VehicleVerdict

2018 Volvo XC60 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

A typical year for this model

The 2018 Volvo XC60 sits mid-pack among XC60 years: 55 NHTSA complaints against a model median of roughly 55, with 5 recalls and one closed investigation. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across electrical system (13), brakes (7), and airbags (5), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

55

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

1

Investigations

10

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2018 compare to other XC60 years?

XC60 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2018 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, 2018 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all XC60 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2018 Volvo XC60 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Electrical System1324%
Brakes713%
Airbags59%
Other47%
Driver Assistance47%
Body & Structure47%
Engine35%
Speed Control35%
Tires & Wheels35%
Visibility & Wipers24%
Steering24%
Seats12%
Suspension12%
Seat Belts12%
Transmission12%
Lighting12%

Does the 2018 Volvo XC60 have recalls?

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

25V818000SeatsNovember 25, 2025 · 3 units

Defect

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2026 XC60MHEV, 2018 and 2025 XC60 vehicles. The front seat bolts may have been improperly tightened, resulting in loose bolts.

Consequence

A seat with loose bolts may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Dealers will tighten the front seat bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10345. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 5, 2025.

20V503000Visibility & WipersAugust 25, 2020 · 87,226 units

Defect

Volvo Car of N.A., LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2018-2020 XC60 vehicles. The nuts that secure the front wipers may not have been sufficiently tightened, possibly causing the wipers to not function properly.

Consequence

The risk of the front wiper arms nut fixation to loosen and not holding the arm in correct position, the wiper function could be reduced and vision could be impaired, thus increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the nuts holding the front windshield wiper arms in position, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10044.

19V220000SeatsMarch 20, 2019 · 2,297 units

Defect

Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2018-2019 XC60 and S90 vehicles. The driver and passenger front seat rail rear flange nuts may not have been installed during assembly.

Consequence

If the nuts are missing, in the event of a crash, the front seat structure and position may be affected, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat rails for missing flange nuts, installing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R19931.

19V046000Body & StructureJanuary 18, 2019 · 45,990 units

Defect

Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volvo XC60 vehicles. Under certain conditions and cold temperatures, the tailgate lifting arms may freeze which may cause the lifting arms to separate from the vehicle.

Consequence

If the tailgate lifting arms separate, the arms could project rearward with significant force, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Volvo has notified owners, and dealers will replace the tailgate lift arms with an improved designed, free of charge. The recall began May 14, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89910.

18V800000Electrical SystemNovember 13, 2018 · 17,548 units

Defect

Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improperly. As a result, the GPS will not provide location information to emergency personnel in the event of an emergency.

Consequence

If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.

Remedy

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“ON THE EVENING OF NOVEMBER 20, 2018 MY FAMILY AND I WERE IN A CAR ACCIDENT. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY HUSBAND'S NEW XC60 THAT HE HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED. AS THE FIVE OF US SAT STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, 2 CARS COLLIDED AND ONE HIT US HARD ENOUGH FROM THE FRONT CORNER THAT THE IMPACT FORCED MY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 20, 2018 · crash

“REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS ARE WEARING OUT PREMATURELY. CURRENT VEHICLE STATUS IS 20K MILES, REAR PADS ARE <3MM AND ROTORS REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. PER THE DEALERSHIP THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE NEWER XC60, XC90 MODELS. THEY ARE UNDER THE IMPRESSION EITHER THE PADS ARE INFERIOR, OR VOLVO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 11, 2020

“ON THE EVENING OF NOVEMBER 20, 2018 MY FAMILY AND I WERE IN A CAR ACCIDENT. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY HUSBAND'S NEW XC60 THAT HE HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED. AS THE FIVE OF US SAT STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, 2 CARS COLLIDED AND ONE HIT US HARD ENOUGH FROM THE FRONT CORNER THAT THE IMPACT FORCED MY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · November 20, 2018 · crash

“ON THE EVENING OF NOVEMBER 20, 2018 MY FAMILY AND I WERE IN A CAR ACCIDENT. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING MY HUSBAND'S NEW XC60 THAT HE HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED. AS THE FIVE OF US SAT STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, 2 CARS COLLIDED AND ONE HIT US HARD ENOUGH FROM THE FRONT CORNER THAT THE IMPACT FORCED MY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · November 20, 2018 · crash

“Distracting Dash warnings “POWER STEERING ASSISTANCE TEMPORARILY REDUCED”, auto parking warning come on while driving and engine pause during stops working intermittently. Start/Stop doesn't work like its supposed to, only works intermittently, only works beginning of drive & then doesn't work…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · October 7, 2022

2018 Volvo XC60 — common questions

Is the 2018 Volvo XC60 reliable?

It is close to typical for the XC60: 55 NHTSA complaints, 5 recalls, and 1 investigation on file.

What are the most common 2018 XC60 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are electrical system (13 complaints), brakes (7 complaints), airbags (5 complaints).

Does the 2018 Volvo XC60 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2018 Volvo XC60. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2018 Volvo XC60 under NHTSA investigation?

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

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.

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.