The Lemon Index
201620182nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 12,454 in the U.S. in 2017 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 4 complaints in its first 3 years.
4 owner complaints, first 3 years 23–29 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2017 BMW 3 Series 152017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 782017 Audi A4 83
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 20V378000 (seat belts), 19V849000 (latches/locks/linkages) and 17V127000 (airbags) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Volvo sent dealers 257 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “If oil leakage is suspected from the steering gear, make sure it is oil leakage and not…”?
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 4 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 →
Problems Volvo told dealers about
Volvo sent dealers 257 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- If oil leakage is suspected from the steering gear, make sure it is oil leakage and not…
- This is a Technical Journal: Brake vibrations due to lockable wheel screws
- This is a Technical Journal: A whining or rattling sound may appear when revving up the engine
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- 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.
- Airbags · recall issued 2017
The affected vehicles have driver and front passenger seat side mounted side air bags (SAB) with inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
Show all 5 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2016
The affected vehicles have driver and front passenger seat side mounted side air bags (SAB) with inflator initiators that may fail to ignite during a crash.
- 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.
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 $2,050–$3,250 (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.
Every Volvo S60 year. 2017 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 2017 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/volvo-s60/?y=2017" 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-s60/2017/">Lemon Index</a> (2017 Volvo S60 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2017 Volvo S60 reliable?
We can't score it: only 12,454 were sold in the U.S. in 2017 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2017 Volvo S60 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (25%), wheels (25%) and engine (25%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2017 Volvo S60 have?
5 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 2017 Volvo S60 get?
23 to 29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2017 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 2017 Volvo S60 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2017 Volvo S60 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,050 to $3,250 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2017 Volvo S60 have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Volvo S60 year is better than the 2017?
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