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ProblemsByVinFile / 2016-VOLVO-S60NHTSA data synced 1 hour ago
2016 · Volvo
Volvo S60 problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 26 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Reliability score
8.2 / 10
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2016 S60?
Generally reliable
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average
1 recall campaign on file
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 2016 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
electrical — 5 owner reports
· tends to show around 37,286 mi · ~$850 to fix
engine — 5 owner reports
· tends to show around 68,293 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
body — 3 owner reports
· tends to show around 22,500 mi · ~$1,500 to fix
visibility — 3 owner reports
· tends to show around 37,750 mi · ~$350 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: electrical is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 37,286 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 1 active recall on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 8.2/10 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.
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.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
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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What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2016 S60· electricalCrash
Purchased a brand new 2016 Volvo s60 - the car at incident date had 200 miles on it. While driving in traffic on a california freeway - the car lost all power, steering, lights, etc while in the number 4 of 7 lane freeway at night. The car was blacked out, no lights, no power,…
Windscreen wiper motors failed during inclement weather making visibility impossible. The vehicle was only approximately 2 years old at the time of failure. This created a serious safety issue and may have led to a crash and injury. The dealer diagnosed the issue as failed wiper…
We bought this car used from a Volvo dealership in august of 2019 while still under factory warranty. It has 19-inch Volvo alloy wheels with 235/40/r19 tires. In a little over a year, two of the wheels have cracked presumably after hitting potholes. We had both wheels…
Had a problem with your 2016 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.
If the vehicle is unexpectedly unable to be started in the middle of traffic, such as when stopped at an intersection, there is an increased risk of a crash.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the existing starter motor fuse with a higher amperage fuse, free of charge. The recall began on October 26, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552 or by visiting http://volvo.custhelp.com. Volvo's number for this recall is R39574.
Common questions
Is the 2016 Volvo S60 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 26 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 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 2016 Volvo S60?
On the NHTSA data, the 2016 Volvo S60 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign 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 2016 Volvo S60?
Inspect the electrical first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 5 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 37,286 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 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 2016 Volvo S60 a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.2 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 26 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is electrical. Typical failure occurs around 37,286 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 2016 Volvo S60?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 5 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 37,286 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 37,286 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 2016 Volvo S60?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 26 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, 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.
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/2016/Volvo/S60.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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