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2013 Volvo XC60 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2013 Volvo XC60 has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated November 2, 2026.
- 3safety recalls
- 66owner complaints
- 1crash report
- 2fire reports
- 27%fail the UK MOT
66 complaints, against an average of 35 for the other 14 Volvo XC60 model years.
Every Volvo XC60 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2013 Volvo XC60?
The components named most often in the 66 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2013 Volvo XC60 owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 66 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2013 Volvo XC60 been recalled?
3 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Seat Belts: Front 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.
Equipment: Other: Labels Volvo is recalling certain model year 2013 S60 and XC60 vehicles, manufactured on January 7, 2013. The product identification labels were printed with the incorrect manufacture year. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification Regulation."
Risk: With an incorrect date of manufacture on the certification label, the vehicle owner may not be to determine if they are affected by future vehicle recalls, increasing their risk of a crash of injury.
Fix: Volvo has quarantined the affected vehicles and will install correct labels prior to sale. The recall began during March 2013. Owner notification letters will not be sent.
Air Bags: Frontal: Sensor/Control Module-Inactive Volvo is recalling certain model year 2013 S60 and XC60 vehicles. A manufacturing defect within the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) control unit may lead to an inadvertent deployment of the seat belt pretensioner and/or inflatable curtain.
Risk: If the seat belt pretensioner and/or inflatable side curtain deploy without cause, the driver could be distracted and the driver's visibility could be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: These vehicles have not been sold and the SRS control unit will be replaced prior to the cars being sold. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Is the 2013 Volvo XC60 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 DVSAThere is a risk for trapped air to be in the cooling system which may result in insufficient cooling of engine components
Risk: There is a risk for trapped air to be in the cooling system which may result in insufficient cooling of engine components.
Fix: Add an extra degassing line (Bleeder Hose) between the cooling system radiator and the cooling system expansion tank which will evacuate the trapped air
UK DVSAThere is a risk for trapped air to be in the cooling system
Risk: There is a risk for trapped air to be in the cooling system which may result in insufficient cooling of engine components.
Fix: Add an extra degassing line (Bleeder Hose) between the cooling system radiator and the cooling system expansion tank which will evacuate the trapped air.
UK DVSAPotential breakage/fatigue of a flexible steel cable supporting the front seatbelt anchor point
Risk: Potential breakage/fatigue of a flexible steel cable supporting the front seatbelt anchor point.
Fix: Replace the seat belt fastener with a new designed seat belt fastening.
UK DVSAThe engine's plastic inlet manifold may melt and deform
Risk: The engines plastic inlet manifold may melt and deform
Fix: Update vehicles with improved soot reducing software cleaning of TMAP and EMAP. Fit additional hoses where necessary.
UK DVSAEngine may failYears estimated
Risk: The crankshaft may not have been sufficiently hardened and may fail this in turn can lead to sudden and catastrophic engine failure. The failure may be preceded by loss of power and a knocking noise.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected and replace the engine.
UK DVSAParking brake may unintentionally release
Risk: Vehicles with manual gearboxes and start/stop functionality have Parking Brake Module (PBM) software that may allow the parking brake to unintentionally release. The unintended release of the parking brake can only occur when the engine is running and the gearstick moved so it will happen when the vehicle is attended.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to download upgraded Parking Brake Module (PBM) software.
UK DVSALoss of power steering assistanceYears estimated
Risk: The auxiliary drive belt tensioner can suffer from premature wear which may cause it to fail. This can lead to loss of steering power assistance and a slight possibility of loss of drive should the drive belt or tensioner invade the cambelt area.
Fix: Recall the vehicles that are likely to be affected to replace the auxiliary drive belt and tensioner.
EU Safety GateExcessive carbon deposits could build up in the intake system of the engine.Consequently, the temperature of the intake air could rise, causing the engine's intake manifold to melt and deform. This could lead to the engine to stop, increasing the risk of accidents or even the engine bay to catch fire.
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 handbrake may under certain conditions release inadvertently.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Other; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 26/02/2015
How often does the 2013 Volvo XC60 fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2013, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2013 Volvo XC60 owners report?
12 of the 66 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.
Windshield leaks water into cabin. Volvo dealership charged $190 to diagnose problem. Told me I need a new windshield but they do not do glass replacement or repairs. They said sealant is bad at top of windshield. This is the original factory windshield. They referred me to a independent glass company who quoted $900 - $1285 for replacement. Cannot repair only install new windshield. This seems to be a known problem with Volvo cars and the sealant that was used at factory? Not covered by insurance. Car was parked outside during rain.
