Photo: Manoj Prasad from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia / CC BY-SA 2.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2012 Volvo XC60: common problems and reliability
An average XC60 year.
46 owner complaints, most about visibility/wiper. 3 recalls.
Should I buy a 2012 XC60?The 2012 Volvo XC60 has 46 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are visibility/wiper and electrical system.
Safety record for the 2012 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2012 Volvo XC60 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other XC60 years only. How we score it
Is 2012 a good year for the XC60?
Across the 17 XC60 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 16 (2017) to 370 (2022). With 46 complaints, the 2012 XC60 sits about the same as the model's median of 47.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2012 XC60
seat belts:front
Campaign 20V378000Volvo 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 outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.
electrical system:wiring
Campaign 12V075000VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60, XC60, S80 AND XC70 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 16, 2011, THROUGH OCTOBER 6, 2011. IN THESE VEHICLES, THE WIRE HARNESS UNDER THE FRONT SEATS MAY HAVE NOT BEEN ATTACHED PROPERLY TO THE SEAT FRAME. AS A RESULT, WHEN THE SEATS ARE MOVED TO ADJUST THE SEATING POSITION, THE WIRE HARNESS MAY GET PULLED, CAUSING IT TO DISCONNECT.
structure:body
Campaign 12V101000VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2012 S60 AND XC60 PASSENGER VEHICLES. AN INCORRECT MIXTURE OF UNDERBODY COATING AND OVER-APPLICATION CAN RESULT IN RIGID, ICICLE-LIKE AREAS HANGING FROM VEHICLES UNDERCARRIAGE.
What owners say across generations
Mixed sentiment with a clear generational divide.
Owner insights cover all generations of the XC60. See the full XC60 owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used XC60 listings typically run $23,066–$33,416.
Other XC60 model years
Compare every XC60 year side by side to see how 2012 ranks against the rest.
Compare the XC60 against its rivals
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