2018 Volvo Xc60 problems

The Volvo XC60 is a compact luxury crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by Swedish automaker Volvo Cars since 2008.
The XC60 is part of Volvo's 60 Series of automobiles, along with the S60, S60 Cross Country, V60, and V60 Cross Country. The first generation model introduced a new style for the 60 Series models. Along with the rest of the line-up, the first-generation XC60 was refreshed in 2013. Similarly, the second-generation model, released in 2017, is the first in the series. The car was named Car of the Year Japan for 2017–2018.
XC60 concept (2007)
The XC60 concept was unveiled at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show. It included a glass roof and a newly styled grille. The model introduced Volvo's new styling cues, which were gradually implemented throughout the model range. The XC60 concept also included a new shifting mechanism, electronic bootlid, and 20-inch wheels.
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Common 2018 Volvo Xc60 problems
The 2018 Volvo XC60 has been reported to have several common problems by its owners. These issues span across various categories, including brakes, electrical, interior accessories, body/paint, windows/windshield, engine, wheels/hubs, seat belts/airbags, and miscellaneous problems.
One of the most frequently reported problems is related to the brakes. The brake vacuum pump in first-generation XC60s tends to leak once the vehicle reaches higher mileage.
Another common issue is related to the electrical and infotainment systems, particularly in the 2022 model. Owners have reported instances of the vehicle's screen going blank, leading to a complete shutdown and requiring a restart to resolve. Problems with the Google operating system controlling various functions have also been reported, including app failures and random shutdowns.
The interior accessories category has also seen its share of problems. For instance, some owners have reported tailgate problems, which can be a huge inconvenience for an SUV owner who cannot depend on their liftgate working when loaded down with gear.
In the body/paint category, there have been reports of water leaks around the windscreen, particularly in 2009 to 2013 XC60s. The cause of these leaks is faulty adhesives used to bond the windscreen to the vehicle frame, which weaken over time and fail to create a proper seal.
The engine category has also seen its fair share of problems. For instance, some owners have reported that the inboard computer is slow, taking time to boot up and respond to user inputs. They have suggested that Volvo should put more ram memory or a faster processor in the system to address this issue.
In the wheels/hubs category, there have been reports of loose wheel nuts, which can lead to the wheels coming off the vehicle while driving. This issue has prompted Volvo to issue recalls to address the problem.
In the seat belts/airbags category, there have been reports of faulty seat belts and airbags. For instance, some owners have reported that the seat belt pretensioners have failed to deploy during accidents, which can increase the risk of injury.
Lastly, in the miscellaneous category, there have been reports of fuel leaks due to the fuel rail line cover not being correctly installed underneath the car. This issue has prompted Volvo to issue recalls to address the problem.
In conclusion, the 2018 Volvo XC60 has several common problems reported by its owners, ranging from brake issues to electrical and infotainment system problems, interior accessories issues, body/paint problems, engine issues, wheels/hubs problems, seat belts/airbags problems, and miscellaneous problems. While Volvo has issued recalls to address some of these issues, it is essential for potential buyers to be aware of these problems and consider them when making a purchasing decision.
What is the most common problem with the Volvo XC60?
The XC60's power steering system has been a sore spot for owners, with complaints of whining noises, difficulty turning, and sudden loss of power assist. Many issues stem from a problem between the steering rack and the power-steering high-pressure line.
How many miles will a 2018 Volvo XC60 last?
250,000 miles
What Is the Expected Lifespan of the Volvo XC60? The Volvo XC60 can make it up to 250,000 miles when properly maintained. In other words, that number can easily accommodate the average driver's needs of 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year. That's roughly 20 years of service at the average number of miles driven per year.
What should I pay for a 2018 Volvo XC60?
Used 2018 Volvo XC60 Pricing
Original MSRP | KBB Fair Purchase Price (nat'l average) | |
---|---|---|
T6 Inscription Sport Utility 4D | $49,695 | $23,365 |
T8 Momentum Sport Utility 4D | $53,895 | $25,581 |
T8 R-Design Sport Utility 4D | $57,195 | $27,161 |
T8 Inscription Sport Utility 4D | $57,695 | $29,981 |
Are Volvo XC60 expensive to fix?
Average annual repair cost: $746
The Volvo XC60 costs less to own in terms of average annual repair costs than the average of $859 per year in the luxury compact SUV class. And it winds up in the shop slightly less often — 0.5 times a year, on average, compared to 0.6 times for its competitors.
What is the most common problem with the Volvo XC60?
The XC60's power steering system has been a sore spot for owners, with complaints of whining noises, difficulty turning, and sudden loss of power assist. Many issues stem from a problem between the steering rack and the power-steering high-pressure line.
