2016 Volvo S60 Common Problems & Defect Telemetry
Authoritative defect intelligence synthesized from 26 verified NHTSA owner complaints, 4 federal safety recalls, and interquartile failure mileage telemetry.
The 2016 Volvo S60 receives a 5.7/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 26 verified NHTSA federal complaints and 4 safety recalls. The primary reported failure mode is Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports with a median failure point at 86,585 miles (IQR: 86,585 – 86,585 mi). Out-of-warranty repairs benchmark at $950 – $3,200 .
21.7 complaints / 10k sold
Verified US federal records
Crash, fire & stall audit
4 Active / Free Remedies
2016 S60 Failure Distribution by Vehicle Subsystem
Top Reported Problem Clusters (6)
Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports
- Engine sudden stall / hesitation while driving
- Abnormal oil burning / consumption
- Check Engine Light (MIL) flashing
- Engine overheating / coolant loss
“In November of 2021, I purchased my dream car, a 2016 Volvo s60 Cross Country, proud to own a vehicle from a company known for their safe and reliable vehicles. In April of 2022, a class action case (..., et al., v. Volvo Car USA, LLC, Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, and Vol...”
“The alternator seized on the highway snapping the serpentine belt which got sucked into the timing and stopped the car in the left lane at highway speed. The timing guard failed allowing the belt to damage the timing. Volvo says it needs a head job I have possession of the veh...”
“At 86K miles can smell oil burning and add 1 quart light comes on. It's said Volvo is aware of a defect with the piston rings causing oil to consume and burn away. They aren't willing to address the issue outside warranty expiration. They did recently indicate how Volvo change...”
Electrical Parasitic Drain, Infotainment & Harness Reports
- Unexplained battery drain after sitting overnight
- Infotainment display / instrument cluster blackouts
- Accessory malfunction / alternator fault warnings
“The contact owns a 2016 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the SRS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who repaired the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V378000 (Seat Belts) and 16V798000 (Seat Belts...”
“The alternator seized on the highway snapping the serpentine belt which got sucked into the timing and stopped the car in the left lane at highway speed. The timing guard failed allowing the belt to damage the timing. Volvo says it needs a head job I have possession of the veh...”
“Windscreen wiper motors failed during inclement weather making visibility impossible. The vehicle was only approximately 2 years old at the time of failure. This created a serious safety issue and may have led to a crash and injury. The dealer diagnosed the issue as failed wip...”
Airbag Occupant Detection & Inflator Defect Reports
- SRS Airbag warning lamp illuminated
- Passenger occupant classification sensor failure
- Seat belt retractor lockup
“The contact owns a 2016 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the SRS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who repaired the vehicle under NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V378000 (Seat Belts) and 16V798000 (Seat Belts...”
“2016 VOLVO S60. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO NHTSA SAFETY RECALL 20V-378. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS”
“THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT CORRECTED A KNOWN RECALL. NOR HAVE I RECEIVED AN UPDATE. THIS IS THE SECOND NOTICE IN THE ATTACHED DOCUMENT. THEY STATE THERE IS NOT YET PARTS AVAILABLE TO CORRECT IT. BUT ACCORDING TO THE NHTSA WEB SITE VIN LOOK-UP, THE RECALL IS LISTED AS RECALL INCO...”
Electric Power Steering Assist & Suspension Noise Reports
- Sudden loss of electric power steering assist
- Steering wheel pull or highway wander
- Clunking / knocking noise over bumps
“WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED FROM A VOLVO DEALERSHIP IN AUGUST OF 2019 WHILE STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. IT HAS 19-INCH VOLVO ALLOY WHEELS WITH 235/40/R19 TIRES. IN A LITTLE OVER A YEAR, TWO OF THE WHEELS HAVE CRACKED PRESUMABLY AFTER HITTING POTHOLES. WE HAD BOTH WHEELS REPAIRED...”
“STEERING WHEEL SQUEAKS AND CREAKS WHEN COLD. TOLD IT RELATES TO AIRBAG SPRING, TRIM AROUND AIRBAG. GOING BACK FOR 4TH REPAIR.”
“PURCHASED A BRAND NEW 2016 VOLVO S60 - THE CAR AT INCIDENT DATE HAD 200 MILES ON IT. WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC ON A CALIFORNIA FREEWAY - THE CAR LOST ALL POWER, STEERING, LIGHTS, ETC WHILE IN THE NUMBER 4 OF 7 LANE FREEWAY AT NIGHT. THE CAR WAS BLACKED OUT, NO LIGHTS, NO POWER,...”
