2013 Volvo XC60: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
66 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
60,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Visibility/Wiper is the most frequently named component, appearing in 27 of 66 complaints (40.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 11 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 16.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 10 | 15.2% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 3.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 1.5% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Visibility/Wiper | 27 |
| Unknown Or Other | 15 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Structure:Body | 5 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
Visibility/Wiper: 27; Unknown Or Other: 15; Electrical System: 9; Air Bags: 7; Structure:Body: 5; Engine: 3; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 2; Service Brakes: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 7 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 7 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 7; 75,000 to 99,999: 7; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 1
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 36 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 8 |
| 2021 | 17 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 3 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2014: 1; 2016: 3; 2017: 5; 2018: 1; 2019: 10; 2020: 8; 2021: 17; 2022: 4; 2023: 6; 2024: 6; 2025: 3; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Visibility/Wiper leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 10 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 10608342 · 2014-07-05 (July 5, 2014)
12/24/13 APPROX 6:00 PM DRIVING APPROX. 65 MPH ON ROUTE 9 SOUTH IN CT WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON. NO OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT OR NEARBY AND SUDDENLY THE RED DASHBOARD LIGHT FLASHED AND WARNING SOUNDS AND THE CAR BEGAN TO AUTO BRAKE ABRUPTLY TO 45 MPH. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL THEN RESUMED MY TRIP UNEVENTFULLY. 12/27/13 APPROX 2:00 PM DRIVING APPROX. 60 MPH ON ROUTE 84 IN CT WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON. NO OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT OR NEARBY AND SUDDENLY THE RED DASHBOARD LIGHT FLASHED AND WARNING SOUNDS AND THE CAR BEGAN TO A…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10608342 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10823747 · 2016-02-02 (February 2, 2016)
I HAVE A MINOR LEAK ON THE STEERING PUMP ON 2013 VOLVO XC60. WENT TO THE VOLVO-MISSISSAUGA DEALER TODAY (INVOICE# 197408) AND THEY SAID THAT THIS IS NOT QUALIFYING AS A LEAK BUT RATHER IT IS A "VISIBLE SWEAT" FROM THE STEERING PUMP. "VISIBLE SWEAT" MEANS LOOSING STEERING FLUID. STEERING PUMP IS A SAFETY PART OF THE VEHICLE AND I AM CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY. I HAVE PICTURES TO SHOW THE LEAK. I DISAGREE WITH VOLVO-MISSISSAUGA ASSESSMENT AND OPENED A DEFECT COMPLAIN WITH GOV OF CANADA - TRANSPORT CANADA OFFICE. COMPLAIN NUMBER # 2016-0077.
Owner-reported narrative. 43,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10823747 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10870816 · 2016-05-25 (May 25, 2016)
MOLD, MILDEW AND BACTERIA GROWING IN VENTILATION SYSTEM. INITIALLY NOTICED BECAUSE OF VERY BAD ODOR COMING FROM AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM. A DESIGN FLAW IN AIR CONDITIONING/VENTILATION SYSTEM. CONDENSER DOES NOT DRAIN PROPERLY, CAUSING IT TO CLOG AND MOLD/MILDEW AND BACTERIA GROW IN THE SYSTEM. VOLVO'S SOLUTION IS JUST CHANGE THE FILTERS MORE FREQUENTLY TO SPRAY CHEMICALS IN THE SYSTEM RATHER THAN FIX THE PROBLEM. A CHECK ONLINE SHOWS THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER VOLVO OWNERS AFFECTED BY THE PROBLEM. CONDENSER SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED PROPERLY S…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10870816 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10915414 · 2016-10-11 (October 11, 2016)
NUMEROUS TRIPS TO THE LOCAL VOLVO DEALER TO FIND THE ISSUE WITH MY VOLVO. LAST EPISODE 10.07.2016 DRIVING ON CITY STREETS. APPROX. SPEED 25-30 MPH. SLOWING DOWN AND MAKING A COMPLETE STOP. ACCELERATING TO MOVE ON BUT CAR IS NOT RESPONDING. RPM STAYS AT 600 EVEN THOUGH GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED DOWN. THIS CAN LAST 3 TO 6 SECONDS. FINALLY CAR STARTS MOVING. I WANTED TO PARK ON A FAIRLY STEEP STREET IN SAN FRANCISCO ON 10.06.2016. ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT I WAS TOO FAR AWAY FROM THE SIDE OF THE STREET. PUT CAR INTO REVERSE AND ATTEMPTED TO BACK UP. AGAI…
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10915414 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10949229 · 2017-02-03 (February 3, 2017)
HEADLIGHT MOUNTS LOCATED ON REAR OF ASSEMBLY FRACTURE/BREAK OVER TIME. THIS LEAVES THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY DISCONNECTED FROM THE VEHICLE CHASSIS AND CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES COULD LEAD THE HEADLIGHT TO FALL FROM THE VEHICLE.
