AI Damage2018 Volvo S60: common problems
Owners of the 2018 Volvo S60 filed 4 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. The maker issued 80 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 4
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 80
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 25% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 25% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 25% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 25% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 24.
- Engine: 1 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Visibility: 1 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Service brakes: 1 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: FWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 4 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 24 |
| Engine | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 31 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Backover prevention | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Seat belts | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Electronic stability control | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Wheels | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 11 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
The check engine light appeared on my 2018 Volvo s60. After taking the car to 2 Independent mechanics and the dealer, it was diagnosed as an Engine Control Module (ECM) failure. My 2018 Volvo s60 has ONLY 44,200 miles. The dealer stated that they "haven't seen this failure in cars with such low mileage.
The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the fan, and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 77,000.
When pressing brake pedal a popping sound was noticed and then brakes were lost. Fortunately car was parked in a street. Service location stated that "brake booster broke, it is a man made part". Car has only 10500 miles on it.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 1,741 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 17% least complained about).
On average one model year of the S60 has 3 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 4, above average.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- This is a Technical Journal
Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test. Perform the test. Follow service procedure Description and Service sections updated to clarify that vehicle reports are not required.
- This is a TJ text only - The purpose of this TJ is to be a master reference list to easily identify any…
This is a TJ text only - The purpose of this TJ is to be a master reference list to easily identify any components that are on prior approval. This TJ will be regularily updated as items are added or removed from prior…
- This is a Technical Journal
Vehicle type and platform identification.
- This is a Technical Journal
Remote connection, BOMGAR application. Before joining a remote session: •Connect a suitable battery maintainer/charger and verify that the battery voltage indicated in VIDA is between 12.5V and 14.9V.
…
- Volvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has decided to launch…
Volvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has decided to launch Service Action S10303 on certain model year 2025 EX90 vehicles. Volvo Car Investigations have identified…
- This is a Technical Journal
Vehicle/Connectivity report checklist. To provide timely and high-quality feedback to the appropriate department or factory
- Information about valid Software partnumbers to order and download Software for "PDS" Pre-Delivery Service
- This is a Technical Journal
High Temperature Message in DIM after Coolant Pump Replacement. Replace coolant pump
- This is a Technical Journal
T8 P0EA773 Auxiliary Cooling System Performance. install component 32139082
- This is a Technical Journal
VIDA Main battery diagnostic - Prompted to charge battery a second time. Use had held tester.
- Volvo Cars App Remote climate or ERS, not possible
- This is a Technical Journal
12V Battery Testing Method
NHTSA lists 80 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Volvo S60?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, visibility. Total complaints: 4. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (25%), windows, sunroof (25%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2018 Volvo S60?
NHTSA lists 80 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2018 Volvo S60 from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2018 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.