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2016 Volvo S60 problems

The most common problem on the 2016 Volvo S60 is engine and cooling. Its complaint count is close to a typical S60 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
70/100
Owner complaints
27
Recalls
4
Service bulletins
350
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
21-30mpg

The worst 2016 Volvo S60 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Engine
    10
  • Electrical
    5
  • Body
    3
  • Seat belts
    3
  • Visibility
    3
  • Fuel system
    2
  • Wheels
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Airbags
    1
  • Brakes
    1
  • Driver assistance
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Specific symptoms reported on the 2016 Volvo S60

Engine failure 5

Recalls 4

Seat belts: frontReported June 30, 2020 · 308,260 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 20V378000 · Recall details

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latchReported November 26, 2019 · 144,937 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volvo Car of USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2011-2017 S60, S60I, V60, S60CC and V60CC vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
Risk
A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
Remedy
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches, 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 R89978.

Recall number 19V849000 · Recall details

Seat belts: front: buckle assemblyReported November 2, 2016 · 74,027 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Remedy
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.

Recall number 16V798000 · Recall details

Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakersReported September 2, 2015 · 7,855 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC. (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo S60, V60, V60CC, XC60, XC70, and S80 vehicles manufactured April 8, 2015 to August 19, 2015. In certain driving conditions when using the automatic engine stop/start function, the starter motor fuse may blow, preventing the car from restarting when necessary.
Risk
If the vehicle is unexpectedly unable to be started in the middle of traffic, such as when stopped at an intersection, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Remedy
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing starter motor fuse with a higher amperage fuse, free of charge. The recall began on October 26, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1‑800‑458‑1552 or by visiting http://volvo.custhelp.com. Volvo's number for this recall is R39574.

Recall number 15V555000 · Recall details

See all 4 recalls for the 2016 Volvo S60

Technical service bulletins for the 2016 Volvo S60 350

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 350 bulletins for the 2016 Volvo S60

2016 Volvo S60 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.0L 4‑cylFWD23-2632-3727-30
2.0L 4‑cylAWD223125
2.5L 5‑cylAWD202823
3.0L 6‑cylAWD182721

What 2016 Volvo S60 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 22, 2026 · Engine · TN

I was sold a car with is not safe for me to drive and didn’t know it. It at one time had a safety recall and whoever at the the time never had it repaired but it has outdated piston rings that leads to progressive oil consumption, it’s misfiring and leads to catastrophic engine failure. It’s just don’t feel safe to drive in I’m disabled & can’t afford for new engine or one to be rebuilt and sure can’t afford to be broke down on the road because of my health. Is there any help you can get me to help get this fixed I’m in desperate need here to get back n forth to my doctors, safely . It’s been almost 2 wks since I got the car and not been able to drive it of fear of breaking down. The recall has been or waeranty is expired now and I really need help to get it fixed

Filed Oct 18, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · TN

As soon as I bought the car heading home . They put oil in car and by time I got home the car had consumed at least a qrt , it misfired And seemed to lose power and didn’t think I would make it home before breaking down but luckily I did . I did research and Called Volvo of Cool Springs, they checked the data base and told me that previous owner had never had the piston rings updated and would cause high oil consumption leading to catastrophic engine failure & would have to have engine rebuilt or whole new engine with updated pistons , which the dealership never told me about or anything about it because the repairs where never fixed when there was a open recall . The vehicle suffers from a critical, systemic manufacturing defect involving defective piston rings that results in sudden, severe engine oil consumption and subsequent engine misfires. The vehicle consumes oil at an alarming rate without any external leaks, putting it at imminent risk of catastrophic engine failure while in motion. This issue causes sudden power loss and stalling while driving at highway speeds, creating an extreme safety hazard to the driver, passengers, and other vehicles on the road. Volvo is fully aware of this widespread manufacturing defect and previously issued an extended warranty/recall program for these exact defective piston rings, which has since expired. This leaving consumers exposed to sudden, dangerous mechanical breakdowns. A formal safety investigation is urgently requested to address the inherent engine failure hazards posed by these defective components.it wasn’t a wreck or accident but it could of been the way car was acting after leaving dealership and it’s because of faulty piston rings that the engine is a ticking time bomb and no way I can afford new engine or one to be rebuilt . They should be liable for selling a lemon it could permantky break down at anytime with the faulty piston rings and I’m disabled to me that’s not only bad business but a safety hazard

