Home · 2012 Volvo S60 T5 · Complaints

What 121 owners told NHTSA about the 2012 Volvo S60 T5

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)

61 of 121 complaints match · Engine · clear filters · page 2 of 3

Jul 20, 2020Fuel systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE LOSS MOTIVE POWER AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE VOLVO STORE LOCATED AT 1051 WEST WEBSTER AVE, WINTER PARK, FL 32789, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V303000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) WAS REFERENCED HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000.

NHTSA ODI 11340317

Feb 14, 2020Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHUDDERED AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTREME OIL CONSUMPTION WITH THE OIL LEVEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BAUM BOULEVARD AUTOMOTIVE 4741 BAUM BLVD, PITTSBURGH, PA 15213 WHERE THE SPARK PLUGS AND COILS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE HAD RECURRED SOON AFTER. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO STAR VOLVO CARS GREENSBURG LOCATED AT 5200 US-30 B, GREENSBURG, PA 15601 WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH ENGINE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF $7,000.00 FOR THE REPAIR, WHICH WAS STILL PENDING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V592000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE SOLUTION TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

NHTSA ODI 11309146

Jan 10, 2020Engine

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION BETWEEN OIL CHANGE INTERVALS. SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THIS CAR (2/1/2016) I HAVE USED FULLY SYNTHETIC OIL (CASTROL). OIL LEVEL SLOWLY DROPS BETWEEN SCHEDULED OIL CHANGES. PRIOR TO THE LAST SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE (1/10/2020) I CHECKED THE OIL IT IT WAS VERY DANGEROUSLY LOW. THERE ARE NOT ( AS CERTIFIED BY ASE AUTO TECH AND CONFIRMED) NO EXTERNAL OIL LEAKS OR EVIDENCE OF OIL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS CAR NOW HAS 84.000 MILES ON IT AND I'M AFRAID THAT IT WILL DAMAGE ITSELF EVEN ON THE SHORT COMMUTE MY WIFE HAS TO WORK. I CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE OIL LEVEL NOW ALMOST DAILY. I FEEL THIS IS (DAILY OIL CHECK) ABSURD AS CLEARLY, PER THE OWNERS MANUAL, DOES NOT NOR SHOULD NOT REQUIRE CHECKING AND REFILLING OIL THIS OFTEN. THE CAR HAS SHOWN THIS PATTERN OF LUBRICANT CONSUMPTION SINCE WE BOUGHT IT. THE TAILPIPES HAVE ALWAYS HAD A HEAVY DEPOSIT OF CARBON SINCE WE BOUGHT IT. I WAS TOLD THAT "VOLVOS RUN DIRTY' AND THAT IT WAS NOT OF ANY CONCERN. NOW THAT I SEE A TECHNICAL JOURNEL AND TSB CLEARLY INDICATING A PROBLEM WITH MY SPECIFIC CAR, THIS EXPLAINS WHY. I UNDERSTAND THE FACT IN 2012 VOLVO ASSEMBLY SWITCHED MOTOR TYPES (62 TO 63?) DURING MIDRUN. INDICATIVE OF A PROBLEM OR ISSUE. I BELIEVE MY AUTO WAS INVOLVED. IT IS THE AUTO MAKER'S RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE A SAFE AUTOMOBILE WITH A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF MAINTENANCE (OR PM) REQUIRED. THE CONDITION MY WIFE AND MYSELF HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING IS CLEARLY NOT NORMAL FOR ANY AUTO MAKER AND EVIDENTLY HAS EXISTED SINCE IT LEFT THE ASSEMBLY LINE. I ASK ONLY FOR THE AUTOMAKER TO STAND BEHIND THEIR OWN TSB FLAW, PERFORM THE WORK NEEDED TO REPAIR OR REPLACE ALL PART/PARTS NEEDED TO RESOLVE THEIR TSB FOR MY AUTO. THANKS FOR YOUR TIME IN REVIEW.

NHTSA ODI 11298483

Oct 23, 2019Engine

THE CAR SUFFERS FROM HIGH ENGINE CONSUMPTION, ENGINE OIL RUNS OUT PRIOR TO OIL CHANGE INTERVALS WITH NO EVIDENCE OF OIL LEAKS OR OIL BURNING). THIS CAN CAUSE CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THE HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED BY THE DEALER AND SHARED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. VOLVO HAS EVEN ISSUED A TECHNICAL JOURNAL THAT ATTRIBUTES THE CAUSE TO FAULTY PISTON O-RINGS. MANUFACTURER DIDN'T ISSUE A RECALL AND REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THERE ARE SEVERAL SIMILAR CASES DESCRIBED IN VOLVO FORUMS AND OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS, THAT HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY COOPERATION FROM VOLVO.

