Volvo S60
Strongest variant of the 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder with 187 kW and an improved intercooler. Delivers high torque across a wide RPM band with good everyday usability. Used in S60 Polestar-optimised versions and as the V60/S60 T5.
Powerful long-distance companion
Strong turbo for brisk motorway runs without strain. Typically Volvo: comfort remains the trump card.
Engine Weaknesses 4
Volvo officially identified piston ring defects on the B5254T12. Low-tension rings fitted for efficiency reasons caused heavy oil consumption. Repair solution: piston ring replacement. Vehicles before serial number 1501327 most affected.
Symptoms: Oil consumption above 0.5 L/1,000 km, blue smoke on cold start, frequent oil top-ups required.
The B5254T12 is an interference engine. Timing belt and water pump must be replaced together as prescribed. The timing belt drives the water pump; a slow pump leak can contaminate the belt and destroy it prematurely.
Symptoms: No warning before belt breaks. Squealing on cold start indicates a failing tensioner.
Plastic PCV housing becomes brittle, oil separator clogs. Typical Volvo five-cylinder problem across all turbo variants. Elevated crankcase pressure accelerates seal wear.
Symptoms: Whistling noise, oil seeping at rear main seal, elevated oil consumption, engine oil mist.
At higher mileage, piston rings and valve stem seals tend toward elevated oil consumption. 0.5–1 L per 1,000 km is borderline; above that indicates a fault.
Symptoms: Blue smoke from exhaust, regularly topping up engine oil required, oil level visibly drops.
Vehicle Weaknesses 11
The five-cylinder diesel D5 is prone to cylinder head cracks and worn cylinder liners, particularly on models built between 2010 and 2013. Coolant loss without a visible leak is the first warning sign.
The 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox 6DCT450 shows juddering on pull-away, rough gear changes and transmission fluid loss. Neglecting fluid changes risks complete transmission failure.
A software fault can cause the electric parking brake on models up to 2014 to release unintentionally. A Volvo recall and software update fix the problem.
A faulty weld between the rotor shaft and the hydraulic brake assembly was found on the V90 II and S90 II. If it fails, ABS, ESC and brake assist are disabled. Volvo issued a recall in 2021.
On XC60 II vehicles built between September 2018 and April 2019, nuts and bolts at the rear axle may be too loose. Handling can change abruptly; check recall status.
Water gets into the windscreen wiper motor and causes it to fail. SPA platform models are affected; a 2020 recall addressed incorrectly tightened wiper arms. Visibility in rain significantly impaired.
At higher mileages, worn tie rod ends, ball joints and suspension bushings on the S60 II/V60 I are frequently flagged by MOT inspectors. Tyre wear is very sensitive on this vehicle.
The audio and navigation system in the S60 II/V60 I fails due to cold solder joints on the control unit board — a known issue across this Volvo model generation. Replacement units cost over €700.
The Sensus infotainment system on the SPA platform (XC60 II, S90 II, V90 II, S60 III, V60 II) freezes or reboots while driving. Software updates improve stability. Steering wheel controls drop out sporadically.
The optional panoramic roof on the V90 II and S90 II shows malfunctions when opening/closing automatically. Faulty sensors or motor controllers can be expensive; water ingress possible if the seal is damaged.
The BLIS blind spot sensor on the S60 II/V60 I reacts to moisture ingress in the wiring harness with false alarms or complete system failure. Recalibration or sensor replacement is required.
Reports & Tests
333 owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2010–2018). Most reported: Engine (138), Other (50), Electrical (41).