13 Common Problems Of A Volvo XC60

What kind of problems does a premium Volvo XC60 have? This blog has outlined all the most important things you should watch for when you’re in the market for an XC60. However, let’s first start with a quick answer.

Both generations of the Volvo XC60 have had electrical problems causing the dashboard to malfunction, the car to lose power, or the infotainment system to fail. Engine stalling due to fuel pump or starter motor issues and recalls for failing safety features are common in all XC60s.

However, that certainly doesn’t tell you the complete story about the problems several model years of the XC60 have experienced. In the article below, we’ll thoroughly discuss all model years of the XC60 (both second and first-generation). We’ll also discuss what caused these problems and if any recalls were issued. Read on!

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Second Generation (2017 – Present)

The second generation hasn’t been a problem-free generation so far. Like most luxury cars, the Volvo XC60 is a premium vehicle that uses advanced or new technology. However, this also increases the risk of malfunctioning of certain (electrical) parts, which is the case for the XC60.

1. Electrical / Infotainment System Problems

The 2022 model specifically seems to have problems with the electrical and infotainment systems. However, there haven’t been enough complaints yet to assess how significant this problem is and how often it occurs.

In the case of the electrical system, owners have reported complaints similar to this one:

The screen goes blank in front of the driver including the main center on the dash. The car simply stops working and slows down to a crawl showing a turtle symbol on the dash. To reset, the vehicle has to be completely shut down and restarted. The ventilation system stops working and required a reset. The Google operating system which controls everything in the vehicle is a failure.

Source

In that same complaint, we also see a mention of the Google operating system malfunctioning. This is already complained about more often, with owners stating that apps aren’t working or display an error message when the occupants try to access them. On Edmunds, owners also complained about the infotainment system randomly shutting off.

Overall, it does seem the 2022 generation isn’t going to be a pain-free one, and these are problems to look out for.

2. Fuel Pump Failure

2019 – 2020 XC60 were recalled in June 2021 because of a failing fuel pump. Failure of the fuel pump means the engine isn’t supplied with enough gasoline, leading to engine stalling or a non-start of the combustion engine. In the case of hybrid vehicles, the cars could still drive for as long as the battery charge allowed them.

Volvo found out that this was caused by a 15A fuse that couldn’t handle the demand placed on it, or, as they described it:

After a wake-up/pre-run, e.g. unlocking the vehicle, opening the door, or pushing on the brake pedal. The 15A fuse might blow when Engine Control Module (ECM) demands shut off of the Fuel Delivery Module (FDM) due to electrical current peaks.

Source

To battle this problem, the recalled XC60 had its 15A fuses replaced with a 20A fuse, which took care of the problem.

Also read: Types Of Gas A Volvo XC60 Takes (Explained)

3. Emergency Braking Not Activating

This was a problem with the forward collision avoidance system. This problem affected practically all Volvo models made between 2019 – 2020, including the XC60.

It turned out that the automatic emergency braking system did not always engage in situations in which this was necessary. This led to an increased risk of crashing because the driver couldn’t rely on a safety system they depended on. The cause was described by Volvo as follows:

Due to the missing software code the Active Safety Domain Master (ASDM) is not fully compatible with the new hardware that was introduced

Source

Luckily, the solution only involved updating the software currently used with the missing code.

4. Shocks Or Increased Fire Hazard From Charging Cord

2019 XC60 hybrid vehicles were recalled under number 18V589000. A certain capacitator in the AeroVironment electric vehicle TurboCord and TurboDock/TurboDX charging systems may fail, which increases the risk of shock and/or fire in these vehicles. The charging cords of these vehicles were inspected and replaced if necessary.

5. Loose Wipers

In August 2020, Volvo issued a recall under number 20V503000 because of wiper arms that were installed too loosely. Apparently, the torque specifications in the factory were faulty for the front wiper arms nut, which meant the wiper arms were at risk of separating from the vehicle and causing impaired vision. The remedy was re-torquing the wiper arms to the specified 38Nm.

6. Tailgate Lifting Arm Failure

At the beginning of 2019, more than 45,000 Volvo vehicles were recalled under number 19V046000 (including the 2018 – 2019 XC60) because the tailgate lifting arm was at risk of separating from the vehicle. This increased the risk of injury for the person opening the tailgate.

The faulty design caused the problem and would occur in freezing conditions because the tailgate lifting arms would freeze. The recall involved replacing the tailgate lifting arms with an improved design.

7. No GPS Location In Case Of Crash

Several 2017 – 2019 model years of Volvo, including the XC60, were recalled under number 18V800000. The reason for this is that the vehicle did not send a GPS location to emergency services in the event of a crash.

