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2016 Volvo XC60 Owner Complaints

Updated May 30, 2026
Ethan Miller
2016 Volvo XC60 Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary

The 2016 Volvo XC60 has 44 reported complaints.

  • Top issues involve engine and unknown or other.

Reliability Score

Reliability Score

7.2/ 10

Based on 44 complaints

Most Frequent Issues

ENGINE

14 31.8%

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

8 18.2%

SEAT BELTS

6 13.6%

SERVICE BRAKES

3 6.8%

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 6.8%

Quick Insights

  • The top category is ENGINE, accounting for 31.8% of all complaints.

  • Owners have reported issues across 13 distinct vehicle systems.

  • Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.

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Complaint Summary

What owners keep reporting on the 2016 Volvo XC60

The 2016 Volvo XC60 has 44 owner complaints in this dataset. ENGINE is the most common complaint category, representing about 32% of the reports shown here.

Most common complaint categories

The top complaint groups for the 2016 Volvo XC60 are ENGINE (14), UNKNOWN OR OTHER (8), SEAT BELTS (6).

Are these complaints a serious red flag?

Potentially. 25 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.

What should buyers inspect on a used 2016 Volvo XC60?

Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.

Read the full buyer guideRecall report and remedy notesMaintenance costs and intervals2017 XC60 complaints2015 XC60 complaints2018 XC60 complaints

Detailed Complaint Log

Showing 13 of 13 systems

ENGINE

14 Reports32% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

The contact owns a 2016 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, the oil warning light illuminated. The contact stated that she refilled the oil when she arrived at her residence. The contact noticed that the vehicle was consuming an excessive amount of oil and she was refilling the oil each 4-6 weeks. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, Bobby Rahal of the South Hills, who diagnosed that the piston rings needed to be replaced for more than $4,000 or the dealer stated that adding oil to the car every month would be a cheaper and not unsafe solution. On January 1 while driving on the highway, far from home, in the rain and fog with 3 children in the car, the engine started riding rough. The vehicle was driven cautiously home and taken to the independent mechanic specializing in Volvos who diagnosed that the engine had failed and needed to be replaced. The independent mechanic said he has seen 4-5 Volvos this year with the same problem, and that there is something wrong with the 2015 2/5 engine for this car, but prior to that year, it has been a good engine, and since that year, it has been a good engine. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was purchased, Bobby Rahal Volvo of the North Hills, and the diagnosis was the same for the 6 year old car needing a new engine for more than $16,000. Since the car was purchased in November 2020 for $18K+, the customer is wondering if the dealer that sold the car and the dealer that was asked about the oil issue knew the car engine was likely defective, did not tell the contact and put the contact's family in an unsafe situation. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and the contact is awaiting a response. The vehicle has not yet been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 76,000, after less than 8,000 of vehicle ownership.

1/4/2022

WHEN STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, HAVE TO HOLD BRAKE DOWN IN ORDER TO KEEP THE CAR FROM DRIVING AS THE RPMS ARE REVVING UP AND DOWN, CAUSING THE CAR TO WANT TO MOVE AND WHEN IN PARK REVVING SO HIGH THAT IT WENT INTO RED AND CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON AND I HAD TO TURN OFF THE VEHICLE. ALSO THE GAS TANK FILLER TUBE CLOGGS UP EASILY AND HAS TO BE DROPPED IN ORDER FOR THE TUBE / VENTS TO BE CLEANED OUT OR REPLACED.

2/8/2022

12 more complaints are available in this category.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

8 Reports18% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

THE REARVIEW CAMERA ON THE NEW VOLVO XC 60 2016 IS NOT RELIABLE - IT TENDS TO BECOME EXTREMELY HAZY WITH EVEN A SLIGHT RAINFALL AND PERHAPS THE POSITIONING OF THE CAMERA / THE MATERIAL USED FOR THE LENSES ARE NOT IDEAL. WE HAVE HAD 4 CARS FROM OTHER MANUFACTURERS OVER THE PAST 2-3 YEARS AND NONE OF THEIR VISUAL QUALITY DEGRADED TO THE EXTENT WE ARE SEEING IT ON THE VOLVO XC 60. I HAVE ATTACHED A COUPLE OF PICTURES SHOWING WHAT THE IMAGES LOOK LIKE AFTER A BRIEF RAINFALL.

1/9/2017

MY CAR STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR; COME TO FIND OUT THEIR IS A STARTER RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL, BUT NOT ASSOCIATED WITH MY VIN. AFTER NUMEROUS OTHER BREAK DOWNS THIS WAS CONFIRMED BY A MECHANIC THAT IT IS AN ISSUE. VOLVO STATED THEY COULD NOT FIND THE ISSUE UNLESS MY VEHICLE WAS THROWING A CODE. WHICH IT NEVER DID WHEN AND WOULD NOT ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC DUE TO THIS ISSUE. PLEASE ASSIST ME IN GETTING THIS ISSUE FIXED UNDER THE PREVIOUS RECALL PLEASE.

9/25/2018

6 more complaints are available in this category.

SEAT BELTS

6 Reports14% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

A LETTER WAS SENT FROM VOLVO CORP ABOUT A SAFETY RECALL ON SEATBELTS IN AUGUST 2020 STATING THAT PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE AFTER NOV 2020. I CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER LAST WEEK AND APPARENTLY THEY DO NOT HAVE THE PARTS TO MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. I AM VERY CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. CURRENTLY, THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT IS DIFFICULT TO OPEN WITH ONE CLICK. IT REQUIRES A FEW PUSHES TO UNLOCK THE SEAT BELT AND THIS IS OUR MAIN CONCERN. I CALLED VOLVO CORP THIS MORNING AND THEY ARE UNAWARE OF ANY TIMELINE OF WHEN THE PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE. THEY HAVE ALSO MADE AN ERROR IN STATING THE PHONE NUMBER FOR NHTSA IN THEIR LETTER TO THE PUBLIC. THE LETTER STATES 800-327-4236, WHICH IS INCORRECT.

12/14/2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLVO XC60. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V378000 (SEAT BELTS) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT CALLED TO GORGES VOLVO CARS (17665 BURT ST, OMAHA, NE 68118; (402) 359-1500) WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

1/4/2021

4 more complaints are available in this category.

SERVICE BRAKES

3 Reports7% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

CITY SAFETY BRAKES FOR NO REASON. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, BRAKES GRAB AND CAR LUNGES FORWARD, SOMETIME THE CITY SAFETY MESSAGE APPEARS AND OTHER TIMES IT DOES NOT. I WAS BREAKING FOR A STOP WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO REAR ENDED BECAUSE OF THE SUDDEN STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES. HAS ME WORRIED IF WIFE IS DRIVING. DEALER SAID THERE IS NO PROBLEM, NOT SO!

10/31/2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLVO XC60. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE BRAKES ENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT AND OCCURRED TEMPORARILY. VOLVO CARS PRINCETON (2931 BRUNSWICK PIKE, LAWRENCE TOWNSHIP, NEW JERSEY 08648) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. IT WAS UNKNOWN AS TO WHETHER OR NOT THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 9,000.

8/14/2018

1 more complaint is available in this category.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 Reports7% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

There was (still is) an issue with my 2016 Volvo XC60's electrical wiring. I was driving, about to get onto the highway when my volvo stalled on the on ramp. It wouldn't start, it couldn't be jumped. It had to be towed to the repair shop. They charged me over $1,000.00 for a brand new starter, and after they did it started for one day and then it broke down again. I couldn't even drive it out of the repair shop. I had to get it towed again. The dealership said it was an electrical/wiring issue that could be very expensive. I have found out that there was a recall for 2015 XC60 Volvos for wiring/electrical issues causing the vehicle to stall. However my 2016 volvo XC60 does not qualify per the repair show due to the date it was manufactured. I'm submitting this form for a safety issue because volvo clearly KNEW about this issue enough to need recalls for 2015s. There should also be recalls for this same wiring/electrical issue in 2016s.

9/28/2023

Volvo xc60 sunroof drains clog and leak. Sunroof maintenance is not mentioned in owner's manual, and dealer does not clear drains during regular service unless specifically asked to. Leak causes damage to electronic systems including airbag system. While any sunroof has the potential to leak, this leak is caused by a design failure - their design makes it easier for debris to ingress into the tracks and clog them. Cost to fix issue and replace sunroof is over $5000. This is a known problem with numerous forums and videos on the internet describing and promoting 'fixes' for, but in reality, Volvo needs to provide a real solution.

9/5/2025

1 more complaint is available in this category.

AIR BAGS

2 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

I DROVE MY CAR TO THE GARAGE AND WANT TO TURN OFF THE CAR. THE CAR SUDDENLY START TO ACCELERATE AND WENT THROUGH MY GARAGE DOOR. ALL SIDE AIRBAGS ARE POPPED UP, BUT NOT FRONT AIRBAG. *DT *AS AROUND A YEAR AGO, WHEN MY DROVE HER CAR SLOWLY DUE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE CAR STOPPED AND NEEDED TO TURN ON THE CAR. I AM NOT THE EXPERT BUT THINK THE ELECTRIC CONTROL SYSTEM MAY HAVE PROBLEM OF MY CAR.

9/22/2019

2016 volvo xc60 t5 has “srs airbag service urgent”. The message came without having any kind of an accident. The dealer says it’s due to electrical wiring or front seat movement.

8/24/2024

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

2 Reports5% of total

Previewing the first 2 complaint summaries.

ADAPTIVE BENDING LIGHTS GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND HEADLAMP MALFUNCTION WARNING ON DASH.

3/30/2021

The plastic lenses that cover the headlights have fogged up in less than 4 years the lights are no longer bright enough to provide proper driving conditions at night. I spoke with volvo and they said that lenses are not covered even though the cat is still under warranty. This is very car but refuse to fix the problem. This is a major safety issue and I would hope that your department can help protect those that have this issue before someone gets hurt. I amino longe comfortable driving the car at night.

