On July 28, 2026, while driving my 2020 Volvo XC60 T8 Polestar Engineered, the vehicle repeatedly displayed “Hybrid system failure – Service required,” together with the check-engine light and hybrid/battery warning indicators. The warning repeatedly reappeared while the vehicle was being driven. I brought the vehicle to an authorized Volvo dealer, North Point Volvo, on July 30, 2026. The dealer diagnosed a fault in high-voltage battery cell module “B” and documented that the module requires replacement. Repair Order #522934 states that the replacement parts are on order with “NO ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL.” The dealer advised me that the vehicle was mechanically safe to drive as long as I did not charge it. Because the hybrid-system failure warning repeatedly appeared while driving and the diagnosed fault involves the high-voltage traction battery, I did not consider continued operation appropriate. The vehicle remains unrepaired at the Volvo dealer. I am reporting this because the failure involves the high-voltage propulsion battery and occurred while driving. I am not aware of any crash, fire, injury, or loss of propulsion associated with my incident.
The worst 2020 Volvo XC60 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
- Electrical8
- Brakes4
- Driver assistance2
- Engine2
- Visibility2
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical8
- Brakes4
- Driver assistance2
- Engine2
- Visibility2
- Wheels2
- Airbags1
- Body1
- Fuel system1
- Tires1
- Transmission1
Recalls 6
Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery
- What is wrong
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020-2021 S90, 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60, XC90, and 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.
- Risk
- A short circuit in a high-voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high-voltage battery module as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the software to monitor the battery. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 28, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1‑800‑458‑1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10312.
Recall number 25V179000 · Recall details
Steering
- What is wrong
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2022 V60CC, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. During steering gear assembly, double screws may have been assembled on top of each other, which can cause a screw to fall into the gearbox housing.
- Risk
- A screw inside the gearbox housing can cause the steering wheel to lock up and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 1, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1‑800‑458‑1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10213.
Recall number 23V001000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
- What is wrong
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 S90L, 2020-2021 XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.
- Risk
- Separation of the rotor and shaft may cause a reduction in braking assistance and a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the hydraulic unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1‑888‑458‑1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10120.
Recall number 21V716000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2020 V90, XC60, S60, V60, V60CC, S90, V90CC, S90L, and XC90 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump can blow a fuse and fail.
- Risk
- Failure of the low-pressure fuel pump can cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 2, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1‑888‑458‑1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10100.
Recall number 21V414000 · Recall details
Visibility/wiper
- What is wrong
- Volvo Car of N.A., LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2018-2020 XC60 vehicles. The nuts that secure the front wipers may not have been sufficiently tightened, possibly causing the wipers to not function properly.
- Risk
- The risk of the front wiper arms nut fixation to loosen and not holding the arm in correct position, the wiper function could be reduced and vision could be impaired, thus increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the nuts holding the front windshield wiper arms in position, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1‑800‑458‑1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10044.
Recall number 20V503000 · Recall details
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 20V144000 · Recall details
See all 6 recalls for the 2020 Volvo XC60
Defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
the federal safety agency received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, the federal safety agency opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified the federal safety agency he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by the federal safety agency regarding the subject matter of the petition.
DP22005
Technical service bulletins for the 2020 Volvo XC60 248
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This is a Technical Journal: Text only no attachments
- This is a Technical Journal text only no attachments : Improved 12V battery test in VIDA. The 12V battery...
- This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 1 .jpg attachment
- This is a Technical Journal: Headlamp condensation inside lens
- This is a Technical Journal: Intermittent knocking noise during acceleration
- This is a Technical Journal: Panoramic sunroof, sealing strip has a gap
- This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test
- This is a TJ text only
- This is a Technical Journal: If a vehicle with panorama roof shows symptom of a rattling noise when...
- This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 1 jpg and 1 mp4 file -- If there is a strange chafing or creaking...
