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

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented engine 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 engine problems

moderate 45 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100

Complaints

Recalls

Crashes

Avg fix

$3,100

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 13V592000 22/11/2013

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.

What owners are reporting 7 most recent

engine · filed 12/19/2023

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 design. Definitely a safety concern. Volvo is aware but does nothing. 11,000 dollars to replace engine.

engine · filed 12/17/2021

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 physician in Maine. On December 1, 2021 my husband was driving the vehicle on the highway and it stalled without warning after …

engine · filed 12/05/2023

The contact owns a 2012 Volvo S60. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was later towed to the local dealer who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the drive belt had failed, causing damage to the timing cover and other drive belts. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no a…

engine · filed 11/25/2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS NO ENGINE OIL IN THE VEHICLE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHT FAILED TO ILL…

engine · filed 11/19/2018

LIKE MANY OF THE COMPLAINS LISTED FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL, MY 2012 VOLVO S60 IS CONSUMING OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES WITH NO WARNING LIGHT OF LOW OIL PRESSURE SHOWING UP. THERE IS NO SMOKE OR PUDDLES INDICATING BURNING OIL OR AN OIL LEAK. WE TRY TO KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THE OIL BECAUSE THE DEALER SAID SINCE IT'S A TURBO IT NEEDS EXTRA OIL BETWEEN CHANGES. ABOUT A YEAR AGO THE OIL TRAP WAS CHANGED BECAU…

engine · filed 11/02/2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CHERRY HILL VOLVO CARS (1810 MARLTON PIKE WEST, CHERRY HILL, NJ 08002, (856) 665-4050) TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MANIFOLD, TURBO CHARGER, CYLINDER BLOCK, NEW PISTON RODS WERE DEFECTIVE AND …

engine · filed 11/01/2020

2012 VOLVO 60, NEEDS NEW ENGINE. VOLVO STATES ITS NOT WORTH REPAIRING AT 81K MILES. VIN # [XXX] THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED CERTIFIED IN 2015 FROM BILL GRAY VOLVO, 2897 MURRYSVILLE ROAD PENNSYLVANIA, 15317 I BOUGHT A CERTIFIED 2012 VOLVO S60 T5, VIN # [XXX] IN 2005 FROM A DEALER IN PITTSBURGH, PA, WITH 17/K. I MAINTAINED THE CAR, WITH ALL THE REQUIRED SERVICE. THE CAR DRIVES RUN…

Common questions

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

It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 45 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?

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 $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.