Is the 2012 Volvo XC60 reliable?

The 2012 Volvo XC60 has 56 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: VISIBILITY problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Volvo XC60?

Top problems: VISIBILITY (22 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (9 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (4 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Volvo XC60?

Yes, there are 3 recall(s): SEAT BELTS:FRONT, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, STRUCTURE:BODY. 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 XC60?

The 2012 Volvo XC60 gets 20 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2400. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Volvo XC60?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Volvo XC60 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 XC60

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Volvo XC60 has 56 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 56. The most common issue is visibility problems (39% of all complaints), specifically: adhesive failure to the winshield glass surface. There are 3 recalls issued for this model year.

3 crash reports 1 injury

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

5/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

VISIBILITY

22 complaints

39%

• ADHESIVE FAILURE TO THE WINSHIELD GLASS SURFACE
• WATER LEAKING INTO INTERIOR FROM WINDSHIELD. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP AND THEY WON'T FIX IT DUE TO BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. SAFELITE WANTS $350-$800 TO RESEAL OR REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD. THE LEAK IS MAKING IT DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN WET WEATHER AS IT DRIPS ONTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND ONTO TH
• THE FRONT WINDSCREEN / WINDSHIELD BONDING HAD FAILED WITHIN THE FIRST COUPLE OF YEARS OF OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE. THIS WAS NOT KNOWN AT THE TIME, MISDIAGNOSED BY THE MANUFACTURER, AND ONLY RECENTLY IDENTIFIED BY A 3RD PARTY. THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON ISSUE ENCOUNTERED AND HAS LED TO, ACCORDING TO

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

“ADHESIVE FAILURE TO THE WINSHIELD GLASS SURFACE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Volvo XC60

Based on 26 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 58K 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+

OTHER

Reported earliermedian 58K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

VISIBILITY

In line with typicalmedian 80K mi · 6 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 (3)

SEAT BELTS:FRONT30/06/2020

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.

Risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Volvo XC60

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,401

Per month

$200

Per mile

20.0¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,824/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,001/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 XC60

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 XC60 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 XC60, 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

VISIBILITY(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~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 56 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
VISIBILITY: ADHESIVE FAILURE TO THE WINSHIELD GLASS SURFACE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: BLIND SPOT INFORMATION SYSTEM DOES NOT FUNCTION DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER. SYSTEM PROVIDES INCORRECT INFORMATION TO THE DRIVER ABOUT THE PRESENCE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE IN THE BLIND SPOT. I BELIEVE THIS INCREASES THE RISK OF ACCIDENT. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE POWER STEERING, AMONGST OTHERS, RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF A CROSSROADS. VERY DANGEROUS EMERGENCY STOPPING OF THE CAR, ENGINE STOPPED, ALL ALARMS ON, STEERING NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO USE WITHOUT POWER. HAD TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO SERVICE CENTER. VOLVO CLAIMS THIS IS NOTHING MORE THAN A
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY DRIVING MY VOLVO XC60. I WAS TRAVELING AT APPROX 100KM/H AND RAN INTO THE BACK OF A SEMI THAT WAS TRAVELING AT AN APPROX SPEED OF 80KM/H. THE IMPACT WAS IN THE RIGHT FRONT (PASSENGER) SIDE OF MY XC-60 AND THE LEFT REAR OF THE SEMI. THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 3 recalls have been completed — free at any Volvo dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)