The reason for this was that the vehicle connectivity module had faulty software installed, which caused the telematics and driver support systems to function improperly. The recall involved updating the installed software, which did fix the problem.

8. Several Recalls For Crash Safety Features

One of the most significant problems this generation of the XC60 has had is its crash safety. This is surprising for a Volvo because they’re known for their safety features. However, this generation has had five separate recalls for different vehicle safety features. Below, we’ve stated the model years and what the recall entailed.

• 2017 recalls: The first one was because the side-mounted front passenger airbags wouldn’t inflate due to faulty inflator initiators (17V127000), and one because the seat belt buckle attaching stud may become loose, which means the seat belt could separate from the bracket in the event of a crash (16V798000).
• 2018 – 2019 recall: the front seats may not have rail rear flange nuts installed, which means the front seats can separate from the vehicle in case of a crash (19V220000).
• 2021 recall: The supplementary restraint system (SRS) control unit may not have been properly installed, which means it can detach during a crash and cause an additional safety risk (21V001000).
• 2021- 2022 recall: malfunctioning of the child restraint system because the seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early (21V682000).

First Generation (2008 – 2016)

The first generation of the XC60 has similar themed problems as the second generation. It’s not a terrible car by any stretch of the imagination, but some common issues have annoyed drivers for quite some time.

9. Electrical Malfunctions

The 2014 model year of the first generation XC60 had some electrical problems. The vehicle owners complained about the dashboard shutting down completely, the wipers starting without driver input, and the headlights failing to illuminate when told to do so.

These vehicles eventually ended up having a recall issued under number 13V377000. As it turned out, the Central Electronic Module (CEM) had faulty software installed, which made vehicles equipped with keyless ignition malfunction. Luckily, a software update was able to fix these problems.

10. Damaged Fuel Line

At the end of 2009, Volvo issued a recall for the 2010 model year (09V477000). In this specific model year, the fuel line rail cover underneath the car wasn’t appropriately installed, leaving the fuel line susceptible to damage. In turn, this would lead to fuel leaks that would increase the risk of fire and effectively reduce the amount of fuel your tank holds. The recall involved inspecting and reattaching the fuel line cover if necessary.

11. Starter Motor Failure

In September 2015, Volvo recalled the 2016 model years that were already produced because of problems with the starter motor (15V555000). The problem occurs when the engine start/stop function is used. The voltage increase that this requires, as it turns out, blew out the starter motor fuse, which meant the car refused to start at all. The recall involved replacing the current starter motor fuse with a higher amperage fuse.

12. Engine Stalling Due To Software Faults

There were two different recalls for the earlier versions of the XC60 related to engine stalling. The first recall involved the 2010 model year (09V343000). In this case, software within the central electronic module did not send a signal to the fuel pump electronic module.

This meant the fuel pump would not start or run only for a short period of time due to residual pressure in the system, after which it would still stall. The recall involved updating the software of the CEM module.

In 2011, another software problem caused the fuel cut-off to the engine to be too sensitive (10V579000). Specifically, it was the software in the engine control module. In this case, the recall also involved updating the software, precisely the one of the engine control modules and the transmission control module.

13. Numerous Recalls For Crash Safety Features

Like the second generation, the first generation has had numerous recalls for failing safety features in the XC60. Below, we’ve created a list of these recalls and what they entailed:

• 2009 – 2016 recall (20V378000): in 2020, Volvo issued a recall involving more than 300,000 vehicles. These specific model years of the XC60 were also recalled. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.
• 2010 recall (10V591000): The rail detection system was made incorrectly, which allowed occupants of the car to move the seat beyond its limit, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.
• 2010 recall (09V445000): In the case of a side-impact, the seat side cover panel may release the attachment of the seat belt to the frame. This means the seat belt will not protect the occupants in a crash.
• 2010 recall (10V564000): A small recall for 58 XC60s because of a side curtain airbag that would not deploy in the event of a crash. This was due to a faulty assembly.
• 2011 recall (10V489000): The airbag clockspring wiring connecter for the SRS (supplemental restraint system) has a problem that prevented the driver’s frontal airbag from deploying in case of a crash.
• 2012 recall (12V075000): The front seats were installed incorrectly, which meant that if the seats were moved, the wiring harness was at risk of being disconnected. In turn, this deactivated the front- and side airbags and caused non-deployment in case of a crash.

Sources

• https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2020/RCLRPT-20V503-9012.PDF
• https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RCAK-19V046-1447.pdf
• https://www.nhtsa.gov/vehicle