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EnginePart report

2021 Volvo XC60 Engine Problems

Complaints
6about this part
Share
12%of 49 total for the year
Median mileage
18,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine of the 2021 Volvo XC60, 12% of the 49 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 18,000 miles.

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.

“August 23rd, 2024, the car started hesitating when gas was applied. The transmission light came on, then the parking brake light came on saying it was turned off, the check engine light came on, the volvo on call light came on, and the car wouldnt turn off. I moved the shift into different gears, and was able to turn the car off. I waited a while and started the car again. This time the on call, and check engine light stayed on. I called the dealership, was told it was probably a low battery. Had me come in Monday the 26th to have it checked. …”

NHTSA complaint #11613270, filed 2024-09

“I’ve taken the vehicle back to dealership several times and they say nothing is wrong with it. The steering wheel vibrates at high speeds or when backing into parking spaces. Loud noise when backing into parking spaces, possibly brakes or steering. Engines unusually loud when starting up. Windshield just spilt all the way across when car was sitting for 5 days in august, not from rocks on road. Vehicle has unusually low mileage of 16-18 mpg city & hyw driving. Brakes are noisy- I thought they were crack when I purchased last year. …”

NHTSA complaint #11490467, filed 2022-10

“While driving, lost power very suddenly. A turtle comes across the dash. My vehicle wouldn’t start for roughly 20 minutes. After the 20 minutes, it starts up, but the check engine light is on. Nervous that my car isn’t safe to drive, I contact corporate Volvo, since there is NO information in the manual for what this means- they told me to contact my local. So I call them and they state it’s safe to drive and they could get me into the schedule 3 weeks out…. Then, I get to my appointment and they then tell me my brakes and rotators are completely shot at 42,000 miles.”

NHTSA complaint #11529485, filed 2023-06

“On June 30, 2022 our Volvo XC60 was driven at high speed on I-80 in western NE at dusk in heavy truck traffic before a holiday weekend. With semi’s on 3 sides, and NO WARNING, the vehicle LOST COMPLETE POWER. Driver fought the rapidly slowing car out of the left lane and limped onto right shoulder dodging semi’s. Scary. Only a turtle 🐢 icon appeared on the dash. Online owner’s manual was not avail. There was no response to pressing On call or SOS buttons. Using a phone, the Volvo website said the turtle meant “Reduced Engine Performance” told us nothing new. …”

NHTSA complaint #11473455, filed 2022-07

“The contact owns a 2021 Volvo XC60. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact pulled over to the shoulder, and the vehicle continuously turned on and off independently. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the auxiliary battery power was low and that the vehicle needed a software update. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 18,000.”

NHTSA complaint #11626461, filed 2024-11, 18,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202513%
202428%
202324%
202268%
2021612%
202029%
201938%
201838%
2017213%
20161539%
20151226%
2014425%
201335%
201224%
201138%
201035%

Other parts of the 2021 Volvo XC60

Electrical system
14 complaints
Other or unknown
11 complaints
Brakes
9 complaints
Lane departure
7 complaints
Steering
7 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
6 complaints
Fuel system
5 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
3 complaints
Air bags
2 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
2 complaints
Seat belts
2 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
2 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Volvo XC60

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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