NHTSA — Engine Problems

2012 Volvo S60 (Page 3 of 3)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,412 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2012 Volvo S60 engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Volvo S60 Owner Comments (Page 3 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #19

Jan 032018

S60

  • 104,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Volvo has an internal service recall for their engine oil sensors. The information can be found here: They have stated that they fixed the sensor in my vehicle; however, I still experienced the exact problem described in the service recall. My car showed 0 engine oil light readings, but my engine seized up in the middle of the interstate. Had other vehicles been around, I would have surely been in an accident.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #18

Nov 052017

S60

  • 51,000 miles
At around 51,000 miles, the oil pressure light blinked. We checked the oil and found that we had to add 5 quarts on 11/5/2017. Volvo added another quart on 12/26/2017. We are concerned about the oil usage and safety, and are keeping in contact with our Volvo dealer to see if this continues.

- Basking Ridge, NJ, USA

problem #17

Jun 012017

S60

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Volvo S60. The contact stated that the dealer (jim fisher Volvo, 2108 w burnside St, portland, or 97210, (503) 295-5571) indicated that the engine assembly needed to be replaced due to a premature internal failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 98,000.

- Sherwood, OR, USA

problem #16

May 022017

S60

  • 78,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car was consuming oil at a shocking rate - 12 quarts over the course of 2 months and the oil light did not illuminate, even when the engine was completely out of oil! I opened a case with Volvo usa at the time and was told to bring the car to a dealer. The dealer could not find a leak and did not resolve the problem. I returned to the dealer again for the same issue and it was still not resolved. A few weeks after my most recent visit to the dealer, the car made a loud noise while in traffic going about 30 mph. The car was dead in the middle of atlanta traffic. It turns out the engine "threw a rod" and the entire engine would need to be replaced ($11K)! this car has 78K miles on it. I again reached out to Volvo usa and was told that all goodwill repairs were at the discretion of the dealer and the dealer did not feel any assistance was in order in this case. At this time I have a very good looking and expensive boat anchor in my driveway. After reading many similar complaints on this site, I have once again reached out to Volvo usa for assistance. There is obviously a problem with the 2012 S60 T5 engine.

- Milton, GA, USA

problem #15

Mar 122017

S60

  • 84,500 miles
Engine failed after 84,000 miles. Engine was cared for well; vehicle received service at recommended service intervals. The vehicle is operated under normal conditions that result in average wear and tear.

- Jacksonville, NC, USA

problem #14

Dec 282016

S60

  • 127,000 miles
Vehicle burned through all oil causing engine failure with no warning from vehicle electronics (check engine light came on as engine began to fail; was able to travel to closest mechanic). Vehicle dealership said this is a known issue that has had previous recall (for oil pressure warning) for other of the same model year but not this particular vehicle.

- Deniar, CA, USA

problem #13

Jun 212016

S60

  • 52,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On April 12, 2016 I took my Volvo S-60 leased brand new from Volvo and the purchased at the end of the lease as a certified pre-owned car in for an oil change and a check oil light. Volvo had a recall on oil pressure censors (this had caused other car engines to seize something that the ntsb has reported on). The Volvo authorized dealer, herb gordon, claimed to have made this repair. However on June 21, 2016, the engine seized in the middle of a busy road. The Volvo authorized dealer determined it needed a new engine, at the time, I asked about simply applying the cost to replace the engine (about $12,000) to getting me into a new car. Volvo refused and went ahead with an engine replacement (they had my car from June 21, 2016 to August 1, 2016. The car broke down again on August 15, 2016 while my family and I were on the road for a vacation. When we returned from vacation the car was given back to us but the problem now is that the car's value has significantly diminished because of the engine replacement, the bluebook value of the car is on average $13,789 but the highest we can get for it is $8,000 because of the damage done to it by Volvo. We have tried to get Volvo to work with us by making up that difference as a trade in on a car they have in stock. We have been met with nothing but hostility and abuse. In fact earlier today we were told by a customer service representative at Volvo to shut up and then he hung up on us,

- Beltsville, MD, USA

problem #12

Oct 292016

S60

  • 49,740 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Volvo S60. While driving 5 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the starter needed to be replaced. The starter was replaced, but the failure recurred while still at the dealer. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 13V592000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 49,740.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #11

Sep 242016

S60

  • 86,000 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Volvo S60. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle; however, the failure recurred. The dealer diagnosed that the engine control module software needed to be updated. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 11V303000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #10

Sep 222016

S60

  • 62,785 miles
My 2012 S60 has less than 63K miles and it is burning oil. I've not seen any leaks or exhaust smoke, so I assumed all was well. Dealer ship advised it's normal for a Volvo to loss 1-2 quarts of oil between oil changes. Recently the engine failed with no warning, and warranty is out. Can't believe a 2012 veh. Would have such engine problems and Volvo customer service does not acknowledge the problem.

