CarBrief

NHTSA has 47 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Volvo XC60, led by the engine group[1][2]. It has one recall on record, for the front seat belt cable[3].

47owner complaints[1]
1recalls[4]
20–27MPG combined (EPA)[5]
5★NHTSA overall rating[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 47 owner complaints for this model year[1]. Three mention a crash[1], 2 a fire[1] and 4 an injury[1]. None report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Component group Complaints
Engine[2] 13
Unknown or other[7] 12
Electrical system[8] 11
Fuel/propulsion system[9] 4
Wheels[10] 3
Electronic stability control[11] 3
Air bags[12] 3
Suspension[13] 2

Engine. We read a sample of 11 engine complaints. In 7 of them, owners describe a car that burns through oil and needs a quart added again and again[2]. A few describe the engine losing power or failing[2]. One engine complaint describes a fire[2].

Electrical system. In a sample of 11 electrical complaints, 4 describe the car stalling or losing all electrical power[8]. Others describe things like mirrors, a blind spot warning, a key fob and blown fuses. The electrical group has a median mileage at failure of 35,734[8].

Fuel and propulsion. In a sample of 4 complaints, 1 describes a gasoline smell and a leak near a fuel sensor and fuel line[9]. One complaint in this group involves a fire[9].

Air bags. The 3 air bag complaints include 2 crashes and 2 injuries[12]. In the 3 texts we read[12], owners describe one case where the bags did not deploy and others where a deployment caused damage or a burn.

Wheels. The 3 wheel complaints include 1 crash and 2 injuries[10].

Recalls

NHTSA lists one recall for this model year[4].

Fuel economy

The EPA lists several versions of this SUV. Ratings are city, highway and combined MPG, with the EPA's estimated yearly fuel cost.

Version City / Hwy / Combined Yearly fuel cost
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, front-wheel drive, regular[5] 24 / 31 / 27 $2,500
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, front-wheel drive, premium[14] 22 / 30 / 25 $3,300
2.5L 5-cyl turbo, all-wheel drive, regular[15] 18 / 25 / 21 $3,200
3.2L 6-cyl, all-wheel drive, regular[16] 18 / 25 / 20 $3,350
3.0L 6-cyl turbo, all-wheel drive, regular[17] 17 / 24 / 20 $3,350

The front-wheel drive 2.0L on regular gas is the thriftiest at 27 combined MPG[5]. The EPA figures use its current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions the same marks. Overall is 5 stars[6], frontal crash 5 stars[6] and side crash 5 stars[6]. Rollover is 4 stars, with a rollover risk of 17.6%[6][18].

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, converted to US units. They can differ slightly from US models[19][20].

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
T5 AWD, T6 AWD, T6 R-DESIGN AWD[19] 182 in 74 in 67 in 109 in 4,251 lb
T5 DRIVE-E, T6 DRIVE-E FWD[20] 182 in 74 in 67 in 109 in 3,948 lb

How 2015 compares with other years

2009: 0 complaints, 1 recalls20092010: 56 complaints, 7 recalls2011: 36 complaints, 4 recalls20112012: 46 complaints, 3 recalls2013: 66 complaints, 3 recalls20132014: 16 complaints, 2 recalls2015: 47 complaints, 1 recalls4720152016: 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 2015 is highlighted[4].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
200901
2010567
2011364
2012463
2013663
2014162
2015471
2016383
2017164
2018365
2019378
2020237
2021505
2022757
2023556
2024243
2025374
2026163

NHTSA's list for the XC60 runs from 2009 to 2027[4]. The 2015 model year has 47 complaints[4]. Five years have more: 2022 with 75, 2013 with 66, 2010 with 56, 2023 with 55 and 2021 with 50[4]. That puts 2015 sixth highest on complaints.

On recalls, 2015 has 1[4]. Only 2009, with 1[4], and 2027, with 0[4], have as few or fewer. Every other year has between 2 and 8[4]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat the ranking as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2015 XC60?

The record is mixed. Crash ratings are strong at 5 stars overall[6][18], and this model year has just one recall[4]. On the other side, the engine group has the most complaints at 13[2], and 7 of the 11 engine complaints we read describe oil use[2]. Before buying, ask for service records and check the oil level history. Also confirm with a Volvo dealer that the seat belt cable recall 20V378 has been done[3]. Fuel costs vary a lot by version, from $2,500 to $3,350 a year by EPA estimate[5][17].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2015 Volvo XC60?
The engine group has the most NHTSA complaints at 13, followed by unknown or other at 12 and electrical at 11[2][7][8]. In a sample we read, owners often describe oil use in engine complaints.
Has the 2015 Volvo XC60 been recalled?
NHTSA lists one recall, 20V378, for a front seat belt anchor cable that may wear out. Dealers replace the cable[3][4].
What is the gas mileage of a 2015 Volvo XC60?
The EPA rates it from 20 combined MPG for the 3.0L and 3.2L all-wheel drive versions up to 27 combined MPG for the 2.0L front-wheel drive on regular gas[17][16][5].
Is the 2015 Volvo XC60 safe?
NHTSA rates it 5 stars overall, with a 4-star rollover rating[6][18].
Is 2015 a good year for the Volvo XC60?
It has 47 complaints, sixth highest of the listed years, and only 1 recall[4]. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 47 owner complaints on file for the 2015 Volvo XC60 (3 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 4 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 13 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 20V378, filed June 30, 2020: Seat Belts › Front. NHTSA recall database
  4. Owner complaints and recalls for every Volvo XC60 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  5. EPA rating for XC60 FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 24 city / 31 highway / 27 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,500. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  6. 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
  7. 12 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 6,333). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 11 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,734). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 4 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 3 complaints name the wheels component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 3 complaints name the electronic stability control (esc) component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 3 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 2 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. EPA rating for XC60 FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 30 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for XC60 AWD, 2.5L 5-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
  16. EPA rating for XC60 AWD, 3.2L 6-cyl, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for XC60 AWD, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 17 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 SUV T5 AWD/T6 AWD/T6 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
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, XC60 4DR SUV T5 DRIVE-E/T6 DRIVE-E FWD: 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

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.