Transmission Hesitation, Hard Shifting & Slipping Reports
- Hard gear shifts / delayed engagement into Drive/Reverse
- Transmission shudder / jerking under acceleration
- Transmission slipping between gears
“CAR WAS PURCHASED ON 5/31/2016, IN LESS THAN 4 MONTHS I EXPERIENCED REPEATED STALLS WHILE ACCELERATING. THE CAR WOULD REV HIGH AND THE RPMS WOULD INCREASE. DURING THIS TIME THE CAR WAS IMMOBILIZED. THIS OCCURRED MID-FLIGHT WHILE ACCELERATING. ON SEPTEMBER 23, I TOOK THE CAR TO...”
“DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN A ROAD AND AT A SPEED OF AROUND 40 MPH, ALL WARNING LIGHTS FLASHED AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. AFTER A DISTANCE, THE CAR CAME TO A STOP AND I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART IT. I SHIFTED THE CAR INTO PARK AND WAS FINALLY ABLE TO GET THE ENGINE TO RESTART.”
Service Brakes, ABS Actuator & Master Cylinder Reports
- Spongy or hard brake pedal travel
- ABS / Brake warning light illuminated
- Extended stopping distance / pedal vibration
“THE BRAKE SUDDENLY LOST BRAKING POWER AFTER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AT A RED LIGHT ON A LOCAL STREET. EVERY TIME I PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AFTER THE INCIDENT, I COULD HEAR A SOUND OF AIR LEAKING SOMEWHERE BEHIND THE PEDAL. OTHER SYSTEMS SEEM FINE AND I MANAGED TO ROLL THE ...”
“AS FAR BACK AS 2011, THERE WERE COMPLAINTS THAT VOLVOS EQUIPPED WITH THE CITY SAFETY SYSTEM WOULD SUDDENLY STOP OR SLOW DOWN FOR NO REASON. THIS SAME SITUATION HAPPENED TO ME IN SEPTEMBER 2018. AS I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN TO CROSS AN INTERSECTION, MY VOLVO S60 SUDDENLY CAME TO...”
Official NHTSA Safety Recalls (4)
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Summary: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 XC90, S90, XC60, V60 Cross Country, V60, S60 Cross Country, S60, and S60 Inscription vehicles manufactured February 16, 2015, to August 22, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the front passenger seat belt buckle attaching stud may loosen, allowing the buckle to separate from the seat belt bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages" and number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
Summary: Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo S60, V60, V60CC, XC60, XC70, and S80 vehicles manufactured April 8, 2015 to August 19, 2015. In certain driving conditions when using the automatic engine stop/start function, the starter motor fuse may blow, preventing the car from restarting when necessary.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
Summary: Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
Summary: Volvo Car of USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2011-2017 S60, S60I, V60, S60CC and V60CC vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist for 2016 Volvo S60
Before purchasing a used 2016 Volvo S60, perform the following targeted inspections based on reported federal defect patterns:
Scan the OBD-II port under the dash for pending freeze-frame codes (e.g. P0300 misfires, P0087 fuel rail pressure, P0420 catalytic efficiency).
Test vehicle at low-speed stop-and-go and highway merges. Check for delayed reverse engagement or gear shift shudder between 2nd and 3rd gears.
Verify that all 4 NHTSA safety recall campaigns have been performed by an authorized dealership using the VIN.
Ensure the instrument cluster, center screen, and auxiliary charging ports operate with stable 12.0V–14.4V alternator voltage.
Defect & Reliability Q&A: 2016 Volvo S60
Is the 2016 Volvo S60 a reliable used car?
The 2016 Volvo S60 earns a 5.7/10 MazicBay Reliability Index based on 26 federal owner reports. Vehicles maintained under factory service schedules exhibit strong longevity past 150,000 miles.
What is the most frequent defect reported on the 2016 Volvo S60?
The leading complaint category is Engine Stalling, Oil Consumption & Cooling Defect Reports, with a median failure point around 86,585 miles (IQR: 86,585 – 86,585 mi).
Are there free recall repairs available for the 2016 Volvo S60?
Yes, the NHTSA records 4 safety recall campaign(s) for this model year. All safety recalls are performed 100% free of charge by authorized franchise dealerships regardless of vehicle warranty status.