2021 Volvo Xc60: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2021 Volvo Xc60
On the 2021 Volvo Xc60, the failure owners report most often is fuel pump failure, with 5 reports on file. Across every failure mode on this year, half the dated reports were filed before 20,000 miles. Overall it scores 87 out of 100, severe risk for a 2021.
Severe risk for a 2021 — 1st riskiest of the 231 2021 vehicles we can rate. 79 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
What breaks on the 2021 Volvo Xc60
Owners have reported 29 named failure modes on the 2021 Volvo Xc60, and the three most-reported carry 19% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.
Fuel pump failure leads with 5 reports and about 2.9 per 1,000 vehicles.
Other engine problem follows with 5 reports.
Other brake problem follows with 5 reports.
By system, the reports fall mostly into brakes (14), adas (10) and electrical (9).
The mileage the reports cluster at
Too few of the reports on this year carry an odometer reading to describe the timing: 4 of them do. The mileages quoted elsewhere on this page come from the modes that have enough of them.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 29. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
Severity, and what it costs
Across the named modes, 5 mention a crash and 6 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 4.56, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: fuel pump failure at $600–$2,600, other engine problem at $300–$4,000, other brake problem at $300–$1,800 and ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure at $250–$1,500. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
15% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel pump failure | fuel | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | 2.9 | $600–$2,600 | High |
| Other engine problem | engine | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | 2.9 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 5 | 0 | — | — | — | 2.9 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| Ignition switch, key fob or immobilizer failure | electrical | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 2.3 | $250–$1,500 | High |
| Audio or connectivity failure | infotainment | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 2.3 | $150–$900 | Low |
| Lane keep or steering assist fault | adas | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 2.3 | $200–$1,600 | High |
| Cruise control failure | adas | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 2.3 | $200–$1,400 | High |
| Radiator or coolant leak | cooling | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.7 | $350–$1,900 | High |
| Premature brake pad or rotor wear | brakes | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.7 | $300–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Parking brake failure | brakes | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.7 | $250–$1,300 | Moderate |
| Loss of power steering | steering | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.7 | $600–$2,800 | Critical |
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.7 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other steering problem | steering | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.7 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Excessive oil consumption | engine | 2 | 1 | — | 22k | — | 1.1 | $900–$6,500 | High |
| Wiring harness or short circuit | electrical | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.1 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Loss of braking | brakes | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.1 | $400–$3,000 | Critical |
| Software fault or failed update | software | 2 | 2 | — | 18k | — | 1.1 | $0–$600 | Moderate |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.1 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Other driver assistance problem | adas | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.1 | $250–$1,800 | High |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.1 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Turbocharger or supercharger failure | engine | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $1,500–$4,500 | High |
| Master cylinder or brake booster failure | brakes | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $450–$2,200 | Critical |
| Seat belt or retractor failure | airbag | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $200–$900 | High |
| Power steering pump or fluid leak | steering | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $350–$1,600 | Moderate |
| Sunroof failure or glass breakage | body | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $700–$4,500 | High |
| Liftgate, tailgate or trunk failure | body | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $250–$1,500 | Moderate |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 1 | 1 | — | 17k | — | 0.6 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Other visibility problem | glass | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $150–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Unclassified problem | other | 7 | 0 | — | — | — | 4.0 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2021 Volvo Xc60 draws about 45 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 97th percentile of complaint rates among 2021 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 1,740 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2021 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
Recalls on the 2021 model year
NHTSA has issued 5 recall campaigns covering the 2021 Volvo Xc60, affecting an estimated 2,725 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover electrical system:software, steering, service brakes, hydraulic and seat belts. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
Recalls also distort complaint counts. Publicity about a campaign reminds owners that complaining is possible, so reports for a recalled component often spike after the recall rather than before it.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
7,483 vehicles 2025-03-24- Defect
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020-2021 S90, 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60, XC90, and 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.
- Consequence
- A short circuit in a high-voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high-voltage battery module as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the software to monitor the battery. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 28, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10312.
STEERING
74 vehicles 2023-01-05- Defect
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2022 V60CC, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. During steering gear assembly, double screws may have been assembled on top of each other, which can cause a screw to fall into the gearbox housing.
- Consequence
- A screw inside the gearbox housing can cause the steering wheel to lock up and increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 1, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10213.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
9 vehicles 2021-09-15- Defect
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 S90L, 2020-2021 XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.
- Consequence
- Separation of the rotor and shaft may cause a reduction in braking assistance and a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the hydraulic unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10120.
SEAT BELTS
19,149 vehicles 2021-09-01- Defect
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 XC40, XC 40 Recharge, V60CC, V90, V90CC, XC90, and 2021-2022 V60, XC60, S60 vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Consequence
- An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10111.
AIR BAGS
2,883 vehicles 2021-01-07- Defect
- Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 Volvo V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. The Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) control unit may not have been properly attached to the car body and may detach during a crash.
- Consequence
- A detached SRS control unit can decrease the performance of occupant protection systems such as air bags, seat belts, and high voltage battery disconnect, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy
- Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the SRS control unit mounting screws, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10068.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2021 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
Where 2021 sits in the model line
Severe risk for a 2021 — 1st riskiest of the 231 2021 vehicles we can rate. Because the ranking is against the same model year only, age cancels out of it.
Across the 16 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2012 comes out best at 65 and 2021 worst at 87, with 2021 itself at 87.
If the model year is negotiable, 2012, 2013, 2011, 2016, 2010, 2025, 2024, 2014, 2020, 2015, 2022, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2023 score lower than 2021 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 2014–2021 generation specifically, 2016 is the strongest year at 70 and 2021 the weakest at 87.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2014-2021 generation, 2016 Volvo Xc60 scores best at 70 and 2021 Volvo Xc60 worst at 87.
Where these figures stop being useful
79 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 79 reports, 4 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 5% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
Named failure modes come from matching phrases in the complaint text, so a badly worded complaint can land in the wrong bucket. The effect washes out across hundreds of reports and does not wash out across five.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volvo Xc60?
The most-reported failures are fuel pump failure (5 reports), other engine problem (5 reports) and other brake problem (5 reports). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
Is the 2021 Volvo Xc60 reliable?
It scores 87 out of 100 on our risk index, which is severe — 1st riskiest of the 231 2021 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2021 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Volvo Xc60 is best?
Within the 2014–2021 generation, 2016 scores best at 70 out of 100 and 2021 worst at 87. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed