Volvo S60 VIN Number Check

Decode a Volvo S60 VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See its generation and the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.

VIN prefixYV17JRLYVYV4

Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.

Volvo S60

About the Volvo S60

Volvo has sold the S60 in the US since the 2001 model year, and there have been three generations. Gen 1 first (2001–2009), then Gen 2 (2011–2018), and the Gen 3 took over for 2019–2025. Across those years NHTSA lists 42 vehicle recall campaigns and 1,267 owner complaints. Complaints pile up on the Gen 1. Its 2001 and 2004 model years alone account for 421 of them, with owners bringing up fuel system most often and the electrical system after that. EPA rates the Gen 1 at 18–23 mpg combined, while the Gen 3, whose lineup includes hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, gets 25–31 mpg, counting the plug-in hybrid on gas alone. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.

US model years2001–2025

GenerationsGen 1 · Gen 2 · Gen 3

NHTSA recall campaigns42

Owner complaints1,267 at NHTSA

Volvo S60 photographed at a US vehicle auction — Auction lot photo, for illustration

Generations

Volvo S60 generations

Three generations since the 2001 model year. The Gen 1 (2001–2009) has the most owner complaints, the Gen 2 (2011–2018) the most recall campaigns (17).

3 / 3

Gen 3

2019–20253rd generation

Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

200120052010201520202025

2019–2025· Generation 3 of 3

Gen 3 · 3rd generation

EPA classCompact Cars

EPA combined mpg25–31

NHTSA recalls13

Engines (EPA)

2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo) · 2019–2022
2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo, supercharged) · 2019–2021
2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo, supercharged, plug-in hybrid) · 2019–2022
2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo, plug-in hybrid) · 2022–2025
2.0 L 4-cyl (turbo, mild hybrid) · 2023–2025

Drive & transmission (EPA)

AWD/4WD, FWD
automatic (2019–2025)

Known issues to check

Electrical system (23)Brakes (16)Forward collision avoidance (14)1 high-risk recall campaign

Mentions in 82 NHTSA complaints.

Sample VIN pattern · Gen 37JR102FK?KG······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2019 Volvo S60 Momentum, built in South Carolina

Check an S60 VIN

Sources: Wikipedia · EPA · NHTSA · vPIC

NHTSA campaign data

Which S60 model years each recall covers

NHTSA data

NHTSA has 42 campaigns on file for S60 model years 2001–2025, and the 2001, 2002 and 2012 show up in the most (8 each). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.

Pick a row

What to ask

Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.

Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.

Owner reports · NHTSA complaints

What Volvo S60 owners report

Owner summaries + NHTSA data

Between them, the 2001 and 2004 hold 421 of the 1,267 complaints, or 33%. Tap any bar or generation.

1,267NHTSA complaints, 2001–2025

57mention a crash

28mention a fire

53injuries reported

Owner complaints by model yearGen 3: 82 complaints · most for the 2019 (25)

Top complaint areas · Gen 3

Mentions in 82 complaints, 2019–2025.

Electrical system23

Brakes16

Forward collision avoidance14

Steering9

Visibility (glass, wipers, mirrors)8

Speed control / acceleration6

Crashes 5Fires 2Injuries 2

2019–2025 (Gen 3)

NHTSA data summary

Its first model year, the 2019, drew more complaints than any other (25 of 82). Owners across the generation name electrical system most often (23 mentions), then brakes (16).

What S60 owners report across recent generations

Owner summary

2011–2018 (2nd generation, P3)

The 2012 draws the most complaints. About half of NHTSA owners of the 2012 describe engine problems, including stalling or losing power while driving, check engine lights and oil consumption, and owners of the 2013 most often report heavy oil consumption. CarComplaints lists excessive oil consumption for 2012, 2013 and 2015, along with sudden engine failure and hard shifting for 2012, a no oil pressure warning for 2013, and stiff steering and a blank screen for 2015. Recalls cover fuel pump software and a fuel line connector on 2012 models, a low oil pressure warning that may not appear, seat belt cables and door latches. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5]

What to check before buying

Run the VIN through the NHTSA recall lookup, including the fuel pump software, oil pressure warning, seat belt and door latch recalls.
Ask how much oil the engine uses between changes and for engine and transmission repair records.
On the drive, watch for stalling, loss of power or a check engine light, and note any hard shifts or heavy steering.

Sources (5) and method

Sources:

Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.

Owner summary updated September 25, 2026.

Owner complaints · by model year

S60 complaint breakdown by model year

NHTSA data

Hybrid and plug-in S60 versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.

1,267complaints, 2001–2025

57mention a crash

28mention a fire

53injuries reported

Most complaints: 2001 (223), 2004 (198), 2002 (186)

2001 · 223 complaints

Crashes 5 · fires 5 · injuries 3

Fuel system72

Vehicle speed control42

Electrical system31

Power train22

Engine and engine cooling18

Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.

