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2012 Volvo S60

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most S60 years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Volvo S60 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 20.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

82 reports with mileage · 39 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 61 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Seat Belts. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports0 fire reports11 injury reports

Engine complaints

61 reports
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Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2022
Engine

It looks as if my car should have been included in the 62Vin recall for engine sensor not stating low oil. Car started to knock and shutoff with no warning for low oil pressure. Diagnostic show oil was issue but even when completely drained car still does not display low oil which caused motor to blow. Contacted volvo and they w…

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It looks as if my car should have been included in the 62Vin recall for engine sensor not stating low oil. Car started to knock and shutoff with no warning for low oil pressure. Diagnostic show oil was issue but even when completely drained car still does not display low oil which caused motor to blow. Contacted volvo and they would not add vehicle to recalls even though car year manufactured period and engine vin matched recall.

NHTSA ODI #11451489

Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2021
Engine

This in regards to a vehicle I purchased on March 30, 2021. It is a 2012 Volvo S60 T5 VIN #[XXX]. When I purchased the car it had 99,489 miles on the odometer and when the vehicle became an issue it was at 104,409 miles on the odometer. I purchased it on Craigslist from a physician in Maine. On December 1, 2021 my husband was dr…

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This in regards to a vehicle I purchased on March 30, 2021. It is a 2012 Volvo S60 T5 VIN #[XXX]. When I purchased the car it had 99,489 miles on the odometer and when the vehicle became an issue it was at 104,409 miles on the odometer. I purchased it on Craigslist from a physician in Maine. On December 1, 2021 my husband was driving the vehicle on the highway and it stalled without warning after almost crashing. He was able to pull over, start the car back up and drive it home. There were no warning alerts or check engine light that came on the dashboard. After browsing the internet, we realized that the car had a recall due to an oil consumption level issue in 2014 (Recall #R29436; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration campaign #13V592000). I contacted Volvo of North America who opened up a case (case #[XXX]) and then had the car towed to Portland Volvo in Scarborough, Maine for an appointment on December 14, 2021. On December 15, 2021 Portland Volvo informed us that the vehicle’s engine was beyond repair. Later that evening I received an email from [XXX] at Volvo of NA stating that they would cover $750 of the repairs. I emailed her back asking her to wait for a quote from Portland Volvo on how much it was going to be to repair the vehicle. On December 16, 2021 I was informed by [XXX] at Portland Volvo that she spoke with the district manager and that a used engine costs between $10-14,000 and that Volvo of North America has decided not to help because the car is now out of warranty but [XXX] from Portland Volvo admitted it was a manufacturer's defect. Not only has the car been seen periodically throughout its lifetime at Volvo dealerships and was seen in July 2021 due to two recalls that needed to be fixed at Volvo in Exeter, NH. They did a multi-point inspection on the car and everything passed and only 3,500 miles had been put on the car since. I have all the paperwork proving all of this. INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11444085

133,000 miles · Jul 30, 2021
Engine

The contact owns a 2012 Volvo S60. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and parked on the side of the road and turned off the vehicle but it was unable to be restarted. The contact stated the vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or rep…

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The contact owns a 2012 Volvo S60. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the oil pressure warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and parked on the side of the road and turned off the vehicle but it was unable to be restarted. The contact stated the vehicle was not drivable. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V592000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

NHTSA ODI #11427208

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2021
Engine

I had the car about 3 months from a dealership. I was driving through the hills near my house, at first no problem. After about 4 turns or so this red light would come on saying something like low oil pressure and the car would stall a bit til I was out of the turn. Didn’t say anything about needing oil or anything. I would have…