Filed Oct 3, 2024 · Engine · IL

In November of 2021, I purchased my dream car, a 2016 Volvo s60 Cross Country, proud to own a vehicle from a company known for their safe and reliable vehicles. In April of 2022, a class action case ([XXX], et al., v. Volvo Car USA, LLC, Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, and Volvo Personvagnar AB) was issued against Volvo due to a KNOWN-TO-VOLVO DESIGN FLAW in their engines which could lead to engine failure. The case was settled out of court in early 2023 and Volvo issued an extended warranty for vehicles owners to take preventative measures against potential engine failure. Although my car is listed under the extended warranty, I was never sent any notice of it from Volvo. On [XXX], while driving on a highway, at speed limit, my 2016 Volvo s60 Cross Country's engine failed. I learned about the Extended Warranty from a the federal safety agency Quality Bulletin (Extended Warranty P10183: I5T Oil Consumption Replace; Model Year 20132016 S60, 2015-2016 V60, V60CC and XC60, 2016 XC70, S60CC and S60L) while researching the issue with my car online. I contacted Volvo Customer Care to ask why I was not sent notice and what they could do. I was told that to open a case with Volvo I would need a diagnostic from a dealership. On August 5, 2024, I took my car in for a diagnostic at Patrick Volvo Cars in Schaumburg, IL, from who I also purchased the car in 2021. August 6, 2024 I received a partial diagnostic and was told that they would require 10x the original diagnostic price to find the root of the issue in the engine. On the same day, I called Volvo customer care and opened a case. After weeks of little to no communication, on September 3 Volvo denied my case. I was not provided any opportunity to communicate over the phone with my case manager at Volvo - only after she sent me the decision did I receive a call from her to learn Volvo does not care about my side of the story. Please view attached documents for more details, thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

Filed Jun 1, 2023 · Airbags, Electrical · 27,859 miles · UT

The contact owns a 2016 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the SRS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who repaired the vehicle under the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V378000 (Seat Belts) and 16V798000 (Seat Belts). The dealer also repaired an unstated electrical failure. The contact stated that the cells in the battery were faulty. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The contact stated that after several weeks, the SRS warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken back to the local dealer who informed the contact that the vehicle had been in an accident previously and the wiring was faulty. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the contact of a fault with the rear of the battery. The auxiliary battery was draining, and the battery was leaking. The mechanic informed the contact that the pretensioner needed to be replaced; however, the mechanic was unable to obtain the parts from the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no additional assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 27,859.

Filed Apr 29, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · NJ

The alternator seized on the highway snapping the serpentine belt which got sucked into the timing and stopped the car in the left lane at highway speed. The timing guard failed allowing the belt to damage the timing. Volvo says it needs a head job I have possession of the vehicle and all maintenance records. Cars behind me dodged onto the shoulder to avoid hitting me. There was no warning. Furthermore this is a known problem a quick search of Volvo forums turned up over a dozen cars with insufficient timing guards

Filed Sep 3, 2022 · MA

Driver door latch not engaging. Door opened at low speed.

Filed Aug 29, 2022 · Engine · AL

At 86K miles can smell oil burning and add 1 quart light comes on. It's said Volvo is aware of a defect with the piston rings causing oil to consume and burn away. They aren't willing to address the issue outside warranty expiration. They did recently indicate how Volvo changed the requirement for using 5W30 oil to claim now Volvo changed there minds. How now only 0W20 full synthetic oil must be used. The label under the hood says use 5W30 only. It appears that Volvo is changing oil types because they know there's an issue with the piston rings and is trying to cover up a defect by doing so.

Filed Nov 19, 2021 · Visibility · IL

Windscreen wiper motors failed during inclement weather making visibility impossible. The vehicle was only approximately 2 years old at the time of failure. This created a serious safety issue and may have led to a crash and injury. The dealer diagnosed the issue as failed wiper motors and replaced the motors under manufacturer's warranty.

Filed May 4, 2021 · Seat belts · FL

2016 volvo s60. Consumer writes in regard to the federal safety agency safety recall 20v‑378. *ld the consumer stated the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time completing the recall repair.

Filed Jan 1, 2021 · Visibility · 60,500 miles · SC

The sunroof spontaneously exploded outward on the highway, no possibility of road debris hitting it as no other cars were nearby, and I was not close to an overpass. I believe temperature fluctuation causes it, as I was recently in below-freezing weather (15*f). On the day of the explosion I drove south starting at 40*f driving to 86*f.

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Questions about the 2016 Volvo S60

Is the 2016 Volvo S60 reliable?

Owners have filed 27 complaints about the 2016 Volvo S60, close to a typical S60 model year.

What is the 2016 Volvo S60 year score?

The 2016 Volvo S60 scores 70 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volvo S60: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2016 Volvo S60?

Engine and cooling, with 10 complaints. Next is electrical (5).

How many recalls does the 2016 Volvo S60 have?

4 recalls, covering seat belts, latches/locks/linkages and electrical system.

What year does the Volvo S60 have bad engine?

The Volvo S60 model years with the most engine complaints are 2004 (85 complaints), 2012 (62 complaints) and 2013 (37 complaints).

Is there a class action lawsuit over the Volvo S60?

Yes. New class action says Volvo's Google-based infotainment screens freeze and take climate and rearview camera with them (November 9, 2026).

What gas mileage does the 2016 Volvo S60 get?

Official estimates for the 2016 Volvo S60 range from 21 to 30 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 23-26 city and 32-37 highway.

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