The Volvo XC60 is a compact luxury SUV first made by Volvo in 2008. The second generation of the XC60 was introduced almost 10 years later, in 2017. During this time, the XC60 has positioned itself as one of the best compact-to-mid-size luxury SUVs and only the XC90 is larger than the XC60.
Volvo XC60’s reliability seems to be fairly decent, but there are a few specific issues that are indeed worth dwelling on. The most common Volvo XC60 issues are associated with the electronics, the steering system, the fuel system, a faulty exhaust heat sensor, and issues with the trim.
Most of these can be resolved with preventive maintenance, but others like the electronics and the trim issues are mostly down to the manufacturing process itself. All in all, the XC60 is decently reliable, but it needs thorough maintenance to last as long as it can.
If you are interested in buying the XC60, you need to be aware that SUVs such as these tend to cost a lot of money to maintain. They are packed with loads of high-end features and gadgets which need thorough maintenance, otherwise, they will fail.
Volvo XC60 – Electrical issues
The Volvo XC60 is a luxury car which means that it is packed with loads of high-end electrical features which are known to cause all sorts of issues after a while. The infotainment screen/nav system tends to glitch out and it causes the camera to start loading even though there is no need for that to happen. The A/C is also known to fail.
Exterior lighting, interior lighting, power windows, and other in-car electricals are known to fail from time to time which means that you will have to replace them. Also, be sure to check out the automatic trunk switch that is also known to fail.
Volvo XC60 – Steering system issues
The Volvo XC60 also tends to suffer from issues with the power steering system. Many Volvo specialists say that this issue is down to a faulty joint between the steering high-pressure line and the steering gear. These faulty joints cause fluid leaks that ultimately lead to power steering loss which can make the car dangerous to drive.
You will have to replace these components with new ones if you want to solve this issue entirely. Either way, if you sense your steering losing power assistance, be sure to take your car to a dealership as it is never a good idea to ignore these issues.
Volvo XC60 – Fuel system issues
If you sense your XC60 using more fuel than usual, be sure to check out the fuel rail that may be incorrectly mounted. This eventually leads to excess wear which results in lots of cracks and holes directly on the fuel lines themselves. Many XC60 owners have reported their models experiencing fuel puddles, so be sure to inspect this as soon as possible.
In order to fix this, you will have to order brand new replacement fuel lines and reattach them more securely. This is the only way you can solve this issue for good which means that fuel line repairs are never going to be as effective.
Volvo XC60 – Faulty exhaust heat sensor
If you notice the check engine light on your dashboard followed by a loss of power, chances are that you are experiencing issues with a faulty exhaust heat sensor. If these issues go unnoticed, your car will be put in limp mode and you are not going to be able to drive it properly. The issue here is that the ECU thinks the exhaust is way too hot, but it is not.
Fitting a brand new exhaust heat sensor is likely going to solve this issue, so be sure to do it early enough in order not to wait until your car goes into limp mode.
Volvo XC60 – Trim issues
The XC60 also suffers from peculiar trim-related issues such as those associated with a stiff tailgate or erratic windshield wipers. Some panel gaps could be a bit out of whack, especially if the car has been driven off-road. It’s worth mentioning that most of these are associated with older XC60 models while the newer ones are indeed a lot better.
Issues such as these can affect many systems and components throughout the car and that is why preventive maintenance is as important as it is. Be sure to keep an eye out for these if you are interested in buying a used XC60.
FAQ Section
Which generation of the Volvo XC60 is best?
The best Volvo XC60 model is the current one because it comes with all the newest and most desirable features you’d come to expect from a state-of-the-art SUV. The 1st gen XC60 is a lot more troublesome and should be avoided for that very same reason.
The XC60 works best with an efficient 2.0L hybrid engine as these are some of the most efficient luxury SUV powertrains to date. All in all, you should focus your attention on the newest XC60 models because older ones are a lot more problematic.
Is the Volvo XC60 better than the Volvo XC90?
The Volvo XC60 and the Volvo XC90 are indeed similar, but the XC90 is larger, more luxurious, more expensive, and more desirable. The XC90 is by far the best-looking Volvo SUV while the XC60 and the XC40 are not as good, but still really good SUVs.
The fact of the matter is that you are likely going to be satisfied with the XC60, especially because you will be able to spend a lot more money on optional equipment. Be that as it may, optional equipment is necessary with these as they are not the best-equipped SUVs from the factory.
Is the Volvo XC60 a good off-roader?
The Volvo XC60 is indeed an SUV available with a four-wheel-drive system, but it is definitely not an off-roader by any means. Volvo is not all that keen on making off-roaders because not a single Volvo is able to hold its own against some cars from their segments.
Furthermore, luxury SUV customers are not interested in taking their cars off-roading in general, so chances are that you are already aware that the XC60 is no such car.
