This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test. Perform the test. Follow service procedure Description and Service sections updated to clarify that vehicle reports are not required.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2015 Volvo V60 engine problems
moderate 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
When does it fail?
Of the 10 engine complaints filed for the 2015 Volvo V60, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 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 engine complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 3 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 engine 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.
Extended Warranty
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Engine Control Module (EMS) Software (MSW) Information â August 2022; Improvement List (Change Log) - US21+OBD22 (13L VGT, TC) And US17+OBD22 (11L) Emissions
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a Technical Journal: High oil consumption. Engine 61
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a Service Journal: Coolant Filling Equipment Tool
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners of 2015 Volvo V60s describe two main engine problems. First, intermittent power loss: the engine stalls or loses power at stops, during braking, or while accelerating—sometimes with a "Reduced Engine Performance" dashboard warning, sometimes with no warning at all. One owner reported his wife lost power mid-pass on a two-lane road, creating a dangerous situation with oncoming traffic. The local dealer in that case test-drove the car for a week and found nothing, despite the incident. Other owners report this failure requiring engine rebuilds with no permanent fix; one notes he's taken his car in seven times.
Second, excessive oil consumption: owners report burning 1–2 quarts every few hundred to 1,200 miles with no external leaks, pointing to internal wear of piston rings or similar components. At least one owner had a spark plug tip break off and lodge in the engine. Several owners note that similar model years (2014–2016) are subject to recalls or warranty coverage that does not apply to their 2015. One owner completed Volvo's recommended piston and ring repair but reports ongoing issues afterward. Owners express frustration that Volvo refuses to cover repairs or expand warranty coverage despite acknowledging the problems exist.
Failure modes owners describe
Intermittent Power Loss / Engine Stall
Engine shuts down or loses power unexpectedly at idle, during stops, hard braking, or mid-acceleration. In one case, the engine cut out while the vehicle was passing another car on a two-lane road, creating a hazardous situation. The 'Reduced Engine Performance' warning may appear but dealers report finding no diagnostic codes.
When: Intermittent; occurs at idle, during braking, or acceleration. One incident reported around 2 months after initial symptom onset.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine stalls when coming to a stop; Engine shuts down when shifting to park; Power loss during hard acceleration or passing; No throttle response despite engine running; Steering wheel locks as though car was intentionally shut off; Dashboard warning 'Reduced Engine Performance' may display
Repairs/costs cited: One owner reports engine rebuild did not resolve the issue; problem recurred. Dealers test-drove vehicles for a week without reproducing the fault or identifying the cause.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Volvo denies warranty extension or resolution in at least one case despite multiple service visits. No recalls or technical service bulletins mentioned.
Excessive Oil Consumption
Engine burns or leaks oil internally at abnormal rates (1–2 quarts per few hundred to 1,200 miles) without visible external leaks. Internal combustion of oil into cylinders is suspected, caused by worn piston rings or similar internal engine wear.
When: Observed starting at approximately 65,000 miles in one case; ongoing throughout ownership in others.
Symptoms owners cite: Oil level drops rapidly requiring frequent top-ups (every 6 weeks to every few hundred miles); No visible external leaks; Low cylinder pressure (one case: cylinder 3 at 30 psi vs. 180 psi normal); Spark plug fouling due to oil buildup in combustion chamber
Repairs/costs cited: Volvo recommended piston and ring replacement in at least one case; owner completed repair but reports ongoing issues afterward. Other owners have paid out of pocket for repair work. Dealers performed oil consumption tests without initial repair authorization.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Volvo covers oil consumption test for some owners but refuses to extend warranty or fund repairs for 2015 models. Other model years (2014, 2016) with the same engine are subject to recalls or warranty programs from which 2015 owners feel excluded.
Spark Plug Tip Failure
Spark plug tip breaks off and is ingested into the engine, causing low compression and power loss. One owner's boroscope inspection revealed the spark plug was missing its tip.
When: Reported at 21,325 miles.
Symptoms owners cite: Engine check light illuminates; Engine power decreases; Difficulty maintaining speed on freeway; Low cylinder pressure in affected cylinder
Repairs/costs cited: Boroscope inspection confirmed spark plug tip lodged in cylinder. Dealer awaiting Volvo authorization for engine inspection, repair plan, or replacement.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Volvo warranty in force but repair authorization delayed pending company inspection.
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 10 most recent
Excessive oil consumption. Piston ring failure. Cylinder 1 spark plug failure due to oil buildup.
The car, 2015 Volvo v60, began shutting off its motor when I came to a stop or when I put it in park and a few times when I came to a hard stop. This would require my putting the car in park, if not already, pressing the break pedal and pushing the start button. During these times, the steering wheel would lock up as it should if a driver purposely turned their car off. The symptom would happen…
Volvo cars from 2014-2016 has oil consumption due to the bad piston rings design and the manufacturer don’t want to issue a recall for this problem, it’s a serious problem with these models
The engine consumes an excessive amount of oil, requiring the addition of about one quart every few hundred miles. There are no visible external leaks, and the issue appears to be due to internal engine components such as piston rings allowing oil into the combustion chamber. This poses a risk of engine damage and loss of power. The problem has been observed consistently and confirmed by a repair…
Engine check light came on, engine power fell off, notification to dealer sent by computer. Brought car into dealer, left for inspection. Informed sparkplug tip was ingested by engine. Boroscope revealed spark plug was missing tip.engine had low pressure in cylinder 30 vs 180. Volvo warranty was in force. Mileage 21325 miles at time of event was traveling on freeway and was experiencing…
The contact owns a 2015 Volvo V60. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing an abnormal oil consumption. The contact stated that the vehicle was consuming 2 quarts of oil for every 1,200 miles driven. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an oil consumption test was performed, and the contact was advised to return after driving 1,000 miles.…
Engine oil consumption issue. It was a known issue. Completed the recommended repair of the piston and rings. Have had constant issues since the repair. Looking for reimbursement for the repair. My engine fell under the guidelines to have the repair covered.
This car has an oil consumption problem but Volvo advises it will not repair. Other, similar models have similar oil consumption problems that are the subject of recall. This was also subject of class action lawsuit We have had to spend hundreds out of pocket to repair. Why isn't this model year in the recall? Other years - same engine - before and after this are subject of recall?
My Volvo has a known by Volvo defect of consuming too much oil resulting in me needing to top off oil roughly every 6 weeks. Volvo will not cover the repairs in full, I believe this is a safety issue as it could result in a catastrophic failure.
Car experiences predetonation/preignition of the spark plugs. This causes the timing to be retarded, causing a very dangerous lack of power, I have taken the car in 7x for resolution, they have rebuilt the engine, issue is reoccurring. Volvo cars of na is doing nothing to resolve the issue. There are multiple reports of this issue on the internet (sweedespeed ethusiast forum) as well as many…
Had engine trouble with your 2015 Volvo V60?
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 engine problem on the 2015 Volvo V60?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 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?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 32,554 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 $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?
No active recalls currently cover engine 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/2015/Volvo/V60.
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.