2012 Volvo S60 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 3%of 121 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 57,392miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2012 Volvo S60, 3% of the 121 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 57,392 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2012 S60 has less than 63k miles and it is burning oil. I've not seen any leaks or exhaust smoke, so I assumed all was well. Dealer ship advised it's normal for a Volvo to loss 1-2 quarts of oil between oil changes. Recently the engine failed with no warning, and warranty is out. Can't believe a 2012 veh. Would have such engine problems and Volvo customer service does not acknowledge the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10908835, filed 2016-09, 62,785 miles“On april 12, 2016 I took my Volvo s-60 leased brand new from Volvo and the purchased at the end of the lease as a certified pre-owned car in for an oil change and a check oil light. Volvo had a recall on oil pressure censors (this had caused other car engines to seize something that the ntsb has reported on). The Volvo authorized dealer, herb gordon, claimed to have made this repair. However on june 21, 2016, the engine seized in the middle of a busy road. …”
NHTSA complaint #10943927, filed 2017-01, 52,000 miles“My vehicle was parked in a grocery store lot. I entered the vehicle to back it out of its parking spot. It was next to a full sized van which had carpet cleaning equipment mounted inside. I started the car and placed it in reverse as it began to accelerate on its own. I tried to slow the vehicle with the brake which failed. I collided with a block wall in the rear of the car and attempted to get it out of gear, with the solid jarring from the rear the car went into drive and continued to accelerate to full speed, while I was attempting to brake. …”
NHTSA complaint #10949233, filed 2017-02, 75,000 miles“When at a full stop, with foot on the brake, on a hill and in gear (drive) the car rolls backwards when removing my foot from the break pedal. The transmission does not engage unless the gas pedal is depressed. The Volvo of san diego technician checked a 2013 vehicle with the same transmission and found the same problem. Unfortunately, he used this test to prove that this was normal behavior for this vehicle, and thus, the transmission was in fine condition. .I don't see how a car rolling backwards while in a forward gear could ever be considered normal behavior. …”
NHTSA complaint #10885219, filed 2016-07, 42,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10165235Aug 28, 2019This is a Technical Journal: rough shift at N to D or down coast from 5 to 4 then follow service. Install parts kit.
- 10148805Jul 28, 2018This is a Technical Journal: rough shift at N to D or down coast from 5 to 4 then follow service. Install parts kit.
- 10156269Mar 16, 2018This is a Technical Journal: Unusual noise while driving from sealing ring. check first if the sealing ring is displaced, if so, proceed with replacement of the sealing ring
- 10146439Nov 14, 2017This is a Technical Journal: rough shift at N to D or down coast from 5 to 4 then follow service. Install parts kit.
- 10146169Nov 14, 2017This is a Technical Journal: rough shift at N to D or down coast from 5 to 4 then follow service. Install parts kit.
- 10167886Feb 14, 2017This is a Technical Journal: Rough shifts, 5-4, Neutral Control, N-D TF80SC/SD Due to internal tolerance deviation in automatic gearbox, (TF80SC/SD) the customer may experience…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 13% |
| 2020 | 1 | 8% |
| 2019 | 2 | 8% |
| 2016 | 1 | 4% |
| 2015 | 5 | 8% |
| 2014 | 1 | 4% |
| 2013 | 5 | 6% |
| 2012 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 2 | 20% |
| 2007 | 3 | 14% |
| 2006 | 4 | 13% |
| 2005 | 2 | 5% |
| 2004 | 12 | 6% |
| 2003 | 5 | 4% |
| 2002 | 15 | 8% |
| 2001 | 22 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2012 Volvo S60
61 complaintsElectrical system
17 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsAir bags
6 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Volvo S60
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology