What 85 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Volvo S60 Recharge

I am submitting this report to formally document a severe safety-related failure involving my 2013 Volvo S60, VIN # [XXX] . This vehicle is part of the Volvo brand, widely recognized and marketed as among the safest in the world. Incident Summary: On [XXX], at approximately [XXX] in Norwalk, Connecticut, the vehicle experienced a catastrophic mechanical failure while in operation. The auxiliary (serpentine) belt suddenly failed, shredded itself, and wrapped around the timing pulley. Debris from the failed belt entered the timing belt housing — a supposedly sealed and protected compartment — causing the timing belt to jump. This resulted in an immediate loss of engine power while driving, placing me in a highly vulnerable position. Fortunately, I was not on a multi-lane highway or in fast-moving traffic. Had I been traveling on a busier route, the sudden loss of power could have led to a serious crash and potential injury. This failure represented a genuine threat to my safety. Further inspection revealed that: The lower crankshaft sprocket had skipped three teeth due to the intrusion of the auxiliary belt. The timing belt, although not broken, was off track. A new timing belt was installed in an attempt to restart the engine. The engine would crank but failed to start. A compression test revealed zero compression in all cylinders. The valve train was severely damaged (bent valves), and the engine sustained internal mechanical failure beyond repair. Conclusion and Context: This is not an isolated incident. Upon further research, I discovered that this failure — specifically the auxiliary belt disintegrating and compromising the timing belt system — is a known and well-documented problem in vehicles equipped with the B5254T12 Turbo engine. Volvo has been previously alerted to similar cases before. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11660749

Engine has excessive oil consumption and sets owners up for expensive testing and repairs, because when the original recall came out, many Volvo s60 with excessive oil consumption were barely out of the allowed mileage range, which sticks the owners with excessive repairs. Volvo should stand behind this problem that effects numerous Volvo s60’s and compensate the repairs.

NHTSA ODI 11610422

car has high oil consumption. takes a full oil change every month

NHTSA ODI 11589549

I currently own a 2013 S60 2.5L T5 sedan (See Vin # referenced in Subject Line) that recently began displaying on the DIC the following alert/error messages: •Low Oil/No Oil Pressure alert My vehicle only has 67,400 miles on the engine and I am the 2nd owner of the vehicle purchasing it with only 19,560 miles or so, approximately 3.2 yrs ago. Due to my distance from home to the nearest authorized local Volvo dealership (Manasquan NJ), when this warning came up on the car, I immediately took it to an authorized ASE local service repair shop. This vehicle’s oil has always been changed within Volvo manufacturer recommended oil change intervals, so I know that was not a potential cause. I did check the oil level, which was low and there has been no visible under the vehicle oil puddles/stains prior to taking it to determine the root cause of the alert. While at the local service repair center, I was alerted by the service manager that for this year model, there is a known manufacturing issue related to defective O-rings and Pistons causing the vehicle to heavily consume oil, potentially leading to engine failure and poses and immediate safety risk to myself and family members as well as the driving public if there was to be an engine failure. I reached out to Volvo USA earlier today to express my dismay and shock that for one I was not notified of this potential safety recall. I was then to my chagrin informed that my vehicle was not involved/eligible for an extended warranty coverage in an earlier settlement that Volvo was involved in, but also to my surprise I came across a Class Action lawsuit filed against Volvo for deceptive practices related concealing prior knowledge of this safety defect related to the O-Rings and Pistons. (See attached docs for settled Lawsuit Action and an earlier issued Quality Bulletin-[XXX]: Issue Date 1-04-23). After reviewing these two documents, it is clear to me that the bulletin deployed as well as the settling of the NJDCA INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI 11568422

The engine has started to burn excess oil prompting the service engine light to come up way before next oil change. Auto mechanic has to add 5 quarts oil between oil changes on regular basis now telling us the Dealership will need to address the issue. Suggested we replace O rings in engine which is costly repair with no guarantee will solve issue. Could not afford the expensive repair. Recent online research shows this is common issue in the S60 between 50k-100k miles. I Bought this car for daughter as it had every service check required and thinking it was safe reliable car but now risk her running out of oil and engine stop working. 2013 S60 with 90k miles should not have engine problems, especially a Volvo known for high quality. Disappointed that reburbished engine not offered. I am loyal to Volvo having had 2 previous ones but am not impressed with the servicing of this issue.

NHTSA ODI 11565284

The car consumes approx. 0,5 to 1,0 liters of oil per 1000 miles. The problem started around 60,000 miles and has slowly worsened. Volvo admits that there is a problem with the piston rings, and the only fix is an expensive oil consumption test followed by an engine teardown and rebuild

NHTSA ODI 11543742

Received a notification from Volvo USA, acknowledging an excessive oil consumption problem with certain model from 2013 to 2016, our 2013 S60 being one of them. Apparently it is a known design problem relating to pistons/ring, which can potentially damage the engine. This notification stated that Volvo voluntarily extended the warranty to 8 years and 100,000 miles, which of course excluded our 2013 S60! How is it that Volvo can get away with this?? Should this not be a recall? There was a class action against Volvo on this specific problem, but was resolved outside of court. This means that a handful of owners got compensated, but there are a lot more of us out here, trying to figure what to do about this!!! Do we need to start another class action? The government should not let corporations like Volvo get away with this!!! Please do something about this!

