There are 5 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2016 Volvo S60in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
In November of 2021, I purchased my dream car, a 2016 Volvo s60 Cross Country, proud to own a vehicle from a company known for their safe and reliable vehicles. In April of 2022, a class action case ([XXX], et al., v. Volvo Car USA, LLC, Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, and Volvo Personvagnar AB) was issued against Volvo due to a KNOWN-TO-VOLVO DESIGN FLAW in their engines which could lead to engine failure. The case was settled out of court in early 2023 and Volvo issued an extended warranty for vehicles owners to take preventative measures against potential engine failure. Although my car is listed under the extended warranty, I was never sent any notice of it from Volvo. On [XXX], while driving on a highway, at speed limit, my 2016 Volvo s60 Cross Country's engine failed. I learned about the Extended Warranty from a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Quality Bulletin (Extended Warranty P10183: I5T Oil Consumption Replace; Model Year 20132016 S60, 2015-2016 V60, V60CC and XC60, 2016 XC70, S60CC and S60L) while researching the issue with my car online. I contacted Volvo Customer Care to ask why I was not sent notice and what they could do. I was told that to open a case with Volvo I would need a diagnostic from a dealership. On August 5, 2024, I took my car in for a diagnostic at Patrick Volvo Cars in Schaumburg, IL, from who I also purchased the car in 2021. August 6, 2024 I received a partial diagnostic and was told that they would require 10x the original diagnostic price to find the root of the issue in the engine. On the same day, I called Volvo customer care and opened a case. After weeks of little to no communication, on September 3 Volvo denied my case. I was not provided any opportunity to communicate over the phone with my case manager at Volvo - only after she sent me the decision did I receive a call from her to learn Volvo does not care about my side of the story. Please view attached documents for more details, thank you. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
At 86K miles can smell oil burning and add 1 quart light comes on. It's said Volvo is aware of a defect with the piston rings causing oil to consume and burn away. They aren't willing to address the issue outside warranty expiration. They did recently indicate how Volvo changed the requirement for using 5W30 oil to claim now Volvo changed there minds. How now only 0W20 full synthetic oil must be used. The label under the hood says use 5W30 only. It appears that Volvo is changing oil types because they know there's an issue with the piston rings and is trying to cover up a defect by doing so.
I HAVE 86,585 MILES ON THE CAR AND HAVE FOLLOWED OR EXCEEDED THE MANUFACTURES RECOMMENDATION ON OIL CHANGES. NOW I AM TOLD AFTER MY LAST OIL CHANGE THAT THE ENGINE IS CONSUMING A LOT OF OIL. AT 80,000 MILES MY VOLVO DEALERSHIP CHANGED THE TYPE OF OIL THEY WERE PUTTING IN THE CAR FROM 5W-30 FULL SYN. TO 0W20 FULL SYN. I BELIEVE THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE AND VOLVO KNOWS IT BY TRYING TO STOP THE OIL USAGE BY CHANGING THE TYPE OF OIL THEY RECOMMEND. WHAT DO I DO IF I HAVE A ENGINE PROBLEM WITH MY CAR ???
WHEN THE CAR'S ECO START/STOP IS ON, THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF FOR NO REASON FORCING ME TO TURN OFF THE CAR TO RESTART IT. SOMETIME IT HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS STOPPED BUT A FEW TIMES THE CAR WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE CAR JUST TURNS OFF. THIS HAS HAPPEN AT LEAST 10 TIMES SINCE I OWNED THE CAR. THE LAST TIME WAS 1/27/20. I WAS ALMOST HIT FROM BEHIND BY ANOTHER CAR.
2016 VOLVO S-60. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE PROBLEMS. *LD..THE CONSUMER STATED VOLVO HAD A RECALL ON THE OIL PRESSURE SENSORS (FAILURE CAUSED ENGINES TO SEIZE). THE DEALER CLAIMED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL BUT, THE ENGINE SEIZED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD. THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE ENGINE BUT, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONSUMER STATED SINCE, THE ENGINE WAS REPLACED, THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE DIMINISHED DRASTICALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSIST ANY FURTHER. *JS ...UPDATED 06/14/17 *BF *AS
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026