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 ↗2016 Volvo S60 engine problems
moderate Owners of the 2016 Volvo S60 have filed 7 NHTSA complaints about the engine at roughly $3,100 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of November 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See engine across all vehicles →
Complaints
7
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
| Model year | engine complaints |
|---|---|
| 2012 S60 | 45 |
| 2013 S60 | 29 |
| 2014 S60 | 7 |
| 2015 S60 | 18 |
| 2016 S60 (this page) | 7 |
When does it fail?
Of the 7 engine complaints filed for the 2016 Volvo S60, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 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
Owners are still filing on this — the most recent NHTSA engine complaint for this vehicle was logged 22 days ago.
Engine accounts for 25% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 4 categories tracked.
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.
This is a Technical Journal: High Temperature Message in DIM after Coolant Pump Replacement. Replace coolant pump
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a Technical Journal: High Temperature Message in DIM after Coolant Pump Replacement. Replace coolant pump
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗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 ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 5 most recent
I was sold a car with is not safe for me to drive and didn’t know it. It at one time had a safety recall and whoever at the the time never had it repaired but it has outdated piston rings that leads to progressive oil consumption, it’s misfiring and leads to catastrophic engine failure. It’s just don’t feel safe to drive in I’m disabled & can’t afford for new engine or one to be rebuilt and sure…
As soon as I bought the car heading home . They put oil in car and by time I got home the car had consumed at least a qrt , it misfired And seemed to lose power and didn’t think I would make it home before breaking down but luckily I did . I did research and Called Volvo of Cool Springs, they checked the data base and told me that previous owner had never had the piston rings updated and would…
In November of 2021, I purchased my dream car, a 2016 Volvo s60 Cross Country, proud to own a vehicle from a company known for their safe and reliable vehicles. In April of 2022, a class action case ([XXX], et al., v. Volvo Car USA, LLC, Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, and Volvo Personvagnar AB) was issued against Volvo due to a KNOWN-TO-VOLVO DESIGN FLAW in their engines which could lead to…
At 86K miles can smell oil burning and add 1 quart light comes on. It's said Volvo is aware of a defect with the piston rings causing oil to consume and burn away. They aren't willing to address the issue outside warranty expiration. They did recently indicate how Volvo changed the requirement for using 5W30 oil to claim now Volvo changed there minds. How now only 0W20 full synthetic oil must be…
I have 86,585 miles on the car and have followed or exceeded the manufactures recommendation on oil changes. Now I am told after my last oil change that the engine is consuming a lot of oil. At 80,000 miles my Volvo dealership changed the type of oil they were putting in the car from 5w-30 full syn. To 0w20 full syn. I believe there is a problem with the engine and Volvo knows it by trying to…
Had engine trouble with your 2016 Volvo S60?
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 2016 Volvo S60?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 7 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 7 complaints filed, engine issues most often appear around 68,293 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/2016/Volvo/S60.
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.