Last updated: 2026-10-10

Volvo XC60

Volvo XC60 Years to Avoid

8 scored model years (2018–2026) · model average 74/100

No year is clearly one to avoid, since none sits well below the XC60's own average. Complaint load and recall count shift from year to year, with 2022 and 2019 the weakest. The year to buy is 2021.

Verdict

Avoid
No outlier years
Buy
2021 75/100
Model average
74/100
See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

What Are Common Volvo XC60 Problems?

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

81 complaints

Most reported in 2022, 2023, 2018

2022: The 12V battery drains flat, often in the first weeks of ownership.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

23 complaints

Most reported in 2022, 2023, 2021

2022: The backup camera goes black in reverse until the car is restarted.

SERVICE BRAKES

19 complaints

Most reported in 2023, 2021, 2018

2023: The brake pedal turns hard and will not press down, usually right after shifting into reverse, and the car keeps rolling backward.

STEERING

14 complaints

Most reported in 2021, 2019, 2022

2021: Power steering suddenly goes stiff, sometimes on the highway, and then a "Power Steering Service Urgent" warning appears.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

9 complaints

Most reported in 2025, 2023, 2026

2025: Rear side windows turn hazy or cloudy, and the glare is worst in direct sun or under headlights at night.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

9 complaints

Most reported in 2022, 2025

2022: The rearview camera fails when the car is shifted into reverse.

Best Volvo XC60 Year to Buy Instead

75
GoodReliability score: 75 out of 100, rated Good

2021 Volvo XC60

The 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.

Score: 75/100 (Good)5 recalls31 complaints
View full 2021reliability report →
VIN History Report

Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car

Even the 2021 Volvo XC60 has 5 recalls on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

All Volvo XC60 Years by Generation

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Volvo XC60 years should I avoid?
No year needs to be avoided. Site analysis found none well below the model's own average. The weakest are 2022 and 2019, but both still rate good. If you want the safest choice among years with a track record, pick 2021.
Is the 2022 Volvo XC60 a bad year?
No, but it is the weakest year for complaints. It has 60 owner complaints and 16.6 per 10,000 sold. Electrical issues make up 26 of them. Inspect it closely and compare it with a 2021.
Which Volvo XC60 years have transmission problems?
The data does not list transmission as a problem area for any year. Gear selector errors and shifting problems appear only as results of water damage to wiring and modules, reported under electrical complaints. Check for leaks at the windshield drain and sunroof.
Is the 2025 or 2026 Volvo XC60 the safest buy?
Do not treat them as proven. The 2025 year rates among the highest, but it and 2026 have had less time on the road to collect complaints. The 2026 year has only 4 complaints so far. The 2021 model year has a longer record.
Is the 2021 Volvo XC60 better than the 2020?
The 2020 has fewer complaints, but 2021 is the site's pick because it combines a low complaint rate with more time on the road. Both rate good. The 2021 has owner reports of power loss, stiff steering, and early brake wear, so check for those.

How we score every Volvo XC60 model year

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.

See incorrect data? Report an issue