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U.S. public vehicle records

2021 Volvo XC60: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

46 owner complaints analyzed

5 distinct recall campaigns

18,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 46 complaints (28.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior1226.1%
Electrical and battery issues919.6%
Steering behavior919.6%
Fuel system concerns36.5%
Transmission and shifting12.2%

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
13
Unknown Or Other
11
Service Brakes
9
Steering
7
Engine
6
Fuel/Propulsion System
5
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection
5
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
3
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System13
Unknown Or Other11
Service Brakes9
Steering7
Engine6
Fuel/Propulsion System5
Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection5
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control3

Electrical System: 13; Unknown Or Other: 11; Service Brakes: 9; Steering: 7; Engine: 6; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection: 5; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 3

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000
2
25,000 to 49,999
1
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 25,0002
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9990
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 43 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
6
2022
13
2023
4
2024
7
2025
5
2026
11
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20216
202213
20234
20247
20255
202611

2021: 6; 2022: 13; 2023: 4; 2024: 7; 2025: 5; 2026: 11

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 9 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 11424387 · 2021-07-12 (July 12, 2021)

On two occasions the automatic breaking/city safety engaged on my Volvo XC60 2021 vehicle. In both incidences there was no need for this to happen. First incident (o/a June 25, 2021) occurred while changing lanes. There was traffic but said traffic was a safe distance in front of me. I was startled by the immediate hard stop breaking and safety belts tightening around me. No accident occurred. Only traffic behind me needing to break to avoid rear ending me. Even though shaken I continued on my way and put it behind me. Second incident (Jul 7,20…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11424387 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11429186 · 2021-08-15 (August 15, 2021)

I purchased a brand new Volvo XC60 T6 on 7/18/2021. On 8/14/2021 I was driving on the far left lane on the 280S freeway and wanted to merge one lane to the right and as I was merging the steering wheel went stiff and caused me to lose control of the car. I almost get into a big accident with a Tesla. Then I heard a sound and notice on the dash display "Power Steering service urgent drive to a workshop" sign. The steering wheel continue being stiff and I experienced pain in my left arm due to the steering wheel incident. I immediately called the…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11429186 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11429521 · 2021-08-17 (August 17, 2021)

This is in regards to Pilot Assist. My husband and I purchased this vehicle in May of 2021. We have encountered several incidents (while using Pilot Assist). The car has directed us to different lanes, steered us to guardrails and other cars and has failed to break when cars have been stopped in front of us. We have taken the car in to our local Volvo dealership multiple times and they have still not corrected the issues. The first time we took the car in to the dealership, we were told (by the mechanic) it’s not a good system and it will nev…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11429521 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11433850 · 2021-09-21 (September 21, 2021)

I leased the vehicle in December, 2020. Periodically while the tailgate is open and I am underneath it, the tailgate has closed on me and hit me in the back. In February, 2021, the struts on the tailgate were replaced at Patrick Volvo, Fort Myers, Florida, after I received a recall letter from Volvo. On September 9, 2021 at approximately 11:00 a.m. (CST) I was under the opened tailgate and it closed three times in a row and hit me in the back. Each time that it hit me, it reversed direction and went back into the open position. I was no…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11433850 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11433852 · 2021-09-21 (September 21, 2021)

The contact owned a 2021 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle suddenly began to accelerate and the brakes failed to stop. The vehicle crashed into a nearby fence causing the vehicle to flip. The air bags did deploy. The contact received injuries to their right shoulder and left knee. Medical attention was needed. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and had not been deemed totaled as of yet however, damage to the vehicle would be considered unrepairable. The dealer was informed of the i…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11433852 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11440071 · 2021-11-10 (November 10, 2021)

I purchased a brand new Volvo XC60 T5 AWD Inscription 7/04/2021. On 9/22/2021 I was driving in the middle lane on interstate 20 located in DFW TX and entering a curve when suddenly and without warning the steering wheel went stiff (as if I had NO power steering). I almost got into an accident, had I not been an experienced driver. A warning then displayed in the driver's information center "Power Steering Service Urgent, Drive To Workshop". The steering wheel continued to function as if I had no power steering until I arrived at work. I immedia…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11440071 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11452548 · 2022-02-17 (February 17, 2022)

Today my Sensus in the center console as well as instrument panel that shows the map between the gauges went black and switched my drive mode out of ECO, shutting off my cruise cintrol and turned off my Bluetooth phone call. Rebooted 3 times before becoming stable. This is unsafe and very dangerous. They just did a software update while it was in the dealership recently fixing an unrelated issue for a month. Now I have to try and get a video as they always try to claim they can't duplicate issues... I always have to take videos and recordings n…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11452548 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11453722 · 2022-02-23 (February 23, 2022)

Today, my Sensus in the center console, as well as my instrument panel that shows the map between the gauges, went black and switched my drive mode out of ECO, shutting off my adaptive cruise control. Rebooted 2 times before becoming stable. I have a video, but your system doesn't allow me to upload the file type

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11453722 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

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

21V001000 · Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module | Seat Belts:Pretensioner | Air Bags

Reported: 2021-01-07 (January 7, 2021)

Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 Volvo V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. The Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) control unit may not have been properly attached to the car body and may detach during a crash.

Consequence: A detached SRS control unit can decrease the performance of occupant protection systems such as air bags, seat belts, and high voltage battery disconnect, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the SRS control unit mounting screws, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10068.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
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 ↗
21V716000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported: 2021-09-15 (September 15, 2021)

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 S90L, 2020-2021 XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.

Consequence: Separation of the rotor and shaft may cause a reduction in braking assistance and a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the hydraulic unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10120.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
23V001000 · Steering

Reported: 2023-01-05 (January 5, 2023)

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2022 V60CC, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. During steering gear assembly, double screws may have been assembled on top of each other, which can cause a screw to fall into the gearbox housing.

Consequence: A screw inside the gearbox housing can cause the steering wheel to lock up and increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 1, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10213.

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 ↗