CarBrief

Owners filed 121 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Volvo S60, and the engine group has the most[1][2]. The car has 8 recalls on file and 5-star crash ratings[3][4].

121owner complaints[1]
8recalls[3]
21–23MPG combined (EPA)[5]
5★NHTSA overall rating[4]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 121 complaints for this model year[1]. Eight mention a crash, none a fire, 13 report injuries and none report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

Component group Complaints
Engine[2] 62
Electrical system[6] 17
Unknown or other[7] 15
Seat belts[8] 9
Steering[9] 8
Structure[10] 7
Fuel/propulsion system[11] 7
Speed control[12] 6

One complaint can name several groups, so the rows do not add up to 121.

Engine. Engine complaints have a median mileage at failure of 86,000[2]. In a sample of 12 engine complaints we read, 8 describe low oil or heavy oil use[2]. Some say the car gave no low oil warning, and some end with engine damage or a stall. Three of the 12 describe the car stalling while driving[2].

Electrical. In a sample of 12 electrical complaints, 5 are oil or stalling stories filed under this group, and 3 describe glitches with the screen, camera or other electronics[6].

Steering. In a sample of 8 steering complaints, 5 say the trim edge at the bottom of the steering wheel became sharp and cut a hand[9].

Seat belts. In a sample of 9 seat belt complaints, 4 describe belts that were hard to latch or release[8]. Three say the parts for a recall repair were not yet available when they asked[8].

Treat these themes as signals to check, not as a rate, because we read only a small sample.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 8 recalls tied to this model year[3]. Recalls cover certain cars, often picked by build dates or engine, so a given S60 may or may not be included[13][14][15]. Newest first:

Some owners in the complaint sample say their car was not part of a recall even though they saw the same symptom[6]. That is one more reason to ask a dealer about a specific car.

Fuel economy

EPA lists two versions of this car.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Yearly fuel cost
3.0L 6-cylinder turbo, all-wheel drive[21] 18 / 26 / 21 $3,200
2.5L 5-cylinder turbo, front-wheel drive[5] 20 / 30 / 23 $2,900

Both use regular gas and an Automatic (S6) transmission[21][5]. EPA computes the yearly cost with its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives both the all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive 4-door versions 5 stars overall, 5 stars in frontal crashes, 5 stars in side crashes and 5 stars for rollover[4][22]. Rollover risk is listed at 10.0% for both[4][22].

Engine and size

EPA data lists two engines: a 3.0L 6-cylinder turbo and a 2.5L 5-cylinder turbo[21][5]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US cars.

T5 FWD T6 AWD/R-DESIGN
Length[23][24] 182 in 182 in
Width[23][24] 74 in 74 in
Height[23][24] 58 in 58 in
Wheelbase[23][24] 109 in 109 in
Curb weight[23][24] 3,547 lb 3,772 lb

How 2012 compares with other years

2001: 223 complaints, 8 recalls20012002: 186 complaints, 8 recalls2003: 120 complaints, 6 recalls20032004: 198 complaints, 5 recalls2005: 44 complaints, 3 recalls20052006: 31 complaints, 3 recalls2007: 21 complaints, 2 recalls20072008: 10 complaints, 2 recalls2009: 7 complaints, 3 recalls20092011: 5 complaints, 6 recalls2012: 121 complaints, 8 recalls12120122013: 87 complaints, 4 recalls2014: 25 complaints, 3 recalls20142015: 59 complaints, 2 recalls2016: 28 complaints, 4 recalls20162017: 18 complaints, 6 recalls2018: 4 complaints, 1 recalls20182019: 25 complaints, 5 recalls2020: 12 complaints, 6 recalls20202021: 8 complaints, 3 recalls2022: 15 complaints, 4 recalls20222023: 3 complaints, 7 recalls2024: 22 complaints, 4 recalls2024
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each S60 model year. The 2012 is highlighted[3].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20012238
20021868
20031206
20041985
2005443
2006313
2007212
2008102
200973
201156
20121218
2013874
2014253
2015592
2016284
2017186
201841
2019255
2020126
202183
2022154
202337
2024224

NHTSA data for each S60 model year shows 2012 with 121 complaints and 8 recalls[3]. Only 2001 (223), 2004 (198) and 2002 (186) have more complaints[3]. Among 2011 and later years, 2012 has the most complaints and the most recalls. The next closest is 2023 with 7 recalls, and 2013 has 87 complaints and 4 recalls[3]. The list has no 2010 entry. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so read them as a rough guide for this model only.

Should you buy a used 2012 S60?

The 2012 S60 has strong crash ratings[4][22]. Its record also shows more complaints and recalls than its later model years[3]. The engine group stands out, and in the engine complaints we read, low oil and missing warnings appear[2][13]. If you look at one, ask for proof that every recall was done, especially the low oil pressure software update, and have oil level and use checked. Remember the complaint counts are unverified and not adjusted for sales[1].

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 2012 Volvo S60?
Engine is the largest complaint group with 62 of 121 complaints, followed by electrical with 17[1][2][6]. In a sample of 12 engine complaints, 8 describe low oil or heavy oil use[2].
Does the 2012 Volvo S60 have recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 8 recalls, including a low oil pressure warning software update, door latches and front seat belt cables[3][13][17][16].
How many MPG does the 2012 Volvo S60 get?
EPA rates the 3.0L all-wheel drive at 21 MPG combined and the 2.5L front-wheel drive at 23 MPG combined[21][5].
How safe is the 2012 Volvo S60?
NHTSA gives 5 stars overall for both the AWD and FWD 4-door versions[4][22].
Is 2012 a good year for the Volvo S60?
Among 2011 and later years it has the most complaints (121) and recalls (8)[3]. That does not prove a given car is bad, so check its recall history.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 121 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Volvo S60 (8 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 13 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 62 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Owner complaints and recalls for every Volvo S60 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  4. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 10.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
  5. EPA rating for S60 FWD, 2.5L 5-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 30 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 17 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 15 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 75,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 9 complaints name the seat belts component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 8 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 21,700). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 7 complaints name the structure component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 71,430). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 7 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 78,150). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 6 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 13V592, filed November 22, 2013: Engine And Engine Cooling › Engine. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 12V075, filed February 28, 2012: Electrical System › Wiring. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 11V508, filed October 18, 2011: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 20V378, filed June 30, 2020: Seat Belts › Front. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 19V849, filed November 26, 2019: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 12V101, filed March 14, 2012: Structure › Body. NHTSA recall database
  19. Recall 11V311, filed June 6, 2011: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, Lines / Piping, And Fittings. NHTSA recall database
  20. Recall 11V303, filed June 1, 2011: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
  21. EPA rating for S60 AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  22. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 5 stars; rollover risk 10.0%. NHTSA vehicle records
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, S60 4 DR SEDAN T5 FWD: length 182 in, width 74 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,547 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, S60 4 DR SEDAN T6 AWD/R-DESIGN: length 182 in, width 74 in, height 58 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,772 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.