The Lemon Index
20132nd generation
About average · most complaints: electrical
22 owner complaints, first 3 years 21–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 BMW 3 Series 242012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 192012 Lexus IS 16
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2012 Volvo S60
- Engine stalling17 complaintsmostly at 62,000–103,000 miles (100,000–166,000 km)
- Engine failure16 complaintsmostly at 82,000–125,000 miles (132,000–201,000 km)
- Oil consumption14 complaintsmostly at 62,000–105,000 miles (100,000–169,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 121 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Volvo S60 (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Only 19 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 20V378000 (seat belts), 19V849000 (latches/locks/linkages) and 13V592000 (engine) done? It has 8 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Volvo sent dealers 268 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Volvo has identified the noise reduction casing on the electric hydraulic power assisted steering”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Volvo's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 22 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 7K to 41K miles (11K to 66K km) on the car (19 of all 22 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Problems Volvo told dealers about
Volvo sent dealers 268 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Volvo has identified the noise reduction casing on the electric hydraulic power assisted steering
- Unstable rear suspension, pull or drift due to incorrect wheel alignment or rear wheel camber…
- Volvo has identified that upgrading the oil specification to ACEA A5/B5 Full Synthetic will…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 8
- Seat belts · recall issued 2020
The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.
- Latches/locks/linkages · recall issued 2019
A component within the door latches may break, making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
- Engine · recall issued 2013
In the affected vehicles, the vehicle may not alert the driver of a low oil pressure situation.
Show all 8 recalls
- Body structure · recall issued 2012
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60 AND XC60 PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- Electrical · recall issued 2012
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60, XC60, S80 AND XC70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 16, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 6, 2011.
- Equipment · recall issued 2011
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006-2012 C70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 15, 2005, THROUGH JULY 31, 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 S60 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 14, 2010, THROUGH APRIL 16, 2011, THAT…
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2011
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 18, 2011, THROUGH JANUARY 28, 2011.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2011
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 18, 2010, THROUGH MAY 5, 2011.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo S60 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Volvo S60 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,600–$2,850 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.5L 5-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Volvo S60 year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2012 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/volvo-s60/?y=2012" title="Volvo S60 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="284" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/volvo-s60/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Volvo S60 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Volvo S60 reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew somewhat fewer complaints than the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 85; 100 is average, lower is better). The Volvo S60 year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2014.
What are the most common 2012 Volvo S60 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (23%), engine (23%) and speed control (18%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Volvo S60 have?
8 safety recalls (latest: seat belts). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Volvo S60 get?
21 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Volvo S60 safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2012 Volvo S60 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2012 Volvo S60 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,600 to $2,850 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Volvo S60 have?
2.5L 5-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Volvo S60 year is better than the 2012?
Nearby, the 2014 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a third as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works