The Lemon Index
201220142nd generation
Better than average · most complaints: airbags
Better years to buy
20 owner complaints, first 3 years 21–24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2013 BMW 3 Series 682013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 392013 Cadillac CTS 84
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2013 Volvo S60
- Oil consumption19 complaintsmostly at 71,000–113,000 miles (115,000–182,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 87 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2013 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
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,700 and 32,000 miles (5,900–51,000 km) (the middle half of the 20 complaints, of all 20 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 20V378000 (seat belts), 19V849000 (latches/locks/linkages) and 13V084000 (equipment) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Volvo sent dealers 271 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “This is a Technical Journal: Brake vibrations due to lockable wheel screws”?
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 20 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 3K to 32K miles (6K to 51K km) on the car (20 of all 20 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.
In owners' words
Vehicle involved damage front and left frontal area. Speed 40-45 mph. No frontal or side curtain air bag and curtain deployment. Failure of collision warning system and electronical indicators, abs did not deploy.
2013 Volvo S60 owner · NHTSA complaint 10503753
Problems Volvo told dealers about
Volvo sent dealers 271 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This is a Technical Journal: Brake vibrations due to lockable wheel screws
- VOLVO CARS SERVICE AND PARTS BUSINESS Technical Journal TITLE : Front brake caliper - Noise…
- VOLVO CARS SERVICE AND PARTS BUSINESS Service Manager Bulletin TITLE : The Volvo Replacement…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- 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.
- Equipment · recall issued 2013
The product identification labels were printed with the incorrect manufacture year.
Show all 4 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2012
A manufacturing defect within the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) control unit may lead to an inadvertent deployment of the seat belt pretensioner and/or inflatable curtain.
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 $2,500–$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. 2013 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.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2013 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/volvo-s60/?y=2013" 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-s60/2013/">Lemon Index</a> (2013 Volvo S60 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2013 Volvo S60 reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about two-thirds as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 69; 100 is average, lower is better). The Volvo S60 year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2014.
What are the most common 2013 Volvo S60 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (25%), brakes (15%) and wheels (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2013 Volvo S60 have?
4 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 2013 Volvo S60 get?
21 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2013 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.
At what mileage do 2013 Volvo S60 problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 3,700 and 32,000 miles (5,900–51,000 km) (the middle half of the 20 complaints, of all 20 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2013 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2013 Volvo S60 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2013 Volvo S60 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,500 to $2,850 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2013 Volvo S60 have?
2.5L 5-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Volvo S60 year is better than the 2013?
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