2020 Volvo S60 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
11 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
11,750 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 11 complaints (45.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 45.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 18.2% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 18.2% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 1 |
Service Brakes: 5; Electrical System: 3; Steering: 3; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 2; Suspension: 2; Vehicle Speed Control: 2; Engine: 1; Forward Collision Avoidance: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 4 |
| 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 |
Under 25,000: 4; 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
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 7 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 |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2020: 1; 2021: 5; 2022: 1; 2025: 2; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Service Brakes leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11297043 · 2020-01-04 (January 4, 2020)
'THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW STOP SAFELY' MESSAGE CAME ON AT LESS THAN 87 MILES ON THE ODOMETER WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING ON MY DRIVEWAY. A VOLVO DEALER STATED THE FOLLOWING: FLUID WAS LOW NO EXTERNAL LEAK FOUND TOPPED OFF BRAKE FLUID TO FULL MARK 'THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW STOP SAFELY' MESSAGE CAME ON AGAIN AT LESS THAN 191 MILES ON THE ODOMETER WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD AT ABOUT 35 MILES AN HOUR SPEED.
Owner-reported narrative. 190 miles reported. Look up ODI 11297043 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11394308 · 2021-02-02 (February 2, 2021)
MY 2020 S60 T5 R-DESIGN HAD 3 BROKEN SENSORS, A SAFETY RECALL, MALFUNCTIONING BRAKES WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO VEER, AND MOST RECENTLY A LEAKING A/C HOSE. ALL PROBLEMS FROM THE FACTORY (OUT OF THIN AIR) WITHIN THE FIRST 12 MONTHS OF MY LEASE. AFTER NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO VOLVO CAR USA, I WAS OFFERED A GENERIC AND DISMISSIVE ANSWER THAT VOLVO 'IS NOT IN THE POSITION' TO OFFER A TRADE ASSIST OR ANY HELP. NO EXPLANATION TO A LOYAL VOLVO CUSTOMER. THEY'RE SIMPLY 'SORRY' THAT I HAD TO TAKE OFF WORK TO SERVICE THEIR CAR AND WAS TOLD TO UBER HOME (NO C…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11394308 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11421793 · 2021-06-22 (June 22, 2021)
I turned the car on and got an error message that said the turn indicator system failed. After trying to clear the message from the dash using the button on the steering wheel, I discovered that nothing on the steering wheel was working, including the windshield wipers or any buttons on the steering wheel. I called the manufacturer and they told me not to drive it and they towed it to the dealer. The dealer said they had see this before as either a software issue or electrical issue and would need to replace the stalks and buttons.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11421793 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11758721 · 2026-08-22 (August 22, 2026)
On two separate occasions in the past two months June 6 and Aug. 15, this vehicle experienced a severe unintended engine surge / unintended acceleration event while at a complete stop with my foot firmly on the brake. On both occasions, the engine RPMs spiked above 1,000 RPM, forcing the vehicle to pull heavily against the brakes as if trying to race forward into the intersection. On the most recent event (Aug. 15) when stopping at a red light it appeared that the supercharger kicked in, pulling against the brakes. Six or eight pedestrians wer…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11758721 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11470504 · 2022-06-22 (June 22, 2022)
It is unknown what caused this issue but ever since I bought my vehicle on April 5, 2021, I have been experiencing vibration issues when driving between 65-75 MPH. I have had my vehicle inspected at multiple Volvo Service Centers across Texas and no one can seem to figure out what is causing the vibration issues. My front rotors have been replaced 3 TIMES, my rear rotors have been replaced once, I have had multiple tire rotations, alignments and balancing from Volvo Service Centers and even from Discount Tire. With all of these items serviced/r…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11470504 at NHTSA ↗