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2015 Volvo S60 Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2015 Volvo S60 carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering front and latch. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Rear and driver door latch failure.” Volvo schedules maintenance every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first — the cluster's service reminder counts down to it. Drive-E four-cylinder engines (2015+) require Volvo-spec 0W-20; the older five-cylinder turbos (XC70, C30) run on a timing belt with a firm replacement interval, not a chain. AWD Volvos use a Haldex-style rear coupling whose fluid service is the difference between an AWD system that lasts and a four-figure pump-and-clutch repair.

2 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

SEAT BELTS:FRONT

Campaign #20V378000 · Jun 30, 2020

Issue: Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.

Risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

Campaign #19V849000 · Nov 26, 2019

Issue: Volvo Car of USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2011-2017 S60, S60I, V60, S60CC and V60CC vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.

Risk: A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.

Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89978.

Recall data refreshed Sep 6, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2015 Volvo S60.

Reported to NHTSA

Rear and driver door latch failure

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

6 NHTSA complaints · 2020-02 → 2024-03

“The child safety lock is not engaged. The door latches on the rear right passenger door in my car has failed. It fails to unlock when from the inside. In an emergency situation. Passengers won't be able to exit the vehicle quickly”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11568364
“While driving on the highway, the rear passenger door unlatched automatically and opened. The vehicle was in the shop for a recall on this part, however it appears that the labor was not done correctly or at all”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11484059
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLVO S60. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 19V849000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES) HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11309155

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sunroof glass shattering while driving

STRUCTURE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2016-11 → 2018-07

“WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH (THE LEGAL LIMIT) AT APPROXIMATELY 6:55 AM ON 2 JULY 2018, I WAS TWO OR MORE CAR LENGTHS BEHIND THE CAR AHEAD OF ME WHEN THE SUN ROOF CATASTROPHICALLY SHATTERED. NO ROAD DEBRIS WAS OBSERVED AND THE ROAD WAS DRY AND NOT IN A CONSTRUCTION ZONE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11111427
“SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN HOT WEATHER. THERE WAS NO SIGN OF A ROCK OR ANY OTHER OBJECT HITTING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE DONE MY RESEARCH AND THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH VOLVO”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11103041
“SUNROOF EXPLODED & SHATTERED AS I WAS DRIVING FOR NO APPARENT REASON!!!!”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10927688

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Excessive oil consumption and piston ring failure

ENGINE

14 NHTSA complaints · 2020-02 → 2025-12

“The contact owns a 2015 Volvo S60. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The contact stated that the vehicle had consumed 3 quarts of oil after driving 2,100 miles”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11704171
“Excessive Oil Consumption resulting in piston damage/failure! This vehicle has burned oil since I bought it used at about 80,000 miles. I checked the carfax prior to purchasing it and it had been maintained routinely”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11512670
“MY CAR WAS EXCESSIVELY BURNING OIL. IT REQUIRED MULTIPLE OIL CHANGES AND I WASN'T NOTIFIED OF THE LOW OIL UNTIL THE OIL WAS NEARLY EMPTY. VOLVO PERFORMED TESTS TO CONFIRM I HAD AN OIL CONSUMPTION ISSUE THAT COST OVER $500. THE INITIAL REPAIR WAS TO REPLACE THE PISTON RINGS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11398063

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sudden loss of engine power while driving

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

5 NHTSA complaints · 2018-09 → 2026-05

“The contact owns a 2015 Volvo S60. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled and lost motive power. No warning lights illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11740292
“WHILE DRIVING, ALL POWER (ALL POWER) IS LOST, WITHOUT WARNING. DRIVING NORMALLY IN TRAFFIC, THE CAR SIMPLY SHUTS DOWN. ENGINE STOPS, NO LIGHTS (INTERIOR OR EXTERIOR), NO DASHBOARD DATA, SAFETY SYSTEMS DISABLED, NO TURN SIGNALS, NO POWER STEERING, SAFETY FLASHERS DO NOT FUNCTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11130764
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLVO S60. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, IT STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11153995

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake pedal failure to stop vehicle

SERVICE BRAKES

4 NHTSA complaints · 2017-04 → 2023-06

“The contact owns a 2015 Volvo S60. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed however, the vehicle failed to stop until the brake pedal had gone to the floorboard”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11526285
“Brake lines blew open while driving”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11512685
“BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE CAR ON THREE OCCASSIONS. BRAKES WOULD SLOW THE CAR DOWN;HOWEVER, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN AND THE CAR WAS STILL ROLLING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10979689

