KnownCarProblems2012 Volvo S60 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 121 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Volvo S60, most often about the engine (51% of complaints, typically around 86,000 miles). It is 4th of 24 S60 model years by number of complaints and has 8 recalls.
Most common 2012 Volvo S60 problems
Engine
62 complaints · 51%Half of these problems showed up before 86,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Volvo S60. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. The dealer diagnosed that the engine control module software needed to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in…
The contact owns a 2012 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while driving at 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who stated that there was no engine oil in the vehicle and diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not…
Electrical
17 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, starter assembly.
My 2012 Volvo S60 had serious engine noise brought to the shop they thought it might of been the fact that I had low oil, but I had just gotten my oil changed 12/17/14 and it was 5/27/15 now and I had not driven anywhere close to 6 thousand miles to deplete all the oil. The shop told me to really figure out what was…
The contact owns a 2012 Volvo S60. While driving 5 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the starter needed to be replaced. The starter was replaced, but the failure recurred while still at the dealer. The contact stated that the VIN was not included…
Other or unspecified
15 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles.
Rear driver side door flew open while daughter was in the back seat. She fell out the car. Person was driving the vehicle and the door just flew open. Please get to the bottom of this immediately.
Vehicle had a no start, no crank condition while parked. Was towed to dealership. Dealer determined no start, no crank condition was caused by outdated software. I do not think Volvo should design a car to not start if software is outdated. Had I needed to use the car to drive to hospital or some other emergency this…
Seat belts
9 complaints · 7%On august 24, 2013, I was involved in a car accident. A car stopped short on the highway. The car in front of me hit that car. I then hit the car in front of me. I had only a few seconds to react. Another car then re-ended me. My airbag nor seatbelt pretentioners deployed. I had difficulty turning the car off. The car…
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…
Steering
8 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 21,500 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Volvo S60. The contact stated that the aluminum on the steering wheel became detached. The contact sustained lacerations to the hands as a result. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 21,700.
The contact owns a 2012 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, there was a loss of steering control and the rear end spun uncontrollably. The dynamic traction control failed to activate and the vehicle crashed into the curbside, causing damage to the front driver and passenger's side wheel rims. In…
Fuel system
8 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 79,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2012 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted and operated as designed. The vehicle was taken to the Volvo store located at 1051 west webster ave, winter park, fl 32789, but was not…
There was one incident that my car was not accelerating on the highway. The car would stall for a bit and when I tried to maintain the same speed I was going at, I would press the gas pedal and the speed would not change, it continued to slow down. Fortunately, I was able to pull over to the side of the highway and…
Body and structure
7 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 71,500 miles. Parts named most often: body.
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…
My vehicle was parked in a grocery store lot. I entered the vehicle to back it out of its parking spot. It was next to a full sized van which had carpet cleaning equipment mounted inside. I started the car and placed it in reverse as it began to accelerate on its own. I tried to slow the vehicle with the brake which…
Speed control
6 complaints · 5%The adaptive cruise control in my vehicle has been occasionally malfunctioning (about 10-15 times since purchasing my vehicle in may) causing it to apply the parking brake at speeds of about 5 MPH. This causes my vehicle to abruptly stop without the brake lights being activated. I then have to depress the brake pedal…
On the april 23, 2014, my husband was driving and the car shot out at high speed he didn't realize what happened. On april 24, 2014, I was in my driveway in park as I put the car in drive to slowly enter my garage the car took off at high speed tires spun left tire marks on my pavement and I hit the brakes in garage…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2012 Volvo S60 recalls
Seat belts: front
Risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Engine
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Body and structure: body
Risk: If this condition exists, the underbody coating may penetrate the fuels lines and cause fuel leakage, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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 vehicleâs undercarriage.
Electrical: wiring
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: labels
Risk: A misprinted label could lead to improper tire inflation which could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: fuel pump
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2012 Volvo S60
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Volvo S60?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (62 complaints, typically around 86,000 miles); electrical (17 complaints, typically around 66,000 miles); other or unspecified (15 complaints, typically around 75,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2012 Volvo S60 have?
- 8 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from June 30, 2020 (seat belts). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2012 a bad year for the Volvo S60?
- It is 4th of 24 S60 model years by number of complaints, with 121 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.