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.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all S60 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
121 reportsRECALL NOTICE ON 11/2019 TO REPLACE ALL DOORS DUE TO A SAFETY ISSUE (RECALL #: R89978: DOOR LATCHES). RECENTLY ON 12/1/2019, 12/23/2019 AND 1/5/2020 I NOTICED THAT MY REAR RIGHT DOOR SLIGHTLY OPENED WHILE CITY DRIVING IN SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOOD (LOTS OF STOPS) AND THE DOOR SIGNAL DID NOT INDICATE. THEY DID NOT FULLY OPEN BUT THE L…
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RECALL NOTICE ON 11/2019 TO REPLACE ALL DOORS DUE TO A SAFETY ISSUE (RECALL #: R89978: DOOR LATCHES). RECENTLY ON 12/1/2019, 12/23/2019 AND 1/5/2020 I NOTICED THAT MY REAR RIGHT DOOR SLIGHTLY OPENED WHILE CITY DRIVING IN SUBURBAN NEIGHBORHOOD (LOTS OF STOPS) AND THE DOOR SIGNAL DID NOT INDICATE. THEY DID NOT FULLY OPEN BUT THE LATCH SEEMS TO HAVE AN ISSUE. HAVE BEEN REACHING OUT TO SERVICE AND VOLVO DOES NOT HAVE THE PARTS NEEDED.
AS I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT I BEGAN TO SLOW DOWN AND MY CAR STARTED TO SHAKE AND THEN IT TURNED OFF I WAS UNABLE TO TURN ON MY HAZARDS TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS OR PULL OVER TO THE SIDE, AFTER A COUPLE SECONDS THE LIGHTS CAME BACK ON AND I PUT THE CAR IN P AND STARTED IT AGAIN. IT HAPPENED AGAIN LATER ON THE SAME DAY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V378000 (SEAT BELTS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED TOM WOOD VOLVO (4620 E 96TH ST, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46240; (317) 848-7447) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V378000 (SEAT BELTS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED TOM WOOD VOLVO (4620 E 96TH ST, INDIANAPOLIS, IN 46240; (317) 848-7447) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHERRY HILL VOLVO CARS (1810 MARLTON PIKE WEST, CHERRY HILL, NJ 08002, (856) 665-4050) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MANIFO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHERRY HILL VOLVO CARS (1810 MARLTON PIKE WEST, CHERRY HILL, NJ 08002, (856) 665-4050) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MANIFOLD, TURBO CHARGER, CYLINDER BLOCK, NEW PISTON RODS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V592000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 151,031.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE LOW OIL LEVEL WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ON THEIR INSTRUMENT PANEL AND DISAPPEARED. THE CONTACT ADDED A QUART OF OIL AND APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS LATER WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING, SHE BECAME AWARE OF A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE LOW OIL LEVEL WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ON THEIR INSTRUMENT PANEL AND DISAPPEARED. THE CONTACT ADDED A QUART OF OIL AND APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS LATER WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING, SHE BECAME AWARE OF A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THE KNOCKING SOUND. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE DIPSTICK AND NOTICED THAT IT WAS DRY. THE CONTACT HAD NOT CONTACTED A DEALER OR A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT THE LOCAL DEALER FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
2012 VOLVO 60, NEEDS NEW ENGINE. VOLVO STATES ITS NOT WORTH REPAIRING AT 81K MILES. VIN # [XXX] THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED CERTIFIED IN 2015 FROM BILL GRAY VOLVO, 2897 MURRYSVILLE ROAD PENNSYLVANIA, 15317 I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED 2012 VOLVO S60 T5, VIN # [XXX] IN 2005 FROM A DEALER IN PITTSBURGH, PA, WITH 17/K. I…
