2016 Volvo XC60 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Volvo XC60, most often about engine. There are 3 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
32
Recalls
3
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Median mileage
52,500 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 17 of 32 complaints (53%).
  • Seats & Seat Belts (7) and electrical system (3) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 52,500 mi.
  • Owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries.
  • The 2016 Volvo XC60 has 3 recalls on file.
  • It ranks 11th of 16 Volvo XC60 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 39% more complaints than the 2015 model year (23).

2016 Volvo XC60 problems by category

  • Engine
    17 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    7 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    6 complaints
  • Electrical System
    3 complaints
  • Lighting
    2 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    1 complaints
  • Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
    1 complaints
  • Airbags
    1 complaints

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)Complaints
Engine15
Seat belts6
Unknown or other5
Electrical system3
Exterior lighting2
Seats1
Air bags1
Visibility/wiper1

When problems happen (mileage)

1Under 10k10k–30k430k–60k360k–100k100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2016 Volvo XC60 complaints that list mileage.

2016 Volvo XC60 recalls (3)

  • Recall 20V378000Jun 30, 2020308,260 vehicles
    SEAT BELTS:FRONT

    Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.

    Risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.

  • Recall 16V798000Nov 2, 201674,027 vehicles
    SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

    Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 XC90, S90, XC60, V60 Cross Country, V60, S60 Cross Country, S60, and S60 Inscription vehicles manufactured February 16, 2015, to August 22, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the front passenger seat belt buckle attaching stud may loosen, allowing the buckle to separate from the seat belt bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages" and number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

    Risk: If the seat belt buckle separates from the bracket, the front seat passenger may not be adequately restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.

    Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt buckle stud, replacing the seat belt buckle as needed, free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89708.

  • Recall 15V555000Sep 2, 20157,855 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

    Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo S60, V60, V60CC, XC60, XC70, and S80 vehicles manufactured April 8, 2015 to August 19, 2015. In certain driving conditions when using the automatic engine stop/start function, the starter motor fuse may blow, preventing the car from restarting when necessary.

    Risk: If the vehicle is unexpectedly unable to be started in the middle of traffic, such as when stopped at an intersection, there is an increased risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing starter motor fuse with a higher amperage fuse, free of charge. The recall began on October 26, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552 or by visiting http://volvo.custhelp.com. Volvo's number for this recall is R39574.

Recent 2016 Volvo XC60 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

  1. Filed Jul 1, 202662,800 miNCEngine
    The contact owns a 2016 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that while driving at 30 MPH, the low oil warning light illuminated. The contact pulled into a gas station, exited the vehicle, raised the hood of the vehicle, and added engine oil to the engine. The contact stated that while buckling the seat belt, the air bag warning light illuminated. A dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed; however, the vehicle was not repaired. The…
    NHTSA complaint #11747694 · source
  2. Filed Dec 23, 2025TXEngine
    Oil consumption has become a major issue and I am putting oil in every 1000 miles! I bought the vehicle certified pre owned in October 2023 and the oil light was consistently coming on early. However, it has since gotten much worse and is constantly burning through oil.
    NHTSA complaint #11706759 · source
  3. Filed Oct 23, 2025NJEngine
    The component that failed was the oil consumption. I noticed it seemed to be using more oil than should be normal. It didn't seem to do it overnight. It seemed gradual, but over a short period of time, bc I haven't had the car that long. It wasn't super alarming but I was keeping an eye on it and would add more in here and there, as I like to keep it full. One morning, driving my son to school, I started hearing an odd sound, I don't know how to describe it, wasn't loud but…
    NHTSA complaint #11695319 · source
  4. Filed Sep 5, 2025CTElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
    Volvo xc60 sunroof drains clog and leak. Sunroof maintenance is not mentioned in owner's manual, and dealer does not clear drains during regular service unless specifically asked to. Leak causes damage to electronic systems including airbag system. While any sunroof has the potential to leak, this leak is caused by a design failure - their design makes it easier for debris to ingress into the tracks and clog them. Cost to fix issue and replace sunroof is over $5000. This is…
    NHTSA complaint #11685225 · source
  5. Filed Sep 4, 2025CAOther / UnknownSeats & Seat Belts
    I just purchased 2016 VolvoXC60. Looked up ti see 3 recalls it has. I went to Volvo Dealership in Culver City where I was told recalls where taken care of years ago. No recalls exist today? This raises the question if indeed where preformed on my new vehicle and why I submitting my concern to you today. If you can provide me with any information regarding this issue, I would be very appreciated! [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5…
    NHTSA complaint #11685055 · source
  6. Filed Jun 4, 2025TNEngine
    Vechile is consuming oil rapidly, Warning light comes on says that the vehicle is unsafe to drive. We had an oil consumption test at the Franklin TN Volvo dealership and it failed. There is also a quality bulletin issued by Volvo and extended warranty to 100K miles or 8 years, we fall outside the years. The warning lights started coming on around 78K miles. This is a know vechile manufacturing defect and feels unsafe to drive and expensive maintain and repair (10K) estimate…
    NHTSA complaint #11664921 · source
  7. Filed Feb 21, 2025CAEngine
    Purchased a used 2016 Volvo XC60 from a BMW dealership. A month after purchase, oil light came on - so we added oil. Not long after, it came on again. Finally took the car to a Volvo dealership and they confirmed we have the "oil consumption" issue. There was a class action lawsuit against Volvo and they extended the warranty for this issue for 8 years or 100k miles. Unfortunately, we purchased the car at 8 years, 6 months. We had no idea this issue existed. Volvo says they…
    NHTSA complaint #11644206 · source
  8. Filed Jan 20, 2025FLEngine
    Engin shut off while driving and would not start again. Fortunately, this happened in a parking lot. If this happened on a highway, there could have been a bad outcome. When the car shut off the steering became very heavy. Dealer says it was a result of skipped timing. Timing belt did not break and has about 10,000 miles on it. Dealer provided no reason as to why this happened. No warning signs and no warning lights before this happened.
    NHTSA complaint #11637046 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology