THE SEAT BEYOND THE INTENDED MAXIMUM CAN CAUSE INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE PASSENGER IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT POWER SEAT STOPS FOR BOTH FRONT SEATS FOR THE PRESENCE OF AN "END STOP" AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552 OR AT CUSTOMERCARE@VOLVOFORLIFE.COM.

10V579000EngineNovember 17, 2010 · 6,046 units

Defect

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011, S80, S60, XC70 AND XC60 VEHICLES. THE SOFTWARE CALIBRATION FOR THE FUEL CUT-OFF FUNCTIONALITY IN THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) IS TOO SENSITIVE.

Consequence

SUDDEN ENGINE STALL COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE ECM AND TCM WITH NEW SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 10, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552 OR AT CUSTOMERCARE@VOLVOFORLIFE.COM.

10V489000AirbagsOctober 13, 2010 · 9,746 units

Defect

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 S80, XC70, MODEL YEAR 2011 XC60 AND MODEL YEAR 2010 V70 VEHICLES. THERE MAY BE AN INTERMITTENT FAULT IN THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING WIRING CONNECTOR FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED OR AT ALL, AND THEREFORE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL A METAL SHIM IN THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING WIRING CONNECTOR. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2010. 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.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLVO XC60. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE KEY FAILED TO RELEASE FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · March 29, 2015

“2011 VOVLO XC60. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO BLIS SYSTEM PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FIVE TIMES, TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, AS THE LIGHT INDICATORS FLASHED WHEN IN FACT THERE WAS NO VEHICLE IN HIS BLIND SPOT. *JB”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 1, 2014

“THE FRONT WINDSHIELD (ORIGINAL, FACTORY) ADHESIVE HAS FAILED AND THE WINDSHIELD IS LOOSE. BESIDES THE ANNOYANCE OF WATER LEAKING IN, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE WINDSHIELD IS A STRUCTURAL COMPONENT WHICH RETAINS THE AIRBAGS AND OCCUPANTS. THIS IS APPARENTLY A FAIRLY COMMON KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Visibility & Wipers · January 1, 2019

“SEAT BELT RECALL ISSUED JUNE 30, 2020 (INFO BELOW). CALLED THE VOLVO DEALER (AUTONATION IN BELLEVUE, WA) AND THEY REPORTED THAT NO PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE UNTIL NOVEMBER 2020 AND THAT I SHOULD CALL BACK THEN. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN UNREASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO REPLACE SUCH A CRITICAL PIECE OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seat Belts · September 2, 2020

“The contact owns a 2011 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that she noticed an oil leak underneath the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the turbo needed to be replaced. The…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 14, 2022

2011 Volvo XC60 — common questions

Is the 2011 Volvo XC60 reliable?

It is close to typical for the XC60: 50 NHTSA complaints, 4 recalls, and no investigations on file.

What are the most common 2011 XC60 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (9 complaints), visibility & wipers (8 complaints), other (8 complaints).

Does the 2011 Volvo XC60 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Volvo XC60. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Volvo XC60 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the XC60 years to avoid are 2022. The cleanest record among XC60 years belongs to 2009.

How safe is the 2011 Volvo XC60?

In NHTSA's NCAP crash testing, the 2011 Volvo XC60 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.