Last updated: 2026-10-10
Volvo XC60 Reliability by Year
Volvo XC60 reliability rates good for a compact SUV, and 2021 is the best used pick. Check for stop/start shutoffs and water leaks before you buy.
Volvo XC60 Reliability Overview
Used XC60 buyers get a compact luxury SUV that rates good for reliability, with yearly repair costs below the class average. The 2021 model year is the pick, while 2022 draws the most complaints. The problem to know is the engine shutting off at a stop and refusing to restart, often after auto stop/start engages. Water leaking into wiring and early brake wear also come up.
Current generation: 2nd gen (2018–2023), facelifted 2021, 2025.
Best & Worst Volvo XC60 Years
Best Volvo XC60 Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2021 model year has been on the road long enough to show its record, and it drew fewer complaints per vehicle sold than 2022 or 2019. Its owner complaints still center on electrical faults, so ask whether any power-loss or screen problems were repaired and whether they came back.
Volvo XC60 Years to Avoid
No Volvo XC60 years are statistical outliers in our data.
Scores stay between 72 and 76 across 8 scored model years.
Volvo XC60 Reliability Score Trend
Volvo XC60 reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 74/100.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 75/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 76/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 74/100 | Good |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 Volvo XC60
3 recalls · 4 complaints
Rated good and close to average among 2026 SUVs, with few complaints so far, mostly cloudy side window glass, and 3 recalls.
2025 Volvo XC60
4 recalls · 22 complaints
Best-scoring of the eight scored XC60 years, with good reliability, though owners report screens blacking out and a power tailgate that closes on people.
2023 Volvo XC60
5 recalls · 40 complaints
Final year of the second generation, with fewer complaints than 2022 but screen and battery faults, and reverse braking problems, still reported.
2022 Volvo XC60
6 recalls · 60 complaints
The weakest-scoring XC60 year, mainly for battery drain and infotainment freezes, though it still rates good and above average among 2022 SUVs.
2021 Volvo XC60
5 recalls · 31 complaints
Among the stronger XC60 years and far fewer complaints than 2022, though owners report sudden power loss, steering faults and early brake wear.
2020 Volvo XC60
6 recalls · 17 complaints
Rates better than 2019 and about the same as 2021, with fewer recalls than 2019 but recurring screen blackouts and early brake rotor wear.
2019 Volvo XC60
8 recalls · 33 complaints
Rates above average among 2019 SUVs but sits among the weaker XC60 years, with sunroof leaks and electrical failures the main concern.
2018 Volvo XC60
5 recalls · 35 complaints
First year of the second generation, with good reliability and a middle ranking among XC60 years, led by stalling and water-leak complaints.
Found Your Volvo XC60? Check Its History
Visibility wiper (2) problems come up most in Volvo XC60 owner complaints, and 42 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Volvo XC60 Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
4/5
Annual Repair Cost
$746
Repair Frequency
0.5/yr
Major Repair Risk
7%
$113 below the luxury compact SUVs average of $859/yr.
Ranked #4 of 11 among luxury compact SUVs.
Volvo XC60 Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Volvo Models
Compare all Volvo models by reliability
Compare Volvo XC60 With Similar SUVs
The Volvo XC60 competes with other compact suvs such as Genesis GV70, Audi Q3, and BMW X1.
XC60 vs Genesis GV70
5 years tracked · 191 complaints
XC60 vs Audi Q3
9 years tracked · 158 complaints
XC60 vs BMW X1
9 years tracked · 188 complaints
More Volvo XC60 comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best year for the Volvo XC60?
- The 2021 model year is the site's pick among years that have been on the road at least two years. It drew 7.5 complaints per 10,000 sold, below 2022 and 2019. The 2020 model year also looks strong, with the fewest complaints of the older years.
- Is the Volvo XC60 reliable?
- Yes. Overall reliability is good, and it rates above average among SUVs on the site. Every tracked model year from 2018 to 2026 is rated good. Electrical faults are the weak spot, so a pre-purchase inspection that checks for stored faults and water damage is worth the cost.
- What are the most common Volvo XC60 problems?
- Electrical problems lead by a wide margin, with 81 complaints. Owners describe the engine shutting off at a stop and not restarting, plus water entering through the windshield drain, seal, or sunroof. Early brake pad and rotor wear, steering warnings, and tire vibration from loose foam inside the tires follow.
- How much does it cost to maintain a Volvo XC60?
- Independent repair-cost data puts the estimated annual repair cost at $746. That is below the $859 average for luxury compact SUVs. Brake pads and rotors may need replacing early, with some owners reporting service around every 25,000 miles.
- Does the Volvo XC60 have engine stall problems?
- Some owners report it. The engine shuts off at a stop and fails to restart, often after auto stop/start engages. Others describe the engine dying while driving, which removes power steering and brake assist. Some failures return after dealer repairs, so ask for service records.
How we score the Volvo XC60
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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