Should I buy a 2012 Volvo S60 with documented electrical problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented electrical issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2012 Volvo S60 electrical problems

moderate 16 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $850

Complaints

Recalls

Crashes

Avg fix

$850

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 12V075000 28/02/2012

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.

What owners are reporting 4 most recent

electrical · filed 12/08/2018

THE KEYLESS ENTRY FAILED ONE BY ONE. THE RIGHT FRONT FIRST, THEN THE LEFT FRONT DOOR. I WENT TO DEALER, ENDING UP PAYING MORE THAN 500 DOLLARS FOR FIXING IT. THEY SAID THAT IS CAUSED BY THE POOR DESIGN OF THE DOOR HANDLE WHICH ALLOWED THE WATER TO GET INSIDE AND TO DAMAGE THE SENSOR AND WIRES.

electrical · filed 11/22/2019

THE SENSUS/NAVIGATION SYSTEM IS PLAGUED WITH BUGS. FREQUENTLY MY BLUETOOTH FAILS TO CONNECT, AUDIO RANDOMLY STOPS WORKING FOR ALL SATNAV/RADIO FUNCTIONS, SOMETIMES THE SCREEN FAILS TO LOAD UP AT ALL. ALL SEEMS TO HAPPEN COMPLETELY RANDOMLY. SOME DAYS RADIO FUNCTIONS GREAT BUT SOME DAYS I CAN NOT LISTEN TO ANY AUDIO AT ALL. SOME DAYS MY PHONE CONNECTS TO BLUETOOTH WITHOUT ME EVEN TRYING TO CONNECT,…

electrical · filed 11/07/2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE STILL AT THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V592000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACT…

electrical · filed 11/02/2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A LEFT OR RIGHT TURN, THE LOW OIL LEVEL WARNING LIGHT FLASHED ON THEIR INSTRUMENT PANEL AND DISAPPEARED. THE CONTACT ADDED A QUART OF OIL AND APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS LATER WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING, SHE BECAME AWARE OF A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THE KNOCKING S…

Common questions

How serious is the electrical problem on the 2012 Volvo S60?

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 16 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.

At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical 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 electrical?

Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover electrical 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.