EPA fuel economy & emissions

S60 CO₂, smog rating and yearly fuel cost

EPA data

EPA lists 123 S60 versions for model years 2001–2025 (gas, hybrid and plug-in hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 99 g/mi, for the 2025 plug-in hybrid. Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.

Gen 12001–2009

18–23 mpg · CO₂ 386–494 g/mi

Gen 22011–2018

21–30 mpg · CO₂ 296–425 g/mi

Gen 32019–2025

25–31 mpg · plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone · 69–74 MPGe plug-in hybrid · CO₂ 99–352 g/mi

Model year2025

30combined MPG

295CO₂ grams per mile (tailpipe)

$2,750EPA yearly fuel cost

4/10Smog rating

1 = worst · 10 = cleanest

6/10Greenhouse gas rating

California LEV-III ULEV70 · Federal Tier 3 Bin 70Emission standard

Best (lowest) CO₂ by model year

GasHybridPlug-in hybrid

Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Plug-in hybrids: mpg is on gas alone; MPGe combines gas and electricity. Source: fueleconomy.gov.

Compare rivals

S60 vs BMW 3 Series vs Mercedes-Benz C-Class

NHTSA + EPA data

Take 2019–2025. NHTSA lists 13 recall campaigns for the S60, against 28 for the BMW 3 Series and 36 for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. Pick a range to compare.

Volvo S60Gen 3

Model years 2019–2025

NHTSA recall campaigns: 13
NHTSA owner complaints: 82
EPA combined mpg: 25–31
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0 L
Also listed: turbo, supercharged, plug-in hybrid, mild hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, FWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Electrical system 23
Brakes 16
Forward collision avoidance 14

BMW 3 Series

Model years 2019–2025

NHTSA recall campaigns: 28
NHTSA owner complaints: 234
EPA combined mpg: 23–31
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0, 3.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0 L
Also listed: turbo, mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Engine and cooling 97
Electrical system 61
Powertrain (transmission, driveline) 17

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Model years 2019–2025

NHTSA recall campaigns: 36
NHTSA owner complaints: 213
EPA combined mpg: 19–30
Engines (EPA): 4-cyl 2.0 L · 6-cyl 3.0 L · 8-cyl 4.0 L
Also listed: turbo, mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid
Drive (EPA): AWD/4WD, RWD

Most-reported complaint areas (NHTSA)

Engine and cooling 43
Electrical system 38
Forward collision avoidance 30

NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.

Volvo S60 VIN number location

Where to find the VIN on an S60

Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.

Red Volvo S60 (third generation) sedan, front three-quarter view, with the VIN locations marked

Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped

Illustration: VinNumber.net

Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net

The S60 sedan carries its VIN at the base of the driver's side windshield, on the door jamb sticker, and inside the trunk lid. An engine bay stamp near the strut tower is also present. The Gen 3 generation starts with the 2019 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (K for 2019) shows which side of that line a car falls on.

Windshield plateRead it through the glass at the base of the driver's side windshield.
Source: 49 CFR 565.13(f) (NHTSA): VIN inside the passenger compartment, readable through the glazing next to the left windshield pillar
Door jamb labelOpen the driver's door: the certification label on the B-pillar lists the VIN.
Source: 49 CFR 567.4 (NHTSA): certification label with VIN at the driver door hinge pillar, latch post or door edge

The title, registration and insurance card show the VIN as well. All locations should match.

FAQ

Common Volvo S60 VIN questions

Which Volvo S60 model years have the most owner complaints?

The 2001 leads with 223, ahead of the 2004 (198) and 2002 (186). Those first two alone make up 33% of the 1,267 S60 complaints filed with NHTSA, not adjusted for sales.

How many recalls has the Volvo S60 had?

NHTSA’s recall records show 42 vehicle campaigns for model years 2001–2025, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, Gen 2 leads with 17. Then come the Gen 1 (13) and Gen 3 (13), and a campaign can span two generations.

Which Volvo S60 recalls are high risk?

20V-681 covers air bag inflators that can rupture. 21V-766 covers an air bag inflator module and how it deploys. NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 04V-451, 07V-152, 09V-483, 10V-566, 11V-311, 12V-101 and 25V-179. Each should show as closed on a VIN check.

Which S60 generation am I looking at?

By US model year, the Gen 1 is 2001–2009 and the Gen 2 2011–2018. Gen 3 spans 2019–2025. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (K is 2019).

What fuel economy does the Volvo S60 get?

It varies. EPA rates the 2019–2025 Gen 3 at 25–31 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, with the plug-in hybrid counted on gas alone (69–74 MPGe on gas and electricity), up from 18–23 mpg for the 2001–2009 Gen 1 (fueleconomy.gov).

How does the Volvo S60 compare with the BMW 3 Series and Mercedes-Benz C-Class on recalls?

For 2019–2025 models the S60 has 13 NHTSA recall campaigns. The BMW 3 Series has 28, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class 36. Complaints run 82, 234 and 213 in that order, with no sales adjustment.

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