Is the 2013 Volvo S60 reliable?

The 2013 Volvo S60 has 105 complaints filed with NHTSA (3.4x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Volvo S60?

Top problems: ENGINE (37 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (14 complaints, avg repair $500); AIR BAGS (7 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Volvo S60?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE, EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS, 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 2013 Volvo S60?

The 2013 Volvo S60 gets 22 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2182. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Volvo S60?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 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.

2013 Volvo S60

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Volvo S60 has 105 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 3.4x the segment average of 31. The most common issue is engine problems (35% of all complaints), specifically: while driving the car electronics, such as the dashboard lights, and radio started to flicker off and on repeatedly and the engine cut off. i was unable to control the steering and the car came to a complete stop. i waited a few min and was able to start back the car and drive it. this incident ha. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year.

8 crash reports 9 injuries

105

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

3.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

37 complaints

35%

• WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ELECTRONICS, SUCH AS THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS, AND RADIO STARTED TO FLICKER OFF AND ON REPEATEDLY AND THE ENGINE CUT OFF. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING AND THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I WAITED A FEW MIN AND WAS ABLE TO START BACK THE CAR AND DRIVE IT. THIS INCIDENT HA
• WITH LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT, MY S60 JUST COMPLETELY STOPPED WORKING ON MY WAY TO WORK. WHILE PULLING OUT OF MY DEVELOPMENT, THE ENTIRE ENGINE, POWER STEERING - EVERYTHING SHUT DOWN. I HAD TO COAST INTO A TURNING LANE TO PUT ON MY FLASHERS. I HAD NOT GONE MORE THAN 3 MINUTES FROM MY HOUSE. AFTE
• EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION - BURNING OR CONSUMING AT LEAST 5 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY 2K-3K MILES, BETWEEN OIL CHANGES. OUR ONLY NOTICE IS WHEN OIL IS BELOW 5-QUART RANGE, WHEN WE RECEIVE A DASH WARNING NOTING TO STOP ENGINE. CAR HOLDS 7.25 QUARTS OF SYNTHETIC OIL. WELL KNOW DOCUMENTED THROUGHOUT THE W

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ELECTRONICS, SUCH AS THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS, AND RADIO STARTED TO FLICKER OFF AND ON REPEATEDLY AND THE ENGINE CUT OFF. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING AND THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I WAITED A FEW MIN AND WAS ABLE TO START BACK THE CAR AND DRIVE IT. THIS INCIDENT HA”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Volvo S60

Based on 67 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 48K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 44K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 30K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

Later than typicalmedian 53K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

High-mileage issuemedian 80K mi · 19 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 (4)

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE10/09/2012

Volvo is recalling certain model year 2013 S60 and XC60 vehicles. A manufacturing defect within the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) control unit may lead to an inadvertent deployment of the seat belt pretensioner and/or inflatable curtain.

Risk: If the seat belt pretensioner and/or inflatable side curtain deploy without cause, the driver could be distracted and the driver's visibility could be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: These vehicles have not been sold and the SRS control unit will be replaced prior to the cars being sold. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Volvo S60

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,182

Per month

$182

Per mile

18.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,656/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 2013 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 2013 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

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 105 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ELECTRONICS, SUCH AS THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS, AND RADIO STARTED TO FLICKER OFF AND ON REPEATEDLY AND THE ENGINE CUT OFF. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING AND THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I WAITED A FEW MIN AND WAS ABLE TO START BACK THE CAR AND DRIVE IT. THIS INCIDENT HA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: THE TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATION LABEL ON MY CAR HAS 4 ERRORS. 1. LOADING: THE INSTALLED LABEL SPECIFIES A WEIGHT LIMIT OF 1200 LBS. THE CORRECT WEIGHT LIMIT FOR MY CAR IS 1025 LBS. 2. FRONT TIRE SIZE: THE INSTALLED LABEL SAYS MY CAR HAS 215/50R17 FRONT TIRES. THE CAR HAS 235/45R17 TIRES. VOL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
AIR BAGS: VEHICLE INVOLVED DAMAGE FRONT AND LEFT FRONTAL AREA. SPEED 40-45 MPH. NO FRONTAL OR SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG AND CURTAIN DEPLOYMENT. FAILURE OF COLLISION WARNING SYSTEM AND ELECTRONICAL INDICATORS, ABS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ELECTRONICS, SUCH AS THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS, AND RADIO STARTED TO FLICKER OFF AND ON REPEATEDLY AND THE ENGINE CUT OFF. I WAS UNABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING AND THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I WAITED A FEW MIN AND WAS ABLE TO START BACK THE CAR AND DRIVE IT. THIS INCIDENT HA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 4 recalls have been completed — free at any Volvo dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)