Jump LinksThe Most Reliable Volvo of the Last DecadeThe Least Reliable Volvo of the Last Decade2016 Volvo S60 Complaints2016 Volvo XC90 Complaints2016 Volvo S60 Recalls2016 Volvo XC90 RecallsVolvo once had a reputation for making some of the most reliable luxury models on sale. The brand's boxy sedans, like the 850 T-5R, for example, and wagons make for popular enthusiast cars today. That's partly due to the models' styling and features, but there are still plenty of them on the road with solid engines. Today, however, the brand is earning itself a different reputation. According to the latest J.D. Power report, Volvo's dependability ranks below Land Rover, Jeep, and Audi. Volvo also only beat Volkswagen by 5 problems per 100 vehicles.Current Volvo models, including the XC90 flagship SUV, are not holding up to what the brand once offered. It's not the end of the brand as we know it, though. There are still plenty of used models with proven reliability that will last for many more years to come. In this article, we take a look at the most reliable Volvo model to be sold in the United States in the last ten years, and a model you should avoid for your wallet's sake. The Dichotomy of Volvo: Two Sides of the Same Coin 2016 Volvo S60Volvo makes some great cars. It's basically a given that any new Volvo you step into will greet you with comfortable seats, plenty of luxury features, simple styling, and more. However, they're not all the same under the hood. Buyers can choose from a few powertrains today; here's what powered the most and least reliable Volvos of the last decade. The Most Reliable Volvo of the Last Decade VolvoThe 2016 Volvo S60 is the most reliable Volvo of the last ten years. The S60 was sadly discontinued after the 2025 model year, and the rest of the brand's sedans and wagons followed suit shortly after, leaving an all-SUV lineup.Nevertheless, the 2016 S60 remains a practical and dead-reliable sedan on the used market. It features a unique five-cylinder engine that makes 250 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque, sending power to either the front wheels or all four. T6 AWD R-Design buyers get a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder that makes more power than either of the smaller powertrains and comes standard with all-wheel drive. The Least Reliable Volvo of the Last Decade VolvoThe least reliable Volvo of the last decade is the 2016 XC90. This model year marks the beginning of its second generation, which includes changes such as a fully redesigned interior and exterior, a new infotainment system that looks similar to the one still used today, and multiple 2.0-liter engine options throughout the generation.The 2016 model, specifically, came with a twincharged (turbocharged and supercharged) unit that made a respectable 316 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. Buyers could choose among three trims: Momentum, