CarBrief

NHTSA has 38 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Volvo XC60, and engine reports make up the biggest share[1][2]. The car has 3 recalls, so check that each one was done[3][4][5].

38owner complaints[1]
3recalls[6]
20–26MPG combined (EPA)[7]
5★NHTSA overall rating[8]

Most reported problems

NHTSA lists 38 complaints for this model year[1]. Two mention a crash, one mentions a fire, and none report injuries or deaths[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

Component group Complaints
Engine[2] 17
Unknown or other[9] 8
Seat belts[10] 6
Brakes[11] 3
Electrical system[12] 3
Air bags[13] 2
Exterior lighting[14] 2
Power train[15] 1

Engine. This is the largest group, with none of its 17 complaints reporting a crash, fire or injury[2]. In the sample of engine complaints we read, owners describe burning or using up oil, low oil warnings, and topping up often. A few describe the engine stopping or losing power while driving, sometimes with no warning light[2].

Seat belts. In the seat belt complaints we read, owners describe trouble getting the seat belt recall done. Some say dealers did not have the part, and one doubts the work was done properly[10][3].

Brakes. In the small sample of brake complaints, owners describe the brakes engaging suddenly when they did not ask for it[11].

Electrical. The electrical sample has single reports of stalling and starter trouble, sunroof drain leaks, and a general electrical worry[12].

The one fire is filed under unknown or other. Crash mentions show up once each in unknown or other, brakes, air bags and power train, and they can overlap because a complaint may name several parts[9][11][13][15].

Recalls

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

Owners can contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552 about these recalls[3][4][5].

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine, drive and fuel. The 2.0L turbo front-wheel drive on regular gas is rated best at 26 combined MPG[7]. The 3.0L turbo all-wheel drive is rated lowest at 20[16].

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, front-wheel drive, regular[7] 23 / 30 / 26 $2,600
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, front-wheel drive, premium[17] 22 / 29 / 24 $3,400
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, all-wheel drive, premium[18] 19 / 27 / 22 $3,750
2.5L 5-cyl turbo, all-wheel drive, regular[19] 19 / 26 / 21 $3,200
3.0L 6-cyl turbo, all-wheel drive, regular[16] 17 / 23 / 20 $3,350

The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new[7].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives both the all-wheel drive and front-wheel drive versions 5 stars overall, 5 stars for frontal crashes, 5 stars for side crashes and 4 stars for rollover[8][20]. The rollover risk is listed at 17.6% for both[8][20].

Engine and size

The dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models[21][22].

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
T5 AWD, T6 AWD, T6 R-DESIGN AWD[21] 183 in 74 in 67 in 109 in 4,266 lb
T5 DRIVE-E, T6 DRIVE-E FWD[22] 183 in 74 in 67 in 109 in 4,012 lb

How 2016 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 recalls20152016: 38 complaints, 3 recalls3820162017: 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 2016 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

The 2016 XC60 has 38 complaints and 3 recalls[6]. Seven model years have more complaints: 2010, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The highest is 2022, with 75[6]. On recalls, 10 model years list more than 2016, and 2012, 2013, 2024 and 2026 list the same 3[6]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so treat this as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2016 XC60?

The federal data shows a mid-range complaint record for this model year and 5-star overall safety ratings[6][8][20]. The engine group has the most complaints, and in the sample we read, owners describe burning oil, so ask for service records and the oil history[2]. Make sure the seat belt cable, buckle and starter fuse recalls were done[3][4][5]. In the seat belt complaints we read, some owners describe trouble getting the seat belt repair done[10]. Fuel cost varies a lot by version, from $2,600 to $3,750 a year[7][18].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volvo XC60?
Engine is the biggest complaint group with 17 of 38 complaints[1][2]. In the sample we read, owners describe burning oil[2].
Does the 2016 Volvo XC60 have recalls?
Yes, 3: a seat belt anchor cable (20V378), a front passenger seat belt buckle (16V798) and a starter motor fuse (15V555)[3][4][5].
What is the gas mileage of the 2016 Volvo XC60?
EPA combined ratings run from 20 to 26 MPG, depending on engine and drive[7][16].
How safe is the 2016 Volvo XC60?
NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall and 4 stars for rollover[8][20].
Is 2016 a good year for the Volvo XC60?
It sits mid-range, with 38 complaints and 3 recalls, and 7 other model years have more complaints[6].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 38 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Volvo XC60 (2 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 17 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. Recall 20V378, filed June 30, 2020: Seat Belts › Front. NHTSA recall database
  4. Recall 16V798, filed November 2, 2016: Seat Belts › Front › Buckle Assembly. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 15V555, filed September 2, 2015: Electrical System › Wiring › Fuses And Circuit Breakers. 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, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Regular, Front-Wheel Drive: 23 city / 30 highway / 26 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $2,600. 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. 8 complaints name the unknown or other component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 6 complaints name the seat belts component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 3 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 3 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 2 complaints name the air bags component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 2 complaints name the exterior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. 1 complaints name the power train component group (1 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 FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 29 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA rating for XC60 AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 27 highway / 22 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,750. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  19. EPA rating for XC60 AWD, 2.5L 5-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Regular, All-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. 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
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, XC60 4DR SUV T5 AWD/T6 AWD/T6 R-DESIGN AWD: length 183 in, width 74 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 4,266 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, XC60 4DR SUV T5 DRIVE-E/T6 DRIVE-E FWD: length 183 in, width 74 in, height 67 in, wheelbase 109 in, curb weight 4,012 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.