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I had the car about 3 months from a dealership. I was driving through the hills near my house, at first no problem. After about 4 turns or so this red light would come on saying something like low oil pressure and the car would stall a bit til I was out of the turn. Didn’t say anything about needing oil or anything. I would have gone straight to a gas station had there been one. My only option was to turn around when I could at the bottom of the hill and go back. The car did the same thing on the way back. I got the car home without further problems parked it and planned to have it checked out first thing when a drove the car again. A couple days went by I decided it was time to have the car checked out. Got in the car started the car and the car started making an extreme rattling noise. I thought maybe something came loose I popped the hood and the rattling increased the the car stalled and stopped running before I got a chance to have it checked out. I started looking on line and found that the were hundreds of people with this same year make and model that the same happened to them . I tried to get my insurance to pay for it but they wouldn’t go for it. I went back online and learned that this issue is something Volvo knew about for many years and said it was limited to models 2012 with vin62 which my car is but only for like a three month period of time during 2012 . I thought they are obviously trying to limit the amount of responsibility they have to people like me who unknowingly purchased a Volvo expecting to have a quality car that would last many years. If you read the hundreds of blogs from people who’s cars engines failed exactly the way Volvo said of the cars Volvo was willing to recall and repair because it is Volvo’s responsibility to do so. I got lucky that the engine didn’t fail as I was driving through the hills. I and others could’ve been hospitalized or killed Thanks to Volvo only informing a very limited few of this issue

NHTSA ODI #11426033

Mileage unknown · Jul 13, 2021
EngineUnknown Or Other

I was driving on my way back home. When my car started to knock. As I was slowing down to pull over. My oil pressure light came on. Granted, the reason was unknown. I had just recently checked the oil level. I got out to check the dipstick to find smoke coming out where the dipstick was. Curious as I was, I had no oil which left…

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I was driving on my way back home. When my car started to knock. As I was slowing down to pull over. My oil pressure light came on. Granted, the reason was unknown. I had just recently checked the oil level. I got out to check the dipstick to find smoke coming out where the dipstick was. Curious as I was, I had no oil which left me puzzled. After some research, I found that my car had a recall on it for oil consumption. I called and asked a rep if they could verify if my vehicle was serviced for the issue. But without a doubt, he said it was. I just want to know if the problem was fixed. I currently can't crank my vehicle. I even dug into it myself and found that I had a bad starter nd battery. After replacing the two. I still can't get my vehicle to turn over. Any help would be much appreciated. Thank you, [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

NHTSA ODI #11424688

Mileage unknown · Jun 4, 2021
EngineSeat BeltsCrash

I was on my was home from work and I Engine Started to malfunction In the middle of the street I got help to push out of the street waited a few minutes and it started back up thank God it got me home but now I’m still having problems

NHTSA ODI #11419711

101,000 miles · Apr 30, 2021
Engine

APRIL B2021. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY VEHICLE STALLED . I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT THE CAR FEARFUL OF MY SAFETY I CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO TOW THE CAR. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A VOLVO DEALERSHIP WHICH REFUSED TO DIAGNOSE THE CAR. SO I GOT IT TOWED TO A CERTIFIED SHOP. I WAS TOLD THAT TWO CYLINDERS LOST PRESSURE …

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APRIL B2021. I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND MY VEHICLE STALLED . I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT THE CAR FEARFUL OF MY SAFETY I CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO TOW THE CAR. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A VOLVO DEALERSHIP WHICH REFUSED TO DIAGNOSE THE CAR. SO I GOT IT TOWED TO A CERTIFIED SHOP. I WAS TOLD THAT TWO CYLINDERS LOST PRESSURE AND I NEED A REPLACEMENT MOTOR. WHAT? I NEVER RECEIVED ANY WARNING LIGHTS , NO LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT. I FOLLOWED THE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. HOW IS THIS . I'VE CONTACTED VOLVO AMERICA AND AM WAITING. I FIND IT STRANGE THAT THE VOLVO THAT I'VE BEEN USING FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS SUDDENLY REFUSED TO LOOK AT THE CAR. I'M LEARNING THAT SEIZED ENGINES IN THIS PARTICULAR MAKE AND MODEL IS COMMON RIGHT AROUND 100,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11414556

