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Volvo XC60Model year report

2012 Volvo XC60 Problems

Compared with other Volvo XC60 years

Fewer complaints than typical for this model

4/100 0.3× a typical year · 50 = typical

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
46filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
60,587miles, 18 complaints with mileage
Recalls
3campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall, 2 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
21 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl FWD · 19 city / 25 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Volvo XC60 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 2012 Volvo XC60. The part named most often is visibility, with 22 complaints (48% of the total), followed by other or unknown (9) and electrical system (4). 18 of the complaints include a mileage, and 39% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 60,587 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns and 254 technical service bulletins for this model year. Visibility complaints overlap with 7 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 14 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 10 Volvo XC60 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 4 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (fewer complaints than typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Fuel system (1), Seat belts (1), Seats (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): “The vehicle's windshield has been leaking water through the top of the dashboard. When it rains, the windshield leaks all over. I have been following forums and it is a common problem in this particular model of Volvo but has not been a recall. If this continues I'm afraid someone driving could loose visibility if its raining. Even through the carwash this Volvo models leak water. Something needs to be done.”

NHTSA complaint #11340576, filed 2020-07, 102,000 miles

Other or unknown: “I was in an accident driving on a highway driving my Volvo XC60. I was traveling at approx 100km/h and ran into the back of a semi that was traveling at an approx speed of 80km/h. The impact was in the right front (passenger) side of my xc-60 and the left rear of the semi. The airbags failed to deploy anywhere on the Volvo. Thankfully, nobody was seriously hurt as all were wearing seatbelts. Based on the severity and speed of the impact, I am very suprised and concerned the airbag system didn't function.”

NHTSA complaint #10818456, filed 2016-01, 49,000 miles

Electrical system: “Water drips from top of windshield into car as fast as it comes down. Drains into lights fixtures as well as gears and wheel. Fogged up glass on highway causing serious safety concern. In winter caused gears to freeze in park. Water pooled in bottom of car and in light fixtures. Water in sunroof control - caused malfunction. When going from stop to start water rains down in eyesight cause another major safety concern. Dealer said windshield was loose. Service said they had not seen this problem. Sales said this model has this problem all the time. Interesting conflict... …”

NHTSA complaint #11189823, filed 2019-03, 75,000 miles

Body and structure: “My windshield started leaking on the driver side during a heavy rain storm. Water was dripping in streams and impeded visibility. I had it evaluated and there is a break in the factory seal. The windshield is original equipment. The vehicle has not been in any accidents or had any injuries. I see that this has been a problem with other volvos as well.”

NHTSA complaint #11165829, filed 2019-01, 71,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

39% of the 18 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 35,000 and 84,000 miles.

17%0–106%10–2517%25–5022%50–7528%75–10011%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (18 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 60,587 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

’12’15’17’19’2110’23’25
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2012 Volvo XC60. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
XC60 · SUV AWD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 17.6% risk
XC60 · SUV FWD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 17.6% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2012 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.

Neighbouring years: 2011: same overall rating; 2013: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2012 Volvo XC60 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
XC60 AWD3.0L 6-cyl6-speed automatic172320$3,350
XC60 AWD3.2L 6-cyl6-speed automatic182420$3,350
XC60 FWD3.2L 6-cyl6-speed automatic192521$3,200

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2012 Volvo XC60 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 254 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 254 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volvo XC60

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20253619,0003528Too new to compareToo new
2024249,3242528—Too new
202354400552685 · MoreToo new
20227527,000652697 · MoreStable
20214918,000552577 · MoreStable
20202211,8506524—Stable
20193710,8008—2450 · TypicalRising
20183615,6355—2451 · TypicalStable
20171619,8004526—Stable
20163844,00035263 · FewerRising
20154726,680152720 · FewerStable
2014166,8442521—Falling
20136660,00035210 · FewerFalling
20124660,58735214 · FewerFalling
20113649,963452120 · FewerFalling
20105669,8137—2153 · TypicalStable

All Volvo XC60 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Volvo XC60 have?

NHTSA recorded 46 consumer complaints for the 2012 Volvo XC60 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2012 Volvo XC60 is reported most often?

Visibility is named most often, in 22 complaints (48% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 9.

Has the 2012 Volvo XC60 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2012 Volvo XC60 do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2012 Volvo XC60 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 2 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Volvo XC60 get?

The EPA rates the 2012 Volvo XC60 (XC60 FWD, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 21 mpg combined, 19 city and 25 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Volvo XC60 reported?

Among the 18 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 60,587 miles and the middle half falls between 35,000 and 84,000 miles; 39% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.