2012 Volvo XC60 Problems

46 owner complaints filed with the United States safety regulator · top issue: Visibility/Wiper · verdict BUY 81/100

Source NHTSA public complaint and recall record · methodology

What breaks, by owner reports

Visibility/Wiper19
Unknown Or Other9
Electrical System4
Structure4
Visibility3
Steering3

In the owners’ words

“Four tires purchased June 2022. As of July 2025 with 17,500 miles on the tires there is ozone/weather cracking on the entire tire and the sidewall near the rim is failing with the cord visible on one tire.”NHTSA complaint, 2012 Volvo XC60 owner
“The contact owns a 2012 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that while it was raining, water seeped through the driver's side front windshield and onto the steering wheel. The contact placed a towel on top of the steering wheel to prevent water from damaging the electrical system. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure”NHTSA complaint, 2012 Volvo XC60 owner
“The windshield leaks constantly. I'm worried about the windshield blowing out or electrical components being damaged. This seems to be a constant complaint according to internet search. Why hasn't this been addressed as a safety issue and a recall ordered?”NHTSA complaint, 2012 Volvo XC60 owner

Recall campaigns

ReportedComponentSummary
30/06/2020Seat Belts:Front SAFETYVolvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Count
28/02/2012Electrical System:Wiring SAFETYVOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60, XC60, S80 AND XC70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 16, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 6, 2011. IN THESE VEHICLES, THE WIRE HARNESS UNDER THE FRONT SEATS MAY HAVE NOT BEEN ATTACHED P
14/03/2012Structure:BodyVOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60 AND XC60 PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN INCORRECT MIXTURE OF UNDERBODY COATING AND OVER-APPLICATION CAN RESULT IN RIGID, ICICLE-LIKE AREAS HANGING FROM VEHICLE’S UNDERCARRIAGE.

Questions owners ask

Is the 2012 Volvo XC60 reliable?

On the federal record it scores 81/100: 46 owner complaints (3.29 per year on the road) and 3 recall campaigns, 2 touching safety-critical systems.

What is the most common problem with the 2012 Volvo XC60?

The most-reported component in NHTSA complaints is Visibility/Wiper, with 19 of 42 categorised reports.

Share this verdict

The 2012 Volvo XC60 scored 81/100 on the federal record.

Full 2012 data pagecosts, verdict, every numberAll XC60 yearswhich year to avoid Most complained-about carsthe national ranking