NHTSA ODI 11270431

Sep 4, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL SQUEAKING NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE MAY BE A FAILURE WITH A BELT OR PULLEY. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SQUEAKING NOISE AND THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE ENGINE COVERED WAS REMOVED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE DRIVE BELT, TIMING BELT, AND PULLEY WERE REMOVED AND REINSTALLED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE LOCAL DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO AN UNKNOWN RECALL REGARDING THE ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 11V303000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,055.

NHTSA ODI 11253220

Aug 15, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED, THE LOW OIL PRESSURE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HAVE AN OIL CHANGE. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE PUSHED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

NHTSA ODI 11244263

Jun 26, 2019EngineFuel system

THE OIL WAS CHANGED AT 85,000 MILES. AT APPROXIMATELY 90,000 MILES, THE LOW OIL PRESSURE LIGHT FLASHED ON AND IMMEDIATELY DISAPPEARED WHEN MAKING TURNS. THE SENSOR LIGHT DID NOT REMAIN ON THE DASHBOARD. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF OIL LEAKING. AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS, THE ENGINE BEGAN KNOCKING. THE OIL LEVEL WAS CHECKED AND WAS LOW. OIL WAS ADDED TO THE CAR. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE VOLVO DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. THE DEALER REPRESENTATIVE STATED THAT NO WARNING LIGHT INDICATORS SHOWED DURING THE DIAGNOSTIC CHECK. THE ENGINE WAS STARVED OF OIL AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. HE MENTIONED THAT FOR THIS MODEL AND YEAR, NEW VEHICLE OWNERS THAT STILL HAD A WARRANTY WERE ASKED TO COME IN AND HAVE PISTON O-RINGS REPLACED BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. WE WERE NOT MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11222828

May 29, 2019Engine

PURCHASED THIS VOLVO A FEW MONTHS AGO HAD IT FOR A WEEK AND IT BROKE DOWN WHILE IDLING IN MY DRIVEWAY IT WAS TOWED TO VOLVO OF ROANOKE, VA. THEY TOLD ME THE IDLER PULLEY SEIZED UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO JUMP TIME. THEY REPLACED THE DIVE BELT AND PUT THE VEHICLE BACK IN TIME AND TOLD ME THE VEHICLE WAS GOOD TO GO. (THEY CHARGED ME $1,000) I DOVE IT FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND THEN IT BROKE DOWN AGAIN ON THE INTERSTATE AND WAS TOWED BACK TO THE SAME DEALER. I WAS INFORMED THIS TIME THAT THE MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND GAVE ME NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY. (THEY SAID THEY WOULD PUT A USED ENGINE IN WITH 130K MILES FOR $10,000) I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENTLY OWNED VOLVO REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THEM CHECK IT OVER. THEY ALSO AGREE THAT THE ENGINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND SAID THAT THE VALVES ARE BENT.

NHTSA ODI 11210586

Jan 28, 2019Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED THE SAME SYMPTOMS AS LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V592000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ODI 11172596

Jan 21, 2019Engine

IN AUGUST OF THIS PAST YEAR MY ENGINE SHUT DOWN AS MY WIFE AND I MADE A TURN. THE MECHANIC THAT I HAD IT TOWED TO SAID THE ENGINE WAS THREE QUARTS LOW AND WAS GETTING NO COMPRESSION AND YET NO CHECK OIL INDICATOR LIGHT TURNED ON. I SPENT $6,000 ON A USED ENGINE. THURSDAY OF LAST WEEK THE SAME THING HAPPENED EXCEPT I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT. I AGAIN HAD IT TOWED TO MY MECHANIC AND IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE ENGINE IS NOT GETTING ANY COMPRESSION. I THEN CALLED VOLVO WHO INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR ME SINCE I HADN'T TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN TO A DEALER. I EXPLAINED THAT I LIVE OVER AN HOUR AWAY FROM THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP AND ITS NOT FEASIBLE FOR ME TO TAKE MY CAR IN. I'M AFRAID TO SPEND ANY MORE MONEY ON A USED ENGINE ONLY TO HAVE IT SEIZE UP ON ME WITH NO WARNING. THIS IS THE SECOND ENGINE IN LESS THAN SIX MONTHS. I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND SAW THAT VOLVO HAD ISSUED A RECALL FOR CERTAIN 2012 S60 IN REGARDS TO THIS ISSUE. I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE, SO I AM NOT SURE IF THIS VEHICLE WAS PART OF THAT RECALL OR NOT. I HAVE WAITED MY WHOLE LIFE TO OWN A VOLVO. HOWEVER, I CAN NOT IN GOOD CONSCIOUS SPEND ANY ADDITIONAL MONEY ON A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 11171217

