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2021 Volvo S60 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2021 Volvo S60 has been recalled for and what owners report, from official government data. Updated November 2, 2026.
- 0safety recalls
- 8owner complaints
- 0crash reports
- 0fire reports
- 0injuries reported
8 complaints, against an average of 34 for the other 12 Volvo S60 model years.
Every Volvo S60 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2021 Volvo S60?
The components named most often in the 8 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
Has the 2021 Volvo S60 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2021 Volvo S60 as of November 2, 2026. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN before you rely on this.
Is the 2021 Volvo S60 recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSASPA1 Cell Modules
Risk: On affected vehicles the High Voltage (HV) Battery may have a manufacturing defect which could cause the battery cells to overheat when the HV Battery is fully charged. In a worst-case scenario there is a risk of fire when the vehicle is parked up with a fully charged HV Battery.
Fix: Check and replace the HV Battery if necessary and install modified software.
UK DVSABCM2 – Push Road
Risk: The rod connecting the brake pedal to the brake booster may not have been assembled correctly. The final torque might not be according to manufacturing specification due to deviations in the equipment. If the rod does disconnect the mechanical connection between brake pedal and brake booster cannot be guaranteed. In the worst-case scenario if the rod disconnects the brake pedal function cannot be guaranteed
Fix: A Volvo retailer will check and if necessary tighten the rod to correct specification.
UK DVSAThe passenger air bag may not have been correctly secured.
Risk: The passenger air bag may not have been correctly secured.
Fix: Inspect and re torque retaining bolts.
UK DVSADuring driving or idle the O-Ring may become twisted or break.During driving or idle the O-Ring may become twisted or break. Should this occur there could be an oil leak a message for low engine oil level displayed in the vehicle or an unusual smell in the cabin. In a worst case scenario this could cause a thermal event.
Risk: During driving or idle the O-Ring may become twisted or break. Should this occur there could be an oil leak a message for low engine oil level displayed in the vehicle or an unusual smell in the cabin. In a worst case scenario this could cause a thermal event.
Fix: Replace O-Ring
UK DVSAA software error may prevent the engine control module from starting the engine
Risk: The Engine Control Module (ECM) may prevent the combustion engine from starting.
Fix: Download updated software.
UK DVSAPotentially insufficient or missing welding connection in the hydraulic unit of the brake system
Risk: There may be an insufficient or missing welding connection in the Hydraulic Unit of the Brake System.
Fix: Replace the Hydraulic Unit.
UK DVSAPressure in the fuel tank could cause the fuel level sender to indicate fuel in the tank when it could be empty
Risk: Pressure in the fuel tank could cause the fuel level sender to indicate fuel in the tank when it could be empty.
Fix: Update software which will allow the electronic fuel tank ventilation valve to release pressure when required.
EU Safety GateSome problems with the high-voltage battery can cause an overheating of the battery cells when the battery is fully charged.This can lead the vehicle catch fire.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 01/04/2025
EU Safety GateAn insufficient torque might have been applied to the front passenger airbag fixings.Consequently, in the event of an accident the airbag might not properly deploy, increasing the risk of injuries.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 23/11/2023
EU Safety GateThe welding connection between the motor’s rotor shaft and the magnet package in the hydraulic unit of the brake system may be partially…The welding connection between the motor’s rotor shaft and the magnet package in the hydraulic unit of the brake system may be partially or fully missing.As a result, the brake boost, the anti-lock braking system (ABS) and the electronic stability control (ESC) could be disabled, resulting in less deceleration than normal, leading to increased risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Distributor; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe 15A fuse to the low-pressure fuel pump may blow.As a result, the engine could stall and not be able start, increasing the risk of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Distributor; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe software of the Active Safety Domain Master (ASDM) might be incomplete.Consequently, oncoming obstacles could remain undetected and the Automatic Emergency Brake System (AEB) might not be triggered, increasing the risk of accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator to whom the measure(s) were ordered: Distributor; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 09/03/2020
What do 2021 Volvo S60 owners report?
7 of the 8 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
The "Maintenance Mode" required to change the wiper blades malfunctioned, and the wipers- without the rubber blades attached- suddenly smashed onto the windshield, creating a large star crack/shatter, which spread across the entire windshield in two long cracks by the next day. If someone's hand had been in the path of the wipers, it would have been cut or broken by the force/sharp edge. The "Maintenance Mode" should not disengage unless the car is seriously jostled or put into gear (did not occur). This malfunction of the system is a safety concern in itself and has created a secondary safety…
Air conditioning evaporator core is leaking refrigerant into cabin
The high voltage coolant heater failed. It will not heat when running solely on battery. Defrost therefore will not get warm to clear windshield
2021 Volvo S60 T8 AWD, VIN [XXX] , ~71k miles Component: SUNROOF / DRAINAGE SYSTEM / ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Summary: Water entered the passenger compartment through clogged sunroof drain hoses and accumulated under the front passenger seat, causing catastrophic failure of wide angle module (WAM) and related electronic components (incl. front camera and wipers). Description: After moderate rain, a large amount of water was discovered under the front passenger seat. The vehicle began displaying multiple warning messages (camera faults, wiper faults). The authorized Volvo retailer diagnosed failure of…
I believe that there is a material or design defect in the front brakes of this car that is leading to the premature failure of the front brake rotors. Two sets of front brake rotors have been replaced on the car due to excessive warping in the first 15K miles of operation. I purchased the car in June 2022 as a certified used car with roughly 9K miles on it. As soon as I drove it I could tell the brakes had a problem due to a high vibration level in steering wheel and throughout the car upon brake application above 30 mph. The dealer agreed and replaced the front rotors. The replaced parts…
My car developed a severe shake in the steering wheel and pulsing in the brake pedal while under braking. The problem has worsened to the point that braking at high speed creates a serious shaking. I took the car to the dealership and they diagnosed the problem as warped rotors. The car started this with less than 15000 miles on the car. The dealer contacted Volvo to fix under warranty due to the defective parts. Volvo declined to fix the rotors because they are a "wear item". This is not normal wear. In fact, during the inspection (10/8) it was noted that the pads still have plenty of life…
While I was going down a small side street that is a hill, the air conditioning system suddenly went off and immediately the entire car's mechanisms ceased. The engine stopped and the car was unstearable and the brakes were not working. I had my foot on the brake and that was not responsive, the car slid with all electrical systems not working and the brake not holding the car or stopping the movement of the car. I could not start the car to get the engine going.I could not stop nor start the car that slid into a major street that is a thoroughfare for a hospital. I had no control of the car…
2021 Volvo S60: questions owners ask
Is the 2021 Volvo S60 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Volvo S60; the most common categories were electrical system (4, 50%), visibility/wiper (3, 37.5%), service brakes (2, 25%). There are no safety recalls listed for this model year.
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volvo S60?
Across 8 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are electrical system (50% of complaints), visibility/wiper (37.5% of complaints), service brakes (25% of complaints), engine (12.5% of complaints), steering (12.5% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2021 Volvo S60 have any recalls?
As of November 2026, NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2021 Volvo S60. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check your own S60
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved November 2, 2026. Model year 2021 only; combines NHTSA's entries for S60 T5, S60 T6, S60 T8 and S60 T8 POLESTAR ENGINEERED. How these reports are made.