The Lemon Index
201120131st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 19,139 in the U.S. in 2012 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 6 complaints in its first 3 years.
6 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–21 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2012 Lincoln MKX 472012 Lincoln Navigator2012 Cadillac SRX 72
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), 12V101000 (body structure) and 12V075000 (electrical) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Volvo sent dealers 254 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “If a grinding noise occur from the front wheelhub and/or BCM-C003307 or BCM-C003007 DTCs are…”?
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 6 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 0K to 41K miles (1K to 66K km) on the car (6 of all 6 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.
Fixes owners look up most.
From 199 YouTube videos · 24.0M views · 2010–2017 Volvo XC60
Most-watched topics
- Gauges, lights & wiring566K views
2017 Volvo XC60 Maintenance Light ResetThe G Automotive And More · 287K views · 3 videos - Oil changes & service459K views
Volvo Maintenance Required Message Reset Quick! 2012 XC60 steps in description, easy!Forrest Blank · 137K views · 7 videos - Infotainment, battery & electrical439K views
2009 - 2015 Volvo XC60 Remote Key Fob Battery Change - How To Remove Replace XC 60 Key BatteriesPYR Automotive · 326K views · 4 videos - Heat, A/C & blend door222K views
How to Replace Cabin Air Filter 2016 Volvo XC60 | AQ1176CFilterheads · 114K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
- Brakes & ABS121K views
Volvo XC60 (2008-2017) How to replace a brake light Bulb / GlobeJay B · 66K views · 2 videos - Steering & suspension121K views
Volvo XC60 Front Strut Replacement DIY (2010-2016 Volvo P3 XC60, T5, T6, R-Design)FCP Euro · 69K views · 2 videos - No-start: theft light, key & ignition50K views
2011 Volvo XC60 won't startBrunswickIndustrial · 50K views - Timing chain & engine46K views
GUIDE. 2012 Volvo XC60 DIY full service, including service message reset.Mike the mechanic · 26K views · 2 videos
Before you buy, watch
Volvo XC60 SUV 2014 review - CarbuyerCarbuyer · 1.0M views
Volvo XC60 SUV (2008-2013) review - CarBuyerCarbuyer · 690K views
🤞 🇸🇪 Used Volvo S60 XC60 XC70 Reliability | Most Common Problems Faults and Issues | 2008 - 2017 |MechAdventures · 295K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2012 is the same generation.
Costs are the middle (median) of the dollar amounts people say out loud in these videos, so one wild number can't swing it. They aren't verified bills or sales; real prices depend on year, miles, condition and where you live. Tap Hear it to jump to the moment.
Problems Volvo told dealers about
Volvo sent dealers 254 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- If a grinding noise occur from the front wheelhub and/or BCM-C003307 or BCM-C003007 DTCs are…
- If oil leakage is suspected from the steering gear, make sure it is oil leakage and not…
- This is a Technical Journal: rough shift at N to D or down coast from 5 to 4 then follow service
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- 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.
- 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.
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 XC60 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Volvo XC60 SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,850–$3,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.0L 6-cyl, 3.2L 6-cyl.
Every Volvo XC60 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. #1, #2… = that year's YouTube rank among the 11 Volvo XC60 years with enough videos (#1 = the year owners and reviewers talk about most positively). It is not a reliability rank.
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-xc60/?y=2012" title="Volvo XC60 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="491" 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-xc60/2012/">Lemon Index</a> (2012 Volvo XC60 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2012 Volvo XC60 reliable?
We can't score it: only 19,139 were sold in the U.S. in 2012 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 6 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2012 Volvo XC60 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are steering (33%), transmission & drivetrain (17%) and speed control (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Volvo XC60 have?
3 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 XC60 get?
20 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2012 Volvo XC60 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 XC60 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Volvo XC60 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,850 to $3,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Volvo XC60 have?
3.0L 6-cyl, 3.2L 6-cyl.
What Volvo XC60 year is better than the 2012?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit over half as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2016 drew the fewest.
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