9/1/2021

POWER TRAIN

1 Report2% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 8, 2016, AT 10:00 A.M., I PUT MY CAR IN PARK ON MY DRIVEWAY. MY CAR WAS STATIONARY ON MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I EXITED IT AND WENT INTO MY GARAGE. WHEN I TURNED AROUND, MY UNOCCUPIED CAR WAS COMING TOWARD ME FROM THE DRIVEWAY INTO THE GARAGE. I WAS UNABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY OF THE CAR AND ENDED UP PINNED BETWEEN THE LEFT WALL OF MY GARAGE, A RECYCLE CAN, AND THE CAR. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR WAS ROLLING INTO THE GARAGE IN A STRAIGHT LINE, WHICH LEFT JUST ENOUGH SPACE BETWEEN MY BODY, THE CAR, AND THE WALL; OTHERWISE, I WOULD HAVE BEEN CRUSHED AND KILLED. A LARGE RECYCLE TRASH CAN AND A LADDER STOPPED THE CAR BEFORE IT CONTINUED STRAIGHT THROUGH THE REAR GARAGE WALL AND INTO MY FAMILY ROOM WHERE MY DISABLED HUSBAND WAS SITTING. A WORKMAN ON MY PROPERTY, WHO WITNESSED THE ENTIRE EVENT, HELPED ME GET OUT OF THE SPACE BETWEEN THE WALL AND CAR AND REMOVED THE CAR FROM THE GARAGE. I MUST HAVE BEEN IN A STATE OF SHOCK FROM THE ACCIDENT BECAUSE I CANNOT REMEMBER SOME DETAILS AND MUST HAVE BEEN HIT BY THE CAR BECAUSE I STILL HAVE DAMAGE TO MY LEFT LEG AND PAIN IN MY LOWER BODY; ALSO, THE CAR HAD DAMAGE TO ITS LEFT FENDER. I VISITED MY DOCTOR REGARDING THE INJURY TO MY LEFT LEG AND THE PAIN TO THE LOWER PART OF MY BODY. MY HUSBAND NOTIFIED VOLVO ABOUT THE INCIDENT. THE COMPANY HAD THE CAR TOWED TO ITS FACILITY WHERE IT WAS RUN THROUGH A BATTERY OF TESTS. EVEN THOUGH THE COMPANY CLAIMS THAT IT FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND TOOK NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE INCIDENT, I THINK THAT IT IS STILL IMPORTANT TO REPORT THIS INCIDENT IN CASE IT HAPPENS TO SOMEONE ELSE IN THE FUTURE. MY UNOCCUPIED CAR MOVED FORWARD FROM A STATIONARY, PARKED POSITION. I WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO EXIT MY CAR IF IT WERE PLACED IN ANY OTHER GEAR THAN PARK.

6/20/2016

VISIBILITY/WIPER

1 Report2% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

THE WINDSHIELD IS LEAKING HEAVILY FROM THE TOP AND CONDENSATION IMPAIRS VISIBILITY. THIS IS EFFECTING SOME OF THE SAFETY AND ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS, SUCH AS THE PASSENGER AIRBAG AND DOOR CONTROLS.

7/21/2020

SEATS

1 Report2% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

ADAPTIVE BENDING LIGHTS GO OFF INTERMITTENTLY AND HEADLAMP MALFUNCTION WARNING ON DASH.

3/30/2021

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

1 Report2% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

See attached document for complaint

8/21/2024

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 Report2% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

See attached document for complaint.

5/6/2025

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

1 Report2% of total

Previewing the first 1 complaint summaries.

See attached document for complaint.

5/6/2025

About This Data

Data and Methodology

MethodologyHow we score →

Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.

FAQ

What are the most common owner complaints for the 2016 Volvo XC60?

The most reported complaint category for the 2016 Volvo XC60 is ENGINE, with 14 owner reports. That is about 32% of all complaints logged here. Other recurring themes include ENGINE, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, SEAT BELTS.

Are complaints about the 2016 Volvo XC60 a serious warning sign?

Potentially. 25 complaint reports fall into higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components. That does not prove every vehicle has a defect, but repeated complaints in those systems justify a more careful pre-purchase inspection.

How should buyers use complaint data for the 2016 Volvo XC60?

Use complaints as an early pattern to investigate, not a standalone verdict. Start with the top complaint categories, compare those themes against the recall report and maintenance guide, then inspect service records for evidence that the same problem areas were already addressed. If the same issue appears repeatedly across complaints and recalls, treat it as a real ownership-risk flag.

Are complaints about the 2016 Volvo XC60 severe?

25 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems such as brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection before purchase.

Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.

Read complaint summaries

Volvo XC60: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?

Use complaint patterns together with recalls and maintenance guidance to estimate ownership risk and inspection priorities.

Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.

Return to full vehicle report
Complaint entries
44
Top-topic view
5 grouped topics shown
Primary source
NHTSA ODI owner complaint records

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In this guide

  1. 01Overview
  2. 02Common Problems
  3. 03Owner Complaints
  4. 04Data and Methodology

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