The Lemon Index
2018
20203rd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 17,526 in the U.S. in 2019 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 13 complaints in its first 3 years.
13 owner complaints, first 3 years 25–31 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2019 BMW 3 Series 132019 Audi A4 172019 Lexus IS
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 5 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 23V780000 (airbags), 21V414000 (electrical) and 20V144000 (automatic emergency braking) done? It has 4 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?
- Has it ever braked hard for no reason? Ask whether the safety-system software was updated.
- Volvo sent dealers 276 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “This is a Technical Journal: IHU, scratching/screeching/electrical noise from sound system…”?
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 13 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 13K to 20K miles (22K to 33K km) on the car (5 of all 13 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 276 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This is a Technical Journal: IHU, scratching/screeching/electrical noise from sound system…
- This is a Technical Journal: Creaking noise from Steering Wheel Module
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Airbags · recall issued 2023
The passenger air bag may not be secured properly, which can cause the air bag to deploy improperly.
- Electrical · recall issued 2021
The low-pressure fuel pump can blow a fuse and fail.
- Automatic emergency braking · recall issued 2020
Due to a software/hardware incompatibility, the Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB) system may not detect obstacles and engage as intended.
Show all 4 recalls
- Suspension · recall issued 2019
The rear suspension toe link flange lock nuts may not have been properly tightened, possibly resulting in a sudden change in vehicle handling.
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
Government investigations
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo S60 T5 4 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Volvo S60 T6 4 DR AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,400–$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.
Every Volvo S60 year. 2019 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 2019 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/volvo-s60/?y=2019" 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-s60/2019/">Lemon Index</a> (2019 Volvo S60 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2019 Volvo S60 reliable?
We can't score it: only 17,526 were sold in the U.S. in 2019 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 13 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2019 Volvo S60 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (31%), automatic emergency braking (15%) and wheels (8%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2019 Volvo S60 have?
4 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2019 Volvo S60 get?
25 to 31 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2019 Volvo S60 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2019 Volvo S60 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,400 to $3,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2019 Volvo S60 have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Volvo S60 year is better than the 2019?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2014 drew the fewest (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