2020 Volvo XC60 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl Plug-in hybrid | AWD | 26 | 28 | 27 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 22 | 29 | 24 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | AWD | 20 | 27 | 23 |
What 2020 Volvo XC60 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
While in service at Volvo Cars Clear Lake for Recall R103312/ Campaign 25V‑179, three of four hybrid battery modules failed on installation, yet Volvo refuses to replace the entire battery. This is a covered warranty repair that has not been completed, and the car has been out of service for more than 100 days. During part of that time, it was being stored outdoors with the battery removed and the floor open to the ground.
Recall identified over a year ago during Q1 2025. Manufacturer and dealer have failed to provide appropriate updates for the repair, and no ETA has been given for repair. The only direction received from manufacturer and dealer was to not plug in the vehicle until the recall is completed. So as it stands, I paid for a plug in hybrid vehicle I haven’t been able to plug it in for over a year as it has a flawed hybrid system that apparently can’t be repaired.
The seal on my 2020 Volvo XC60 moonroof allowed water to leak under the floorboards. My car is only 6 years old. We had a lot of rain over a short period and I noticed the sound of water sloshing around under the floor. Nothing was wet inside the car. My Check Engine light came on as well. I took it to the Volvo service dept. They are now saying wires are corroded and that it will cost me over $11,000 to fix this problem. Again - my car is only 6 years old, and less than 70K miles. With my previous Volvo, that I had for 18 years, I never had this problem.
Volvo has failed to repair or compensate me for the federal safety agency Recall 25V‑179. I received a notification of te recall in a letter dated May 14, 2025. I have repeatedly visited the local dealership as well as called Volvo Customer Care. Today, in a conversation with a Volvo Customer Care representative, I was told there is no timeline for the batteries to be replaced. I would like Volvo to rectify the issue by replacing my battery or car in a timely matter. Thank you for your help, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Vehicle with 34,000 miles has started to have surging of rotors when applying brakes at 33,000. Vehicle has had brake disc kit replaced due to warping at 13,058 miles. Vehicle had brake disc kits and front and rear brake rotors replaced due to high spots for pad engagement at 22,996 miles. The vehicle has a continuous problem with brake/rotor system!
The passenger side window spontaneously shattered while we were driving normal speed on the highway. It was not hit by anything, and thankfully no one was hurt, but this concerns us because it makes us worry there's a defect in all the windows and they should be replaced. We also want to make sure no one else has this issue on their volvo.
Good Morning: I've attached a letter that I've written to Volvo USA regarding their security lug bolts on the wheels of their vehicles and the adapter that they provide to remove this. I found out after incurring a flat tire that these adapters are often non-functional and that the dealer is well aware of this. I think this is an issue that Volvo should address for all current and past owners. Also, during this incident I experienced what I think is a flaw in their tire pressure monitoring system - it illuminated a yellow caution which, I've seen happen when one tire was not at the same pressure as the others. In this instance the tire was flat. Shouldn't that warrant a different indication? Thank you for your attention to this.
Severe oil leak coming from the engine. I had it in the Volvo Dealership, they claimed it was due to a loose oil filter. When I drove the vehicle home and parked in my driveway, It started to stain the driveway with a fresh oil leak.
Vehicle completely shutdown when stopping. All lights in the car flash on and off. Unable to start the vehicle for 5mins.
Compare the 2020 Volvo XC60
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2020 Volvo XC60
Is the 2020 Volvo XC60 reliable?
Owners have filed 22 complaints about the 2020 Volvo XC60, fewer than a typical XC60 model year.
What is the 2020 Volvo XC60 year score?
The 2020 Volvo XC60 scores 82 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volvo XC60: 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 2020 Volvo XC60?
Electrical system, with 8 complaints. Next is brakes (4).
How many recalls does the 2020 Volvo XC60 have?
6 recalls, covering electrical system, steering and service brakes, hydraulic.
Was there a recall on the 2020 Volvo XC60 electrical?
Yes, 1 recall: 25V179000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Volvo XC60 have the most electrical problems?
The Volvo XC60 model years with the most electrical complaints are 2022 (34 complaints), 2023 (21 complaints) and 2021 (15 complaints).
Is there a class action lawsuit over the Volvo XC60?
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 2020 Volvo XC60 get?
Official estimates for the 2020 Volvo XC60 range from 23 to 27 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl plug-in hybrid, AWD) gets 26 city and 28 highway.
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