The Lemon Index
2017
20192nd generation
18 owner complaints, first 3 years 23–26 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2018 Lincoln MKX 162018 Audi Q7 802018 Volvo XC90 53
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 12 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 25V818000 (seats), 20V503000 (visibility) and 19V220000 (seats) 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?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any rust or damage underneath, or doors and hatches that don't close right?
- Volvo sent dealers 515 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 18 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 1K to 22K miles (2K to 35K km) on the car (12 of all 18 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.
In owners' words
The brake rotor has severe warping with less than 27k miles on the vehicle. The brake pads per the dealer are in good condition.
2018 Volvo XC60 owner · NHTSA complaint 11352727
Fixes owners look up most.
From 200 YouTube videos · 38.3M views · 2018–2025 Volvo XC60
Most-watched topics
- Gauges, lights & wiring397K views
2018-2020 Volvo S60 Maintenance Light Reset. 2017-2020 Volvo XC90/XC60/S90/V90/ maintenance resetJJ Banuelos · 397K views - Infotainment, battery & electrical357K views
2018 - 2021 Volvo XC60 Remote Key Fob Battery Replacement - How To Change Or Replace Key BatteriesPYR Automotive · 357K views
Before you buy, watch
2018–2026 Volvo XC60: A Complete Reliability GuideThe Long Last Expert · 231K views
Volvo XC60 buyers guide Gen 2 (2017-2025) Avoid buying a broken Volvo XC60 (Cheap D4 D5 T5 T6 T8)The Miles Driven · 168K viewsViews show how many people looked up each fix, not how often it breaks. Videos belong to their creators; we link to them. The 2018 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 515 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This is a Technical Journal: Brake vibrations due to lockable wheel screws
- This is a Technical Journal: The check engine light (CEL) may be illuminated without any other…
- VOLVO CARS SERVICE AND PARTS BUSINESS Technical Journal TITLE : Knocking noise from rear…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Seats · recall issued 2025 New: most likely still open
The front seat bolts may have been improperly tightened, resulting in loose bolts.
- Visibility · recall issued 2020
The nuts that secure the front wipers may not have been sufficiently tightened, possibly causing the wipers to not function properly.
- Seats · recall issued 2019
The driver and passenger front seat rail rear flange nuts may not have been installed during assembly.
Show all 5 recalls
- Body structure · recall issued 2019
Under certain conditions and cold temperatures, the tailgate lifting arms may freeze which may cause the lifting arms to separate from the vehicle.
- Electrical · recall issued 2018
The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improperly.
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 XC60 T5 SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Volvo XC60 T5 SUV FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Volvo XC60 T6 SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
| Volvo XC60 T6 SUV FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,900–$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 XC60 year. 2018 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 2018 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/volvo-xc60/?y=2018" 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-xc60/2018/">Lemon Index</a> (2018 Volvo XC60 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2018 Volvo XC60 reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 54; 100 is average, lower is better). The Volvo XC60 year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2016.
What are the most common 2018 Volvo XC60 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (33%), electrical (28%) and body structure (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2018 Volvo XC60 have?
5 safety recalls (latest: seats). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Volvo XC60 get?
23 to 26 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2018 Volvo XC60 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2018 Volvo XC60 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,900 to $3,250 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2018 Volvo XC60 have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Volvo XC60 year is better than the 2018?
Nearby, the 2019 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (a bit under 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