CarBrief

The 2013 Volvo S60 earned 5 stars overall from NHTSA[1], but owners filed 87 complaints and the engine is the biggest group[2][3]. In the sample we read, owners describe oil use in their engine complaints[3].

87owner complaints[2]
4recalls[4]
21–24MPG combined (EPA)[5]
5★NHTSA overall rating[1]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 87 owner complaints on file for this model year[2]. Five mention a crash[2], one a fire[2] and six an injury[2]. None report a death[2]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Component group Complaints
Engine[3] 37
Unknown or other[6] 13
Air bags[7] 8
Electrical system[8] 7
Visibility/wiper[9] 5
Brakes[10] 5
Power train[11] 5
Seat belts[12] 4

Engine. The 37 engine complaints have a median mileage at failure of 80,000, with no crashes, fires or injuries[3]. In the sample of engine complaints we read, owners describe the car burning oil between changes, a low oil warning that came late or not at all, and in some cases engine knocking or damage[3]. These are a small sample of reports, so treat them as a pattern to ask about, not a measured failure rate. If you own or are shopping for one, ask for oil change records and check the oil level often.

Air bags. The 8 air bag complaints include 5 crashes and 4 injuries, the highest crash count of any group[7]. In the sample we read, some owners describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash, and a couple describe air bags or side curtains that went off with no crash[7].

Brakes. Five complaints name the brakes, with 2 crashes and 3 injuries[10]. In the sample we read, a couple of owners describe the automatic braking feature engaging when nothing was in the way[10].

Electrical system. Of 7 complaints[8], some owners in the sample describe door lock, key fob or window problems[8].

Recalls

NHTSA lists four recalls for this model year[4]. Newest first:

The first two cover vehicles that were sold to owners[13][14]. Ask a Volvo dealer to confirm both were done.

Fuel economy

The EPA lists three versions, all on regular fuel[17][5][18].

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2.5L 5-cyl turbo, front-wheel drive[5] 21 / 30 / 24 $2,800
2.5L 5-cyl turbo, all-wheel drive[18] 20 / 29 / 23 $2,900
3.0L 6-cyl turbo, all-wheel drive[17] 18 / 25 / 21 $3,200

All three are listed as Automatic (S6). The annual cost uses EPA's 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[1][19], 5 stars for frontal crashes[1][19], 5 stars for side crashes[1][19] and 5 stars for rollover[1][19]. Rollover risk is listed at 10.0%[1][19].

Engine and size

Engines in the EPA data are a 2.5L 5-cylinder turbo and a 3.0L 6-cylinder turbo[17][5][18]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US cars.

T5 FWD sedan T6 AWD/R-Design sedan
Length[20][21] 182 in 182 in
Width[20][21] 74 in 74 in
Height[20][21] 58 in 58 in
Wheelbase[20][21] 109 in 109 in
Curb weight[20][21] 3,547 lb 3,772 lb

How 2013 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 recalls20122013: 87 complaints, 4 recalls8720132014: 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 2013 is highlighted[4].
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

Counts are for this model only and are not adjusted for sales[4]. The 2013 model year has 87 complaints and 4 recalls[4]. The 2012 model year has 121 complaints and 8 recalls[4], so 2013 is lower on both. The 2014 model year has 25 complaints and 3 recalls, and 2015 has 59 complaints and 2 recalls, so both are lower on complaints than 2013[4]. NHTSA's list does not include 2010[4].

Should you buy a used 2013 S60?

The S60 has top NHTSA crash ratings[1][19], and its two large recalls have a dealer fix[13][14]. One thing to weigh is the engine, which has the most complaints (37 of 87), and in the sample we read owners describe oil use[3]. Ask for service records, check the oil level before you buy and confirm the recall work was done. Complaints fell in the 2014 model year[4], so it is fair to compare a 2014 car as well. Our data cannot tell you how reliable any single car will be.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Volvo S60?
The engine group has the most complaints at 37 of 87[2][3]. In the sample we read, owners describe oil use[3].
Has the 2013 Volvo S60 been recalled?
Yes, 4 recalls are on file[4]. They cover the front seat belt cable[13], door latches[14], a label error on 7 vehicles[15] and an air bag control unit on 9 unsold vehicles[16].
What gas mileage does the 2013 Volvo S60 get?
The EPA rates it from 21 combined MPG with the 3.0L AWD[17] to 24 combined MPG with the 2.5L FWD[5]. The 2.5L AWD gets 23 combined[18].
How safe is the 2013 Volvo S60?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall for both AWD and FWD[1][19].

Facts and sources

  1. 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
  2. NHTSA has 87 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Volvo S60 (5 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 37 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Volvo S60 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for S60 FWD, 2.5L 5-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 30 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 13 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,860). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 8 complaints name the air bags component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 30,120). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 7 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 5 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 5 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 5 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 4 complaints name the seat belts component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 20V378, filed June 30, 2020: Seat Belts › Front. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 19V849, filed November 26, 2019: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 13V084, filed March 5, 2013: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 12V439, filed September 10, 2012: Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor / Control Module-Inactive . NHTSA recall database
  17. EPA rating for S60 AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for S60 AWD, 2.5L 5-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 29 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. 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
  20. 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
  21. 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.