Volvo Years to Avoid by Model
Volvo years to avoid: the 2016 XC90 (196 complaints), 2012 S60 (121 complaints) and 2023 XC60 (49 complaints). All 6 Volvo models we track have at least one avoid-rated year; the cleanest records include the 2011 XC90 and 2014 XC60. Based on 1,643 NHTSA owner complaints, rated model year by model year.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, recall campaigns & service bulletins · Updated 2026-11-07 · By CarWhere Research · Methodology
Volvo years to avoid, model by model
| Model | Years to avoid | Best years | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo XC90 | 20162017 | 2011 | 610 (2008–2025) |
| Volvo S60 | 20122013 | — | 429 (2008–2025) |
| Volvo XC60 | 20222023 | 2014 | 604 (2008–2025) |
| Volvo S80 | 201320152016 | 20052006 | 0 (2005–2016) |
| Volvo XC70 | 201120152016 | 20062017 | 0 (2006–2017) |
| Volvo V60 | 201520162019 | 20132014 | 0 (2013–2024) |
Verdicts are each model’s own, rated against that model’s history (see the methodology); counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.
The worst year for each Volvo model
2016 Volvo XC90: 196 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2016 and 2017 · Full XC90 breakdown →
2012 Volvo S60: 121 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2012 and 2013 · Full S60 breakdown →
2023 Volvo XC60: 49 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2022 and 2023 · Full XC60 breakdown →
2015 Volvo S80: 0 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2013, 2015 and 2016 · Full S80 breakdown →
2016 Volvo XC70: 0 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2011, 2015 and 2016 · Full XC70 breakdown →
2016 Volvo V60: 0 NHTSA owner complaints · all avoid-rated years: 2015, 2016 and 2019 · Full V60 breakdown →
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Frequently asked questions
What Volvo years should you avoid?
By model: XC90 2016 and 2017; S60 2012 and 2013; XC60 2022 and 2023; S80 2013, 2015 and 2016; XC70 2011, 2015 and 2016; V60 2015, 2016 and 2019. Each verdict matches that model's own years-to-avoid page, built from NHTSA owner-complaint and recall records.
What are the best Volvo years to buy?
The cleanest federal records by model: XC90 2011; XC60 2014; S80 2005 and 2006; XC70 2006 and 2017; V60 2013 and 2014.
Which Volvo model has the most years to avoid?
The Volvo S80, with 3 avoid-rated model years (2013, 2015 and 2016) across 12 years on record (2005–2016).
How are Volvo years to avoid rated?
Each model year's NHTSA owner complaints are weighted for severity, converted to a rate per year on the road, compared with the rest of that model's own history and adjusted for recalls. Models not yet scored that way are ranked by combined NHTSA complaint and manufacturer service-bulletin volume. Full method at /research/years-to-avoid/methodology.
Where does the Volvo data come from?
Federal records: 1,643 NHTSA owner complaints across 6 Volvo models, plus NHTSA recall campaigns and manufacturer service bulletins filed with NHTSA. Counts are raw federal filings, not adjusted for sales volume.