Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Volvo XC60, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Seat belts | 7 | 19% |
| Visibility/wiper | 3 | 8% |
| Engine | 3 | 8% |
| Unknown or other | 3 | 8% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 6% |
| Structure | 2 | 6% |
| Air bags | 2 | 6% |
| Equipment | 2 | 6% |
| Visibility | 1 | 3% |
| Electrical system | 1 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Windshield is original from Volvo but leaks during rain and car washes. Rain floods my driver’s side floor board and heavy enough might effect my electrical system.
NHTSA complaint: Visibility/wiper
The contact owns a 2011 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that the front driver’s side belt was restraining her extremely tightly and failed to release as needed. No warning light was illuminated. The contact also stated th
NHTSA complaint: Visibility
The contact owns a 2011 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that she noticed an oil leak underneath the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The front passenger seat belt will not release without much difficultly. If the vehicle started on fire or went into water, the passenger would likely die. I contacted Volvo and they will not help other than charging o
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
Original OEM front windshield developed a leak causing water to start dripping onto my hands on the steering wheel and on my lap during a rainstorm. seems to be numerous accounts of the front windshield bonding failing,
NHTSA complaint: Visibility/wiper
This SUV. 2011 Volvo XC60 is our family travel vehicle. I had a bad scenario, The drivers side seat belt Buckle got stuck. Would not release, My girlfriend was in car trying to release buckle. This is not normal. its
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
LOCKING MECHANISMS IN PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FAILING, UNABLE TO LOCK OR UNLOCK REMOTELY, HAVE TO MANUALLY LOCK OR UNLOCK FROM REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR TO ENTER VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
SEAT BELT RECALL ISSUED JUNE 30, 2020 (INFO BELOW). CALLED THE VOLVO DEALER (AUTONATION IN BELLEVUE, WA) AND THEY REPORTED THAT NO PARTS WILL BE AVAILABLE UNTIL NOVEMBER 2020 AND THAT I SHOULD CALL BACK THEN. THIS APPEAR
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2011 Volvo XC60. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front
Risk: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552.
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011, S80, S60, XC70 AND XC60 VEHICLES. THE SOFTWARE CALIBRATION FOR THE FUEL CUT-OFF FUNCTIONALITY IN THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) IS TOO SENSITIVE.
Risk: SUDDEN ENGINE STALL COULD OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL UPDATE THE ECM AND TCM WITH NEW SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE DECEMBER 10, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552 OR AT CUSTOMER
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 S80, XC70, MODEL YEAR 2011 XC60 AND MODEL YEAR 2010 V70 VEHICLES. THERE MAY BE AN INTERMITTENT FAULT IN THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG CLOCKSPRING WIRING CONNECTOR FOR THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE DRIVER'S FRONTAL AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY AS INTENDED OR AT ALL, AND THEREFORE WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT THE DRIVER, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A METAL SHIM IN THE DRIVER'S AIR BAG CLOCKSPRING WIRING CONNECTOR. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTAC
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH POWER FRONT PASSENGER SEATS. THE FRONT SEAT RAIL'S DETECTION SYSTEM WAS MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY AND MAY PERMIT THE PASSENGER TO FORWARD THE SEAT BEYOND THE INTENDED MAXIMUM.
Risk: POSITIONING OF THE SEAT BEYOND THE INTENDED MAXIMUM CAN CAUSE INCREASED RISK OF INJURY TO THE PASSENGER IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FRONT POWER SEAT STOPS FOR BOTH FRONT SEATS FOR THE PRESENCE OF AN "END STOP" AND REPAIR THE VEHICLES AS NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 23, 201
| Reliability raw | 76 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 71 | good |
| Depreciation | 56 | average |
| Performance | 66 | good |
| Efficiency | 38 | below average |
| Safety | 93 | excellent |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 36 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and seat belts is the most reported area with 7 of them (19%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 76/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2011 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 70/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.