2013 Volvo S60 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
86 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
53,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 55 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 36 of 86 complaints (41.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 7 | 8.1% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 3.5% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 3.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 2.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 1.2% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 36 |
| Unknown Or Other | 13 |
| Air Bags | 7 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 5 |
| Seat Belts | 4 |
Engine: 36; Unknown Or Other: 13; Air Bags: 7; Electrical System: 7; Power Train: 5; Service Brakes: 5; Visibility/Wiper: 5; Seat Belts: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 14 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 13 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 16 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 14; 25,000 to 49,999: 13; 50,000 to 74,999: 16; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (16). 31 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 |
|---|---|
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 3 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 6 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 10 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 13 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 3 |
2013: 5; 2014: 5; 2015: 3; 2016: 7; 2017: 6; 2018: 3; 2019: 10; 2020: 10; 2021: 13; 2022: 4; 2023: 10; 2024: 7; 2025: 3
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 3 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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10503753 · 2013-03-20 (March 20, 2013)
VEHICLE INVOLVED DAMAGE FRONT AND LEFT FRONTAL AREA. SPEED 40-45 MPH. NO FRONTAL OR SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG AND CURTAIN DEPLOYMENT. FAILURE OF COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM AND ELECTRONICAL INDICATORS, ABS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10503753 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10564219 · 2014-02-13 (February 13, 2014)
I WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 30 - 40 MPH IN MY 2013 VOLVO S60 WHEN I STRUCK AN SUV FROM BEHIND. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE DEPLOYED, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS A DIRECT REAR END COLLISION. AFTER THE COLLISION MY INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED THE WARNING MESSAGE 'SRS AIRBAG SERVICE URGENT'. MY VOLVO S60 IS EQUIPPED WITH THE STANDARD CITY SAFETY AUTO BRAKING SYSTEM, WHICH DID NOT ENGAGE AT ANY POINT TO AVOID/REDUCE THE IMPACT OF THE COLLISION. THE AUTO BRAKING SYSTEM DOES NOT WORK ABOVE CERTAIN SPEEDS, I AM AWARE; HOWEVER, I AM CONCERNED THAT MY AIRBAGS W…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,289 miles reported. Look up ODI 10564219 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11503852 · 2023-01-26 (January 26, 2023)
The contact owns a 2013 Volvo S60. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to warn of low oil pressure. The contact stated he would become aware that the engine oil pressure was low when the vehicle stalled or while servicing the vehicle. The contact was concerned for his safety and for the potential engine damage that could occur. The contact related the failure NHTSA Campaign Number: 13V592000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). Additionally, the contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that h…
Owner-reported narrative. 69,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11503852 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11565284 · 2024-01-13 (January 13, 2024)
The engine has started to burn excess oil prompting the service engine light to come up way before next oil change. Auto mechanic has to add 5 quarts oil between oil changes on regular basis now telling us the Dealership will need to address the issue. Suggested we replace O rings in engine which is costly repair with no guarantee will solve issue. Could not afford the expensive repair. Recent online research shows this is common issue in the S60 between 50k-100k miles. I Bought this car for daughter as it had every service check required and t…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11565284 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11025107 · 2017-09-22 (September 22, 2017)
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ELECTRONICS, SUCH AS THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS, AND RADIO STARTED TO FLICKER OFF AND ON REPEATEDLY AND THE ENGINE CUT OFF. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING AND THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I WAITED A FEW MIN AND WAS ABLE TO START BACK THE CAR AND DRIVE IT. THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES IN A 6 MONTH PERIOD. THE CAR WAS RECENTLY SERVICED AT AROUND 38,000 MILES AT THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP. THE ISSUE STARTED TO OCCUR ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THE CAR WAS SERVICED.
Owner-reported narrative. 42,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11025107 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11047380 · 2017-11-20 (November 20, 2017)
WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT, MY S60 JUST COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING ON MY WAY TO WORK. WHILE PULLING OUT OF MY DEVELOPMENT, THE ENTIRE ENGINE, POWER STEERING - EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN. I HAD TO COAST INTO A TURNING LANE TO PUT ON MY FLASHERS. I HAD NOT GONE MORE THAN 3 MINUTES FROM MY HOUSE. AFTER VOLVO HAD IT FOR A FEW DAYS THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ALTERNATOR BELT HAD JUMPED OFF, HITTING THE ALTERNATOR, FRAYING THE BELT. THIS THEN RESULTED IN THE BELT WRAPPING AROUND ANOTHER PART OF THE ENGINE IMPACTING THE DRIVE BELT. THIS RESULTED IN DAMAGE …
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11047380 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10882830 · 2016-07-05 (July 5, 2016)
WHEN I AM SOMETIMES EITHER STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN, INTERSECTION OR ON A HIGHWAY, THE TRANSMISSION WILL ALMOST STOP, BUCK AND THEN RESUME DRIVING.
Owner-reported narrative. 54,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10882830 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11321927 · 2020-04-22 (April 22, 2020)
THE VEHICLE SHIFTS ERRATICALLY IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC WITH FREQUENT SURGES AND JOLTS AT LOW GEARS. THIS ALSO OCCURS AT HIGHER TEMPERATURES (AFTER DRIVING FOR A WHILE ON HOT DAYS) AND DURING STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ON HOT DAYS. TRANSMISSION ENGAGES SLOWLY AFTER A FULL STOP AND OFTEN WITH A JERK, ESPECIALLY FELT WHEN STOPPED AT AN INCLINE. ALL OF THESE JERKS AND JOLTS OCCUR AROUND GEARS 1 OR 2 AND DURING STOPPING OR STARTING FROM STOP.
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11321927 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11055128 · 2017-12-17 (December 17, 2017)
BACK DOOR ON DRIVERSIDE WILL NOT LATCH SOMETHING ELECTRICAL IS GOING ON I HAD TO TIE THE DOOR UP JUST TO DRIVE ANYWHERE
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11055128 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11302987 · 2020-01-30 (January 30, 2020)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER ENTERING THE VEHICLE HE WAS UNABLE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS OR LOCK THE DOORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO (VOLVO CARS RICHMOND 7211 W BROAD ST, RICHMOND, VA 23294), TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THE VEHICLE HAD SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION WHICH CAUSED THE WIRING TO BE REPLACED. AFTER THE WAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE STILL EXPERIENCED A FAILURE WITH THE REMOTE ACCESS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V849…
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11302987 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11424893 · 2021-07-15 (July 15, 2021)
I had a 2008 volvo s60 and now i have a 2013 volvo s60. And the same exact thing happened with both of them. Both cars had more than half a tank of gas and while driving on the freeway they started to stutter and then the car just shut off while i was driving. I was lucky to be close to an exit and i had to let the car role on nuetral till i was safe away from any traffic. If i want close to an exit you can just imagine what would of happened. When i tried to turn the car on it wouldn't start anymore. I have done knowledge on working on cars an…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11424893 at NHTSA ↗