Is the 2012 Volvo S60 reliable?

The 2012 Volvo S60 has 164 complaints filed with NHTSA (5.3x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Volvo S60?

Top problems: ENGINE (62 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (17 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (16 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Volvo S60?

Yes, there are 8 recall(s): EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS, STRUCTURE:BODY, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, SEAT BELTS:FRONT, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH. Contact any Volvo dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Volvo S60?

The 2012 Volvo S60 gets 21 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2286. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Volvo S60?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Volvo S60 is approximately $1,853/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2012 Volvo S60

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2012 Volvo S60 has 164 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 5.3x the segment average of 31. The most common issue is engine problems (38% of all complaints), specifically: on the april 23, 2014, my husband was driving and the car shot out at high speed he didn't realize what happened. on april 24, 2014, i was in my driveway in park as i put the car in drive to slowly enter my garage the car took off at high speed tires spun left tire marks on my pavement and i hit th. There are 8 recalls issued for this model year.

11 crash reports 16 injuries

164

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

5.3x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

62 complaints

38%

• ON THE APRIL 23, 2014, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR SHOT OUT AT HIGH SPEED HE DIDN'T REALIZE WHAT HAPPENED. ON APRIL 24, 2014, I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY IN PARK AS I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE TO SLOWLY ENTER MY GARAGE THE CAR TOOK OFF AT HIGH SPEED TIRES SPUN LEFT TIRE MARKS ON MY PAVEMENT AND I HIT TH
• TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE LOW OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FOUR QUARTS OF OIL WERE EMPTIED BUT THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAI
• MY 2012 VOLVO S60 HAD SERIOUS ENGINE NOISE BROUGHT TO THE SHOP THEY THOUGHT IT MIGHT OF BEEN THE FACT THAT I HAD LOW OIL, BUT I HAD JUST GOTTEN MY OIL CHANGED 12/17/14 AND IT WAS 5/27/15 NOW AND I HAD NOT DRIVEN ANYWHERE CLOSE TO 6 THOUSAND MILES TO DEPLETE ALL THE OIL. THE SHOP TOLD ME TO REALLY F

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“ON THE APRIL 23, 2014, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR SHOT OUT AT HIGH SPEED HE DIDN'T REALIZE WHAT HAPPENED. ON APRIL 24, 2014, I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY IN PARK AS I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE TO SLOWLY ENTER MY GARAGE THE CAR TOOK OFF AT HIGH SPEED TIRES SPUN LEFT TIRE MARKS ON MY PAVEMENT AND I HIT TH”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Volvo S60

Based on 115 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 75K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 60-100K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Earlier than typicalmedian 66K mi · 13 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

Earlier than typicalmedian 7K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

Earlier than typicalmedian 22K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 86K mi · 49 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 62K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 71K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (8)

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS18/10/2011

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2012 C70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2005, THROUGH JULY 31, 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 S60 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 14, 2010, THROUGH APRIL 16, 2011, THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH OPTIONAL ACCESSORY SPARE TIRE KIT. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NUMBER. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THESE VEHICLES DO NOT CONTAIN THE CORRECT INFORMATION FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE OPTIONAL ACCESSORY SPARE TIRE AND WHEEL KIT.

Risk: A MISPRINTED LABEL COULD LEAD TO IMPROPER TIRE INFLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A TIRE FAILURE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND INSTALL THE LABEL AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 23, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-201-768-7300.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Volvo S60

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,286

Per month

$191

Per mile

19.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,847/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Volvo S60

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,853

Full coverage / month

$154

Liability only / year

$668

vs US avg

+11%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating0.94x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1853

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Volvo S60 Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

40K mi

T5/T6/T8 all use 4-cylinder engines. T8 plug-in hybrids: battery cooling system serviced with engine coolant.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Volvo New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

12 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Volvo. If you're buying a used 2012 S60, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Volvo dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 164 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: ON THE APRIL 23, 2014, MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING AND THE CAR SHOT OUT AT HIGH SPEED HE DIDN'T REALIZE WHAT HAPPENED. ON APRIL 24, 2014, I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY IN PARK AS I PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE TO SLOWLY ENTER MY GARAGE THE CAR TOOK OFF AT HIGH SPEED TIRES SPUN LEFT TIRE MARKS ON MY PAVEMENT AND I HIT TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60 T5. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN THE ATTEMPT TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND TAKE THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE REMAIN ON. THE DEALER NOR MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED IN REFERENCE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAG
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THE ACTIVE CRUISE CONTROL STOPS FOR NO REASON. THIS PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT. ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS (~20 TIMES SINCE I PICKED UP THE CAR), THE CAR SLOWS DOWN AS THE TRAFFICS SLOWS DOWN. THE CAR IS ALMOST AT A STOP (5-10 MPH) AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKES COMES ON, THE CARS BRAKES HARD & STOPS AND TH
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SEATS/RESTRAINTS: PLEASE, PLEASE BACK OFF ON YOUR HEAD REST REQUIREMENTS FOR SAFETY. PLEASE ALLOW THE CONSUMER TO CHOOSE THE POSITION OF THE HEAD REST. NOT ONLY HONDA, BUT FORD, GM, CHRYSLER, ALL MANUFACTURERS ARE CREATING VERY PAINFUL CAR SEATS SINCE 2009 DUE TO THIS AWFUL HEADREST REQUIREMENT. SEATBELTS ARE A LA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 8 recalls have been completed — free at any Volvo dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)