Owner-reported narrative. 78,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10949229 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10994108 · 2017-06-09 (June 9, 2017)
WINDSHIELD WATER LEAK AT GASKET, ABOVE THE STEERING WEEL AREA.
Owner-reported narrative. 84,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10994108 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11005448 · 2017-07-15 (July 15, 2017)
ON JUNE 14TH DRIVING ON TEXAS 195 AT 55MPH WHEN MESSAGE ON "LOW ON COOLANT, PULL OVER". I IMMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND SAW A MAN RACE TO FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER. I LOOKED AND THE RAT. FRONT TIRE WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. FLAMES WERE ALSO COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT SHOWED UP AND F.D. INSURED FIRE WAS OUT, AFTER CONTACTING MY INSURANCE I HAD THE CAR TOWED T GEORGETOWN TEXAS, VOLVO. SERVICE PERSON PERSON TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A BODY SHOP SINCE THEY DIDN'T HAVE ONE. I SAID CAR WOULDN'T RUN, …
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11005448 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11014148 · 2017-08-10 (August 10, 2017)
I RECENTLY NOTICED WATER INTRUDING INTO THE TOP SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE ISSUE PERSISTED OVER THE COURSE OF A COUPLE WEEKS UNTIL THE WATER INTRUSION BECAME SEVERE AND RISKED ELECTRICAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. AFTER CONTACTING SAFELITE AUTO GLASS I WAS INFORMED BY THE TECHNICIAN THAT THIS ISSUE IS COMMON ACROSS VOLVO VEHICLES IN HIS EXPERIENCE. THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD WAS NOT SEALED TO THE CAR AND COULD BE EASILY SEPARATED WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED FROM INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE VIDEOS AND PHOTOS OF THIS SAFETY ISSUE WHICH WOULD CAUSE TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11014148 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.
12V439000 · Air Bags:Frontal:Sensor/Control Module-Inactive
Reported: 2012-09-10 (September 10, 2012)
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2013 S60 and XC60 vehicles. A manufacturing defect within the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) control unit may lead to an inadvertent deployment of the seat belt pretensioner and/or inflatable curtain.
Consequence: If the seat belt pretensioner and/or inflatable side curtain deploy without cause, the driver could be distracted and the driver's visibility could be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: These vehicles have not been sold and the SRS control unit will be replaced prior to the cars being sold. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
NHTSA campaign record ↗13V084000 · Equipment:Other:Labels
Reported: 2013-03-05 (March 5, 2013)
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2013 S60 and XC60 vehicles, manufactured on January 7, 2013. The product identification labels were printed with the incorrect manufacture year. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification Regulation."
Consequence: With an incorrect date of manufacture on the certification label, the vehicle owner may not be to determine if they are affected by future vehicle recalls, increasing their risk of a crash of injury.
Remedy: Volvo has quarantined the affected vehicles and will install correct labels prior to sale. The recall began during March 2013. Owner notification letters will not be sent.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V378000 · Seat Belts:Front
Reported: 2020-06-30 (June 30, 2020)
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.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