The Lemon Index

All carsVolvoXC602013

2012 Volvo XC60, 1st generation, illustration2012
2013 Volvo XC60, 1st generation, illustration
2014 Volvo XC60, 1st generation, illustration2014

2013 Volvo XC60 problems.

1st generation

Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 19,766 in the U.S. in 2013 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 4 complaints in its first 3 years.

Better years to buy

This generation201627201733201061
Other generations201938202039201854

All 16 yearsCompare

4 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–21 mpg combined, EPA

Similar cars, same year

2013 Lincoln MKX 662013 Audi Q7 152013 Volvo XC90

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

  1. Were recalls 20V378000 (seat belts), 13V084000 (equipment) and 12V439000 (airbags) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
  2. Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
  3. Any steering noise, wander or power-steering warning? Has the steering rack or pump been replaced?
  4. Volvo sent dealers 262 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 4 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:

0crashesaverage car: 0
0injuriesaverage car: 0
0firesaverage car: 0
0towsaverage car: 0

“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.

equipment adaptive / mobility25%
electrical25%
steering25%

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 →

Fixes owners look up most.

From 199 YouTube videos · 24.0M views · 2010–2017 Volvo XC60

Most-watched topics

  1. Gauges, lights & wiring566K views
    2017 Volvo XC60 Maintenance Light Reset2017 Volvo XC60 Maintenance Light ResetThe G Automotive And More · 287K views · 3 videos
  2. Oil changes & service459K views
    Volvo Maintenance Required Message Reset Quick! 2012 XC60 steps in description, easy!Volvo Maintenance Required Message Reset Quick! 2012 XC60 steps in description, easy!Forrest Blank · 137K views · 7 videos
  3. Infotainment, battery & electrical439K views
    2009 - 2015 Volvo XC60 Remote Key Fob Battery Change - How To Remove Replace XC 60 Key Batteries2009 - 2015 Volvo XC60 Remote Key Fob Battery Change - How To Remove Replace XC 60 Key BatteriesPYR Automotive · 326K views · 4 videos
  4. Heat, A/C & blend door222K views
    How to Replace Cabin Air Filter 2016 Volvo XC60 | AQ1176CHow to Replace Cabin Air Filter 2016 Volvo XC60 | AQ1176CFilterheads · 114K views · 3 videos
Show 4 more
  1. Brakes & ABS121K views
    Volvo XC60 (2008-2017) How to replace a brake light Bulb / GlobeVolvo XC60 (2008-2017) How to replace a brake light Bulb / GlobeJay B · 66K views · 2 videos
  2. Steering & suspension121K views
    Volvo XC60 Front Strut Replacement DIY (2010-2016 Volvo P3 XC60, T5, T6, R-Design)Volvo XC60 Front Strut Replacement DIY (2010-2016 Volvo P3 XC60, T5, T6, R-Design)FCP Euro · 69K views · 2 videos
  3. No-start: theft light, key & ignition50K views
    2011 Volvo XC60 won't start2011 Volvo XC60 won't startBrunswickIndustrial · 50K views
  4. Timing chain & engine46K views
    GUIDE. 2012 Volvo XC60 DIY full service, including service message reset.GUIDE. 2012 Volvo XC60 DIY full service, including service message reset.Mike the mechanic · 26K views · 2 videos

Before you buy, watch

Views show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2013 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 262 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…
  • Technical Journal TITLE : Engine Remote Start ( ERS ) , Technical Information REF NO : ISSUING…

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.

  • Equipment · recall issued 2013

    The product identification labels were printed with the incorrect manufacture year.

  • 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.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada

Every Volvo XC60 recall, all years · All Volvo recalls

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningOptional
Lane departure warningOptional
NHTSA front crash test of the 2013 Volvo XC60
Front crash test · NHTSA
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Volvo XC60 SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Volvo XC60 SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
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. 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. #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.

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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/volvo-xc60/?y=2013" 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-xc60/2013/">Lemon Index</a> (2013 Volvo XC60 reliability)</p>

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Quick answers

Is the 2013 Volvo XC60 reliable?

We can't score it: only 19,766 were sold in the U.S. in 2013 (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 2013 Volvo XC60 problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are equipment adaptive / mobility (25%), electrical (25%) and steering (25%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2013 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 2013 Volvo XC60 get?

20 to 21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Is the 2013 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 2013 Volvo XC60 have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.

How much does the 2013 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 2013 Volvo XC60 have?

3.0L 6-cyl, 3.2L 6-cyl.

What Volvo XC60 year is better than the 2013?

Nearby, the 2016 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a quarter 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

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Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data

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