How many miles will a 2018 Volvo XC60 last?
250,000 miles
What Is the Expected Lifespan of the Volvo XC60? The Volvo XC60 can make it up to 250,000 miles when properly maintained. In other words, that number can easily accommodate the average driver's needs of 10,000 to 15,000 miles per year. That's roughly 20 years of service at the average number of miles driven per year.
Are Volvo XC60 reliable?
This generation of XC60 finished in third place out of 24 cars in the large SUV class in our most recent What Car? Reliability Survey, above the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 but below the Toyota RAV4. It achieved an excellent overall score of 97.9%.
Are Volvo XC60 expensive to fix?
Average annual repair cost: $746
The Volvo XC60 costs less to own in terms of average annual repair costs than the average of $859 per year in the luxury compact SUV class. And it winds up in the shop slightly less often — 0.5 times a year, on average, compared to 0.6 times for its competitors.
2018 Volvo Xc60 complaints
The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2018 Volvo Xc60.
You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.
2018 Volvo Xc60 recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 4 recalls for different components of the 2018 Volvo Xc60.
- Manufacturer: Volvo Car USA LLC
- Components: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES
- Summary: Volvo Car of N.A., LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2018-2020 XC60 vehicles. The nuts that secure the front wipers may not have been sufficiently tightened, possibly causing the wipers to not function properly.
- Consequence: The risk of the front wiper arms nut fixation to loosen and not holding the arm in correct position, the wiper function could be reduced and vision could be impaired, thus increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will tighten the nuts holding the front windshield wiper arms in position, free of charge. The recall began September 29, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10044.
- Manufacturer: Volvo Car USA LLC
- Components: SEATS
- Summary: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2018-2019 XC60 and S90 vehicles. The driver and passenger front seat rail rear flange nuts may not have been installed during assembly.
- Consequence: If the nuts are missing, in the event of a crash, the front seat structure and position may be affected, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat rails for missing flange nuts, installing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R19931.
- Manufacturer: Volvo Car USA LLC
- Components: STRUCTURE:BODY:TAILGATE
- Summary: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volvo XC60 vehicles. Under certain conditions and cold temperatures, the tailgate lifting arms may freeze which may cause the lifting arms to separate from the vehicle.
- Consequence: If the tailgate lifting arms separate, the arms could project rearward with significant force, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy: Volvo has notified owners, and dealers will replace the tailgate lift arms with an improved designed, free of charge. The recall began May 14, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89910.
- Manufacturer: Volvo Car USA LLC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
- Summary: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improperly. As a result, the GPS will not provide location information to emergency personnel in the event of an emergency.
- Consequence: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
- Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.
Negative 2018 Volvo Xc60 car reviews
Positive 2018 Volvo Xc60 car reviews
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I have owned this car for the past year and I absolutely love it! I pre-ordered it from Sweden as one of the first R-design models available. The car is incredibly comfortable and perfectly finished. I hope the reliability of the brand matches its fit and finish. The engine could be a bit more refined, but for a 4000+lbs SUV, it does the job really well. The transmission is great and works just as expected depending on the MODE you have set (ECO, COMFORT, or DYNAMIC). One of the features I like the most is the center screen as well as the digital instrument panel. It is well made and has so many options that allow customization depending on what the driver wants. I tested many SUVs and it truly was the best of the bunch. So far, so good with the reliability (especially when all maintenance is covered by Volvo - it is an incredible warranty and great peace of mind). Update on the Volvo XC60: 06/17/19 - The car has become my second car, and now that I get to compare the two, I realize how great this car really is. It is still a little noisy coming from the engine compartment, but since tire noise is more notable at high speeds, it doesn't seem to bother me as much, only at high revs on low speeds. I currently have 13000+ miles, so I am still hoping for good reliability, but so far, I have only had to do brakes under warranty (because the wheel would shake a bit under braking with some uneven feel. The dealer said they had a re-design or quality recall by Volvo). At this point, my only complaint is that I'm trying to get Volvo to replace some window trimming that is pitted (or some kind of rust on the mate finish of the windows bezels). Last time I took it to the dealership, they said that they couldn't see it, but it is still there. Everything else is working great, granted I'm not driving it as much.