105,000 miles · Jan 21, 2021
Engine

EXTREMELY HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION WAS EVENTUALLY DIAGNOSED BY DEALER AS DUE TO FAULTY PISTON RINGS, WHICH WERE REPLACED AT A HIGHLY-DISCOUNTED COST ON 1/17/20 AT 100,573 MILES. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON 1/16/21 (MILEAGE WAS THEN ABOUT 105,000 MILES) I GOT AN ALERT THAT THERE WAS NO OIL PRESSURE AND CAR SHOULD BE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY…

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EXTREMELY HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION WAS EVENTUALLY DIAGNOSED BY DEALER AS DUE TO FAULTY PISTON RINGS, WHICH WERE REPLACED AT A HIGHLY-DISCOUNTED COST ON 1/17/20 AT 100,573 MILES. WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON 1/16/21 (MILEAGE WAS THEN ABOUT 105,000 MILES) I GOT AN ALERT THAT THERE WAS NO OIL PRESSURE AND CAR SHOULD BE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. AFTER STOPPING, I DETERMINED THAT THE OIL LEVEL WAS IN THE NORMAL ZONE. I THEN TALKED TO THE DEALER, WHO SAID HE THOUGHT IT WAS AN ELECTRONIC ISSUE AND THAT I COULD DRIVE THE CAR HOME. LESS THAN 20 MILES LATER, AN ALERT SAID THE ENGINE WAS SHUTTING DOWN, AND THE CAR LIMPED TO A STALL AT THE SIDE OF A FREEWAY EXIT. CAR COULD NOT BE STARTED, AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. DEALER HAS ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE HAD FAILED AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI #11389202

130,000 miles · Jan 16, 2021
Engine

THE CAR DISPLAYED A LOW OIL WARNING, SO I CHECKED AND THE OIL WAS A LITTLE LOW SO I ADDED A QUART. THE LIGHT DISAPPEARED. THE NEXT DAY, SAME THING HAPPENED, BUT OIL LEVEL WAS FULL. THE LIGHT AGAIN WENT OUT. LATER THAT DAY, THE LOW OIL LIGHT CAME BACK ON, SO I PULLED OVER AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE. DECIDED TO CHANGE T…

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THE CAR DISPLAYED A LOW OIL WARNING, SO I CHECKED AND THE OIL WAS A LITTLE LOW SO I ADDED A QUART. THE LIGHT DISAPPEARED. THE NEXT DAY, SAME THING HAPPENED, BUT OIL LEVEL WAS FULL. THE LIGHT AGAIN WENT OUT. LATER THAT DAY, THE LOW OIL LIGHT CAME BACK ON, SO I PULLED OVER AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE. DECIDED TO CHANGE THE OIL, AND SAW METAL SHAVING IN THE FILTER. I DISASSEMBLED THE ENGINE AND METAL WAS EVERYWHERE. THE CULPRIT WAS A SHATTERED OIL PUMP, WHICH SPEWED METAL ALL INTO THE CRANKSHAFT AND BEARINGS. A QUICK SEARCH ONLINE FOUND NUMEROUS CASES SIMILAR TO MINE, WHERE THE ENGINE BLEW WITH NO TYPE OF WARNING OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THIS WAS CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE OIL PUMP THAT BREAKS DOWN AND SHATTERS INSIDE THE ENGINE BLOCK, CAUSING METAL TO ENTER THE ENGINE AND DESTROY IT.

NHTSA ODI #11388407

60,000 miles · Jan 11, 2021
EngineUnknown Or Other

CAR NEVER WARNED OF LOW PRESSURE OR OIL LOW. CAR STARTED TO SHIMMY AND BLOW WHITE SMOKE. IT CAN NO LONGER BE DRIVEN. PISTON HEADS BLEW DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION.WILL COST APPROX 7 TO 8 THOUSAND TO FIX.

NHTSA ODI #11387574

Official recalls

8

20V378000 · Seat Belts:front

Jun 30, 2020

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 & remedy

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.

19V849000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Nov 26, 2019

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 & remedy

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.

13V592000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine

Nov 22, 2013

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S60 vehicles manufactured June 22, 2010, through May 14, 2012, and equipped with 5-cylinder B5254T5 (VIN code 62) engines. In the affected vehicles, the vehicle may not alert the driver of a low oil pressure situation.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Without being warned of a low oil pressure situation, the driver may continue to drive the vehicle until it stalls, which increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software so that the driver is alerted should there be a low oil pressure situation, free of charge. The recall began on January 10, 2014. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this campaign is R29436.

12V101000 · Structure:body

Mar 14, 2012

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60 AND XC60 PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN INCORRECT MIXTURE OF UNDERBODY COATING AND OVER-APPLICATION CAN RESULT IN RIGID, ICICLE-LIKE AREAS HANGING FROM VEHICLE’S UNDERCARRIAGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION EXISTS, THE UNDERBODY COATING MAY PENETRATE THE FUELS LINES AND CAUSE FUEL LEAKAGE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE UNDERCARRIAGE, AND IF EXCESSIVE UNDERBODY COATING IS FOUND IN THE FUEL LINE AREA, IT WILL BE REMOVED. IF THE INSPECTION REVEALS THAT THE FUEL LINES ARE DAMAGED, THEY WILL BE REPLACED. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 25, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CUSTOMER CARE CENTER AT 1-800-458-1552.

12V075000 · Electrical System:wiring

Feb 28, 2012

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60, XC60, S80 AND XC70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 16, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 6, 2011. IN THESE VEHICLES, THE WIRE HARNESS UNDER THE FRONT SEATS MAY HAVE NOT BEEN ATTACHED PROPERLY TO THE SEAT FRAME. AS A RESULT, WHEN THE SEATS ARE MOVED TO ADJUST THE SEATING POSITION, THE WIRE HARNESS MAY GET PULLED, CAUSING IT TO DISCONNECT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF CRASH, THE FRONT AND/OR SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY IMPROPERLY OR NOT AT ALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY. ALSO, THE LAP BELT PRETENSIONER MAY NOT DEPLOY.

Remedy: VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, SECURE THE SEAT WIRE HARNESS. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 12, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.

11V508000 · Equipment:other:labels

Oct 18, 2011

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2012 C70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2005, THROUGH JULY 31, 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 S60 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 14, 2010, THROUGH APRIL 16, 2011, THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ACCESSORY SPARE TIRE KIT. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES DO NOT CONTAIN THE CORRECT INFORMATION FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL ACCESSORY SPARE TIRE AND WHEEL KIT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A MISPRINTED LABEL COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND INSTALL THE LABEL AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-201-768-7300.

11V311000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Jun 6, 2011

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 18, 2011, THROUGH JANUARY 28, 2011. THE MALE PART OF THE FUEL LINE QUICK CONNECTOR END SHAPE WAS PRODUCED WITH DIMENSIONS OUT OF SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESSIVE ASSEMBLY FORCE ON THE FEMALE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE LOCKING FUNCTION MAY NOT BE ENGAGED.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF A VEHICLE EXHIBITS THIS CONDITION, THE FUEL LINE QUICK CONNECTOR MAY DETACH AND THE ENGINE MAY STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE CUSTOMER MAY ALSO NOTICE A FUEL SMELL AND LEAKAGE. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: VOLVO DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 24, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-201-768-7300.

11V303000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Jun 1, 2011

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 18, 2010, THROUGH MAY 5, 2011. THE SOFTWARE FOR THE FUEL PUMP UNITS MAY NOT BE COMPATIBLE WITH ALL FUEL PUMPS AND COMPONENTS RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT FUEL TRANSFER IN THE PUMP UNIT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THERE MAY BE ENGINE HESITATION AND POSSIBLE ENGINE STALL EVEN THOUGH THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATES UP TO 1/4 OF THE FUEL IS LEFT IN THE TANK. THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-201-768-7300.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.