CarBrief

NHTSA has 66 owner complaints for the 2013 Volvo XC60, and the largest group, 27 complaints, is about visibility and wipers[1][2]. The complaint texts we read describe water leaking in around the windshield, which none of the model's recalls covers[2][3][4][5].

66owner complaints[1]
3recalls[6]
20–21MPG combined (EPA)[7]
5★NHTSA overall rating[8]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 66 owner complaints for this model year[1]. One mentions a crash, 2 mention a fire, 1 mentions injuries and none report deaths[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts.

Component group Complaints
Visibility/wiper[2] 27
Unknown or other[9] 15
Electrical system[10] 9
Air bags[11] 7
Structure[12] 5
Engine[13] 3
Steering[14] 2
Brakes[15] 2

Visibility/wiper. This is the biggest group, with 27 complaints, no crashes, fires or injuries, and a median mileage at failure of 84,000[2]. In the sample of complaint texts we read for this group, all 12 describe water leaking in at the windshield[2]. Owners describe water running down the inside of the glass or dripping on the driver in rain and car washes. Some describe a loose or failing seal and a reduced view[2].

Structure. The 5 structure complaints are a small group[12]. In the 5 texts we read, all describe windshield adhesive or seal failure with water coming in[12]. Some owners worry the windshield could come loose in a crash[12].

Air bags. There are 7 complaints, with 1 mentioning a crash[11]. In the 6 texts we read, 4 describe water from a windshield or pillar leak reaching the airbag area[11]. The others are an SRS warning light and a hand injury during airbag deployment[11].

Electrical system. There are 9 complaints, with 1 mentioning a fire[10]. In the 9 texts we read, 3 describe water getting in and 2 describe a sudden loss of electrical power[10]. The rest are single reports, such as unexpected automatic braking, key fob and gauge faults, and driver door window controls[10].

The unknown or other group has 15 complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 51,500[9]. We did not read texts for it, so we cannot say what owners describe there.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this model year[6]. Newest first:

The label and control unit recalls covered few vehicles[4][5]. For the seat belt recall, ask a Volvo dealer whether the work was done on a specific car[3].

Fuel economy

EPA lists three versions of this model year, all on regular fuel and all with an automatic (S6)[16][17][7].

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo[16] 17 / 23 / 20 $3,350
AWD, 3.2L 6-cyl[17] 18 / 24 / 20 $3,350
FWD, 3.2L 6-cyl[7] 19 / 25 / 21 $3,200

The EPA fuel cost uses current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives both the AWD and the FWD version an overall rating of 5 stars[8][18]. Frontal and side crash ratings are 5 stars each, and rollover is 4 stars with a rollover risk of 17.6%[8][18].

Engine and size

EPA lists a 3.0L turbo 6-cylinder and a 3.2L 6-cylinder for this model year[16][17][7]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

FWD AWD
Length[19][20] 182 in 182 in
Width[19][20] 74 in 74 in
Height[19][20] 67 in 67 in
Wheelbase[19][20] 109 in 109 in
Curb weight[19][20] 3,948 lb 4,251 lb

How 2013 compares with other years

2009: 0 complaints, 1 recalls20092010: 56 complaints, 7 recalls2011: 36 complaints, 4 recalls20112012: 46 complaints, 3 recalls2013: 66 complaints, 3 recalls6620132014: 16 complaints, 2 recalls2015: 47 complaints, 1 recalls20152016: 38 complaints, 3 recalls2017: 16 complaints, 4 recalls20172018: 36 complaints, 5 recalls2019: 37 complaints, 8 recalls20192020: 23 complaints, 7 recalls2021: 50 complaints, 5 recalls20212022: 75 complaints, 7 recalls2023: 55 complaints, 6 recalls20232024: 24 complaints, 3 recalls2025: 37 complaints, 4 recalls20252026: 16 complaints, 3 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each XC60 model year. The 2013 is highlighted[6].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
200901
2010567
2011364
2012463
2013663
2014162
2015471
2016383
2017164
2018365
2019378
2020237
2021505
2022757
2023556
2024243
2025374
2026163

NHTSA data lists 66 complaints for 2013[6]. Among the XC60 model years with data, only 2022 has more, with 75[6]. Next come 2010 with 56, 2023 with 55 and 2021 with 50[6].

The 2013 model year has 3 recalls[6]. That is fewer than 2010, 2019, 2020 and 2022, which each have 7 or 8[6]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so they show where reports cluster, not how likely a problem is.

Should you buy a used 2013 Volvo XC60?

The 2013 XC60 earns 5 stars overall from NHTSA[8][18]. Its recalls are narrow or were handled before sale, apart from the seat belt cable recall[3][4][5]. One thing worth checking is the windshield. In the complaint texts we read, owners describe water leaking in at the windshield seal, and none of the three recalls covers that[2][12][3][4][5]. Look for water stains, damp carpet or a musty smell, and ask a dealer to confirm the seat belt recall was done. Our data does not say what a repair costs or who pays for it.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2013 Volvo XC60?
The largest complaint group is visibility/wiper with 27 of 66 NHTSA complaints[1][2]. In the sample of texts we read, owners describe water leaking in at the windshield[2].
Does the 2013 Volvo XC60 have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 3: a seat belt anchor cable recall (20V378), a label recall (13V084) and an airbag control unit recall (12V439)[3][4][5]. The last two covered only a few unsold vehicles[4][5].
What gas mileage does the 2013 Volvo XC60 get?
EPA combined ratings are 20 MPG for the AWD versions and 21 MPG for the FWD version[16][17][7].
Is the 2013 Volvo XC60 safe?
NHTSA rates both AWD and FWD at 5 stars overall, with 4 stars for rollover[8][18].
Is 2013 a bad year for the Volvo XC60?
It has 66 complaints, second to 2022 with 75 among listed years, but counts are not adjusted for sales[6].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 66 owner complaints on file for the 2013 Volvo XC60 (1 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 1 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 27 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 84,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 20V378, filed June 30, 2020: Seat Belts › Front. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 13V084, filed March 5, 2013: Equipment › Other › Labels. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 12V439, filed September 10, 2012: Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor / Control Module-Inactive . NHTSA recall database
  6. Owner complaints and recalls for every Volvo XC60 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  7. EPA rating for XC60 FWD, 3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 25 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  8. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 15 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 9 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 7 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 5 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 3 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 2 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 2 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  16. EPA rating for XC60 AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 23 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for XC60 AWD, 3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: overall 5 stars, frontal 5 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, XC60 4DR 3.2 FWD/PREMIER/PLATINUM FWD SUV: length 182 in, width 74 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 3,948 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, XC60 4DR T6 AWD/PREMIER/PLATINUM/R-DESIGN AWD: length 182 in, width 74 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 4,251 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.