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration while braking or parking

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES

3 NHTSA complaints · 2016-07 → 2023-04

“The contact owns a 2015 Volvo S60. The contact stated while driving approximately 15 MPH and slowing down for a crosswalk with pedestrians in the crosswalk, the vehicle independently accelerated while depressing the brake pedal”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11519475
“The contact owns a 2015 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while attempting to park in a parking garage, and applying the brake, her vehicle accelerated and crashed into a concrete wall, causing the air bag to deploy”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11464567
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLVO S60. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH PULLING INTO THE GARAGE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED TO 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE GARAGE AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10883087

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Auto stop/start system shutdown malfunction

POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE

3 NHTSA complaints · 2015-05 → 2015-12

“STATIONARY VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH KEYLESS IGNITION AND AUTO ENGINE "START/STOP" FEATURE. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN DRIVEWAY. ENGINE STOPPED, DRIVER STEPPED OUT OF CAR, ENGINE RESTARTED AND MOVED FORWARD, DAMAGING HOME AND BARELY MISSED PINNING DRIVER AGAINST WALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10810458
“BY DEFAULT, THE AUTO STOP/START FUNCTION IS ENGAGED EVERY TIME YOU START THE 2015.5 VOVO S60. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 1,800 MILES AND WAS PICKED UP AT THE END OF AUGUST, 2015, LEASED AS NEW. MY WIFE WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, ON A RELATIVELY FLAT ROAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10789878
“I WAS IN STOP-AND-GO TRAFFIC ON A LEVEL SURFACE STREET. AFTER I CAME TO A STOP, THE STOP-START SYSTEM SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. WHEN I LET UP ON THE BRAKE SLIGHTLY, THE CAR STARTED TO ROLL FORWARD, BUT THE ENGINE DIDN'T START (IT NORMALLY DOES THIS)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10721712

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 11, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 11, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Annual Service)

Every 10,000 mi

Replace every 10,000 miles or 12 months with Volvo-spec oil (VCC 0W-20 on Drive-E engines). Turbo five-cylinders in the older XC70/C30 are harder on oil — many specialists suggest 7,500 miles on those.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Timing Belt (5-Cylinder — XC70, C30)

Every 105,000 mi

Volvo's five-cylinder engines use a timing belt: replace around 105,000 miles or 10 years (verify your year's exact interval). Interference engine — do the tensioner and idlers in the same job. Drive-E four-cylinders (2015+) use a chain instead.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate at every annual service. AWD models: replace tires in matched sets — tread mismatch works the Haldex coupling constantly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and hoses at every service. Heavy XC90s wear front pads quickly in city duty; check electronic parking-brake function on 2016+ models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 24,000 mi

Replace DOT 4 fluid every 2 years regardless of miles — standard practice for the moisture-absorbing fluid, and cheap insurance for the ABS unit.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

AWD Coupling Fluid (Haldex)

Every 40,000 mi

AWD models: replace the rear coupling's fluid roughly every 40,000 miles (Volvo's published interval varies by generation — check your manual). Skipping it clogs the pump filter and kills the AWD unit; whirring from the rear axle is the classic late symptom.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$220–$290

Shop

~$155–$205

DIY

~$40–$90

VW/Audi/Volvo AWD coupling — specific fluid required. Filter usually swapped at the same time.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

The Aisin 8-speed is labeled long-life, but Volvo specialists broadly recommend fluid service around 60,000 miles — sooner with towing. Use the specified JWS/Toyota WS-type fluid for your gearbox.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Drive-E turbo fours: plugs around every 60,000 miles. Supercharged+turbocharged T6/T8 engines run higher cylinder pressures — don't stretch the interval.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace roughly every 30,000 miles; inspect annually in dusty climates.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 10,000 mi

Volvo specifies frequent cabin-filter replacement — annually on most models, in keeping with the brand's air-quality focus (CleanZone on newer cars).

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Engine Coolant

On condition / lifetime

Volvo long-life coolant typically runs ~10 years on the schedule; refresh with Volvo-spec coolant around 100,000 miles per independent-specialist practice.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

2 crashes 2010–2024

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

3

complaints mentioning a crash

2

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2015 Volvo S60 reflects Volvo's published service intervals and the Volvo Service Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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