Is the 2020 Volvo S60 reliable?

The 2020 Volvo S60 has 22 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.7x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: BRAKES problems.

What are common problems with the 2020 Volvo S60?

Top problems: BRAKES (5 complaints, avg repair $500); DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS (4 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (3 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2020 Volvo S60?

Yes, there are 4 recall(s): FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Contact any Volvo dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2020 Volvo S60?

The 2020 Volvo S60 gets 25 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $1920. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2020 Volvo S60?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2020 Volvo S60 is approximately $2,143/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.

2020 Volvo S60

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2020 Volvo S60 has 22 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.7x the segment average of 31. The most common issue is brakes problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: 'the brake fluid is low stop safely' message came on at less than 87 miles on the odometer while the engine was running on my driveway. a volvo dealer stated the following: fluid was low no external leak found topped off brake fluid to full mark 'the brake fluid is low stop safely' message . There are 4 recalls issued for this model year.

1 crash report

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.7x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

BRAKES

5 complaints

23%

• 'THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW STOP SAFELY' MESSAGE CAME ON AT LESS THAN 87 MILES ON THE ODOMETER WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING ON MY DRIVEWAY. A VOLVO DEALER STATED THE FOLLOWING: FLUID WAS LOW NO EXTERNAL LEAK FOUND TOPPED OFF BRAKE FLUID TO FULL MARK 'THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW STOP SAFELY' MESSAGE
• MY 2020 S60 T5 R-DESIGN HAD 3 BROKEN SENSORS, A SAFETY RECALL, MALFUNCTIONING BRAKES WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO VEER, AND MOST RECENTLY A LEAKING A/C HOSE. ALL PROBLEMS FROM THE FACTORY (OUT OF THIN AIR) WITHIN THE FIRST 12 MONTHS OF MY LEASE. AFTER NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO VOLVO CAR USA, I WAS OFFERED
• 2020 VOLVO S60 T-6 R WENT IN FOR SERVICE AT VOLVO DEALER, 5/12/21, MILEAGE 24,018. TECHNICIAN NOTED REAR BRAKES LESS THAN 2MM & ROTORS GROOVED, NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I WAS TOLD THIS IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY, IT'S NORMAL WEAR. THIS VEHICLE HAD SERVICE AT THE SAME DEALER ON 12/8/20, MILEAGE 16,952 THE SE

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

“'THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW STOP SAFELY' MESSAGE CAME ON AT LESS THAN 87 MILES ON THE ODOMETER WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING ON MY DRIVEWAY. A VOLVO DEALER STATED THE FOLLOWING: FLUID WAS LOW NO EXTERNAL LEAK FOUND TOPPED OFF BRAKE FLUID TO FULL MARK 'THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW STOP SAFELY' MESSAGE ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Recalls (4)

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING12/03/2020

Volvo Cars USA LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2019-2020 S60, V60, V60 Cross Country, S90L, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC40, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. Due to a software/hardware incompatibility, the Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB) system may not detect obstacles and engage as intended.

Risk: If the automatic emergency braking system does not engage as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the Active Safety Domain Master (ASDM) software, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R29998.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2020 Volvo S60

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$1,920

Per month

$160

Per mile

16.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,286/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,500/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 2020 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

$2,143

Full coverage / month

$179

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+28%

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 rating1.00x

× vehicle age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$2143

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 2020 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

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 22 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
BRAKES: 'THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW STOP SAFELY' MESSAGE CAME ON AT LESS THAN 87 MILES ON THE ODOMETER WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING ON MY DRIVEWAY. A VOLVO DEALER STATED THE FOLLOWING: FLUID WAS LOW NO EXTERNAL LEAK FOUND TOPPED OFF BRAKE FLUID TO FULL MARK 'THE BRAKE FLUID IS LOW STOP SAFELY' MESSAGE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: MY 2020 S60 T5 R-DESIGN HAD 3 BROKEN SENSORS, A SAFETY RECALL, MALFUNCTIONING BRAKES WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO VEER, AND MOST RECENTLY A LEAKING A/C HOSE. ALL PROBLEMS FROM THE FACTORY (OUT OF THIN AIR) WITHIN THE FIRST 12 MONTHS OF MY LEASE. AFTER NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO VOLVO CAR USA, I WAS OFFERED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: Ongoing Problem as mentioned in Volvo's Technical Journal "Speed Dependent Vibrations at Highway Speeds" Ref No: TJ 20803.20.0 . At any speed of 75 mph and above the front continuously vibrates. The tires have been replaced two times in less than 2 weeks and road forced balanced by the dealership tw
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: MY 2020 S60 T5 R-DESIGN HAD 3 BROKEN SENSORS, A SAFETY RECALL, MALFUNCTIONING BRAKES WHICH CAUSED THE CAR TO VEER, AND MOST RECENTLY A LEAKING A/C HOSE. ALL PROBLEMS FROM THE FACTORY (OUT OF THIN AIR) WITHIN THE FIRST 12 MONTHS OF MY LEASE. AFTER NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS TO VOLVO CAR USA, I WAS OFFERED
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)