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This is a longer term update to my review and reflects the software update that was done at the dealer last month which improved the responsiveness of sensus quite a bit. It's still slow but I'd no longer consider it a hazard. This is a very well made car with a couple of significant issues. Firstly, the Sensus system is not good. Don't get me wrong, it looks beautiful with its big center screen and has lots of features. However, it is slow. Secondly, the ride is ridiculously rough. Going over anything larger than a small divot in the road sounds like a sledgehammer hitting the suspension. Despite these issues, the car looks beautiful inside and out. It really looks like it was lovingly handcrafted, particularly the seats which are amazing. The engine, despite being tiny, puts out a really surprising amount of power. Unfortunately, the gas mileage is not good. However, I've found that if I use I've increased my overall review to 4 stars. The only downside is the rough ride, which is unfortunate. I believe Volvo has the capability to manufacture a car that doesn't feel like riding on bare metal, but for some reason, they didn't. The slow Sensus is understandable as they didn't install a powerful enough processor, which is a shame but reasonable since large center screens are relatively new. However, suspensions are not new, and there is no excuse for the rough ride. Overall, it's a great car that could be even better if the next software update improves the Sensus and the Pilot Assist (hint hint Volvo, this review could go up to 5 stars).
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I hope you're doing well! I wanted to share my experience with my new 2018 XC60 Momentum T5, which I purchased in July. I've put 3000 miles on it so far, and I have to say, it's been an absolute pleasure to drive. Whether I'm taking it out on the freeway for a long trip or just driving around the city for errands, it handles beautifully and is incredibly comfortable. Compared to my previous vehicles, a Jeep Grand Cherokee and a Ford Explorer, the XC60 is much more connected and luxurious feeling inside. The safety technology and driver Pilot Assist 2 are also amazing features that I use every day, and they're well worth the upgrade. With 250 HP, the T5 has plenty of power and zip for the XC60. Overall, I'm really loving this car - it's energizing to get behind the wheel and take it for a spin!
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I leased a T6 Inscription with the Advance package in mid-June 2018 after test driving it against the Mercedes GLC, Jaguar E-Pace, BMW X3, and Porsche Macan. I didn't even bother testing the Audi Q5 made in Mexico. In my opinion, the Volvo T6 has superior horsepower, torque, and highway passing performance compared to the other base engine SUVs I tested. The T6 engine comes at only a modest price premium, and I average 24mpg here in Denver. As a tablet PC user, I really enjoy the intuitive, in-dash touch screen on the Volvo and the Heads-Up Display for speed and navigation. Only the Jaguar was similar. The Porsche Macan is a low-tech, dated SUV and was very disappointing as a result. My second choice was the Mercedes GLC, which is a close second to the XC60 performance-wise, but it can't match the high-tech features of the Volvo and cannot take a class 3 trailer hitch like the Volvo can. My only criticisms of the Volvo are minor, such as the boot time for the screen needing to be faster, Bliss not working with my bike on the trailer rack, the engine stop/start not being able to be turned off indefinitely, wiper switches being overly sensitive to accidental activation, the sun screen being too big and slow to operate, and the car being at least 200lbs too heavy and tending to plow into corners on twisting mountain roads. Additionally, the highway collision avoidance system is a bit oversensitive at high speeds of 75+ mph. This is my first Volvo car, and overall, I've found it to be a great SUV with a lot of value due to its balance of doing so many things well compared to the competition.
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We've had the car for 15 months and have taken it on many road trips without any complaints. The car is incredibly comfortable and quiet, making it the perfect vehicle for long drives. In fact, it's the only car I've ever owned that allows me to drive 500 miles straight without any soreness. While the T5 has plenty of power above 2,000 RPM, it can be a bit sluggish off the line. If I were to purchase another car, I would opt for a T6. The safety features are fantastic and the semi-autonomous driving is both fun and a little addicting. The interior of the car is striking and incredibly user-friendly. We even had the chance to take the car out in the snow, and it handled fantastically. Although some reviews mention that the touch screen is difficult to use, we found it to be very user-friendly and had no issues. We did have to replace the brake pads on all four tires at 20,000 miles, which seems like a short lifespan for the pads, but overall we are very satisfied with our purchase.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2018 Volvo Xc60 problems:

Common problems with 2018 xc60 with high mileage? : r/Volvo
Sep 29, 2022 ... Generally they quite ok. Problems emerged with the xc90 and v90. I have a 2016/17 v90CC and it's only had a couple of issues all of which Volvo ...
2018 Owners - Common Problems? | SwedeSpeed - Volvo ...
Nov 27, 2022 ... I'm hoping this info will also help those shopping for a used one in the future. 2018 XC60 T5.
2018 Volvo XC60 Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2018 Volvo XC60? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
2018 Volvo XC60 Reliability - Consumer Reports
What Owners Say. Exhaust manifold. "At higher rpm there was a light whistle. Dealer had to replace the gasket and bolts. Apparently this was a problem with ...
