This page covers 8 recalls, 119 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2012 Volvo S60.
21–23 mpg combined
10.2–11.2 L/100km
Compact Cars
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 2 tested variants for this model year.
5/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant pattern in 2012 Volvo S60 complaints centers heavily on the engine, which accounts for a large share of total reports. Owners consistently describe excessive oil consumption, often discovering the engine is critically low or empty with little to no warning from the oil pressure or check engine light until significant damage has already occurred. Several owners report catastrophic engine failure following this pattern, with mechanics citing internal failures such as piston or gasket problems. A smaller cluster of electrical complaints includes a rear camera that flickers or becomes unusable in high ambient temperatures. Steering draws the third-highest complaint volume, though the specific symptoms described vary. The oil consumption issue is by far the most concentrated concern, with owners across multiple reports noting the engine ran dry before any dashboard warning appeared.
119
Total Complaints
7
Crash-Related
10
With Injuries
By System
The 2012 Volvo S60 has 8 recalls, the most serious being two separate fire risks: a hardened underbody coating that can puncture fuel lines, and a fuel line connector that may detach and leak fuel near the engine.
A related fuel system concern involves the fuel pump software, which may not be compatible with certain pump assemblies, causing the engine to hesitate or stall even when the fuel gauge shows up to a quarter tank remaining. On the safety equipment side, the front seatbelt pretensioner can fail to lock during a crash, leaving the occupant with less restraint. Door latches on certain vehicles can break internally, causing a door to appear closed when it is not, and potentially swing open while driving. There is also an engine monitoring issue on S60s equipped with the 5-cylinder engine: a fault in the oil pressure warning system means the driver may receive no alert when oil pressure drops dangerously low, which can allow engine damage to progress until the car stalls.
At a glance
What can fail
The flexible steel cable connecting the seat belt to front seats can weaken over time, potentially preventing the seat belt from properly securing an occupant during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable in both front seats.
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Driver Assistance
Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A component in the door latches can break, causing doors to latch poorly or appear closed when they're actually unsecured.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace all four door latches at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The engine oil pressure warning system may fail to alert the driver when oil pressure drops to unsafe levels.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the vehicle's software to enable the low oil pressure warning alert.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Underbody coating applied incorrectly can form rigid, icicle-like buildup hanging from the undercarriage, particularly near fuel lines.
What the fix does
Dealer inspects undercarriage and removes excessive coating from fuel line area. Damaged fuel lines are replaced if found.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A fuel line quick connector may be defectively made and could detach, causing the engine to stall and fuel to leak.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the high-pressure fuel line assembly.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel line quick connector's male end was made with incorrect dimensions, requiring excessive force to assemble and potentially preventing the locking mechanism from engaging properly.
What the fix does
Volvo dealers will replace the fuel lines at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The fuel pump software may be incompatible with certain fuel pump components, causing insufficient fuel transfer through the pump unit.
What the fix does
Dealers will upgrade the engine control module software at no charge.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Fuel system software incompatibility may prevent the fuel pump from transferring enough fuel, causing engine hesitation or stalling and loss of power.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the engine control module software to restore proper fuel pump operation.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
