This is a Technical Journal: If the Volvo logo on the center of the steering wheel is peeling off or corroded, the logo itself can now be replaced (no need to replace the whole airbag unit). Replace carefully the Volvo logo according to repair method "TJ 31750 repair.pdf".
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Volvo XC60 steering problems
severe 3 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
1injury
When does it fail?
Of the 3 steering complaints filed for the 2012 Volvo XC60, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
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
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering 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.
Title BLIS fault tracing . Status Released Status 2012 - Ref No US25788.1.1 en - US Date 04 - 16 Issue 2012 - Issuer - Date 01 - 19 Vida Partner 3 US 7510 Volvo Cars North America Reference Func Group 8462 Func Desc electrical outside mirrors , compl Attachment File Name File Size 156 water egress.pdf 0.1225 MB 134 - 135 - 136 - 124 . pdf 0.2876 MB 542 . pdf 0.2610 MB 544 - 545 . pdf 0.2104 MB TJ 24108 . pdf 0.1225 MB 533 - 156 - 275 . pdf 0.2665 MB TJ 21232 BLIS Functionality and Diagnostic Guide.pdf 0.1098 MB Vehicle Type Eng Struc Week Type Eng Sales Body Gear Steer Model Year Plant Chassis range Desc Range 0000150 - 124 2007 - 2012 0 - 0 0999999 0000150 - 134 2011 - 2012 0 - 0 9999999 00
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗VOLVO CARS SERVICE AND PARTS BUSINESS Technical Journal TITLE : Front brake caliper - Noise REF NO : ISSUING DEPARTMENT : CAR MARKET : United States and Canada TJ 30393 Technical Service PARTNER : ISSUE DATE : STATUS DATE : 3 US 7510 Volvo Cars North America 2015 - 07 - 08 2015 - 10 - 14 FUNC GROUP : FUNC DESC : 5100 Wheel brake Page 1 of 6 Attachment File Name File Size Attachment TJ 30393 . pdf 1.1506 MB Vehicle Type Eng Struc Week Type Eng Sales Body Gear Steer Model Year Plant Chassis range Desc Range 124 2007 - 2016 0000001 - 9999999 0 - 0 134 2011 - 2016 0000001 - 9999999 0 - 0 135 2008 - 2010 0000001 - 9999999 0 - 0 136 2008 - 2016 0000001 - 9999999 0 - 0 155 2015 - 2016 0000001 - 999
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗VOLVO CARS SERVICE AND PARTS BUSINESS Technical Journal TITLE : Vehicle type and platform identification REF NO : ISSUING DEPARTMENT : CAR MARKET : United States and Canada TJ 19245 Technical Service PARTNER : ISSUE DATE : 3 US 7510 Volvo Cars North America YEAR MONTH DAY 2014 02 06 FUNC GROUP : FUNC DESC : 0 Publications Page 1 of 3 Attachment Vehicle Type Eng Struc Week Type Eng Sales Body Gear Steer Model Year Plant Chassis range Desc Range XXX 1927 - 9999 0000001 - 0999999 0 - 0 CSC Customer Symptom Codes Code Description 1C Administrative and Factory scheduled maintenance / Administrative and Factory scheduled maintenance DTC Diagnostic Trouble Codes Rows beginning with * are modified N
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗If oil leakage is suspected from the steering gear, make sure it is oil leakage and not contamination (which can appear as leakage), an inspection needs to be performed . If confirmed there is oil leakage in the bellows, replace the steering gear according to VIDA.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Over a period of the last 45 days on two separate occasions,in rain, at highway speed of 55mph+, the overall performance of the driver inputs failed to function. When driving, turning the wheel to left/right to change lanes or pull to the slow lane; made the car feel as it wanted to spin out uncontrollably.to move the steering wheel left, the car wanted to go right. When going straight there was…
Had steering trouble with your 2012 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 steering problem on the 2012 Volvo XC60?
It's a meaningful issue. 3 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 3 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 47,767 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
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/2012/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.