Volvo S60 wipers problems

Filed Aug 19, 2026 · Electrical, Visibility · CA

The "Maintenance Mode" required to change the wiper blades malfunctioned, and the wipers- without the rubber blades attached- suddenly smashed onto the windshield, creating a large star crack/shatter, which spread across the entire windshield in two long cracks by the next day. If someone's hand had been in the path of the wipers, it would have been cut or broken by the force/sharp edge. The "Maintenance Mode" should not disengage unless the car is seriously jostled or put into gear (did not occur). This malfunction of the system is a safety concern in itself and has created a secondary safety concern with the severely damaged windshield. A case was opened with Volvo Corporate on XXX (case #XXX). Volvo has NEVER contacted me regarding this. I have called [XXX] and [XXX]) each week to check in and have been told that my case manager is not available, I can not change case managers to someone available or speak to anyone other than the phone operator. I have waited up to 1.5 hours on hold or received an automated return call 2+ hours later, often missing it. I emailed ([XXX]) as recommended by an operator with pictures and video of the incident and damage. I visited our local dealer ([XXX] in [XXX]) and spoke with the service manager. He did not have an open case for our vehicle. He said he would email the local headquarters. When I followed up with him the next week- after he did not respond to my email a week after he supposedly emailed them- he told me there was no local headquarters and that he emailed the same address I had previously. We contacted the dealer where the vehicle was purchased ([XXX]). They looked up our account and said there was no open case connected to our account,/name even though I have a case number I have used in every call to Volvo Corporate, which they have told me was under investigation. They also indicated that they have heard this same experience from other customers. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Nov 29, 2025 · Electrical, Visibility · CA

2021 Volvo S60 T8 AWD, VIN [XXX] , ~71k miles Component: SUNROOF / DRAINAGE SYSTEM / ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Summary: Water entered the passenger compartment through clogged sunroof drain hoses and accumulated under the front passenger seat, causing catastrophic failure of wide angle module (WAM) and related electronic components (incl. front camera and wipers). Description: After moderate rain, a large amount of water was discovered under the front passenger seat. The vehicle began displaying multiple warning messages (camera faults, wiper faults). The authorized Volvo retailer diagnosed failure of the WAM and other modules due to water intrusion originating from the sunroof drainage system. This is a known, recurring defect acknowledged by Volvo in multiple Technical Service Bulletins: - TJ 31372-2 (Water leakage via sunroof drain hoses) - TJ 35382 (Updated drain hoses - new part number) - TJ 29322-3 (Water ingress passenger footwell / CEM area) The original drain hoses are too narrow and prone to clogging, causing water to overflow into the passenger compartment instead of exiting the vehicle. This creates a serious safety risk: - Potential failure of SRS airbag system - Loss of electronic stability control and ABS - Loss of 360 camera and blind-spot monitoring - Risk of electrical fire or short-circuit - Failure of wipers (mine stopped working when I was driving under the rain) Repair estimate: $17,825 Repair is going to be delayed over 2 months awaiting parts from Sweden. Vehicle was properly maintained; 70,000-mile service performed at authorized Volvo retailer on 9/24/25 - no drainage issues were noted or addresses at that time. This identical failure has been reported by hundreds of owners of 2019-2024 SPA-platform Volvos (S60, V60, XC60, XC90) on the federal safety agency complaints, Volvo forums, and in ongoing litigation. Despite multiple TSBs and redesigned parts, Volvo has not issued a recall or notified owners of the need for preventive maintenance. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA

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 Oct 14, 2021 · Locks, Visibility · TN

I was driving down the freeway and the driverside door swung open while it was locked. This is after the door handle recall repair was performed. Prior to the recall repair, my door never came open like that while drving. This is dangerous because I could have fallen out, or a car could have hit my door! Also, the windshield leaks on the inside and has been doing that for a long while. Volvo service said it does not leak. It does leak when raining or ice/snow melt. This is dangerous because windshield wipers do not work on the interior part of the window to wipe away water so the driver can see.

