It's known how safe and reliable Volvo vehicles are, and the XC60 has to offer so much in terms of luxury and comfort. While the car is among the most reliable in the category, there are some Volvo XC60 years to avoid.
Luckily, our team went one step further to deliver all the necessary information to you so you can easily pick the most reliable model year from both generations. To do that, we'll go on a tour through the model years and their ratings according to NHTSA complaints, reliability reports, common problems, and other relevant aspects.
How we rated the best and worst Volvo XC60 years
To properly evaluate the Volvo XC60 years, our team used a variety of sources including reputable automotive agencies like NHTSA and IIHS. We made sure to bring only double-checked information to the table so you can rest assured of the reliability of certain models we’ll discuss, and we started with NHTSA complaints and official recalls.
We also listened to what drivers had to say about the car through their ownership reviews on Edmunds, KBB, Consumer Reports, and other channels with authority in the industry. Based on all these, here’s a list of both the best and worst model years:
| Volvo XC60 Generation | Best Volvo XC60 Years | Worst Volvo XC60 Years |
|---|---|---|
| 1st generation | 2009 (not sold in the US), 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016 | 2010, 2015 |
| 2nd generation | 2017, 2021 | 2018, 2020 |
Most common Volvo XC60 problems
You can think of a Volvo as that silent kid in class who never stood out much but always had all the answers when needed. That’s a perfect depiction of the XC60, a reliable compact SUV that looks good but is not as sharp and catchy as some other vehicles in the category perhaps.
Nevertheless, there are some great model years in terms of reliability, but there are also some less impressive options, so we’ll discuss those along with their common issues:
1. Faulty braking components
We all know how safety-obsessed Volvo is as it was one of the first car brands to include an airbag in their production car. So, having a problem related to the braking system that could endanger the driver and passengers simply wasn’t going to cut it.
Volvo initiated a recall in 2021 to deal with faulty braking shafts that left too much space between the pads and the rotors. Reduced braking pressure led to longer stopping distances, so the matter had to be dealt with immediately.
On top of that, there was a chance of the antilock brake system (ABS) and the electronic stability control systems not engaging, so Volvo took care of that with the recall.
2. Tire pressure monitoring faults
Another common issue that the XC60 drivers have faced revolves around the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). This system measures the pressure consistency in all four tires and lights up a dashboard warning in case something’s off.
So, numerous drivers reported seeing TPMS messages and not being able to reset the tire pressure light regularly. While this caused a lot of confusion, there was never a recall for it at NHTSA, so make sure the system works before you buy.
3. Software faults
Issues regarding the software in the second-generation Volvo XC60 were the most prominent besides the braking system faults. These issues mostly include responsive infotainment systems and that’s one of the frequent faults of modern cars if we are being honest.
Problems have also occurred when it comes to using car systems to connect with Android and iOS devices, as well as Bluetooth connectivity. Finally, some drivers have reported trouble with remote dialing options and that led to repairs concerning the software that needed to be reprogrammed.
4. Visibility issues
Finally, the last group of problems we’ll discuss for the XC60 includes visibility issues. These problems have been around for quite some time, ever since the first generation got introduced. These mostly included windshield leaks that resulted in water leaking inside the car and problems with inoperative wipers.
Because of the wiper issue, Volvo issued yet another recall in 2020 regarding improper wiper linkages that caused the wiper operation to seize. So, recalled car owners could once again count on their windshield wipers on rainy and snowy days. Because of that, you should check if the XC60 you’ve had your eyes on has been through the recall.
Worst Volvo XC60 years to avoid
When discussing the particular XC60 years to avoid, you should know that this model is one of the most reliable SUVs in the compact class. It doesn’t have many recalls or reliability issues that caused poor ratings of the car, making it more difficult to pick the problematic years. NHTSA has fewer than 80 complaints for any single XC60 year, so the verdicts below lean on recalls and known problems rather than complaint counts. Still, our team gave its best to bring you the least reliable years, so let’s answer the big question - what are the worst Volvo XC60 years?
The worst Volvo XC60 years are 2010 and 2018, but you should stay clear of any of those:
- 2010
- 2015
- 2018
- 2020
We’ll also give you a few pointers on their common issues and explain why they were so problematic in the first place.
First-generation Volvo XC60 (2010 and 2015 model years)
The 2010 model year is by far the worst XC60 year if that’s even what we can call it since it’s also quite reliable. Still, it has seven recalls, one of the highest counts of any XC60 year, so we had to proclaim it that one problematic year that deserves looking away.
Still, the 2011 is among the most reliable so far (the 2009 was never sold in the US), so it’s easy to simply steer away from the 2010 model and pick the 2011. Some of the main problems that drivers have had with the 2010 Volvo XC60 include electrical issues, braking problems, and tire pressure monitoring system malfunctions.
The 2015 model year also drew complaints, so you should be careful with that one as well. The 2015 owners have complained about wiring fuses and circuit breakers among the biggest problems.
Second-generation Volvo XC60 (2018 and 2020 model years)
The 2018 and 2020 model years of the XC60 still received just a few complaints, but that was enough to set them apart from the rest. If you are looking at the second-gen XC60, it’s best to avoid these two model years due to their software errors and even some airbag problems like faulty SRS modules.
On top of that, there were instances of drivers struggling with the inoperable forward collision detection system, so that’s another thing to keep an eye out for.
What are the best Volvo XC60 years to buy?
As mentioned, the XC60 is a rather reliable compact SUV and perhaps it’s one of the best in its class. So, we can’t go past the best production years, and our team wanted it to provide you with a list of the best model years to choose from:
- 2009 (not sold in the US)
- 2011
- 2012
- 2014
- 2016
- 2017
- 2021
The XC60 makes a great pick and the first-generation models offer impressive luxury and style for the current market price. We can’t pick any particular years that stand out, but if we had to, we’d recommend 2011 and 2014 as those that stand out just a tiny bit.
When it comes to the second-gen XC60, the 2022 model actually has the most NHTSA complaints of any XC60 year, so the 2021 is the safer bet.
2011 Volvo XC60
The 2011 Volvo XC60 model is among the most reliable ones with great driver feedback and it only struggled with a few seatbelt complaints and a few body and paint issues. Other than that, we can safely say it’s one of the most underestimated XC60 models out there with a great reliability rating and decent engine options that are bound to serve you well.
Is the Volvo XC60 worth buying?
Yes, the Volvo XC60 is worth buying if you can afford this premium-style compact SUV with all the features that one could need. Even the least reliable model years are still somewhat reliable due to the extremely low number of driver complaints that this model received.
So, we at least hope that this guide will see you on the right track when it comes to buying the best XC60 possible that will serve you for years to come.
When considering luxury SUVs make sure to first check out articles like Acura RDX years to avoid, BMW X3 years to avoid, and Lexus GX 460 years to avoid. As with any high-end vehicle, certain model years might not live up to the expected standards of reliability and satisfaction.
What is the best model year for Volvo XC60?
There’s no clear winner since complaints are low for every XC60 year, but the 2011 is a safe first-generation pick with few problems.
Which Volvo XC60 engine is best?
Outside the US, the best Volvo XC60 engine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine with impressively low fuel consumption and decent torque for the size of the car.
How many miles does Volvo XC60 last?
Volvo doesn’t publish a lifespan figure, but a properly serviced and maintained XC60 should last for many years.