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2012 VOLVO 60, NEEDS NEW ENGINE. VOLVO STATES ITS NOT WORTH REPAIRING AT 81K MILES. VIN # [XXX] THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED CERTIFIED IN 2015 FROM BILL GRAY VOLVO, 2897 MURRYSVILLE ROAD PENNSYLVANIA, 15317 I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED 2012 VOLVO S60 T5, VIN # [XXX] IN 2005 FROM A DEALER IN PITTSBURGH, PA, WITH 17/K. I MAINTAINED THE CAR, WITH ALL THE REQUIRED SERVICE. THE CAR DRIVES RUNS WELL, THE CHECK ENGINE WAS ON AND WHEN I TOOK IT FOR A STATE INSPECTION, I WAS TOLD IT HAD INTERNAL ENGINE ISSUES: MIS-FIRING, NO COMPRESSION ON CYLINDER # 1 AND LOW COMPRESS ON #2 CYLINDER. I WAS TOLD IT'S TOO EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. IT'S WELL UNDER THE 100K WARRANTY, WITH ONLY 82/K MILES BUT OVER THE 5 YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD. I WAS TOLD REPLACING THE ENGINE IS NOT AN OPTION BECAUSE IT WILL COST 13K EVEN A USED ENGINE WILL NOT WORK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
MY CAR DOESN'T NOTIFY ME THAT THE ENGINE OIL IS LOW. LAST YEAR, I DROVE ALL THE WAY TO MISSISSIPPI WITHOUT IT WARNING THAT THE OIL WAS LO WITH BARELY ANY OIL ON THE DIP STICK. WE STOPPED TO CHECK IT WHEN WE GOT GAS AND THAT IS HOW WE KNEW. IT HAS BEEN LOW SEVERAL TIMES THIS YEAR WITHOUT NOTIFYING ME. I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY CHE…
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MY CAR DOESN'T NOTIFY ME THAT THE ENGINE OIL IS LOW. LAST YEAR, I DROVE ALL THE WAY TO MISSISSIPPI WITHOUT IT WARNING THAT THE OIL WAS LO WITH BARELY ANY OIL ON THE DIP STICK. WE STOPPED TO CHECK IT WHEN WE GOT GAS AND THAT IS HOW WE KNEW. IT HAS BEEN LOW SEVERAL TIMES THIS YEAR WITHOUT NOTIFYING ME. I HAVE TO CONSTANTLY CHECK THE OIL TO ENSURE THERE IS ENOUGH IN THERE. IT DOES NOT HAVE AN OIL LEAK AS THERE IS NO OIL ON THE CONCRETE. I HAVE CHECKED WITH THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR MY CAR IN REFERENCE TO LOW OIL BUT THERE SHOULD BE. I COULD HAVE BLOWN MY ENGINE
SIGNIFICANT ISSUES WITH EXTERIOR BODY PAINT, COMPLAINED TO VOLVO AND SHOWED IT TO DEALER AS PER THEIR ADVISE, DEALER AGREED THAT THIS SHOULD NOT BE THERE WITH LIMITED MILES AND MAINLY LOCAL DRIVING WITH THIS CAR. SCRATCHES ALL OVER THE BODY AND THIS WAS THERE WITH IN 4 YEARS OF CAR AND I HAVE TRIED DETAILING THE CAR MULTIPLE TIM…
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SIGNIFICANT ISSUES WITH EXTERIOR BODY PAINT, COMPLAINED TO VOLVO AND SHOWED IT TO DEALER AS PER THEIR ADVISE, DEALER AGREED THAT THIS SHOULD NOT BE THERE WITH LIMITED MILES AND MAINLY LOCAL DRIVING WITH THIS CAR. SCRATCHES ALL OVER THE BODY AND THIS WAS THERE WITH IN 4 YEARS OF CAR AND I HAVE TRIED DETAILING THE CAR MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO HELP TO REMOVE SCRATCHES. WHILE AT DEALERSHIP, RAN IN TO DEALER EMPLOYEE AND ANOTHER CUSTOMER WITH SIMILAR ISSUE FOR 2012 VOLVO S60. VOLVO REFUSES TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE SAYING IT'S OUTSIDE WARRANTY. DEALERSHIP TOOK PICTURES AND AGREED THAT THIS IS DUE TO SOME UNDERLYING PAINT ISSUES, THEY WOULDN'T PUT IT IN WRITING AND LET VOLVO MANAGE THE COMPLAINT. NEED SOME HELP TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE AS IT IS MORE WIDESPREAD THAN VOLVO ADMITS. I JUST NEED PAINT REPLACEMENT AND NOT EXPECTING ANY FINANCIAL COMPENSATION. ATTACHING PICTURES AND CAN PROVIDE MORE IF NECESSARY (REFLECTION DUE TO LIGHT, PLEASE ZOOM IN AND YOU WILL SEE THE 2 INCHES LONG STREAKS AND WHITE SPECKLES ALL OVER). COMPLAINT NUMBER WITH VOLVO USA -ID#200417-000663
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED AN ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF OIL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED AN ABNORMAL AMOUNT OF OIL. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V592000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000.
Official recalls
820V378000 · 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 VEHICLES 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
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