Is the 2016 Volvo S60 reliable?

The 2016 Volvo S60 has 34 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Volvo S60?

Top problems: ENGINE (8 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (5 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (4 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Volvo S60?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS, 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 2016 Volvo S60?

The 2016 Volvo S60 gets 23 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2087. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Volvo S60?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 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.

2016 Volvo S60

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2016 Volvo S60 has 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 31. The most common issue is engine problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: 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, no engine, stalled w. There are 4 recalls issued for this model year.

3 crash reports

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

8 complaints

24%

• 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, NO ENGINE, STALLED W
• 2016 VOLVO S-60. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE PROBLEMS. *LD..THE CONSUMER STATED VOLVO HAD A RECALL ON THE OIL PRESSURE SENSORS (FAILURE CAUSED ENGINES TO SEIZE). THE DEALER CLAIMED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL BUT, THE ENGINE SEIZED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD. THE MANUFACTURE
• VOLVO FAILED TO NOTIFY CONSUMER OF A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT WITH THE VOLVO SPARK PLUGS BEING UNSTABLE IN ITS ORIGINAL HOUSING, WHICH RESULTED IN 'RECALLED SPARK PLUGS'. AS A RESULT THE SPARK PLUG ENDS BROKE OFF AND CAUSED PERMANENT DAMAGED TO THE ENGINE (CYLINDER #4 HAS LITTLE TO NO COMPRESSION, MI

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

“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, NO ENGINE, STALLED W”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Volvo S60

Based on 25 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 28K 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+

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)

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY02/11/2016

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."

Risk: If the seat belt buckle separates from the bracket, the front seat passenger may not be adequately restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt buckle stud, replacing the seat belt buckle as needed, free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89708.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Volvo S60

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,087

Per month

$174

Per mile

17.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,667/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,549/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 2016 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 2016 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

BODY/STRUCTURE(~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 34 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: 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, NO ENGINE, STALLED W
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: 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, NO ENGINE, STALLED W
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: 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.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V849000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CO
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)