Last updated: 2026-07-17
Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs Volvo S60: Reliability Compared
Mercedes-Benz E-Class
Volvo S60
Choosing between the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and the Volvo S60? This page compares their reliability scores, NHTSA recall history, owner-reported complaints, and estimated annual repair costs so you can make a confident long-term ownership decision between these two midsize sedans.
Our reliability scores are based on NHTSA recall and complaint data, independent repair cost estimates, and sales-normalized complaint rates. The Volvo S60 currently leads with an average score of 72/100 compared to 60/100. Scroll down for the full year-by-year breakdown, common problem areas, and repair cost comparison.
How Do the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Volvo S60 Generations Compare?
Verdict
The Volvo S60 is more reliable than the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, scoring 72/100 vs 60/100.
The Volvo S60 demonstrates superior reliability compared to the Mercedes-Benz E-Class, with an average reliability score of 72/100 versus 58/100 for the E-Class. The S60 also has a significantly lower recall count, with just 23 recalls over six years, compared to 184 for the E-Class across eight years. Furthermore, Volvo's complaint rate stands at 1.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold, substantially lower than the E-Class's 7 per 10,000. While the S60's estimated annual repair cost is $750, the absence of data for the E-Class makes direct financial comparisons challenging, but the recall and complaint data suggest the S60 may offer fewer reliability-related expenses over time.
Key Differences
- 1Volvo S60 has 161 fewer total recalls
- 2Volvo S60 scores 12 points higher in reliability
- 3Volvo S60 has 5.1 fewer complaints per 10k sold
Category Scoreboard
Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs Volvo S60: Which Is More Reliable?
| Metric | Mercedes-Benz E-Class | Volvo S60 |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability Score | 60/100 | 72/100 |
| Years Tracked | 8 | 6 |
| Total Recalls | 184 | 23 |
| Complaints per 10k Sold | 7 | 1.9 |
| Year Wins | 0 | 5 |
What Are the Common Problems With the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Volvo S60?
The Mercedes-Benz E-Class exhibits a broader range of complaints with 469 total, notably in the electrical system (36 complaints, 3 of which are crash-linked) and engine issues (21 complaints). In contrast, the Volvo S60 has significantly fewer complaints overall at 65, with the electrical system also being the most reported issue (14 complaints). Both models have reported steering problems, but the E-Class has a higher number of crash-linked incidents in this area. The Volvo S60, however, has a notable concern with its service brakes, linked to 2 crash-related complaints, highlighting a potential area of safety concern that is less pronounced in the E-Class data.
| Component | Mercedes-Benz E-Class | Volvo S60 |
|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 0.5Very Low | 0.4Very Low |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 0.4Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| POWER TRAIN | 0.3Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| STEERING | 0.2Very Low | 0.2Very Low |
| ENGINE | 0.3Very Low | —None |
| SEAT BELTS | 0.2Very Low | —None |
| BACK OVER PREVENTION | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| TIRES | 0.1Very Low | 0.1Very Low |
| WHEELS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| STRUCTURE | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| AIR BAGS | 0.1Very Low | —None |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SERVICE BRAKES | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| SEATS | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE | —None | 0.1Very Low |
| FUEL SYSTEM | —None | —None |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | —None | —None |
Complaints per 10,000 units sold, aggregated across all tracked model years from NHTSA owner reports.
Which Is Cheaper to Maintain: Mercedes-Benz E-Class or Volvo S60?
How Does Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs Volvo S60 Reliability Compare by Year?
| Year | Mercedes-Benz E-Class | Volvo S60 | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 63/1001R / 7C | 72/1003R / 16C | Volvo S60 |
| 2023 | 63/1005R / 20C | 70/1006R / 3C | Volvo S60 |
| 2022 | 60/1008R / 19C | 70/1004R / 14C | Volvo S60 |
| 2020 | 56/10026R / 35C | 72/1003R / 9C | Volvo S60 |
| 2019 | 54/10042R / 100C | 72/1004R / 23C | Volvo S60 |
Best years to cross-shop: The 2024 Mercedes-Benz E-Class scored 63/100 and the 2024 Volvo S60 scored 72/100 — these represent the strongest model years in our tracking range.
Who Should Buy the Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs the Volvo S60?
Mercedes-Benz E-Class vs Volvo S60: Common Questions
- Is the Mercedes-Benz E-Class more reliable than the Volvo S60?
- Based on our data, the Volvo S60 is more reliable with an average score of 72/100 compared to 60/100. The difference is modest, so both are reasonable choices.
- Which has more recalls, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class or the Volvo S60?
- The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has more recalls (184) compared to the Volvo S60 (23). More recalls don't always mean worse reliability — some are minor — but it's worth reviewing what each recall covers.
- Which has fewer owner complaints, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class or the Volvo S60?
- Adjusted for sales volume, the Volvo S60 has a lower complaint rate at 1.9 per 10,000 vehicles sold versus 7 for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Normalizing by sales gives a fairer comparison than raw totals.
Related Reliability Comparisons
More Mercedes-Benz E-Class comparisons
Decided between Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Volvo S60? Run a VIN check before you buy — uncover hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls.
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How We Calculate Reliability Scores
Auto Reliability Index scores are calculated on a 0–100 scale using a weighted formula that combines multiple public data sources. Each factor is weighted based on its predictive value for real-world ownership experience.
Key Ranking Factors
Complaint Severity
NHTSA owner complaints weighted by component category (e.g., powertrain, safety systems, electronics, cosmetic) — safety-critical issues carry more weight than cosmetic ones. Adjusted for sales volume so high-volume models aren't unfairly penalized.
Repair Costs
Independent reliability ratings based on repair frequency, average repair costs, and severity of typical repairs for each model.
Recall Impact
Number of NHTSA recalls weighted by severity. “Stop driving” and fire-risk recalls are penalized more heavily than minor software or labeling recalls.
Issue Diversity
Measures how many major vehicle systems (engine, transmission, electrical, braking, etc.) have recorded complaints. A vehicle with issues spread across many systems may indicate systemic quality issues.
Scores are grouped into four tiers:
- 80–100: Excellent— Top-tier reliability, minimal issues
- 60–79: Good— Reliable with some minor concerns
- 40–59: Mixed— Notable issues, research before buying
- 0–39: Risky— Significant problems, proceed with caution
Data is sourced from NHTSA recall records, owner complaint filings, and independent repair databases. Scores are recalculated as new data becomes available. While the weighting model is proprietary, all underlying data sources are public and traceable.
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