2018 Volvo S60 Safety Report
2018 VOLVO S60 Safety Analysis
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Volvo S60
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Volvo S60. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Low (4) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 0 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Unknown Or Other | Compare unknown or other issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2017 | Compare against the 2017 Volvo S60 with 15 complaints and 5 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2015 | Check the 2015 Volvo S60 before buying across this generation. |
Volvo S60 Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Volvo S60 years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Volvo S60 | 15 | 5 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2016 Volvo S60 | 26 | 4 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2015 Volvo S60 | 55 | 2 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2018 Volvo S60 Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Volvo S60, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Unknown Or Other
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Volvo onlyElectrical System,Engine
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System,Engine issues Volvo onlyVisibility
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Visibility issues Volvo onlyService Brakes
1 owner complaint mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Volvo onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Volvo S60
Reliability Score
The 2018 Volvo S60 receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2018 Volvo S60
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2018 Volvo S60
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Volvo S60:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seat Belt Malfunction Recall for certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2016 S60 models due to potential seat belt malfunction. |
Medium | Occasional | 30k-60k miles |
| Sunroof Glass Shattering Reports of spontaneous shattering of sunroof glass, especially on 2018 models. |
Low | Common | 0-100k miles |
| Engine Issues Check engine light appearing and diagnosed as engine problems by multiple mechanics. |
Medium | Occasional | 0-100k miles |
| Brake Failure Reports of brake failure with a popping sound and subsequent loss of braking power. |
High | Common | 0-100k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Volvo S60:
Issues with the electrical system, including the sunroof and engine problems.
Engine issues leading to the check engine light and potential engine problems.
Brake failure reported with a popping sound and loss of braking power.
Sunroof glass spontaneously shattering, especially on 2018 models.
Recall Details for the 2018 Volvo S60
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2018 Volvo S60 by NHTSA:
Summary: Volvo 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.
Consequence: An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Volvo S60
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Volvo S60 with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
My sunroof glass spontaneously shattered while I was driving on the highway on 10/9/2025. There was no apparent cause. It sounded like an explosion, and glass came down all over me and the seats. Very disturbing!
The check engine light appeared on my 2018 Volvo s60. After taking the car to 2 Independent mechanics and the dealer, it was diagnosed as an Engine Control Module (ECM) failure. My 2018 Volvo s60 has ONLY 44,200 miles. The dealer stated that they "haven't seen this failure in cars with such low mileage. Usually, cars have 125,000+ miles if/when the ECM fails". The dealer and an Independent mechani...
The contact owns a 2018 Volvo S60. The contact stated that the HVAC system fan was inoperable, and the front windshield could not be defrosted. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the fan, and the failure was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 77,000.
WHEN PRESSING BRAKE PEDAL A POPPING SOUND WAS NOTICED AND THEN BRAKES WERE LOST. FORTUNATELY CAR WAS PARKED IN A STREET. SERVICE LOCATION STATED THAT "BRAKE BOOSTER BROKE, IT IS A MAN MADE PART". CAR HAS ONLY 10500 MILES ON IT.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Volvo S60
Has the 2018 VOLVO S60 been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 VOLVO S60 has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 VOLVO S60 have?
The 2018 VOLVO S60 has 4 complaints filed with NHTSA. None of the complaints involved crashes. No injuries or deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 VOLVO S60?
The 2018 VOLVO S60 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of excellent (5/5). Frontal crash: 5/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 5/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 VOLVO S60?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 VOLVO S60 involve unknown or other (1 complaints), electrical system,engine (1 complaints), visibility (1 complaints). Other affected components include service brakes.
How many crash reports does the 2018 VOLVO S60 have?
There are no crash reports associated with the 2018 VOLVO S60 in the NHTSA database.
How many fire reports does the 2018 VOLVO S60 have?
There are no fire reports for the 2018 VOLVO S60 in the NHTSA database.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 VOLVO S60?
No deaths have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 VOLVO S60.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 VOLVO S60?
No injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 VOLVO S60.
Should I buy a 2018 VOLVO S60?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 VOLVO S60 is generally recommended. It has 4 complaints, 1 recalls, and a excellent (5/5) safety rating. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 VOLVO S60?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 VOLVO S60 are: 1. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (1 complaints), 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE (1 complaints), 3. VISIBILITY (1 complaints), 4. SERVICE BRAKES (1 complaints). UNKNOWN OR OTHER is the single most-reported problem area with 1 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 VOLVO S60?
Regular maintenance and inspections are crucial to prevent potential safety issues with the electrical system, engine, and brakes. The 2018 VOLVO S60 has 4 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it excellent (5/5).
How reliable is the 2018 VOLVO S60?
The 2018 VOLVO S60 receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 4 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 0 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Seat Belt Malfunction and Sunroof Glass Shattering.
What are the known issues with the 2018 VOLVO S60?
Known issues with the 2018 VOLVO S60 include: Seat Belt Malfunction, Sunroof Glass Shattering, Engine Issues, Brake Failure. These are based on patterns found across 4 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
Can the sunroof glass spontaneously shatter?
Yes, there have been reports of spontaneous shattering of sunroof glass, especially on 2018 models.
What should I do if I experience brake failure?
If you experience brake failure, pull over safely and seek immediate professional assistance.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 Volvo S60?
Yes, there is a recall for certain 2011-2016 S60 models due to potential seat belt malfunction.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Regular maintenance and inspections are crucial to prevent potential safety issues with the electrical system, engine, and brakes.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Volvo S60
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Volvo S60. The data includes 4 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2018 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.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-17