Nov 19, 2018Engine

LIKE MANY OF THE COMPLAINS LISTED FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL, MY 2012 VOLVO S60 IS CONSUMING OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES WITH NO WARNING LIGHT OF LOW OIL PRESSURE SHOWING UP. THERE IS NO SMOKE OR PUDDLES INDICATING BURNING OIL OR AN OIL LEAK. WE TRY TO KEEP A CLOSE EYE ON THE OIL BECAUSE THE DEALER SAID SINCE IT'S A TURBO IT NEEDS EXTRA OIL BETWEEN CHANGES. ABOUT A YEAR AGO THE OIL TRAP WAS CHANGED BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING. RECENTLY, THE CAR STARTED RUNNING ROUGH, LIKE IT NEEDED SPARK PLUGS,(THOUGH IT WAS NOT TIME) THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WE FOUND OUT THE 5TH CYLINDER STOPPED FIRING AND I HAVE A WARPED HEAD NOW BECAUSE OF THE ENGINE GETTING TOO HOT. THE WEEK BEFORE, I COULD SMELL THE CAR WAS BURNING RICH, NOW I REALIZE IT WAS BECAUSE OF THE 5TH CYLINDER AND VERY LIKELY THE 'GUNK' FROM THE STOPPED UP OIL TRAP. EVERYTHING LEADS BACK TO THE OIL ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI 11152481

Oct 27, 2018Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineFuel system

IN OCTOBER 2018. WHILE DRIVING MY 2012 VOLVO ( 88,000 MILES)THE CAR STARTED TO HESITATE IN TRAFFIC THEN IT STOP. I HAD JUST EXIT THE EXPRESS HIGHWAY ON TO A CITY STREET. THERE WAS NO SENSOR LIGHTS OR ENGINE CHECK LIGHT THAT CAME ON AT ALL. TRIED TO CRANK THE CAR BACK UP. THE CAR WOULD NOT START. SUDDENLY THE OIL LIGHT AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. A SEARS TECHNICAL CAME OUT TO JUMP START THE CAR THINKING IT WAS MY BATTERY TO TAKE CAR TO THERE SHOP. HE CHECK THE OIL BECAUSE THE LIGHT WAS ON. THE OIL WAS FINE NOT LOW. I HAD JUST HAD A OIL CHANGE SEPT 2018. THE CAR STILL WOULD NOT START. I HAD TO GET A TOW TO A SHOP FOR FOREIGN CARS. MY DIAGNOSIS ENGINE LOCKED UP. THE INJECTORS 5 AND 6 WAS WIDE OPEN (HYDRO LOCKING ) FUEL HAD BEEN LEAKING EVERYWHERE EVEN IN MY OIL. THE PRICE WAS $1400.00 TO REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI 11143317

Aug 24, 2018Engine

ON DECEMBER 24, 2015, OUR 2012 VOLVO S60 FWD T5 ENGINE BROKE DOWN ON A CITY STREET. THE BELT WAS REPLACED AT THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP WITH A STANDARD "VOLVO-BELT." MILEAGE ON THE CAR AT THE TIME WAS 43843. FAST FORWARD TO AUGUST 21, 2018, THE CAR BREAKS DOWN AGAIN ON CITY STREET. CURRENT MILEAGE IS 73114. THE BELT AGAIN BREAKS. HOWEVER, THIS TIME DEBRIS GOT INTO TIMING BELT GEARS. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO JUMP TIME AND NOW VALVES ARE BENT. VOLVO DEALERSHIP QUOTED $~6000.00 TO REPAIR. IS THERE AN UNDERLYING ENGINE/BELT PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED.

