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ProblemsByVin File / 2013-VOLVO-S60 NHTSA data synced 1 hour ago
2013 · Volvo

Volvo S60 problems

85 owner complaints and 2 active recall campaigns on file. Here's the breakdown — what's serious, what's noise, what a working mechanic would actually do about it.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.4 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2013 S60?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

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 2013 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

⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 59,087 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.

Recalls to confirm are done

Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.

Verdict for buyers: 7.4/10 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.

See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →
✦ Ask the data · AI

Ask anything about your 2013 Volvo S60

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.

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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Top trouble spots 8 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
29 reports · fails ~91,830 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
airbags
7 reports · fails ~59,087 mi · avg $1,100
severe
electrical
7 reports · fails ~57,320 mi · avg $850
moderate
visibility
5 reports · fails ~5,581 mi · avg $350
moderate
powertrain
4 reports · fails ~43,423 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
body
3 reports · fails ~47,667 mi · avg $1,500
moderate
seatbelts
3 reports · fails ~32,500 mi · avg $500
moderate
tires
3 reports · fails ~10,823 mi · avg $150
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2013 S60's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2013 S60?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2013 S60 · seatbelts
When the front passenger does not use seat belt, the car does not issue any audible warning (even when the car is in motion, e.g. At 30 MPH). Note that, in contrast, the audible warning will ring for 6 seconds if the driver does not use seat belt. I called the local dealer…
12/20/2013 · at 10,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #10556780.0 · see seatbelts pattern →
2013 S60 · electrical
The trunk would not open with the key fob. Another time, the car driver door would not lock. When the driver door was opened, the car alarm would go off. The dealer replaced the locking mechanism.
12/13/2019 · at 53,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11288830.0 · see electrical pattern →
2013 S60 · engine
While driving on the highway to work on 12/3/18 my vehicle driver information center displayed a message of "no oil pressure - park safely". As I attempted to pull to the shoulder of the highway the engine started knocking very loudly and shutdown! The engine now has…
12/10/2018 · at 120,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11157262.0 · see engine pattern →
2013 S60 · brakes
I started losing brake pressure rapidly about a month ago. Took it to a shop and they recommended replacing the master cylinder. The repair was completed and the braking improved for about 2 weeks and then I lost all brake pressure. The vehicle was not safe to operate and I had…
11/23/2021 · NHTSA ODI #11441537.0
View all 85 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2013 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.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 2 of 2

severe NHTSA 12V439000 September 10, 2012

Volvo is recalling certain model year 2013 S60 and XC60 vehicles

If the seat belt pretensioner and/or inflatable side curtain deploy without cause, the driver could be distracted and the driver's visibility could be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: These vehicles have not been sold and the SRS control unit will be replaced prior to the cars being sold. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
severe NHTSA 13V084000 March 5, 2013

Volvo is recalling certain model year 2013 S60 and XC60 vehicles, manufactured on January 7, 2013

With an incorrect date of manufacture on the certification label, the vehicle owner may not be to determine if they are affected by future vehicle recalls, increasing their risk of a crash of injury.

Fix: Volvo has quarantined the affected vehicles and will install correct labels prior to sale. The recall began during March 2013. Owner notification letters will not be sent.

Common questions

Is the 2013 Volvo S60 reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.4 out of 10 based on 85 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 Volvo S60 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2013 Volvo S60?

The 2013 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 7.4/10 — around the segment average; 2 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 2013 Volvo S60?

Inspect the engine first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 29 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 91,830 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 2013 Volvo S60 a good used car to buy?

It scores 7.4 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 85 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is engine. Typical failure occurs around 91,830 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 2013 Volvo S60?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 29 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 91,830 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 91,830 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 2013 Volvo S60?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 85 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.

Related

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/2013/Volvo/S60. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Volvo. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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