2021 VOLVO XC60 Complaints and Recall Information
The 2021 VOLVO XC60 has 6 complaints and 26 recalls filed with NHTSA. Owners most frequently report problems with brake rotors wearing out quickly, causing vibration and noise during braking. There are also complaints about stiff steering and issues with sensor malfunction after collision repairs, leading to persistent and unexplained warning signals.
Common Issues- Brake rotor wear. Rotors wear out faster than expected resulting in vibrations and bumps felt when braking.
- Brake noise. Front brakes produce screeching sounds, especially when braking downhill.
- Stiff steering. Steering can feel occasionally stiff or difficult to maneuver.
- Sensor malfunction after collision. Post-collision repairs have caused sensors to malfunction with constant warnings and beeping despite no nearby obstacles.
- Sensor wiring errors. Incorrect or incompatible wiring harnesses installed during repairs prevent sensors from working properly.
- Unresolved safety warnings. Persistent sensor errors create a distraction and safety concern due to false alerts.
NHTSA reports 26 recalls affecting the 2021 XC60. These recalls involve critical systems such as the electrical propulsion system, steering, brakes, seat belts, and airbag control modules. The defects pose risks including fire, steering lock-up, brake failure, and compromised occupant protection. Remedies typically include parts replacement and software updates performed at no charge.
Recalls- High-voltage battery. (NHTSA 25V179000) About 7,483 vehicles face a risk of short circuit in the battery module when fully charged and parked. This may increase fire risk. Dealers will inspect, replace batteries as needed, and update software. Owners are advised not to charge until repairs are done.
- Steering gear. (NHTSA 23V001000) Steering gear assembly errors involved oversized screws potentially causing wheel lock-up, increasing crash risk. Approximately 74 vehicles are affected. Dealers replace the steering gear free of charge.
- Brake system rotor. (NHTSA 21V716000) Separation of the rotor and shaft within the integrated brake system can reduce braking assistance and disable ABS and ESC. Nine vehicles are impacted. Dealers will replace the hydraulic unit for free.
- Seat belt retractors. (NHTSA 21V682000) Early deactivation of automatic locking retractors in front and rear seat belts can prevent proper child restraint securing. About 19,149 vehicles were recalled. Dealers inspect and replace seat belt assemblies when necessary.
- Airbag control module. (NHTSA 21V001000) Improper attachment of the SRS control unit risks detachment in a crash, reducing effectiveness of airbags and seat belts. 2,883 vehicles involved. Dealers tighten mounting screws at no cost.
Owners facing repeated repairs or ongoing safety defects with a 2021 Volvo XC60 may want to explore their rights under state lemon laws. Assistance from legal professionals specializing in consumer protection can provide guidance for addressing unresolved defects or recall issues.
2021 VOLVO XC60 Summary
2021
Model Year
6
Total Complaints
5
Total Recalls
29598
Vehicles Affected
Recalls
2021 VOLVO XC60
7483 vehicles affected
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020-2021 S90, 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60, XC90, and 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.
Risk: A short circuit in a high-voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.
2021 VOLVO XC60
74 vehicles affected
STEERING
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2022 V60CC, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. During steering gear assembly, double screws may have been assembled on top of each other, which can cause a screw to fall into the gearbox housing.
Risk: A screw inside the gearbox housing can cause the steering wheel to lock up and increase the risk of a crash.
2021 VOLVO XC60
9 vehicles affected
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 S90L, 2020-2021 XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.
Risk: Separation of the rotor and shaft may cause a reduction in braking assistance and a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), increasing the risk of a crash.
2021 VOLVO XC60
2883 vehicles affected
AIR BAGS
Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 Volvo V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. The Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) control unit may not have been properly attached to the car body and may detach during a crash.
