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2011 Volvo XC60 engine problems

moderate Owners of the 2011 Volvo XC60 have filed 4 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →

Complaints
4
Recalls
1
Avg fix
$3,100
engine complaints on the Volvo XC60, by model year
Model yearengine complaints
2010 XC60 4
2011 XC60 (this page) 4
2014 XC60 3
2015 XC60 7

When does it fail?

Of the 4 engine complaints filed for the 2011 Volvo XC60, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 25,000-50,000 mi.

0-25k
0 (0%)
25-50k
2 (66.7%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
0 (0%)
100-125k
1 (33.3%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)

Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.

What stands out

Among the 5 model years of Volvo XC60 in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.

No new NHTSA engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 10V579000 November 17, 2010

Volvo is recalling certain model year 2011, s80, s60, xc70 and xc60 vehicles

Sudden engine stall could occur increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: Dealers will update the ECM and TCM with new software free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before december 10, 2010. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552 or at customercare@volvoforlife.com.

Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins

The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering engine on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.

Service Bulletin 35526.1.8 Apr 2026

This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test. Perform the test. Follow service procedure
 Description and Service sections updated to clarify that vehicle reports are not required.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin CBR-2201 Aug 2022

Engine Control Module (EMS) Software (MSW) Information – August 2022; Improvement List (Change Log) - US21+OBD22 (13L VGT, TC) And US17+OBD22 (11L) Emissions

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin TJ21965.7.0-2019 Oct 2019

This is a Technical Journal: Oil in cooling system. New cleaning method developed.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗
Service Bulletin TJ34740 Jul 2019

4 Cylinder VEP engine: Castrol Edge Professional V 0W-20 Synthetic oil.

full bulletin at NHTSA ↗

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.

What owners are reporting 3 most recent

engine · 37,000 mi · filed 08/20/2014

Low oil light - two incidents. Pistons had to be replaced and then entire engine. Bought it brand new. Doesn't seem to be safe or reliable. A Volvo? *tr

engine · 35,000 mi · filed 08/12/2013

I was driving on interstate 84 in connecticut when the low oil light came on. The car, which is dealer serviced, under warranty, needed almost 2 quarts of oil. I added the oil and brought it to the servicing dealer, who told me that the car needed new rings, and that they would also replace the pistons. They told me that this was a defect for this car model, and had been corrected in later…

engine · 100,000 mi · filed 08/08/2022

The contact owns a 2011 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that she noticed an oil leak underneath the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the turbo needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage…

Had engine trouble with your 2011 Volvo XC60? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.

Common questions

How serious is the engine problem on the 2011 Volvo XC60?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 4 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $3,100 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the engine typically fail?

Based on the 4 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 47,238 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.

Are there any recalls related to engine?

Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover engine issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.

Related

Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2011/Volvo/XC60. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.
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