The accelerator got stuck and and the engine went full power. It would not shut off and the overheated.
Factory installed windshield is leaking profusely due to faulty adhesive/primer. This is a well known issue that causes havoc on vital electronic systems and should be a national recall. The loose windshield bond can cause the windshield to detach during a crash. The failed windshield bond compromises the structural integrity of the roof.
"During airbag deployment, the driver’s hand was burned with blistering. I believe hot gas or chemicals vented abnormally. This caused a painful injury requiring treatment."
Faulty seal in OEM windshield sealant/silicone causing water to leak on the inside of car, headliner, and inner windshield. Can cause visibility issues and mildew.
The component or system that failed is the driver side door controls for all four windows and both side mirrors. My safety is at risk as I am unable to adjust my mirrors manually or electronically in order to see. I am also unable to roll down any of the windows in the vehicle from the driver door in the event of an emergency. Yes, the problem has been confirmed by the Volvo service center. According to my local Volvo service center, this is a common problem in Volvos and they are very familiar with the repair needed to correct. The problem is that the driver door wiring is zip-tied together…
The vehicle came to a stop in two different occasions (6 months apart) without a reason. The first occasion was while exiting the freeway, there was no car or object in front of me. The second time I had gone over a manhole and the car screeched to a halt on a city street. I was very fortunate that in both occasions I did not have a car behind me or this malfunction would have caused a collision. After the car stopped I was able to continue driving. After the car stopped the message "Auto braking by City Safety" appeared on the dashboard.
Water leakage from top of windsheild due to common failure of sealant (known to Volvo) falls directly into steering wheel airbag and, from there, flows into the seam between airbag module and the steering wheel and collecting behind the airbag subjecting the electrical connections of the airbag to moisture trapped behind the airbag. See photos. No warning lights yet. Vehicle is available for inspection by nhtsa.
The contact owns a 2013 Volvo XC60. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled in the middle of the road. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and proceeded to his destination. The failure recurred several times. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,574.
WHEN RAINING OUTSIDE WATER DROPS INSIDE ON THE DRIVER FROM THE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD ABOVE THE STEERING WHEEL . THIS JUST STARTED ON A 7.5 YEAR OLD CAR BUT WITH ONLY 47,850 MILES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE DRIVER IS GETTING WET AND IS TOTALLY DISTRACTED AND, IF IGNORED, THE BODY WILL RUST, LOOSENING THE WINDSHIELD.. THE CAR CANNOT BE SAFELY DRIVEN IN THE RAIN WITH THIS LEAK AND IT CANNOT BE LEFT OUTSIDE AT ALL IF THERE IS ANY CHANCE OF RAIN, UNLESS THE WINDSHIELD IS COVERED WITH PLASTIC. IF I IGNORE THIS THE CAR WILL RUST AROUND THE WINDSHIELD SO AS TO WEAKEN IT'S ROLE AS A PART OF…
I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AND PUT MY FOOT DOWN TO APPLY THE BRAKES THE CAR WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN, THE HARDER I PUSHED ONTHE BRAKE THE MORE THE CAR WOULD GO FORDWARD. HAVE YOU HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE.
THE STEERING WHEEL TRIM IS SEPARATING AND LEAVING SHARP METAL EDGES. THE CUTS I HAVE SUSTAINED ARE MINOR IN NATURE BUT THE DISTRACTION OF HAVING BLOOD DRIPPING ON THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE DRIVING IS SIGNIFICANT. THE PHOTO SHOWS A CUT FROM A DAY AGO, BUT THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES.
2013 Volvo XC60: questions owners ask
Is the 2013 Volvo XC60 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 66 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Volvo XC60; the most common categories were visibility/wiper (27, 40.9%), electrical system (9, 13.6%), air bags (7, 10.6%). There are 3 safety recalls. 1 complaint mentions a crash, 2 mention a fire, 1 injury was reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Volvo XC60?
Across 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are visibility/wiper (40.9% of complaints), electrical system (13.6% of complaints), air bags (10.6% of complaints), structure (7.6% of complaints), engine (4.5% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2013 Volvo XC60 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 Volvo XC60; the most recent (campaign 20V378000, 2020-06-30) concerns Seat Belts: Front. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does water leak into my 2013 Volvo XC60?
10 of the 66 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Volvo XC60 (15.2%) describe water leaks into the cabin, sunroof or trunk. One owner wrote: "Water leaking every time it rains. Running down the windshield on the inside and making it difficult to see and dangerous as I’m having to wipe while I’m driving." (NHTSA complaint 11516214, April 2023). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own XC60
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 anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved November 2, 2026. Model year 2013 only. How these reports are made.