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U.S. public vehicle records

2021 Volvo S60: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

8 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

Not available median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 0 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 8 complaints (50.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior450.0%
Electrical and battery issues337.5%
Steering behavior225.0%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System
4
Unknown Or Other
3
Visibility/Wiper
3
Service Brakes
2
Engine
1
Steering
1
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System4
Unknown Or Other3
Visibility/Wiper3
Service Brakes2
Engine1
Steering1

Electrical System: 4; Unknown Or Other: 3; Visibility/Wiper: 3; Service Brakes: 2; Engine: 1; Steering: 1

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
0
25,000 to 49,999
0
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
0
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0000
25,000 to 49,9990
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

No usable failure mileage is recorded. 8 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2021
1
2022
1
2023
1
2025
2
2026
3
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20211
20221
20231
20252
20263

2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2025: 2; 2026: 3

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 11418969 · 2021-05-29 (May 29, 2021)

While I was going down a small side street that is a hill, the air conditioning system suddenly went off and immediately the entire car's mechanisms ceased. The engine stopped and the car was unstearable and the brakes were not working. I had my foot on the brake and that was not responsive, the car slid with all electrical systems not working and the brake not holding the car or stopping the movement of the car. I could not start the car to get the engine going.I could not stop nor start the car that slid into a major street that is a thorough…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11418969 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11494338 · 2022-11-20 (November 20, 2022)

My car developed a severe shake in the steering wheel and pulsing in the brake pedal while under braking. The problem has worsened to the point that braking at high speed creates a serious shaking. I took the car to the dealership and they diagnosed the problem as warped rotors. The car started this with less than 15000 miles on the car. The dealer contacted Volvo to fix under warranty due to the defective parts. Volvo declined to fix the rotors because they are a "wear item". This is not normal wear. In fact, during the inspection (10/8) it wa…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11494338 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11560138 · 2023-12-14 (December 14, 2023)

I believe that there is a material or design defect in the front brakes of this car that is leading to the premature failure of the front brake rotors. Two sets of front brake rotors have been replaced on the car due to excessive warping in the first 15K miles of operation. I purchased the car in June 2022 as a certified used car with roughly 9K miles on it. As soon as I drove it I could tell the brakes had a problem due to a high vibration level in steering wheel and throughout the car upon brake application above 30 mph. The dealer agreed…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11560138 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11676297 · 2025-07-25 (July 25, 2025)

Tire has a defect

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11676297 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11701998 · 2025-11-29 (November 29, 2025)

2021 Volvo S60 T8 AWD, VIN [XXX] , ~71k miles Component: SUNROOF / DRAINAGE SYSTEM / ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Summary: Water entered the passenger compartment through clogged sunroof drain hoses and accumulated under the front passenger seat, causing catastrophic failure of wide angle module (WAM) and related electronic components (incl. front camera and wipers). Description: After moderate rain, a large amount of water was discovered under the front passenger seat. The vehicle began displaying multiple warning messages (camera faults, wiper faults…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11701998 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11721000 · 2026-02-27 (February 27, 2026)

The high voltage coolant heater failed. It will not heat when running solely on battery. Defrost therefore will not get warm to clear windshield

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11721000 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11738038 · 2026-05-15 (May 15, 2026)

Air conditioning evaporator core is leaking refrigerant into cabin

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11738038 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11758056 · 2026-08-19 (August 19, 2026)

The "Maintenance Mode" required to change the wiper blades malfunctioned, and the wipers- without the rubber blades attached- suddenly smashed onto the windshield, creating a large star crack/shatter, which spread across the entire windshield in two long cracks by the next day. If someone's hand had been in the path of the wipers, it would have been cut or broken by the force/sharp edge. The "Maintenance Mode" should not disengage unless the car is seriously jostled or put into gear (did not occur). This malfunction of the system is a safety co…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11758056 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

21V682000 · Seat Belts:Rear/Other:Retractor | Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | Seat Belts

Reported: 2021-09-01 (September 1, 2021)

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 XC40, XC 40 Recharge, V60CC, V90, V90CC, XC90, and 2021-2022 V60, XC60, S60 vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10111.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
23V780000 · Air Bags:Frontal

Reported: 2023-11-21 (November 21, 2023)

Volvo Car USA, LLC. (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2024 S60 vehicles. The passenger air bag may not be secured properly, which can cause the air bag to deploy improperly.

Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy properly in a crash increases the risk of injury.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts securing the passenger air bag, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 5, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10254.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
25V179000 · Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery | Electrical System:Software

Reported: 2025-03-24 (March 24, 2025)

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020-2021 S90, 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60, XC90, and 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.

Consequence: A short circuit in a high-voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high-voltage battery module as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the software to monitor the battery. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 28, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10312.

NHTSA campaign record ↗