The Lemon Index
201520171st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: brakes
Fewest complaints of its generation (1st generation).
6 owner complaints, first 3 years 20–26 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2016 Lincoln MKX 1932016 Volvo XC90 1342016 Lincoln Navigator
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), 16V798000 (seat belts) and 15V555000 (electrical) done? 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 slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Volvo sent dealers 353 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “This is a Technical Journal: Brake vibrations due to lockable wheel screws”?
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 →
In owners' words
I drove my car to the garage and want to turn off the car. The car suddenly start to accelerate and went through my garage door. All side airbags are popped up, but not front airbag.
2016 Volvo XC60 owner · NHTSA complaint 11257227
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 2016 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 353 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This is a Technical Journal: Brake vibrations due to lockable wheel screws
- VOLVO CARS SERVICE AND PARTS BUSINESS Technical Journal TITLE : Front brake caliper - Noise…
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 XC60 SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Volvo XC60 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,300–$3,400 (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 XC60 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. #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 2016 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/volvo-xc60/?y=2016" 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-xc60/2016/">Lemon Index</a> (2016 Volvo XC60 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2016 Volvo XC60 reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a quarter as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 27; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2016 Volvo XC60 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (50%), transmission & drivetrain (17%) and airbags (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2016 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 2016 Volvo XC60 get?
20 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2016 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 2016 Volvo XC60 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 17% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2016 Volvo XC60 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,300 to $3,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2016 Volvo XC60 have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 5-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Volvo XC60 year than the 2016?
Not nearby: the 2016 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Volvo XC60 years within 3 model years of it.
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