Last updated: 2026-10-10
2019 Volvo S60 Reliability Report
The 2019 Volvo S60 has good reliability, but owners report electrical faults, including trunk fires, and tire vibration from separating Pirelli foam.
Recalls
4
Complaints
23
Complaint Rate
11.4per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$750
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,450–$2,750
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Rates good and above average for 2019 sedans, though electrical fire complaints and tire vibration set it apart, with more complaints and one more recall than 2020.
Top Issues to Watch
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5)
- TIRES (4)
- SEATS (2)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2019 is the first model year of the Third generation (2018).
- First-year models may have unresolved issues from the new design.
- Redesigned for the 2019 model year.
- 3rd generation S60 (US).
What this means for buyers
First-year models carry more risk — early production issues are common. Consider waiting for the second year if reliability is a priority.
Compare 2019 pricing and recall counts against 2020+ before deciding.
2019: Third generation (2018) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
Should You Buy the 2019 Volvo S60?
Reliability is good for this model year. It rates above average among 2019 sedans and is one of the stronger of the six scored S60 years. Owners filed 23 complaints, and estimated yearly repair cost is $750 against $739 for the class. The 2020 model rates about the same, with fewer complaints and one fewer recall.
The worst reports are electrical. Some owners saw smoke from the air vents and a 12V battery warning, then a fire on the left side of the trunk. One owner was burned putting it out. Others describe the driver display going blank, taking the speedometer and fuel gauge with it, or the car shutting off while driving and not restarting. Tires are the next issue. Foam lining can separate inside the factory Pirelli P Zero 235/40R19 tires, causing severe vibration at highway speed. Dealers advised replacing all four.
Ask for federal recall records. The four recalls cover air bags, the electrical system, the fuel system, forward collision avoidance and suspension, so confirm each was completed. Check the tire size and age, and look at the 2020 as well.
Compared to the 2020 Volvo S60, which scored the same.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +Low major repair risk (8%)
- +Below-average complaint rate for Sedan
Cons
- −Moderate recall count
- −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Smoke comes out of the air vents and a 12V battery warning appears, followed by... (5 complaints)
- −TIRES: Sudden, severe vibration at highway speed is the main pattern (4 complaints)
Compare 2019 Volvo S60 With
2019 BMW 3 Series
Reliability: 66/100
2019 Mercedes-Benz C-Class
Reliability: 50/100
2019 Acura TLX
Reliability: 69/100
2019 Lexus IS
Reliability: 79/100
2019 Genesis G70
Reliability: 55/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 4 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (5)
- TIRES (4)
Recall Overview
4
recalls on record
A moderate 4 recalls are on file for the 2019 Volvo S60. Each one points to a specific safety or compliance issue identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA — check the list below before buying.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
11.4
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 19.1
Safety Incidents
0
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2019 Volvo S60 Recall Details
4 recalls have been issued for the 2019 Volvo S60. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
AIR BAGS
Volvo Car USA, LLC. (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2024 S60 vehicles. The passenger air bag may not be secured properly, which can cause the air bag to deploy improperly.
Consequence
An air bag that does not deploy properly in a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts securing the passenger air bag, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 5, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10254.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2020 V90, XC60, S60, V60, V60CC, S90, V90CC, S90L, and XC90 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump can blow a fuse and fail.
Consequence
Failure of the low-pressure fuel pump can cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 2, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10100.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Volvo Cars USA LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2019-2020 S60, V60, V60 Cross Country, S90L, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC40, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. Due to a software/hardware incompatibility, the Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB) system may not detect obstacles and engage as intended.
Consequence
If the automatic emergency braking system does not engage as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the Active Safety Domain Master (ASDM) software, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R29998.
Buying a used 2019 Volvo S60? Check its history first
Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2019 Volvo S60, and 4 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2019 Volvo S60 NHTSA Safety Ratings
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 0.0%
Safety Technologies
Volvo S60Repair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3.5Maintenance rating: 3.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$750
vs $739 avg for luxury midsize cars
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.5
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
8%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
MPG & Annual Running Costs
Gas
25–28 MPG
Running cost: $3,200–$3,500/yr
Fuel + repair
21–24 city / 32–36 hwy MPG
Plug-in Hybrid
31 MPG
Running cost: $3,000/yr
Fuel + repair
29 city / 34 hwy MPG
Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2019 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S60 FWD 2.0L 4-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 24 | 36 | 28 | $2,450 |
| S60 AWD 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 21 | 32 | 25 | $2,750 |
Plug-in Hybrid trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S60 AWD PHEV 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 29 | 34 | 31 | $2,250 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2019 Volvo S60.
Inspect the left side of the trunk for scorch marks, melted parts or a burnt smell.