- Randallstown, MD, USA

problem #9

Jun 132016

S60

  • 79,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car is using oil like crazy. Going thru 3-4 quarts every 2000 miles. Started at 40541 when serviced, they noted it was a quart low. I am now at 79000. & the problem has just gotten worse. I spoke to dealer about this & they acted as if they had no idea what it could be or why. They agreed to do oil consumption test (they said was the next step in protocol) when I told them that I had read that this was a major problem & I had copy of the service bulletin that had been issued. They even told me mine was not included, that the T6 models were the ones with the issue. That is not true. Took it back again after 2000 miles & I was barely showing any oil on the dipstick but they told me to bring it in & not to add oil. I didn't want to drive it this low. I get it over to the dealer which is 40 min away. They checked it & gave me a loaner but made me pay $150. I asked what this was of since they said the loaner would be provided for free & they said it was "tax". it has been 7 days & I haven't heard anything. They haven't touched my car. They called after 5 days & said that they were waiting to hear from their rep. I don't know if I should call Volvo North America myself, or give the dealer more time. I don't have much faith in them at this point. I feel they act secretive & won't be honest about problems. I hope they prove me wrong & restore my faith in Volvo. I was so excited to buy a Volvo & was looking forward to having this car for a long time. I was even considering getting a Volvo SUV. This is a problem that many are having. It seems to be the piston & rings. Some have had to have new engines bc the piston & rings didn't help.

- Palmyra, IN, USA

problem #8

May 162016

S60

  • 92,000 miles
My 2012 Volvo S60 is using one quart of oil for every 900-1000 miles. This is too much. I was told that it was the piston rings that are bad.

- Jackson, TN, USA

problem #7

May 062016

S60

  • 64,114 miles
2012 Volvo S60. Vehicle is at 64,114 miles. About a week ago, my check engine light came on and I noticed a high pitched whistle coming from the engine when driving. I took the car to the mechanic and he stated that a rubber diaphragm in the oil trap had ruptured causing the vehicle to go on full vacuum and in-take too much air and oil. In fact, it was taking in so much oil that the oil was nearly depleted. He stated that he has seen similar issues with Volvo in the past. Approximately 6 months ago, I took the vehicle into the dealer for an oil service. At that time, he stated that the engine's oil was almost depleted. I'm now beginning to suspect that the broken diaphragm is related to that issue as well. I've seen other complaints regarding depleted oil (and the lack of a driver notification due to a malfunctioning oil sensor). This could potentially be the root cause of the oil depletion in these other cases as well.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #6

Nov 302015

S60

  • 52,000 miles
1) power steering fluid leaking constantly since purchasing car at 52K miles; diagnosed as rack and pinion failure 2) engine light came on and engine made whistling noise at 60K miles while driving; diagnosed as PCV failure

- Brighton, MI, USA

problem #5

Nov 242015

S60

  • 86,111 miles
The contact owns a 2012 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while driving at 55 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to a dealer who stated that there was no engine oil in the vehicle and diagnosed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the low oil pressure warning light failed to illuminate. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 86,111.

- Decatur, GA, USA

problem #4

Jan 232015

S60

  • 68,540 miles
The engine had a sudden loss of power and engine was struggling to crank. The engine showed signs of hesitation making it hard to maintain speed on the highway. This was later found out to be due to no compression in cylinder #3. the valves, valve guides, and bearings in the engine were destroyed by overheating due to low oil pressure. A vehicle software recall was known at the time to cause this oil pressure problem. The engine was about 3 years old and at 68,540 miles.

- Patterson, NY, USA

problem #3

May 202015

S60

  • 66,000 miles
My 2012 Volvo S60 had serious engine noise brought to the shop they thought it might of been the fact that I had low oil, but I had just gotten my oil changed 12/17/14 and it was 5/27/15 now and I had not driven anywhere close to 6 thousand miles to deplete all the oil. The shop told me to really figure out what was going on they would have to take out the engine to take a look at what was making the noise. That evening I got a call from the shop again telling me that there was a serious problem. They told me because my car was dangerously low on oil in fact 3 quarts low that the engine for that fact had not gotten any oil, this in turn cased the barring and the crank shaft the be damaged so bad that they shop to me that if basically beyond repair and I would need to get a new engine. Upon researching the internet I came across a string of recalls for my car, it stated that the Volvo's software had a problem which prevented the low engine oil light from coming out and in December 2013 they started a recall. I check the website and got the number to Volvo of North America and called and was told that my car was one of the vehicles that was recalled. I was also told that they problem was fixed by a simple software update. I was also told that in their records my car was taken into Volvo and the update was applied to my car fixing the problem. I told the representative on the phone that if this was the case then it must of not worked because my car was in the shop with the exact same problem that Volvo's website described and also no "low engine oil" light ever came on.

- Ponte Vedra, FL, USA

problem #2

Jan 042015

S60

  • 47,100 miles
TL-the contact owns a 2012 Volvo S60. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the low oil warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the four quarts of oil were emptied but the failure was undetermined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 47,100. Djr

- Hanensack , NJ, USA

problem #1

Apr 232014

S60 5-cyl

  • 30,000 miles
On the April 23, 2014, my husband was driving and the car shot out at high speed he didn't realize what happened. On April 24, 2014, I was in my driveway in park as I put the car in drive to slowly enter my garage the car took off at high speed tires spun left tire marks on my pavement and I hit the brakes in garage not to hit the wall and left marks there as well. My neighbors were right there witnessing this scary experience. I called corporate immediately they told me to get it to the dealer. I called a tow truck and the tow truck driver took the keys to slowly drive it onto the flatbed and the car again took off at high speed and almost flew off the tow truck! also, the push button start button was a problem, ever since the vehicle was leased. Updated 07/28/14 updated 10/27/2014

- Parkland, FL, USA

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