2021 Volvo Xc60 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (7) · Steering (6) · Fuel/Propulsion System (4)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Volvo Xc60 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (5)
Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery 2025-03-24 · campaign 25V179000 · 7,483 vehicles
Defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020-2021 S90, 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60, XC90, and 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.
Risk: A short circuit in a high-voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high-voltage battery module as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the software to monitor the battery. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 28, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10312.
Steering 2023-01-05 · campaign 23V001000 · 74 vehicles
Defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2022 V60CC, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. 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.
Risk: A screw inside the gearbox housing can cause the steering wheel to lock up and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 1, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10213.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 2021-09-15 · campaign 21V716000 · 9 vehicles
Defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 S90L, 2020-2021 XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.
Risk: Separation of the rotor and shaft may cause a reduction in braking assistance and a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the hydraulic unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10120.
Seat Belts:rear/Other:retractor 2021-09-01 · campaign 21V682000 · 19,149 vehicles
Defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 XC40, XC 40 Recharge, V60CC, V90, V90CC, XC90, and 2021-2022 V60, XC60, S60 vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10111.
Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module 2021-01-07 · campaign 21V001000 · 2,883 vehicles
Defect: Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 Volvo V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. The Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) control unit may not have been properly attached to the car body and may detach during a crash.
Risk: A detached SRS control unit can decrease the performance of occupant protection systems such as air bags, seat belts, and high voltage battery disconnect, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the SRS control unit mounting screws, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10068.
Service bulletins (223)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Exterior Lighting 2026-07-28 · 37631.3.0 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a tj - text only no attachments - if customer complains of a headlamp error message in dim, in combination with any of the dtcs stated below, follow advice under "service".
Unknown Or Other 2026-05-23 · 33031.6.0 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: text plus 1 .jpg attachment - if remote control key is not detected by the car and shows message in dim "car key not found" or if functions such as lock/unlock are not working, please follow advice for detecting key
Power Train 2026-05-07 · 36496.10.0 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: intermittent knocking noise during acceleration. if the sound corresponds to attached sound file, change front drive shafts to the below part numbers.
Exterior Lighting 2026-05-07 · 34521.11.1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: headlamp condensation inside lens - information/leak test. if the result is not ok (air leak), it is ok to replace the headlamp
Structure:body 2026-05-06 · 35503.4.0 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: panoramic sunroof, sealing strip has a gap
Engine 2026-04-23 · 35526.1.8 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: text plus 2 pdfs and 1 .png oil consumption test. perform the test. follow service procedure description and service sections updated to clarify that vehicle reports are not required.
Showing the 6 most recent of 223 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-28 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the vehicle is experiencing repeated, unpredictable engine stalling while in motion and under active acceleration. the engine cuts out completely within 15–30 seconds or after several minutes of driving, without displaying any check-engine lights or diagnostic warning messages. this presents an immediate, severe safety hazard to the driver, passeng…”
2026-10-06 · Exterior Lighting“i am writing to urge nhtsa to address the serious safety problem caused by excessively bright headlights on american roads. many led, hid, high-mounted, improperly aimed, and aftermarket headlights produce such intense glare that oncoming drivers can be temporarily blinded. this can make it difficult to see lane markings, pedestrians, bicyclists, …”
2026-09-23 · Electrical System“the air conditioning system in my 2021 volvo xc60 failed, blowing hot air instead of cold. a volvo dealer diagnosed the cause as a failed a/c evaporator core and quoted $7,800 to replace it. volvo cars north america has declined to provide any goodwill assistance despite this being a widely reported failure across multiple volvo models (s60, s90, v…”
2026-09-22 · Visibility/Wiper“the a/c evaporator core on my 2021 volvo xc60 suffered a premature structural failure, creating an immediate and severe safety hazard while driving. the component failed precisely five weeks after the certified pre-owned (cpo) warranty wrapper expired. an authorized volvo dealership service department formally inspected the vehicle and verified an …”
2026-08-26 · Unknown Or Other“hood latch assembly corrodes making it impossible to open hood or service the vehicle.…”
2026-08-12 · Electrical System“my suv has a had the check engine light on from a failed battery cell for my 2021 grey volvo xc60 recharge (vin [xxx]). i have been without the electric functionality (to charge the hybrid car or use electric power) since mid december and waiting on a warranty part since dec. 23, 2025. i have been told april 2026 and then august 2026 for this war…”
2026-07-31 · Unknown Or Other“after backing up out of a parking space, the side mirror on the drivers side moves to an unpredictable position and does not return to its original position. this is potentially dangerous because the driver is not aware of this change in position, and when changing lanes may rely on mirror that is in a faulty position. this appears to be some sor…”
2026-07-01 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:electronic Lock/Latch Actuator“the entire right ride of the car just stopped working. back right door became permanently locked and could not open from outside or inside. when hitting lock/unlock buttons on key fob i) front passenger door would not lock/unlock and ii) right side mirror would not fold in/out. blind spot monitor and tpms said they needed service. left side of car …”
2026-06-09 · Electrical System“an intermittent electrical failure occurred to my wife causing my 2021 volvo xc60 to stop and then later go into limp mode while driving. the service light went on immediately and was very startling to her and made it difficult for the drivers following as the car speed was significantly reduced/ i suspect limp mode though it was not on the dashbo…”
2026-05-30 · Fuel/Propulsion System“my 2021 volvo xc60 experienced a fuel system failure at approximately 53,500 miles. prior to the failure, the vehicle displayed multiple warning messages and entered reduced-power (limp mode), including the turtle symbol on the instrument cluster. the vehicle unexpectedly would not start despite multiple attempts. the failure occurred while i was a…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.