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What 121 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Volvo S60 Recharge

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (121)Crash / fire / injury (15)Engine (61)Electrical system (17)Seat belts (9)Fuel system (8)Steering (8)Body & structure (7)Airbags (6)Brakes (6)Speed control (6)Transmission & drivetrain (4)

8 of 121 complaints match · Steering · clear filters

Jun 12, 2023Steering

I have experienced the steering in my car to become looser over time. I have found the culprit to be a plastic tension cap on the steering rack itself. The cap appears to have stripped and backed out completely and is now resting against the subframe. There is no warning of this happening and very hard to pinpoint the cause. The effect is that there is about 10 degrees of play in the steering wheel. It appears that it only affects the left wheel as that one is loose and the right wheel is tight. I will be taking it to the dealer to see if there is a replacement or an upgraded version of this cap but feel this should be addressed further as this could happen without warning.

NHTSA ODI 11526710

Sep 7, 2022Steering1 injury

The steering wheel trim peeled and created a razor sharp surface at the bottom which sliced through my finger and caused pain and bleeding. It is difficult to avoid touching the sharp part of the steering wheel especially at highway speeds. This startled me while driving and distracted me while I attempted to stop the bleeding. Volvo has agreed to replace the trim but will charge for labor if I choose to go into a dealer.

NHTSA ODI 11483292

Dec 30, 2017Steering1 injury

A METAL SILVER PIECE ON STEERING HAS A SHARP EDGE THAT RESULTED IN A CUT ON FINGER WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND TURNING.

NHTSA ODI 11057659

Jan 1, 2016SteeringEngine

1) POWER STEERING FLUID LEAKING CONSTANTLY SINCE PURCHASING CAR AT 52K MILES; DIAGNOSED AS RACK AND PINION FAILURE 2) ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE MADE WHISTLING NOISE AT 60K MILES WHILE DRIVING; DIAGNOSED AS PCV FAILURE

NHTSA ODI 10817350

Apr 24, 2015Steering

AT THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING WHEEL BEZEL, A SHARP EDGE IS EXPOSED. THIS EDGE IS RAZOR SHARP AND HAS CAUSED LACERATIONS. I SEE NHTSA ID NUMBER: 10503380 AND 10534272 APPEAR TO DESCRIBE THE SAME PROBLEM. (INCIDENT DATE IS APPROXIMATE). *TR

NHTSA ODI 10712672

Sep 11, 2013SteeringElectrical systemCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THERE WAS A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL AND THE REAR END SPUN UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DYNAMIC TRACTION CONTROL FAILED TO ACTIVATE AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CURBSIDE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL RIMS. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE RIM AND FRONT BUMPER WAS DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. A TROUBLE CODE WAS DETECTED FOR THE SRS MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,991.

NHTSA ODI 10543130

Aug 8, 2013Steering1 injury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ALUMINUM ON THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DETACHED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED LACERATIONS TO THE HANDS AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 21,700.

NHTSA ODI 10534272

Mar 18, 2013Steering1 injury

THE STEERING WHEEL BEZEL DELAMINATES ON THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND BECOMES VERY SHARP CAUSING CUTS ON HANDS. DEALER REPLACED THE BEZEL AND WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. IT APPEARS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OR MANUFACTURE OF THE BEZEL. THERE SHOULD BE NO SHARP CUTTING EDGES ON THE STEERING WHEEL! *TR

NHTSA ODI 10503380

Working with the data? Download all 121 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 18, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2012 Volvo S60 Recharge verdict →