NHTSA ODI 11122049

Jul 19, 2018Engine

CONSUMING OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGES AND NO WARNING LIGHT OF LOW OIL PRESSURE SHOWS UP. JUST LUCKY TO HAVE CHECKED THE DIP-STICK DURING MY ROUTINE CHECKUP AND FOUND OIL COMPLETELY DEPLETED. ADDED 5 QUARTS OF SYNTHETIC OIL AGAIN CHECKING IN THREE WEEKS I HAD TO ADD ANOTHER 2 QUARTS. THIS IS NOT GOOD AT ALL. THE MANUFACTURER NEEDS TO BE NOTIFIED OF THIS PROBLEM WHICH IS VERY RAMPANT AND MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THEIR VEHICLES ENGINE SEIZE. A RECALL TO FIX THE PROBLEM IS NEEDED ASAP. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 62K

NHTSA ODI 11112498

Jun 9, 2018Engine

I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND DISCOVERED WITHIN 45 MILES OF DRIVING THE CAR THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE. THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT NEVER CAME ON NOR DID THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. IT WASN'T UNTIL AFTER I ADDED 4QUARTZ OF OIL AND THE ENGINE QUIETED DOWN THAT THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON FOLLOWED BY A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND A NOTIFICATION SAYING TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY. THIS HAPPENED AS I WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO PEP BOYS TO SEE A MANAGER ABOUT THEM NOT PUTTING OIL IN THE CAR. I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING WITH PEP BOYS ON THE ISSUE FOR OVER A MONTH AND THE MECHANIC I HIRED HAS JUST POINTED OUT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE ISSUE I AM HAVING WITH MY CAR. APPARENTLY VOLVO HAS HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT NEVER COMING ON WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT I TOLD PEP BOYS THAT THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO INDICATION THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE CAR UNTIL A KNOCKING SOUND HAD STARTED.

NHTSA ODI 11100697

Apr 24, 2018Electrical systemEngine

CAR DID NOT INDICATE LOW OIL PRESSURE AT ANY TIME. ENGINE SEIZED AND STALLED ON FREEWAY CREATING DRIVING HAZZARD. CAR WAS IN MOTION AT APPROX. 65 MPL, STARTED SHAKING AS IF A TIRE HAD BLOWN. CAR STARTED TO SMELL LIKE BUNED OIL, STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. THE ONLY ALERT THAT CAME ON WAS THE LOW BATTERY ICON AFTER THE MOTOR SEIZED.

NHTSA ODI 11089975

Apr 17, 2018Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MCGRATH VOLVO CARS BARRINGTON (300 MN HOUGH ST, BARRINGTON, IL) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE FAILED DUE TO THE OIL BEING FOUR QUARTS LOW. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V592000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AS A POSSIBLE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ODI 11088658

Mar 1, 2018Engine

VOLVO HAS AN INTERNAL SERVICE RECALL FOR THEIR ENGINE OIL SENSORS. THE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND HERE: THEY HAVE STATED THAT THEY FIXED THE SENSOR IN MY VEHICLE; HOWEVER, I STILL EXPERIENCED THE EXACT PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN THE SERVICE RECALL. MY CAR SHOWED 0 ENGINE OIL LIGHT READINGS, BUT MY ENGINE SEIZED UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE. HAD OTHER VEHICLES BEEN AROUND, I WOULD HAVE SURELY BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI 11075638

Jan 19, 2018Engine

AT AROUND 51,000 MILES, THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT BLINKED. WE CHECKED THE OIL AND FOUND THAT WE HAD TO ADD 5 QUARTS ON 11/5/2017. VOLVO ADDED ANOTHER QUART ON 12/26/2017. WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE OIL USAGE AND SAFETY, AND ARE KEEPING IN CONTACT WITH OUR VOLVO DEALER TO SEE IF THIS CONTINUES.

NHTSA ODI 11063666

Jun 26, 2017Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER (JIM FISHER VOLVO, 2108 W BURNSIDE ST, PORTLAND, OR 97210, (503) 295-5571) INDICATED THAT THE ENGINE ASSEMBLY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A PREMATURE INTERNAL FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