Nathaniel O'Kon 2025-09-23
We purchased this SUV to replace a loaded 2018 Audi Q5 for my wife. The seats in the Audi were causing her back pain, so we sold it back to the dealer with less than 2000 miles on it. The Inscription has amazing seat adjustments, features, and comfort. However, there is terrible window glare off the dash during the daytime unless the driver wears sunglasses. The visibility is good, but the BLIS could have been made more pronounced in the side mirror. The infotainment computer, while billed as working like an iPhone with a home button, is cumbersome, slow, and difficult to learn. It takes forever to download updates, and notices of them are very misleading. Navigation graphics, operation, and search results leave a lot to be desired, especially compared to the Q5. Its choices of routes are very poor. Shuttling between screens is distracting, and the screen does hold fingerprints very easily. There should be some dash button to push for the most common features, e.g. cutting off Eco mode and 360 camera. Mileage so far is not okay and disappointing. It has yet to average 20 mpg, much less the advertised mileage. The interior wood trim (driftwood because Volvo ran out of other wood grain colors) and leather colors are limited and a bit ugly compared to all competitors. However, the newer electric silver exterior color is very handsome. It would be prettier if the interior leather options included a true beige with walnut trim. My wife really likes the car, and I can say that I am starting to like it too. That might change after we take it on a trip. We have had a long, wonderful relationship with the dealer, who is excellent. Without them, I probably would like the 2018 XC60 Inscription T6 less. I just hope it is durable and lasts for the 10 years my wife had a Toyota Sienna.
Deion Parisian 2025-06-24
I purchased this car almost a year ago and have had to take it to the shop three times for repairs. As it is driven daily, it has already accumulated close to 13500 miles. Although it was not my first choice, I traded in my 2004 Honda CRV with over 160K miles for this SUV. Unfortunately, I have experienced some issues with the car, including malfunctioning turn signals and windshield wipers, which is especially inconvenient when driving in precipitation. On the first occasion, I also received a battery failure warning. One major complaint is the lack of an owner's manual, which is only available through the car's infotainment system or by downloading it to a phone or other device. Despite these issues, the dealership has been helpful in fixing the problems, and I am hopeful that the car will continue to improve. The navigation system has also been updated and fixed, which is a relief as it was previously sending us all over the place. Overall, I am still getting used to this car, but I am grateful for the dealership's assistance in resolving the issues I have encountered.I prefer using Google GPS with the Android Auto. Unfortunately, the 12V power outlet in the front center console blew a fuse, which has never happened to me before in any other vehicle I've owned. The door trim on the driver's side passenger door had to be replaced due to a manufacturing defect. I've started taking pictures and videos of any malfunction warnings and irregularities I experience, so I have documentation of all issues. So far, all issues have been covered under warranty, but I'm concerned about the future. Although I had high hopes and expectations for this SUV, I'm already considering getting rid of it.
Rafael Gusikowski 2025-06-06
I am very satisfied with my car, however, the repair bills have been a bit of a challenge. Recently, at 50,000 miles, I received a headlight error message which required two visits to fix. The first visit required a repair that cost over $1,000 for parts and labor. The second visit required a replacement of the headlight units which cost $2,500 plus an additional $700 for repairs. While the cost was high, I am confident that the quality of the electronics in Volvo cars is worth the investment. In the future, I may consider leasing and upgrading to a newer model. It is important to note that the electronics in these cars are expensive, but they are designed to last.
Reilly Wiegand 2025-03-16
If you are considering purchasing a Volvo XC60, I would like to share my experience with you. While the car has great features and is overall very nice, I have encountered a few issues that I believe are worth noting. In colder weather, the sideview mirrors may not open properly, and the windows can be slow to go up and down when wet or frosty. Additionally, I experienced an unfortunate incident where the wind caught my driver door and caused a pin to break, resulting in over $1000 in body work that was not covered by warranty. Resetting the apps on the car's computer display can also be a bit time-consuming. When I reached out to Fields Volvo of Northfield and Volvo USA to address these concerns, I did not receive the level of support I had hoped for. I believe these issues may be design flaws, but ultimately it is up to the individual buyer to decide if they are willing to take on these potential challenges. Thank you for considering my experience.
Santino Anderson 2024-10-09
I regret to hear about the issues you have experienced with your XC60. However, I would like to assure you that these problems are not representative of the quality and reliability that Volvo is known for. I would recommend that you bring your vehicle to an authorized Volvo service center to have these issues addressed. Our team of highly skilled technicians will work diligently to resolve any problems and ensure that your vehicle is running smoothly. Thank you for your loyalty to Volvo, and we hope to have the opportunity to restore your confidence in our brand.