Volvo V60
Upgraded D5 generation with 136 kW and increased injection pressure for improved torque of 450 Nm. Variable turbine geometry for improved response. Reliable with regular oil care; check the particulate filter on later versions.
Sensible base engine
Perfectly adequate for everyday use. At the limit on the motorway, competent in city traffic.
Engine Weaknesses 5
The copper seal under the piezo injectors no longer seals properly. Combustion gases escape, burn the engine oil, and form black carbon crusts around the injectors — costly problem on the D5244T4.
Symptoms: Black crusts around injectors, soot smell in engine bay, misfires, power loss, increased fuel consumption.
The plastic swirl flap linkage in the intake manifold fatigues and breaks. Loose parts can be sucked into the combustion chamber and damage valves or pistons. Damage up to €5,000 possible.
Symptoms: Check engine light, power loss, rattling noise from intake area, in worst case engine damage.
Replace timing belt every 160,000 km or 10 years. Water pump must be changed at the same time without exception. New belt with old pump is a frequent cause of immediate consequential damage.
Symptoms: No warning. Belt failure leads to total damage with bent valves.
EGR valve and EGR cooler become contaminated with soot particles and carbon deposits. A stuck valve causes power loss and elevated emissions. EGR cooler leakage can introduce water into the intake tract.
Symptoms: Power loss, rough idle, black smoke, P0400 fault codes, increased fuel consumption.
DPF clogs with frequent short-trip use as regeneration temperature is not reached. Interrupted regeneration cycles contaminate engine oil with diesel and raise the oil level.
Symptoms: DPF warning light, power loss, increased fuel consumption, engine oil smells of diesel, oil level rises.
Reports & Tests
41 owner complaints filed with NHTSA (2010–2018). Most reported: Engine (15), Other (5), Powertrain (5).