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ProblemsByVinFile / 2012-VOLVO-S60NHTSA data synced 1 hour ago
2012 · Volvo
Volvo S60 problems
121 owner complaints and 6 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.
Reliability score
6.6 / 10
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
6
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2012 S60?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average
6 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2012 Volvo S60? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
engine — 45 owner reports
· tends to show around 95,341 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
electrical — 16 owner reports
· tends to show around 68,975 mi · ~$850 to fix
seatbelts — 8 owner reports
· tends to show around 110,715 mi · ~$500 to fix
steering — 8 owner reports
· tends to show around 27,038 mi · ~$700 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: seatbelts is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 110,715 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 6 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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Surpintine belt shredded due to faulty belt tensioner. Shreds of belt wedged between crankshaft timing sprocket on engine causing engine to jump timing while driving down highway and vehicle lost all power and very hard to steer due to all valves in motor bent because of poor…
This in regards to a vehicle I purchased on March 30, 2021. It is a 2012 Volvo S60 T5 VIN #[XXX]. When I purchased the car it had 99,489 miles on the odometer and when the vehicle became an issue it was at 104,409 miles on the odometer. I purchased it on Craigslist from a…
When I purchased the 2012 volvo S60 back in June we started to drive and it said low beam out and later found out that it was the drivers side low beam took it back and they tried a new headlight but didn't work but we found the problem it was the ballast to the hid bulb was bad…
Had a problem with your 2012 Volvo S60?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2012 s60, xc60, s80 and xc70 vehicles manufactured from may 16, 2011, through october 6, 2011
In the event of crash, the front and/or side impact air bags may deploy improperly or not at all, increasing the risk of injury. Also, the lap belt pretensioner may not deploy.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, secure the seat wire harness. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on april 12, 2012. Owners may contact Volvo cars at 1-800-458-1552.
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S60 vehicles manufactured June 22, 2010, through May 14, 2012, and equipped with 5-cylinder B5254T5 (VIN code 62) engines
Without being warned of a low oil pressure situation, the driver may continue to drive the vehicle until it stalls, which increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software so that the driver is alerted should there be a low oil pressure situation, free of charge. The recall began on January 10, 2014. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this campaign is R29436.
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2006-2012 c70 vehicles manufactured from november 15, 2005, through july 31, 2011, and model year 2011-2012 s60 vehicles manufactured from july 14, 2010, through april 16, 2011, that were equipped with optional accessory spare tire kit
A misprinted label could lead to improper tire inflation which could result in a tire failure, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners and dealers will inspect the vehicle and install the label as necessary, free of charge. The safety recall began on february 23, 2012. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-201-768-7300.
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 121 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2012 Volvo S60 has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2012 Volvo S60?
The 2012 Volvo S60 is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average; 6 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2012 Volvo S60?
Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 45 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 95,341 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2012 Volvo S60 a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 121 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 95,341 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2012 Volvo S60?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 45 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 95,341 miles. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 95,341 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Volvo S60 has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2012 Volvo S60?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 121 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 hour ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Volvo/S60.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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