The Lemon Index
201520172nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 14,789 in the U.S. in 2016 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 7 complaints in its first 3 years.
7 owner complaints, first 3 years 21–30 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2016 BMW 3 Series 352016 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 542016 Audi A4 35
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 6 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 16V798000 (seat belts) done? It has 4 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Volvo sent dealers 350 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Noise from timing belt during idling DESCRIPTION: Noise from the timing belt may occur on new…”?
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 7 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 6K to 36K miles (10K to 58K km) on the car (6 of all 7 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 350 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Noise from timing belt during idling DESCRIPTION: Noise from the timing belt may occur on new…
- Drive-E: Low oil level message in Driver Information Module (DIM) Lubrication and oil…
- This is a technical journal : if an engine still has a high level of oil consumption despite…
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.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2016
On the affected vehicles, the front passenger seat belt buckle attaching stud may loosen, allowing the buckle to separate from the seat belt bracket.
Show all 4 recalls
- Electrical · recall issued 2015
In certain driving conditions when using the automatic engine stop/start function, the starter motor fuse may blow, preventing the car from restarting when necessary.
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 FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Volvo S60 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ |
| Volvo S60CC 4 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,000–$3,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 5-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
Every Volvo S60 year. 2016 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 2016 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/volvo-s60/?y=2016" 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-s60/2016/">Lemon Index</a> (2016 Volvo S60 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2016 Volvo S60 reliable?
We can't score it: only 14,789 were sold in the U.S. in 2016 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2016 Volvo S60 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (43%), electrical (29%) and fuel system (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 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 2016 Volvo S60 get?
21 to 30 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 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 2016 Volvo S60 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Volvo S60 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,000 to $3,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Volvo S60 have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 5-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Volvo S60 year is better than the 2016?
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