Ask for service records covering any battery, wiring or fire-related repairs.
Watch the driver display for a full drive for flickering, blank white panels or colored lines.
If the car has factory Pirelli P Zero tires, test at highway speed for sudden vibration.
Check the 235/40R19 front tires and rims for pothole bulges, cuts or bends.
Drive at night with the headlights on, make several turns, and watch for flicker or a headlamp alert.
Drive on an open highway and note any hard braking with nothing ahead.
Switch driver profiles on the center display while seated and confirm the seat moves and stops safely.
2019 Volvo S60 Common Problems by Component
23 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
5 complaintsSafety-relatedSmoke comes out of the air vents and a 12V battery warning appears, followed by fire on the left side of the trunk. Two of the 5 complaints involve fire, and one owner was burned trying to put it out. Other reports describe the driver instrument display flickering or going blank, which takes the speedometer and fuel gauge with it, and a car that shuts off while driving and will not restart. Liquid spilled near the cup holders is blamed for disabling the parking brake switch and blanking the dash information.
TIRES
4 complaintsSudden, severe vibration at highway speed is the main pattern. Shops trace it to foam lining separating inside the factory Pirelli P Zero tires in size 235/40R19. The separation also causes uneven wear, tire breakup and alignment problems, and can make the car hard to drive. Dealers have advised replacing all four tires rather than hunting for the bad one. Separately, the low-profile front tires are reported as easily damaged by potholes, and neither Volvo nor Pirelli covered that damage without an extra road hazard plan.
SEATS
2 complaintsA power front seat moves forward and tilts down on its own after a driver profile is selected on the center display, and the driver cannot stop it as it nears the steering wheel. No injury is reported. The other complaint is a dealer error, not a design fault: a passenger seat left unbolted after service rocked during acceleration, braking and turns until the dealer fixed it. With only 2 complaints, no broad pattern is visible.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING (2 complaints)
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
2 complaintsHeadlights flicker, blink or shut off, and a headlamp malfunction alert appears on the dash. One report ties the failure to turning at night, and the fog lights can blink too. The only fix reported is replacing the whole headlight, quoted at $3,400, even with no accident damage to the lamp. The main safety risk is losing the low beams while driving at night.
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE (2 complaints)
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
2 complaintsAutomatic emergency braking clamps down hard with nothing in the road. One event happened at 60 to 70 mph on an interstate and another at low speed on an open road, and both create a risk of being hit from behind. One complaint also says lane keep assist works only about 10% of the time and that an unknown warning light flashed during the false stop. A dealer told that owner the failures were not widespread.
SEAT BELTS (1 complaints)
SEAT BELTS
1 complaintThe passenger seat belt failed and will not retract. People riding in my car are not safe with the seatbelt hanging loose. I read this was a recall which included 2019 S60s but my specific VIN is not including for some reason.
STEERING (1 complaints)
STEERING
1 complaintSince purchase of my vehicle, the vehicle has had a vibration on the highway from 72-83mph with 2 different sets of wheels AND tires, both Pirelli tires but different models. My local Volvo dealer refused to address the issue due to the issue occurring over the speed limit. So they were no help. There are quite a few other 2019 and up Volvo S60 and XC90 owners that experience this same issue. The issue is felt through the bottom of the seats, backrest and steering wheel. You can also visually see the vibration if there is a bottle in the cup holder. The steering wheel "shakes" left to right.
SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints)
SERVICE BRAKES
1 complaintBrake rotors warp prematurely, dealership fighting on covering for warranty. Only 10,000 miles and they're bad again. Second time in 10 months.
AIR BAGS (1 complaints)
AIR BAGS
1 complaintAfter taking vehicle in for a service SRS airbag light and getting it fixed under warranty the same light has come back on.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (1 complaints)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 complaintThe contact owns a 2019 Volvo S60. The contact stated while the vehicle was stopped with the auto brake feature on, the vehicle inadvertently accelerated. The contact pressed on the brakes and continued to his destination. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 20,695.
Best & Worst Volvo S60 Years
Best Volvo S60 Years to Buy
Based on reliability index score2024
2020
2019
(Current Model)
Volvo S60 Years to Avoid
No Volvo S60 years are statistical outliers in our data.
Scores stay between 70 and 76 across 6 scored model years.
Volvo S60 Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 76/100 | Good |
Volvo S60 Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2019 Volvo S60 reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2019 Volvo S60?
Does the 2019 Volvo S60 have tire problems?
How many recalls does the 2019 Volvo S60 have?
Is the 2019 Volvo S60 better than the 2020?
Don’t buy a 2019 Volvo S60 without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2019 Volvo S60
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2019 Volvo S60 does best on how many systems draw complaints (81/100) and worst on complaint severity (69/100). Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
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