2015 Volvo S60 Safety Report

2015 Volvo S60: Excellent Crash Safety, but plagued by engine oil consumption and door latch recalls.

55Complaints
2Recalls
★★★★★Safety Rating
65/100Reliability Score
3Crash Reports
1Fire Reports
1Injuries
Most reported components: Engine (12)Unknown Or Other (6)Electrical System (3)Service Brakes (3)Engine And Engine Cooling (2)Forward Collision Avoidance (2)Electrical System,Engine (2)Seat Belts (2)Structure (2)Structure,Unknown Or Other (1)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2015 Volvo S60

The 2015 Volvo S60 presents a mixed safety picture, excelling in crash test performance but showing concerning patterns in owner complaints. With a perfect 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA, including 5 stars in Frontal, Side, and Rollover tests, the vehicle demonstrates strong passive safety capabilities. However, NHTSA has recorded 55 total complaints, including 3 crashes, 1 fire, and 1 injury, which point to potential active safety and reliability issues. A significant pattern of engine-related problems, particularly excessive oil consumption and sudden stalling, stands out, accounting for 12 complaints under 'ENGINE' and 2 under 'ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING'. Recall history includes two significant safety campaigns. One recall (NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V378000) addresses seat belt issues in various Volvo models, including the 2015 S60, where an unsecured occupant faces an increased risk of injury in a crash. The second recall (NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V876000) pertains to door latches, where a component may break, making doors difficult to latch or causing them to open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing injury risk. Several complaints directly reference door latch failures, indicating these recalls address real-world problems. Beyond the recalls, common complaint patterns include issues with the 'City Safety' forward collision avoidance system, with 2 complaints detailing aggressive, uncommanded braking. There are also multiple reports of sudden engine failure, often linked to serpentine or timing belt issues leading to severe engine damage, and numerous complaints about excessive oil consumption, which Volvo has reportedly acknowledged in some capacity. While the S60's crashworthiness is top-tier, the recurring mechanical and system malfunctions, especially those affecting engine operation and unintended braking, suggest potential reliability and active safety concerns that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Reliability Score

The 2015 Volvo S60 receives a reliability score of 65 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Known Issues for the 2015 Volvo S60

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2015 Volvo S60:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Excessive Oil Consumption
Engine consumes oil at an abnormal rate, often requiring frequent top-offs and potentially leading to engine damage if not monitored. Volvo has reportedly acknowledged this issue.
High Common 40000-100000+ miles
Engine Stalling/Failure
Sudden engine stalling or catastrophic failure, sometimes linked to serpentine/timing belt issues causing severe internal engine damage.
High Occasional 50000-100000 miles
Door Latch Failure
Door latches may break, making doors difficult to latch or causing them to open while driving, addressed by a recall (19V876000).
Medium Occasional N/A miles
Uncommanded Automatic Emergency Braking (City Safety)
The City Safety system randomly applies brakes aggressively without objects in front of the vehicle, posing a crash risk.
High Occasional N/A miles
Seat Belt Recall
Recall (20V378000) for seat belt issues that could lead to increased injury risk in a crash if an occupant is unsecured.
High Common N/A miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2015 Volvo S60:

Engine 21% of complaints

Frequent complaints about excessive oil consumption, engine stalling, and catastrophic engine failure due to belt issues.

Unknown Or Other 10% of complaints

A notable number of complaints categorized as 'UNKNOWN OR OTHER' suggest diverse, less specific issues or problems not fitting standard categories.

Electrical System 5% of complaints

Issues including alternator failure and various electrical malfunctions.

Service Brakes 5% of complaints

Reports of brake pedal going to the floor, brake lines blowing, and unintended acceleration while braking.

Forward Collision Avoidance 3% of complaints

Malfunctions of the City Safety system, including uncommanded braking.

Latches/Locks/Linkages 3% of complaints

Door latch failures, including issues with rear door locks and doors not closing securely, addressed by a recall.

Seat Belts 3% of complaints

Complaints related to the seat belt recall (20V378000) and availability of repair parts.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2015 Volvo S60

Is the 2015 Volvo S60 safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2015 Volvo S60 received a perfect 5-star overall safety rating in crash tests, indicating excellent passive safety. However, it has 55 owner complaints, including 3 crashes and 1 injury, with recurring issues like engine problems, door latch failures (subject to recall 19V876000), and uncommanded automatic emergency braking, which raise concerns about active safety and reliability.

What are common problems with the 2015 Volvo S60?

The most reported issues for the 2015 Volvo S60 are engine-related, accounting for 12 complaints under 'ENGINE', primarily excessive oil consumption and sudden stalling/failure. Other common problems include door latch failures (subject to recall), malfunctions of the 'City Safety' forward collision avoidance system, and electrical system issues.

Are there any recalls for the 2015 Volvo S60?

Yes, the 2015 Volvo S60 has two recalls. NHTSA Campaign Number 20V378000 addresses seat belt issues that could increase injury risk, and NHTSA Campaign Number 19V876000 concerns door latches that may break, potentially causing doors to open while driving.

How does the 2015 Volvo S60 perform in crash tests?

The 2015 Volvo S60 performed exceptionally well in NHTSA crash tests, achieving a 5-star overall safety rating. It received 5 stars in Frontal Crash, Side Crash, and Rollover tests, demonstrating strong occupant protection in various collision scenarios.

Should I be concerned about oil consumption in the 2015 Volvo S60?

Yes, excessive oil consumption is a significant and frequently reported issue for the 2015 Volvo S60, with multiple complaints detailing the need for frequent oil top-offs and even linking it to piston damage. Volvo has reportedly acknowledged this defect, so it is a concern to investigate.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: While the 2015 Volvo S60 boasts excellent crash safety, prospective buyers should be aware of documented engine oil consumption issues, potential door latch failures (check recall completion), and 'City Safety' malfunctions; a thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on these areas is highly recommended.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2015 Volvo S60

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2015 Volvo S60. The data includes 55 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 3 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 1 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

The NHTSA has assigned the 2015 Volvo S60 an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 5 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 5 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.