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2012 Volvo S60 problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls
62% of relevant owner complaints filed with NHTSA on the 2012 Volvo S60 are about the engine, transmission or fuel system. Well over half of everything owners reported is the drivetrain. That is a severe model-level pattern; every model year we track at this level has a documented failure behind it.
Worse than 83% of the 1,790 model years we track (2010–2023).
Excludes 16 airbag, lighting and seat-belt recall complaints that would otherwise mask the signal (unadjusted: 54%).
Does the 2012 Volvo S60 have engine problems?
Owner complaints say yes, heavily, as a model-year pattern. 65 of 105 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 Volvo S60 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (62%), and the largest group is filed under engine (61). For comparison, the 2013 scores 55%. On a test drive, check for stalling, loss of power, rough idle, oil consumption or a check-engine light. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.
Complaints by component
The years either side
Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.
How the 2012 compares with other Volvo S60 years
Of the 5 Volvo S60 years with enough complaints to score, the 2012 is the worst on engine and transmission share (62%). The best is the 2016 (43%). By volume, the 2012 drew 121 complaints (65 drivetrain), against 5 for the 2011 and 86 for the 2013.
Volvo S60 years to avoid and best years →
2012 · 2013 S60 problems · 2014 S60 problems · 2015 S60 problems · 2016 S60 problems
The rest of the picture on the 2012 Volvo S60
- The mileage where it happens. When owners of the 2012 Volvo S60 said the problem showed up, and the range most of them fell in.
- What the repair costs. Typical engine repair ranges, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives. Similar cars and nearby years with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive, for this car.
- Two cars side by side, if you are deciding between them.
What one owner reported
One of 65 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows up to 15, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.
2012 Volvo S60 engine recalls
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns on the 2012 Volvo S60 involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 8 in total. A recall is the manufacturer admitting a defect and paying to fix it; whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN, which the full report checks. The owner complaints above are a separate record and often point at problems that never became a recall.
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 S60 vehicles manufactured June 22, 2010, through May 14, 2012, and equipped with 5-cylinder B5254T5 (VIN code 62) engines. In the affected vehicles, the vehicle may not alert the driver of a low oil pressure situation.
Risk: Without being warned of a low oil pressure situation, the driver may continue to drive the vehicle until it stalls, which increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software so that the driver is alerted should there be a low oil pressure situation, free of charge. The recall began on January 10, 2014. Owners may…
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 18, 2011, THROUGH JANUARY 28, 2011. THE MALE PART OF THE FUEL LINE QUICK CONNECTOR END SHAPE WAS PRODUCED WITH DIMENSIONS OUT OF SPECIFICATION, LEADING TO EXCESSIVE ASSEMBLY FORCE ON THE FEMALE CONNECTOR ASSEMBLY AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE LOCKING FUNCTION MAY NOT BE ENGAGED.
Risk: IF A VEHICLE EXHIBITS THIS CONDITION, THE FUEL LINE QUICK CONNECTOR MAY DETACH AND THE ENGINE MAY STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE CUSTOMER MAY ALSO NOTICE A FUEL SMELL AND LEAKAGE. A FUEL LEAK IN THE…
Fix: VOLVO DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LINES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 24, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-201-768-7300.
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60 PASSENGER CARS MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 18, 2010, THROUGH MAY 5, 2011. THE SOFTWARE FOR THE FUEL PUMP UNITS MAY NOT BE COMPATIBLE WITH ALL FUEL PUMPS AND COMPONENTS RESULTING IN INSUFFICIENT FUEL TRANSFER IN THE PUMP UNIT.
Risk: UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS, THERE MAY BE ENGINE HESITATION AND POSSIBLE ENGINE STALL EVEN THOUGH THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATES UP TO 1/4 OF THE FUEL IS LEFT IN THE TANK. THIS CONDITION INCREASES THE RISK OF A VEHICLE…
Fix: VOLVO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL UPGRADE THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE SOFTWARE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-201-768-7300.
5 other recalls on this model year (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns filed against this year, make and model. Checked October 3, 2026.
Checking one particular 2012 Volvo S60? This page is about the model year. Accidents, title brands and odometer records belong to the individual car, and that is what a vehicle history report covers.
Get a history report from EpicVIN Before you pay: EpicVIN’s $1 offer is a 3-day trial (up to 5 reports) that renews at $49.99 a month unless you cancel. Other plans are listed under “View all our packages” at checkout. We may earn a commission if you buy through this link. It does not change what this page reports.Questions people ask about the 2012 Volvo S60
Does the 2012 Volvo S60 have engine problems?
Owner complaints say yes, heavily, as a model-year pattern. 65 of 105 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2012 Volvo S60 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (62%). Before buying one, have an independent mechanic check the engine and ask the seller whether it has been repaired or replaced.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Volvo S60?
Going by NHTSA owner complaints, the most common problem filed against the 2012 Volvo S60 is engine: 61 of 121 complaints (50%) name it, followed by electrical system (17) and seat belts (9). A complaint can name more than one component, so these overlap.
Is the 2012 Volvo S60 reliable?
On the engine and transmission, owner complaints point to a weak spot: 62% of relevant complaints filed with NHTSA concern the drivetrain (very high signal). That is worse than 83% of the 1,790 model years we track. Among the 5 Volvo S60 years we score, it ranks worst. Complaint data describes the model year, not one car, and it says nothing about trim, paint or electronics outside the drivetrain; an independent inspection still decides it.
Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2012 Volvo S60?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns on the 2012 Volvo S60 involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 8 in total: 13V592000 (engine and engine cooling: engine), 11V311000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings), 11V303000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump). Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.
Which Volvo S60 years are better?
Among the Volvo S60 years we track, the 2016 (43%), the 2015 (51%) and the 2014 (52%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2012 (62%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car. Every year side by side: https://thelanecheck.com/cars/volvo-s60
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.