Risk: A detached SRS control unit can decrease the performance of occupant protection systems such as air bags, seat belts, and high voltage battery disconnect, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
2021 VOLVO XC60
19149 vehicles affected
SEAT BELTS
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 XC40, XC 40 Recharge, V60CC, V90, V90CC, XC90, and 2021-2022 V60, XC60, S60 vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Complaints
2021 VOLVO XC60
ID: 2127447BACK OVER PREVENTION: REARVIEW SYSTEM BRAKING
My car was backed into July 4, 2024, unoccupied and had damage done to the hood and front light and bumper. The person who hit the car had insurance and I took it to a local collison company for the repairs In November 2024. (Insured would not return calls to insurance company so it took this long for repairs) I began taking it to Volvo OC in December because the sensors were constantly lighting up and beeping constantly with no one around me. I took it to Volvo many times from December to August 2025. They would have my car for a week or two and think they fixed it and it was not fixed. After Volvo sent me a note saying that Corporate was not going to pay to do anything and they were done with trying to fix the car I took it back to my collison company. When Volvo last had it they told me that the wiring harness was not the correct part number and that the collision company installed the wrong one. I called them back and they explained that they had to call Volvo Mission Viejo and gave them the VIN number and they installed what was sent. I took it back to the collision company and they called and ordered another harness and they received the exact same harness. They installed that one and the sensors still do not work correctly. They then called Volvo Mission Viego again and they were told there was a cable that was needed if a car was in an accident and 2 sensors needed to be attached to the cable and the other sensors to the harness. So they did that. And still the same issue. At that time Volvo told me that the sensors in my car were not the correct sensors and that they were not the sensors that came with the car. The collision company said they removed the sensors from the harness but attached the exact same sensors during the repair. So both Volvo and the collision company have left me hanging and this is a safety issue. If I am looking one way for traffic and the beeping goes off it is startling to think someone is coming from the other
2021 VOLVO XC60
ID: 2127446BACK OVER PREVENTION: WARNINGS
My car was backed into July 4, 2024, unoccupied and had damage done to the hood and front light and bumper. The person who hit the car had insurance and I took it to a local collison company for the repairs In November 2024. (Insured would not return calls to insurance company so it took this long for repairs) I began taking it to Volvo OC in December because the sensors were constantly lighting up and beeping constantly with no one around me. I took it to Volvo many times from December to August 2025. They would have my car for a week or two and think they fixed it and it was not fixed. After Volvo sent me a note saying that Corporate was not going to pay to do anything and they were done with trying to fix the car I took it back to my collison company. When Volvo last had it they told me that the wiring harness was not the correct part number and that the collision company installed the wrong one. I called them back and they explained that they had to call Volvo Mission Viejo and gave them the VIN number and they installed what was sent. I took it back to the collision company and they called and ordered another harness and they received the exact same harness. They installed that one and the sensors still do not work correctly. They then called Volvo Mission Viego again and they were told there was a cable that was needed if a car was in an accident and 2 sensors needed to be attached to the cable and the other sensors to the harness. So they did that. And still the same issue. At that time Volvo told me that the sensors in my car were not the correct sensors and that they were not the sensors that came with the car. The collision company said they removed the sensors from the harness but attached the exact same sensors during the repair. So both Volvo and the collision company have left me hanging and this is a safety issue. If I am looking one way for traffic and the beeping goes off it is startling to think someone is coming from the other
2021 VOLVO XC60
ID: 2127445ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My car was backed into July 4, 2024, unoccupied and had damage done to the hood and front light and bumper. The person who hit the car had insurance and I took it to a local collison company for the repairs In November 2024. (Insured would not return calls to insurance company so it took this long for repairs) I began taking it to Volvo OC in December because the sensors were constantly lighting up and beeping constantly with no one around me. I took it to Volvo many times from December to August 2025. They would have my car for a week or two and think they fixed it and it was not fixed. After Volvo sent me a note saying that Corporate was not going to pay to do anything and they were done with trying to fix the car I took it back to my collison company. When Volvo last had it they told me that the wiring harness was not the correct part number and that the collision company installed the wrong one. I called them back and they explained that they had to call Volvo Mission Viejo and gave them the VIN number and they installed what was sent. I took it back to the collision company and they called and ordered another harness and they received the exact same harness. They installed that one and the sensors still do not work correctly. They then called Volvo Mission Viego again and they were told there was a cable that was needed if a car was in an accident and 2 sensors needed to be attached to the cable and the other sensors to the harness. So they did that. And still the same issue. At that time Volvo told me that the sensors in my car were not the correct sensors and that they were not the sensors that came with the car. The collision company said they removed the sensors from the harness but attached the exact same sensors during the repair. So both Volvo and the collision company have left me hanging and this is a safety issue. If I am looking one way for traffic and the beeping goes off it is startling to think someone is coming from the other
2021 VOLVO XC60
ID: 2125326STEERING
Rotor seems to have worn out much quicker than expected. When I break, I can feel certain vibration / bumps. When breaking while going down on a hill, front break also has made screeching noise. Steering feels stiff at times. generally, I have always been topping up gas more than the advertised mileage performance / EPA
2021 VOLVO XC60
ID: 2125325FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Rotor seems to have worn out much quicker than expected. When I break, I can feel certain vibration / bumps. When breaking while going down on a hill, front break also has made screeching noise. Steering feels stiff at times. generally, I have always been topping up gas more than the advertised mileage performance / EPA
2021 VOLVO XC60
ID: 2125324SERVICE BRAKES
Rotor seems to have worn out much quicker than expected. When I break, I can feel certain vibration / bumps. When breaking while going down on a hill, front break also has made screeching noise. Steering feels stiff at times. generally, I have always been topping up gas more than the advertised mileage performance / EPA