2016 Volvo XC60 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
38 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
44,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 38 complaints (39.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 15.8% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 7.9% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 5.3% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.6% |
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 | 15 |
| Unknown Or Other | 8 |
| Seat Belts | 6 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
Engine: 15; Unknown Or Other: 8; Seat Belts: 6; Electrical System: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Air Bags: 2; Exterior Lighting: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 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 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 26 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 |
|---|---|
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 7 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 9 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 5; 2022: 3; 2023: 7; 2024: 5; 2025: 9; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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 10875450 · 2016-06-20 (June 20, 2016)
ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016, AT 10:00 A.M., I PUT MY CAR IN PARK ON MY DRIVEWAY. MY CAR WAS STATIONARY ON MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I EXITED IT AND WENT INTO MY GARAGE. WHEN I TURNED AROUND, MY UNOCCUPIED CAR WAS COMING TOWARD ME FROM THE DRIVEWAY INTO THE GARAGE. I WAS UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF THE CAR AND ENDED UP PINNED BETWEEN THE LEFT WALL OF MY GARAGE, A RECYCLE CAN, AND THE CAR. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR WAS ROLLING INTO THE GARAGE IN A STRAIGHT LINE, WHICH LEFT JUST ENOUGH SPACE BETWEEN MY BODY, THE CAR, AND THE WALL; OTHERWISE, I WOULD HAVE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10875450 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11340580 · 2020-07-21 (July 21, 2020)
THE WINDSHIELD IS LEAKING HEAVILY FROM THE TOP AND CONDENSATION IMPAIRS VISIBILITY. THIS IS EFFECTING SOME OF THE SAFETY AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, SUCH AS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND DOOR CONTROLS.
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11340580 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11041530 · 2017-10-31 (October 31, 2017)
CITY SAFETY BRAKES FOR NO REASON. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, BRAKES GRAB AND CAR LUNGES FORWARD, SOMETIME THE CITY SAFETY MESSAGE APPEARS AND OTHER TIMES IT DOES NOT. I WAS BREAKING FOR A STOP WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO REAR ENDED BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. HAS ME WORRIED IF WIFE IS DRIVING. DEALER SAID THERE IS NO PROBLEM, NOT SO!
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11041530 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11119963 · 2018-08-14 (August 14, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLVO XC60. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE BRAKES ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT AND OCCURRED TEMPORARILY. VOLVO CARS PRINCETON (2931 BRUNSWICK PIKE, LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY 08648) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. IT WAS UNKNOWN AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11119963 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11547155 · 2023-09-28 (September 28, 2023)
There was (still is) an issue with my 2016 Volvo XC60's electrical wiring. I was driving, about to get onto the highway when my volvo stalled on the on ramp. It wouldn't start, it couldn't be jumped. It had to be towed to the repair shop. They charged me over $1,000.00 for a brand new starter, and after they did it started for one day and then it broke down again. I couldn't even drive it out of the repair shop. I had to get it towed again. The dealership said it was an electrical/wiring issue that could be very expensive. I have found out that…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11547155 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11547425 · 2023-09-29 (September 29, 2023)
Purchased the vehicle sometime in 2021. Been dealing with oil consumption issues since then. Always maintained the vehicle per manufacturer recommendations. At first I had to top off the oil here and there and didn’t think much of it. Forward to Sept 2023 I have to add a quart every 500 miles. I began to research about the oil consumption problem and learned the following: There was a letter that was sent out to Volvo owners in Feb 2023 about a service bulletin regarding an oil consumption test and if the vehicle fails the oil consumption test…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11547425 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11637046 · 2025-01-20 (January 20, 2025)
Engin shut off while driving and would not start again. Fortunately, this happened in a parking lot. If this happened on a highway, there could have been a bad outcome. When the car shut off the steering became very heavy. Dealer says it was a result of skipped timing. Timing belt did not break and has about 10,000 miles on it. Dealer provided no reason as to why this happened. No warning signs and no warning lights before this happened.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11637046 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11450946 · 2022-02-08 (February 8, 2022)
WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, HAVE TO HOLD BRAKE DOWN IN ORDER TO KEEP THE CAR FROM DRIVING AS THE RPMS ARE REVVING UP AND DOWN, CAUSING THE CAR TO WANT TO MOVE AND WHEN IN PARK REVVING SO HIGH THAT IT WENT INTO RED AND CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON AND I HAD TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. ALSO THE GAS TANK FILLER TUBE CLOGGS UP EASILY AND HAS TO BE DROPPED IN ORDER FOR THE TUBE / VENTS TO BE CLEANED OUT OR REPLACED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11450946 at NHTSA ↗