The Lemon Index
202020222nd generation
30 owner complaints, first 3 years 23–27 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2021 Volvo XC90 402021 Lincoln Navigator2021 Audi Q5 120
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 25V179000 (electrical), 23V001000 (steering) and 21V716000 (brakes) done? It has 5 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.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Volvo sent dealers 223 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “This is a Technical Journal: Creaking noise from Steering Wheel Module”?
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 30 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
Without warning, car loses BLIS, electric windows and seats fail to work, ventilation system is inoperable. Supposedly fixed by dealer, but same issues have arisen within 60 days of repair.
2021 Volvo XC60 owner · NHTSA complaint 11486621
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 2021 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 223 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- This is a Technical Journal: Creaking noise from Steering Wheel Module
- SPA Brake noise
- Creaking noise from Steering Wheel Module (SWM)
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Electrical · recall issued 2025
The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.
- Steering · recall issued 2023
During steering gear assembly, double screws may have been assembled on top of each other, which can cause a screw to fall into the gearbox housing.
- Brakes · recall issued 2021
An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.
Show all 5 recalls
- Seat belts · recall issued 2021
The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly.
- Airbags · recall issued 2021
The Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) control unit may not have been properly attached to the car body and may detach during a crash.
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 | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Volvo XC60 T5 SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Volvo XC60 T6 SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,800–$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. 2021 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 2021 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/volvo-xc60/?y=2021" 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-xc60/2021/">Lemon Index</a> (2021 Volvo XC60 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2021 Volvo XC60 reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 74; 100 is average, lower is better). The Volvo XC60 year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2016.
What are the most common 2021 Volvo XC60 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (30%), automatic emergency braking (23%) and brakes (23%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2021 Volvo XC60 have?
5 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Volvo XC60 get?
23 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2021 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 2021 Volvo XC60 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2021 Volvo XC60 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,800 to $3,250 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2021 Volvo XC60 have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Volvo XC60 year is better than the 2021?
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