2018 Volvo XC60 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 25 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Volvo XC60, most often about electrical system. There are 5 recalls for this model year.

Complaints
25
Recalls
5
Crashes
2
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Median mileage
26,000 mi
at time of problem

Key facts

  • Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 7 of 25 complaints (28%).
  • Brakes (6) and airbags (3) follow.
  • Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 26,000 mi.
  • Owners reported 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury.
  • The 2018 Volvo XC60 has 5 recalls on file.
  • NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
  • It ranks 9th of 16 Volvo XC60 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
  • That is 150% more complaints than the 2017 model year (10).

2018 Volvo XC60 problems by category

  • Electrical System · 1 crash
    7 complaints
  • Brakes
    6 complaints
  • Airbags · 1 crash
    3 complaints
  • Other / Unknown
    3 complaints
  • Visibility & Wipers
    2 complaints
  • Body & Structure
    2 complaints
  • Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
    2 complaints
  • Acceleration & Cruise Control · 1 crash
    2 complaints
  • Seats & Seat Belts
    1 complaints
  • Engine
    1 complaints
  • Steering
    1 complaints
  • Suspension
    1 complaints
  • Transmission & Drivetrain
    1 complaints
  • Lighting
    1 complaints
  • Wheels & Tires
    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
Electrical system7
Service brakes6
Air bags3
Unknown or other3
Visibility/wiper2
Vehicle speed control2
Lane departure: assist1
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking1

When problems happen (mileage)

Under 10k510k–30k130k–60k160k–100k100k–150k150k+
Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2018 Volvo XC60 complaints that list mileage.

2018 Volvo XC60 recalls (5)

  • Recall 25V818000Nov 25, 20253 vehicles
    SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

    Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2026 XC60MHEV, 2018 and 2025 XC60 vehicles. The front seat bolts may have been improperly tightened, resulting in loose bolts.

    Risk: A seat with loose bolts may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Dealers will tighten the front seat bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 17, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10345. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning December 5, 2025.

  • Recall 20V503000Aug 25, 202087,226 vehicles
    VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES · VISIBILITY/WIPER

    Volvo Car of N.A., LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2018-2020 XC60 vehicles. The nuts that secure the front wipers may not have been sufficiently tightened, possibly causing the wipers to not function properly.

    Risk: The risk of the front wiper arms nut fixation to loosen and not holding the arm in correct position, the wiper function could be reduced and vision could be impaired, thus increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the nuts holding the front windshield wiper arms in position, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10044.

  • Recall 19V220000Mar 20, 20192,297 vehicles
    SEATS

    Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2018-2019 XC60 and S90 vehicles. The driver and passenger front seat rail rear flange nuts may not have been installed during assembly.

    Risk: If the nuts are missing, in the event of a crash, the front seat structure and position may be affected, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat rails for missing flange nuts, installing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R19931.

  • Recall 19V046000Jan 18, 201945,990 vehicles
    STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE

    Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volvo XC60 vehicles. Under certain conditions and cold temperatures, the tailgate lifting arms may freeze which may cause the lifting arms to separate from the vehicle.

    Risk: If the tailgate lifting arms separate, the arms could project rearward with significant force, increasing the risk of injury.

    Remedy: Volvo has notified owners, and dealers will replace the tailgate lift arms with an improved designed, free of charge. The recall began May 14, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89910.

  • Recall 18V800000Nov 13, 201817,548 vehicles
    ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

    Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improperly. As a result, the GPS will not provide location information to emergency personnel in the event of an emergency.

    Risk: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.

    Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • DP22005Opened Jan 27, 2023Closed Aug 7, 2023led to recall 22V063000

    Pedestrian alert sounds

    NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc…

Recent 2018 Volvo XC60 complaints

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

  1. Filed Jun 25, 202687,843 miPACrashTowedAirbagsAcceleration & Cruise Control
    The contact owns a 2018 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, while driving at a slow speed, the brake pedal was depressed while approaching a speed pump and the vehicle unintendedly accelerated and drove at a high rate of speed before crashing into a fence. The contact stated that the vehicle had exceeded 40 MPH. During the crash, the front end of the vehicle was damaged; however, no air bags were deployed. The contact was not injured. The Police…
    NHTSA complaint #11746434 · source
  2. Filed Dec 31, 2025CAElectrical SystemVisibility & Wipers
    Water leaking from the windshield seal (possibly the moonroof) gets into electronics under the dash and causes the transmission to stop working properly and also causes the engine to just stop completely. It happened 4 years ago and Volvo replaced a module but it happened again a week ago.
    NHTSA complaint #11708031 · source
  3. Filed Dec 21, 2025SCLighting
    The dashboard lights go out for no reason. It is really dangerous at night when you have no speed showing and can't use the GPS system when navigating at night. This has been going on now for 2 years and still no fix. Last time in the shop for issue and Volvo service said no issues showing. Used a 2025 loaner while they worked on my car and the new car had the same issue so and ongoing issue that is not being addressed by Volvo.
    NHTSA complaint #11706416 · source
  4. Filed Jan 14, 2025CAElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
    My air conditioning system failed. The entire dashboard and front seats had to be removed. This included having to replace the A/C evaporator, evacuated A/C refrigerant system, removed center console, removed dshboard and all related components, removed and replaced evaporator, adapter for evaporator, o-rings at expansion valve, reinstalled wiring harness behind dash board and all related clips, Recharged A/C refrigerant system, Additionally, I continually received a power…
    NHTSA complaint #11635940 · source
  5. Filed Oct 6, 2024CABrakesElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control
    When I had to slow down or suddenly stop because there were other cars in front of me, I. stepped on the break, but it did not stop; maybe it slowed down a little, but the acceleration seemed to accelerate faster. I could hear the acceleration sound. I had to push the gear to stop. The car finally stopped. But I almost hit the front car. Similar occurrences happened when I came to a stop signal, which could have involved me in a serious accident, even fatal. I still drive…
    NHTSA complaint #11618357 · source
  6. Filed May 7, 202450,000 miTXEngine
    The contact owns a 2018 Volvo XC60. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
    NHTSA complaint #11587470 · source
  7. Filed Jan 31, 2024CAElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
    Vehicle completely had multiple warning lamps come on while I was driving and it was apparent the computer was failing. Car would not turn off when I moved to turn off the ignition knob. When restarted, car would not shift. Car had to be taken to dealership by tow truck. Dealership notes that water leaked through sunroof over time and accumulated under seats of car, entering into electrical systems. This is also noted by owners of other Volvo cars in public forums.
    NHTSA complaint #11569169 · source
  8. Filed Jan 14, 2024NYAirbags
    Hello, thanks for your time. I purchased my Volvo XC60 in late 2020 from my local Volvo Manhattan dealership. The vehicle was certified pre-owned with approximately 28k miles on it, and in excellent condition. Less than three years later, I have encountered a material airbag safety issue with a prohibitively high repair cost. The passenger occupant seat sensor has failed (SRS airbag warning light is now on), which means that the passenger airbag no longer functions. This…
    NHTSA complaint #11565416 · source

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Other 2018 Volvo models

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