2010 Volvo XC60 Problems

What owners report

Owners of this 2010 XC60 most often describe water getting into the cabin, mainly through the windshield seal or bond and the sunroof drain tubes, with leaks usually showing up during rain or after the vehicle is parked outside. Where mileage is listed, these water complaints fall between about 35,000 and 116,000 miles, and they were filed between 2016 and 2024. Fuel odor and leaks, stalling, and electrical or warning-light faults also come up, but less often.

1. 1
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Windshield seal or bond leaks letting water in

   • 22 complaints (39%)
   • median 84,000 mi at 7.3 yrs old (12 state mileage)
   • filed 2010–2024

   Owners describe water running down the inside of the glass or pooling in the footwells during rain, and some say the top edge of the windshield can be pushed loose by hand. Complaints describe the windshield bonding or top seal as failed, and according to the complaints the windshield was reset or resealed during the repair, and in some cases the owner paid for it. Some owners also report a mold or mildew smell and inside windows that need scraping in cold weather. Where mileage is listed it ranges from about 69,800 to 116,000 miles, and complaints were filed from 2017 to 2024, often after rain.

   What to check: Ask whether the windshield has been re-bonded or replaced, and check the top edge of the glass for gaps or loose trim. After rain, look for damp carpet or water under the dashboard and any moisture or mold smell in the footwells.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There is a class action lawsuit against Volvo for both these problems and I was affected by both this month. 1. Windshield for Volvo XC60 is known for a failure of bonding along the top edge. When I brought it in the service guys were able to just push the windshield upwards and out with their bare hands to show me that there is a huge gap along the top edge. This happened to my car in the past 1 month and ended in a $420 repair that involved popping the whole thing off and resealing it. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11232933, filed 2019-07, 116,000 miles

   “After it rains, i've noticed water collecting in both the passenger and driver side footbeds. It started off nominally and I was easily able to use a cloth. I thought it might have been human error, that I left the window cracked open a bit. The most recent incident (this past weekend 5/4/24) there was a significant puddle on the driver's side. After further research, I discovered the culprit is likely an unbonded windshield, and that this is a KNOWN issue for Volvos, but especially for (2010) xc60s. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11587676, filed 2024-05
2. 2
   Electrical system

   Electrical faults, battery drain, and warning lights

   • 11 complaints (20%)
   • median 82,500 mi at 7.6 yrs old (6 state mileage, few)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2014–2024

   Owners describe a rear camera that goes blank, flickers, or shows a disconnect symbol in hot weather, and a battery that drained while the car was off, with the radio switching on by itself. Other complaints describe a charging warning and battery light that returned after the battery and alternator were replaced, and an airbag fault lamp tied to a collision-mitigation trouble code. In one complaint the speedometer read well above actual speed and the shifter moved into neutral and park on its own, and the dealer could not diagnose the fault. Where mileage is listed it falls between about 78,000 and 148,000 miles, and the camera problem is described as happening in hot weather.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Ask whether the battery and charging system were tested after any battery or alternator work, and whether the rear camera image stays clear on a warm day. If a warning lamp is lit, ask for any stored trouble codes to be read before a purchase decision.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Battery drain from satellite in vehicle. Also, when engine is off, the radio comes on unless manually turned off. However, even with everything off, battery still drains. I have been left in now two areas without a running car. I replaced the battery in approximately august, 2016 after having it towed to a Volvo dealer in southern california and also replaced the battery a Volvo repair shop in august, 2018 in southern oregon. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11121678, filed 2018-08

   “Airbag fault lamp illuminated. Trouble code U0433 stored in body module (CEM). The problem described is with the closing velocity module, a component of the collision mitigation system. There is a TSB available from Volvo for this code, reference number US25146.1.1. It states a software update must be performed to resolve the error. My complaint is that the airbag system is affected and shows an airbag fault lamp, which prevents passing vehicle inspection in my state. The collision avoidance system can be turned off by the driver. …”

   NHTSA complaint #11541680, filed 2023-08
3. 3
   Body and structure

   Sunroof drain tubes clogging or coming loose

   • 9 complaints (16%)
   • median 82,000 mi at 7.0 yrs old (7 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2012–2023

   Owners describe water entering around the sunroof and collecting in the front footwells, sometimes reaching the brake pedal area during heavy rain. Complaints say the drain tubes are too short, can separate from the sound trap in the A-pillar, or clog, letting water into the interior. Some owners report damp carpet, possible mold under the carpet, and electrical or airbag problems, and according to one complaint the dealer linked the water damage to an airbag warning. Where mileage is listed it falls between about 35,000 and 90,000 miles, and the complaints were filed in 2016 and 2017, often during heavy rain while parked.

   What to check: Ask whether the sunroof drain tubes were inspected and whether they are still attached at the A-pillar sound trap. Check the carpets under the front seats and in the footwells for dampness or a musty smell after rain.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Sunroof drains tubes are too short and attach to a sound trap in the a pillar of vehicle. Sound trap allows the rain water to drain to outside of vehicle. With the design on the short tubes, they often detach from the sound trap causing excessive water to enter the interior of vehicle thereby flooding the floor boards and electrical systems that control the sunroof and airbags. Airbags are then deactivated and require immediate servicing. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10871986, filed 2016-06, 87,000 miles

   “Sunroof drains tubes are too short and attach to a sound trap in the a pillar of vehicle. Sound trap allows the rain water to drain to outside of vehicle. With the design on the short tubes, they often detach from the sound trap causing excessive water to enter the interior of vehicle thereby flooding the floor boards... During heavy rain and parked in lot, 3 inches of water collected at brake pedal area and rain dripping from sunroof control area.... …”

   NHTSA complaint #11000126, filed 2017-06, 90,000 miles
4. 4
   Fuel system

   Fuel leaks, fuel smell, and stalling

   • 6 complaints (11%)
   • median 99,000 mi at 7.1 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2010–2019

   Owners describe a fuel odor inside the vehicle, gasoline leaking from a fuel line, and in one case a leak that an independent mechanic traced to the fuel pump and regulator. Other complaints describe a fuel gauge that still showed fuel left before the vehicle ran out of gas, and an engine that stalled while driving and restarted only after repeated attempts. The dealer linked one leak to the fuel line connected to the fuel pump, with the repair covered under warranty, and in the stall case the dealer said the failure was related to the fuel system and the same failure happened again. Where mileage is listed it ranges from about 7,000 to 199,000 miles, and the gauge and stalling reports were at 15,000 miles or less.

   Recall 09V477000

   What to check: Ask whether any fuel line, fuel pump, or fuel regulator repair was done and request the repair records. Check for a fuel smell around the tank and underbody, and watch the fuel gauge during a test drive.

   An excerpt from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The contact owns a 2010 Volvo XC60. While driving various speeds, the contact smelled fuel fumes inside the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. An independent mechanic diagnosed that there was a fuel leak and the fuel pump and regulator needed to be repaired. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 199,000.”

   NHTSA complaint #11205879, filed 2019-05, 199,000 miles

Buying note. Used-car buyers should check the windshield edge and footwells for signs of past water entry, and ask for records of sunroof drain and fuel-system repairs. Because complaints for this model year span different systems and a wide mileage range, a documented service history is especially useful.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 52 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.