Volvo S60 Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Volvo S60 model year (2001–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Volvo S60 Years to Avoid
4 recalls · 136 complaints
1 reported injury
Top issue: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Problem score: 150
3 recalls · 119 complaints
6 reported injuries
Top issue: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Problem score: 140
3 recalls · 108 complaints
6 reported injuries
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 129
Best Volvo S60 Years to Buy
0 recalls · 2 complaints
Main area: SERVICE BRAKES
Problem score: 2
1 recall · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 3
1 recall · 2 complaints
Main area: BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA
Problem score: 5
Found the right year? Verify that specific S60 with a free VIN report.
Volvo S60 — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 1 | 21 | — | — | 24 | Good |
| 2023 | 1 | 2 | — | — | 5 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 1 | 10 | — | — | 13 | Excellent |
| 2021 | 1 | 9 | — | — | 12 | Excellent |
| 2020 | 1 | 6 | — | — | 9 | Excellent |
| 2019 | 1 | 14 | — | — | 17 | Good |
| 2018 | 0 | 2 | — | — | 2 | Excellent |
| 2017 | 3 | 7 | 1 | — | 18 | Good |
| 2016 | 3 | 21 | — | — | 30 | Good |
| 2015 | 1 | 40 | — | — | 43 | Good |
| 2014 | 2 | 18 | — | — | 24 | Good |
| 2013 | 2 | 49 | 7 | — | 69 | Caution |
| 2012 | 3 | 86 | 8 | — | 111 | Avoid |
| 2011 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 15 | Good |
| 2010 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2009 | 3 | 6 | — | — | 15 | Good |
| 2008 | 2 | 4 | 2 | — | 14 | Excellent |
| 2007 | 2 | 17 | 4 | — | 31 | Good |
| 2006 | 2 | 25 | — | — | 31 | Good |
| 2005 | 2 | 33 | — | — | 39 | Good |
| 2004 | 3 | 119 | 6 | — | 140 | Avoid |
| 2003 | 2 | 76 | — | — | 82 | Caution |
| 2002 | 3 | 108 | 6 | — | 129 | Avoid |
| 2001 | 4 | 136 | 1 | — | 150 | Avoid |
All 26 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Volvo S60 Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent S60 models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 0 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
2013–2017
Best: 2017Mid-decade S60 units are entering high-mileage territory. Inspect carefully for powertrain wear and verify recall completion status. The 2017 shows the lowest problem count for this era.
Pre-2013
Proceed with CautionOlder S60 models have more accumulated wear and a larger recall history. These are higher-risk purchases without documented maintenance records and a clean VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year S60 should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2001 Volvo S60 if possible. It has 4 recalls, 136 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 150 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year S60 to buy?+
The 2018 Volvo S60 is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 2. It has only 0 recalls and 2 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which S60 has the fewest problems?+
The 2018, 2025, 2023 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Volvo S60 Research
Check a Specific Volvo S60 VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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