AI Damage2016 Volvo V60: common problems
Owners of the 2016 Volvo V60 filed 14 complaints with NHTSA, most often about electrical system and engine. The maker issued 156 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 14
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 156
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 29% of all complaints
- 2 Engine 29% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 14% of all complaints
- 4 Visibility 14% of all complaints
- 5 Structure 14% of all complaints
- 6 Engine and cooling 7% of all complaints
- 7 Seat belts 7% of all complaints
- 8 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 4 complaints (29% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 37.
- Engine: 4 complaints (29% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 16.
- Service brakes: 2 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
- Visibility: 2 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Structure: 2 complaints (14% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
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
- 2.5 L · petrol · turbo · 5 cyl
- 3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- automatic, 6-speed
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: AWD, FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 14 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 | 4 | 0 | 37 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 16 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| Visibility | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Engine and cooling | 1 | 0 | 8 |
| Seat belts | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 71 |
| Exterior lighting | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Communication | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Air bags | 0 | 0 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
BCM Trouble Codes: C000101, C000201, and C008248 Incident & Defect Summary: The Brake Control Module (BCM) experienced a premature internal electrical circuit failure at only 55,188 total vehicle miles.
The contact later discovered the engine oil was low and the vehicle had experienced excessive oil consumption. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 185,000.
Volvo dealer confirmed Excessive oil burn due to bad piston rings. Volvo USA recalled other cars with the same problem but refused to recall mine. They offered instead partial payment for the fix. Should be full payment to repair.
Infotainment screen reboots continuously and never completes loading, making many control functions of the vehicle completely inaccessible. This occurs during any time when the car is running, regardless of whether it is stationary or moving.
While driving back home at an unknown speed, a grinding noise was heard on the driver's side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brakes were metal-to-metal and that a caliper bolt was missing. The mechanic replaced the rotor, brake pads, and the missing bolt.
Exploding sunroof. On friday 26 jan 2018, at 4:10pm, I was driving in alabama on interstate 65 northbound mile at marker 180 in the middle lane at 70 mph. The temperature was approximately 55f and overcast with no rain.
Speed 70 mph) the sunroof suddenly imploded sounding like a gunshot going off. There was no projectile heard or seen prior to the sudden shattering. Thankfully, the internal cover prevented the majority of glass from entering the passenger compartment.
65 mph, the sunroof exploded with glass blowing up towards the sky. At first, I heard a loud "bang" that sounded like a gun firing and then shards of glass started raining down upon me from above. Shards of glass also filled the rear seat area.
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 1,374 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 35% least complained about).
On average one model year of the V60 has 2 complaints (9 years in the data). This year has 14, 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.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
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 TJ text, only no attachments - If the Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI) does not work in…
This is a TJ text, only no attachments - If the Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI) does not work in Sensus Connect vehicle, follow advice under "Service". This Technical Journal is only valid for vehicles with…
- This is a Technical Journal
Vehicle type and platform identification.
- This is a Technical Journal
AC evaporator repair, additional parts needed. Add resister in line jumper cable.
- 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.
…
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- This is a Technical Journal
Vehicle/Connectivity report checklist. To provide timely and high-quality feedback to the appropriate department or factory
- This is a Technical Journal
Software Upgrade / Download Guide. If one control unit is upgraded and not all, it may result in various problems.
- 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
SiriusXM not Available. Perform an update of the RDAR (Sirius Tuner Module) by downloading an RDAR upgrade with VIDA.
NHTSA lists 156 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 2016 Volvo V60?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: electrical system, engine, service brakes. Total complaints: 14. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: windows, sunroof (29%), stalls while driving (14%), knocking, grinding or other noise (7%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2016 Volvo V60?
NHTSA lists 156 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 2016 Volvo V60 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 2016 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.