Filed Jun 22, 2021 · Electrical, Visibility · NJ

I turned the car on and got an error message that said the turn indicator system failed. After trying to clear the message from the dash using the button on the steering wheel, I discovered that nothing on the steering wheel was working, including the windshield wipers or any buttons on the steering wheel. I called the manufacturer and they told me not to drive it and they towed it to the dealer. The dealer said they had see this before as either a software issue or electrical issue and would need to replace the stalks and buttons.

Filed Sep 11, 2015 · Visibility · 250 miles · IL

There is an area on the outside of the drivers side windshield about 5 inches tall and 14 inches long that does not have clear visibility when it gets wet. The moisture does not wipe away when the wiper blades wipe this area. Instead, the moisture remains obstructing the view until the wiper blade passes the area again blurring the area even more. This visual obstruction is positioned directly between the driver's eyes and the view outside the windshield. This problem only appears on the driver side not on the passenger side. The dealer was shown the issue and agreed that there was something odd but said that they have seen this in the other volvo s60s on their lot so they accepted this as normal. However, in an earnest attempt to rectify the issue, the dealer has changed the wiper blades many times but the problem still persists. The dealer cleaned the windshield with water and fine steel wool. This did not help. They contacted volvo corporate and were told to change the wiper arm. This did not fix the issue either. When this issue was brought to the attention of the volvo regional service manager, his position was that this was not an issue because other volvo s60 vehicles had the same issue and that there was nothing wrong with the mechanical functionality of the wiper system. It is my contention that there is a surface defect with this windshield which is causing reduced visibility. And I would like an investigation to begin in an effort to fix a flaw in these already otherwise very safe cars.

Filed Oct 31, 2014 · Electrical, Transmission · 90,000 miles · TX

While driving, the car jerks violently - the same thing happens when the car is idling (no jerk, only an "click" sound). It happens anytime but seems worse in the summer but I think it's hot-heat related. The other issues are related: -the interior lights usually come on -the instrument panel goes completely blank/lights go off/no available emergency lights -the windshield wipers make one wipe sometimes -the "rear passenger door open" warning comes on -the "brake failure stop safely" warning comes on and sometimes "check engine" light comes on. Not all of these symptoms occur each time. There are more severe and less severe incidents.

Filed Jun 5, 2014 · Electrical · 160,000 miles · SC · fire

Car was in park and running when electrical wires to the windshield wipers caught fire. The bundle of wires are housed in a rubber tube. My understanding is rubber is quite fire-resistant. There have been 5 recalls on this model, two which were related to electrical fires. Neither applied to this particular car fire. Local volvo dealership wants nothing to do with the situation; they send us to corporate customer service and they, in turn send us back to the local dealership . Service manager said he was not a knowledgeable fire inspector and suggested that we hire an expert in that field.

Filed Oct 21, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 151 miles · AE

I purchased the car on friday, october 18, on saturday, october 19, the car went haywire, windshield wipers would turn off, no turn signals, no headlights, and no instrument panel. Totally unsafe. Contacted dealer, and he said, "wow, you're the 2nd person today to call with these issues. We think there may be a recall, but you'll have to take it to the german dealership on monday." no help, no concern for safety, nothing! Had the vehicle towed in on monday, and german dealership has to order the software. My car sits, the dealership that sold the s60 to us, denies that there is a recall on my vehicle! Capitol motors should be closed down! I am paying for a new car, I cannot even drive!

Filed Jan 22, 2013 · Visibility · 5,581 miles · OH

The wiper fluid stopped coming out from the nozzles, as well as headlight washers during snowy weather. The car has a sensor to notify driver if the fluid levels are below a specific amount. No warning was issued. Windshield washer fluid was added but there was no improvement. There was noted snow accumulation inside the engine compartment at the driver's side, near the area of windshield wiper fluid reservoir.