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2021 Volvo XC60

Plug-in hybridGas
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
53 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls1 critical5
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA47
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA27 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 Volvo XC60 is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid and gas compact SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the XC60 AWD PHEV, is EPA-rated at 27 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for this model year, 1 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 47 complaints, most often about the electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
XC60 AWD PHEVPlug-in hybridAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo + 34 and 65 kW 3-phase Sync.262827 (34 MPGe blended)19 mi electric573 h$2,850
XC60 FWDGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo222925———$3,100
XC60 AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo212824———$3,250
XC60 AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo202723———$3,350

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43145, 42684, 42687, 42688.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Volvo XC60 is in the years where high-voltage electronics and module repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (5)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Electrical System

R10312
7,483 vehicles
ProblemVolvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020-2021 S90, 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60, XC90, and 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.RiskA short circuit in a high-voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.FixOwners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high-voltage battery module as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the software to monitor the battery. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 28, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10312.
NHTSA campaign 25V179000reported Mar 24, 2025Volvo Car USA, LLC
▲high

Steering

R10213
74 vehicles
ProblemVolvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2022 V60CC, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. During steering gear assembly, double screws may have been assembled on top of each other, which can cause a screw to fall into the gearbox housing.RiskA screw inside the gearbox housing can cause the steering wheel to lock up and increase the risk of a crash.FixDealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 1, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10213.
NHTSA campaign 23V001000reported Jan 5, 2023Volvo Car USA, LLC
▲high

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

R10120
9 vehicles
ProblemVolvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 S90L, 2020-2021 XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.RiskSeparation of the rotor and shaft may cause a reduction in braking assistance and a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will replace the hydraulic unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10120.
NHTSA campaign 21V716000reported Sep 15, 2021Volvo Car USA, LLC
▲high

Seat Belts

R10111
19,149 vehicles
ProblemVolvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 XC40, XC 40 Recharge, V60CC, V90, V90CC, XC90, and 2021-2022 V60, XC60, S60 vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."RiskAn unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.FixDealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10111.
NHTSA campaign 21V682000reported Sep 1, 2021Volvo Car USA, LLC
▲high

Air Bags

R10068
2,883 vehicles
ProblemVolvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 Volvo V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. The Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) control unit may not have been properly attached to the car body and may detach during a crash.RiskA detached SRS control unit can decrease the performance of occupant protection systems such as air bags, seat belts, and high voltage battery disconnect, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.FixVolvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the SRS control unit mounting screws, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10068.
NHTSA campaign 21V001000reported Jan 7, 2021Volvo Car USA, LLC

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
47complaints filed

4 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 4 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2021: 6 · 2022: 13 · 2023: 4 · 2024: 7 · 2025: 6 · 2026: 11

Most-cited components

Electrical System14
Unspecified11
Service Brakes9
Forward Collision Avoidance7
Steering7
Lane Departure7

What owners describe

“The contact owns a 2021 Volvo XC60 PHEV. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V179000 (Electrical System); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the r…”Jul 9, 2025 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report
“I’ve taken the vehicle back to dealership several times and they say nothing is wrong with it. The steering wheel vibrates at high speeds or when backing into parking spaces. Loud noise when backing into parking spaces, possibly brakes or steering. Engines unusually loud when starting up. Windshield just spilt all th…”Oct 23, 2022 · Service Brakes · NHTSA owner report
“Without warning, car loses BLIS, electric windows and seats fail to work, ventilation system is inoperable. Supposedly fixed by dealer, but same issues have arisen within 60 days of repair.”Sep 27, 2022 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆15%
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆15%
SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆16%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking.

Other XC60 model years

A

2027 Volvo XC60

0 recalls · 0 complaints

B

2026 Volvo XC60

3 recalls · 14 complaints

B

2025 Volvo XC60

4 recalls · 33 complaints

A

2024 Volvo XC60

3 recalls · 23 complaints

D

2023 Volvo XC60

6 recalls · 52 complaints

F

2022 Volvo XC60

7 recalls · 73 complaints

F

2020 Volvo XC60

7 recalls · 23 complaints

F

2019 Volvo XC60

8 recalls · 36 complaints

D

2018 Volvo XC60

5 recalls · 36 complaints

C

2017 Volvo XC60

4 recalls · 16 complaints

C

2016 Volvo XC60

3 recalls · 38 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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