NHTSA ODI 11533939

Purchased the car with 120,000 miles and noticed it was burning 5 1/2 quarts of oil every 3,500 miles. Thought it was an oil leak and had that repaired but issue continued. Drove another 3,500 miles and had to add another 5 1/2 quarts of oil. Light never went on the last time and oil level was so low that engine now has rod knock. Only recourse is to replace the engine and I cannot afford the repair. Volvo acknowledged that these cars have excessive oil consumption issues but will only pay for repairs for cars less than 10 years old or have under 100,000 miles

NHTSA ODI 11507191

Excessive oil consumption. Having to add ~5 quarts per month. Brought this to Volvo's attention in 2019 and had Volvo service confirm excessive oil consumption.

NHTSA ODI 11507235

I own two 2013 S60 and both with excessive oil consumption. Having to add ~5 quarts per month. Brought this to Volvo's attention in 2019 and had Volvo service confirm excessive oil consumption.

NHTSA ODI 11507236

Dash board message very low engine oil, drove home, called dealer and was seen next day. They videotaped my car in case the driving to the dealer caused damage. I paid for an oil change and was told to come every 5,000 miles or less. mileage 93,400 miles This is a known fire hazard for 2013 S60 Volvo.

NHTSA ODI 11507285

The contact owns a 2013 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the oil pressure warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the engine was replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where they were unable to duplicate the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000.

NHTSA ODI 11503575

On 9-23-2022, my daughter took her car to a Midas for an oil change. The odometer read 87,034. They installed a new oil filter and 6 quarts of fully synthetic 5W-30 oil, and said the oil had been low when she brought it in. On 10-2-22, my daughter called me and said her Volvo had a message light in the dash: “No oil pressure.” I advised her to go directly home (it was late in the evening and no mechanic was open then.) She and her roommate consulted the manual to see how precisely to check the oil on this exact car, and no oil registered on the dipstick. I advised her to look under the car in the garage to see if there was any oil leaking; none was found. I told her she cannot drive it and risk driving with absolutely no oil. The car was not driven the next day, 10-23-22, and then our insurance company's Roadside Assistance picked up the car on the morning of 10-24-22. At my request they towed the car to the Midas where she had the oil change. The odometer was around 88,830. The car consumed 6 quarts of oil in one month and 1,796 miles of driving. After inspecting the Volvo, the service person at Midas called me to inform me that there is no oil leak, and that the 2013 Volvo S60 has known oil consumption issues. He said the oil is being burned through the motor. He said the oil is seeping past the piston rings and burning internally. He said the oil piston rings have scored the engine wall. This is all definitely out of my expertise, but I took notes on all of it. He said she must check the oil every 500 miles and top it off constantly. He said failing this the entire engine would be ruined if running with no oil. I believe the normal mileage between synthetic oil changes is 7,500-10,000 miles. I met with the Volvo dealer (see attached letter I presented) and they informed me they would need to do tests, at my expense (hundreds of dollars) and I may need to replace the engine, almost fully at my expense. Please read the two attachments below!

NHTSA ODI 11501909

I started noticing that my daughter's Volvo was burning/ consuming an excessive amount of oil between oil change intervals. I get my oil changed on the recommended schedule, but I always have to add oil before the next scheduled service. There are no visible leaks. Within the past few months, she has twice had the "No Oil Pressure" warning rendered. I started doing research but cannot find a recall for the VIN. It also appears that many other people are having the same problem. People pay a lot of money for these cars and to have a major component failure is not acceptable. It appears there are issues with pistons. I am requesting that you create a safety recall including my daughter's VIN. If the engine were to seize due to lack of oil pressure while traveling on the highway, I fear she could be in a serious accident.

NHTSA ODI 11487394

2013 VOLVO S60. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO ILLUMINATED NO OIL PRESSURE LIGHT.

NHTSA ODI 11468318

Car has had regular oil changes and was well below the recommended time for the next change when the engine began knocking in September. I took the car for inspection at a Volvo mechanic repair shop and was told all of the oil was gone and engine is damaged beyond repair. No engine or oil indicator light came on to warn me that the oil was low. I understand the 2011-2012 models were recalled for this issue and apparently the problem continued to the 2013 model. The car has low mileage and I am shocked that it is now effectively totaled. I am now without a vehicle and feel that Volvo should have to correct the situation and that a recall should be issued.

