VEHICLE BUYER'S GUIDE
Volvo S602001–2026
Year-by-year buyer intelligence from NHTSA safety data — reliability, value, and which years to target or avoid.
Best Years to Buy a Volvo S60
Buyer Score combines reliability (65%) and depreciation value (35%) — higher is better.
Volvo S60 Years to Avoid
6 recalls · 136 complaints
1 reported injury
Top issue: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
5 recalls · 119 complaints
6 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
5 recalls · 108 complaints
6 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Federal Defect Investigations
NHTSA investigations are the stage that precedes a recall. 3 past investigations into the S60 became recalls.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Data current as of October 28, 2026.
Volvo S60 — Year-by-Year Comparison
Every model year ranked by Buyer Score. Click any year for its detailed problem report.
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Reliability | Value | Buyer Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 92 | 44 | 75 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 92 | 59 | 80 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 1 | 22 | — | — | 77 | 72 | 75 | Good |
| 2023 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 92 | 82 | 89 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 0 | 10 | — | — | 92 | 89 | 91 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 0 | 11 | — | — | 91 | 92 | 91 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 2 | 9 | — | — | 87 | 91 | 88 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 2 | 14 | — | — | 82 | 87 | 84 | Good |
| 2018 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 92 | 81 | 88 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 3 | 8 | 1 | — | 83 | 74 | 80 | Good |
| 2016 | 2 | 23 | — | — | 73 | 67 | 71 | Good |
| 2015 | 2 | 41 | — | — | 67 | 60 | 65 | Good |
| 2014 | 3 | 18 | — | — | 75 | 54 | 68 | Good |
| 2013 | 3 | 50 | 7 | — | 67 | 49 | 61 | Caution |
| 2012 | 3 | 86 | 8 | — | 67 | 45 | 59 | Avoid |
| 2011 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 87 | 42 | 71 | Excellent |
| 2010 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 92 | 42 | 75 | Excellent |
| 2009 | 2 | 6 | — | — | 90 | 42 | 73 | Excellent |
| 2008 | 1 | 4 | 2 | — | 91 | 42 | 74 | Excellent |
| 2007 | 1 | 17 | 4 | — | 74 | 42 | 63 | Good |
| 2006 | 2 | 25 | — | — | 71 | 42 | 61 | Good |
| 2005 | 2 | 33 | — | — | 67 | 42 | 58 | Good |
| 2004 | 5 | 119 | 6 | — | 67 | 42 | 58 | Avoid |
| 2003 | 6 | 76 | — | — | 67 | 42 | 58 | Caution |
| 2002 | 5 | 108 | 6 | — | 67 | 42 | 58 | Avoid |
| 2001 | 6 | 136 | 1 | — | 67 | 42 | 58 | Avoid |
Buyer Score = Reliability (65%) + Value window (35%). Deaths and injuries sourced from NHTSA complaint filings. Year links open full NHTSA problem reports.
Known Volvo S60 Problems
Most frequently reported components across all model years, from NHTSA owner complaints.
Complaint counts across all model years. Numbers indicate frequency, not severity.
Shopping by Era
How each generation of the S60 compares — best year within each era shown.
2018–Present
Modern safety tech, refreshed platforms, updated powertrains. Higher purchase price but lower reliability risk. Best pick in this era: 2021 (Buyer Score 91).
2013–2017
Mid-decade models in the depreciation sweet spot — typically 35–55% below original MSRP. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and recall completion. Best: 2017 (Buyer Score 80).
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best year S60 to buy?+
The 2021 Volvo S60 scores highest on our Buyer Score (91/100) — combining a reliability score of 91/100 with a value score of 92/100. It has 0 recalls and 11 NHTSA complaints on record.
Which S60 years have the most problems?+
The 2001, 2004, 2002 model years have the highest problem scores in our analysis. The 2001 S60 leads with 6 recalls and 136 owner complaints.
What is the Buyer Score?+
The Buyer Score is a composite metric that combines reliability (65% weight) and depreciation value (35% weight). Reliability reflects recall and complaint severity. Value reflects how much of the vehicle's depreciation has already been absorbed by prior owners — a 4–6 year old vehicle typically sits in the sweet spot.
What are the most common S60 problems?+
The most frequently reported Volvo S60 issues involve: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM. These are aggregated across all model years from NHTSA owner complaint filings. Frequency of complaints does not necessarily indicate severity.
Deep-Dive Research
A buyer's guide shows model-level risk. A VIN report shows the individual vehicle — accidents, odometer history, open recalls, and auction records.