NHTSA ODI 11001412

May 29, 2017Engine

THE CAR WAS CONSUMING OIL AT A SHOCKING RATE - 12 QUARTS OVER THE COURSE OF 2 MONTHS AND THE OIL LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATE, EVEN WHEN THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF OIL! I OPENED A CASE WITH VOLVO USA AT THE TIME AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE CAR TO A DEALER. THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND A LEAK AND DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I RETURNED TO THE DEALER AGAIN FOR THE SAME ISSUE AND IT WAS STILL NOT RESOLVED. A FEW WEEKS AFTER MY MOST RECENT VISIT TO THE DEALER, THE CAR MADE A LOUD NOISE WHILE IN TRAFFIC GOING ABOUT 30 MPH. THE CAR WAS DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF ATLANTA TRAFFIC. IT TURNS OUT THE ENGINE "THREW A ROD" AND THE ENTIRE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED ($11K)! THIS CAR HAS 78K MILES ON IT. I AGAIN REACHED OUT TO VOLVO USA AND WAS TOLD THAT ALL GOODWILL REPAIRS WERE AT THE DISCRETION OF THE DEALER AND THE DEALER DID NOT FEEL ANY ASSISTANCE WAS IN ORDER IN THIS CASE. AT THIS TIME I HAVE A VERY GOOD LOOKING AND EXPENSIVE BOAT ANCHOR IN MY DRIVEWAY. AFTER READING MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE, I HAVE ONCE AGAIN REACHED OUT TO VOLVO USA FOR ASSISTANCE. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM WITH THE 2012 S60 T5 ENGINE.

NHTSA ODI 10992073

Mar 24, 2017Engine

ENGINE FAILED AFTER 84,000 MILES. ENGINE WAS CARED FOR WELL; VEHICLE RECEIVED SERVICE AT RECOMMENDED SERVICE INTERVALS. THE VEHICLE IS OPERATED UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS THAT RESULT IN AVERAGE WEAR AND TEAR.

NHTSA ODI 10968256

Feb 3, 2017Engine

VEHICLE BURNED THROUGH ALL OIL CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE WITH NO WARNING FROM VEHICLE ELECTRONICS (CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS ENGINE BEGAN TO FAIL; WAS ABLE TO TRAVEL TO CLOSEST MECHANIC). VEHICLE DEALERSHIP SAID THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THAT HAS HAD PREVIOUS RECALL (FOR OIL PRESSURE WARNING) FOR OTHER OF THE SAME MODEL YEAR BUT NOT THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI 10949277

Jan 9, 2017Transmission & drivetrainEngineFuel system

ON APRIL 12, 2016 I TOOK MY VOLVO S-60 LEASED BRAND NEW FROM VOLVO AND THE PURCHASED AT THE END OF THE LEASE AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED CAR IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND A CHECK OIL LIGHT. VOLVO HAD A RECALL ON OIL PRESSURE CENSORS (THIS HAD CAUSED OTHER CAR ENGINES TO SEIZE SOMETHING THAT THE NTSB HAS REPORTED ON). THE VOLVO AUTHORIZED DEALER, HERB GORDON, CLAIMED TO HAVE MADE THIS REPAIR. HOWEVER ON JUNE 21, 2016, THE ENGINE SEIZED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD. THE VOLVO AUTHORIZED DEALER DETERMINED IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE, AT THE TIME, I ASKED ABOUT SIMPLY APPLYING THE COST TO REPLACE THE ENGINE (ABOUT $12,000) TO GETTING ME INTO A NEW CAR. VOLVO REFUSED AND WENT AHEAD WITH AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT (THEY HAD MY CAR FROM JUNE 21, 2016 TO AUGUST 1, 2016. THE CAR BROKE DOWN AGAIN ON AUGUST 15, 2016 WHILE MY FAMILY AND I WERE ON THE ROAD FOR A VACATION. WHEN WE RETURNED FROM VACATION THE CAR WAS GIVEN BACK TO US BUT THE PROBLEM NOW IS THAT THE CAR'S VALUE HAS SIGNIFICANTLY DIMINISHED BECAUSE OF THE ENGINE REPLACEMENT, THE BLUEBOOK VALUE OF THE CAR IS ON AVERAGE $13,789 BUT THE HIGHEST WE CAN GET FOR IT IS $8,000 BECAUSE OF THE DAMAGE DONE TO IT BY VOLVO. WE HAVE TRIED TO GET VOLVO TO WORK WITH US BY MAKING UP THAT DIFFERENCE AS A TRADE IN ON A CAR THEY HAVE IN STOCK. WE HAVE BEEN MET WITH NOTHING BUT HOSTILITY AND ABUSE. IN FACT EARLIER TODAY WE WERE TOLD BY A CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE AT VOLVO TO SHUT UP AND THEN HE HUNG UP ON US,

NHTSA ODI 10943927

Nov 7, 2016Electrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO S60. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STARTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE STARTER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WHILE STILL AT THE DEALER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V592000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,740.

NHTSA ODI 10924834

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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 T5 verdict →