NHTSA ODI 11435763

very high oil consumption. has gotten worse past 20000 miles. vehicle has about 82000 miles now. im having to add 6 to 8 quarts of oil in between oil changes

NHTSA ODI 11420508

CARBON MONOXIDE AND HYDROGEN CYANIDE WAS LEAKING INTO THE CABIN OF THE CAR FROM A LOOSE BOLT ON THE TURBO. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANYTHING - EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND NOW WITH A CAR THAT IS EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND UNABLE TO SELL UNLESS COMMITTED TO FIXED.

NHTSA ODI 11402815

MY CAR STARTED MAKING THIS KNOCKING NOISE. I CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS COMPLETELY GONE. THE OIL LIGHT NEVER CAME ON. NOW I'M TOLD THE ENGINE IS GONE. WHEN I LOOKED UP MY MODEL AND YEAR IN COMPLAINTS IT WAS REPORTED THIS WAS A PROBLEM BUT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED.

NHTSA ODI 11395683

WE BELIEVED THE 2013 VOLVO S60 WAS LEAKING OIL BUT THE MECHANIC FROM LOCAL SERVICE STATION DID NOT FIND A LEAK. THE LOCAL MECHANIC CALLED BOSTON VOLVO SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VOLVO S60'S HAS PISTON RING PROBLEMS AND TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO BOSTON VOLVO FOR CONFIRMATION. BOSTON VOLVO CONFIRMED VEHICLE HAS THE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI 11389258

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT OIL WAS SEEPING INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CONSUME A MINIMUM OF 2 TO 3 QUARTS OF OIL DAILY. THE CONTACT HAD TO ADD 2 TO 3 QUARTS OF OIL PER DAY. THE CONTACT HAD CONTACTED CHERRY HILL VOLVO CARS (1810 RTE 70 W, CHERRY HILL, NJ 08002, (856) 665-4050) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT FAILURE COULD BE RELATED TO THE COILS OR THE PISTONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI 11388806

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY WHERE HER HUSBAND CHECKED THE OIL LEVELS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS AN OIL CONSUMPTION FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FOUR QUARTS OF OIL WAS ADDED IN THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THERE WERE NO OIL LEAKS VISIBLE. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000.

NHTSA ODI 11375275

I HAVE OWNED MY 2013 S60 VOLVO FOR 3.5 YEARS. ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO, I STARTED NOTICING THAT MY CAR WAS BURNING/ CONSUMPTION AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGE INTERVALS. I GET MY OIL CHANGED ON THE RECOMMENDED SCHEDULE, BUT I ALWAYS HAVE TO ADD OIL BEFORE THE NEXT SCHEDULED SERVICE. I STARTED DOING RESEARCH AND IT APPEARS THAT A RECALL WAS DONE FOR SOME CARS, BUT MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. IT ALSO APPEARS THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. PEOPLE PAY A LOT OF MONEY FOR THESE CARS AND TO HAVE A MAJOR COMPONENT FAILURE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I AM REQUESTING THAT YOU REVIEW AND EXPAND THIS RECALL INCLUDING MY CAR AND THE HUNDREDS OF CARS WITH THE SAME DEFECTS. HTTPS://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/VOLVO/S60/ENGINE-BURNING-OIL-PROBLEMS.PHP HTTPS://VOLVO.OEMDTC.COM/312/HIGH-OIL-CONSUMPTION-2013-2016-VOLVO

NHTSA ODI 11373090

I RECENTLY HAD A RECALL ON A VOLVO FOR DOOR LATCHES. WHEN LOOKING AT OTHER RECALLS, I FOUND THAT THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT ON MY VEHICLE, INDICATING LOW OIL PRESSURE, WAS A RECALL ON A PRIOR YEAR, SAME MAKE AND MODEL. I DID FURTHER RESEARCH AND DISCOVERED THAT THE CAR HAD A POSSIBLE RECALL OF THE WRONG DATE OF MANUFACTURE. I WAS ASSURED BY VOLVO THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED; HOWEVER, IT IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUES, WAS THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL, SAYS IT WAS MADE IN THE SAME CITY, AND I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE TITLE ALONG WITH GETTING AN ORIGINAL DATE OF SELL FOR THE VEHICLE. I BOUGHT IT FROM A BUY HERE, PAY HERE PLACE, AND IT HAD AN YELLOW X ON THE INSIDE OF THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. I THINK IT WAS AFFECTED BY THE PRIOR RECALL AND THAT I CAN NOT GET ALL THE NEEDED RECALLS BECAUSE THE PRIOR MISPRINT OF THE YEAR WAS NEVER CORRECTED BEFORE IT WAS SOLD TO THE DEALER.

NHTSA ODI 11350364

THERE IS A 'KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE PISTON RINGS' THAT CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO BURN THROUGH OIL. PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED. I, AND ALL THE OTHER UNSUSPECTING VOLVO PURCHASERS I AM SURE, WOULD VERY MUCH APPRECIATE ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.

NHTSA ODI 11309671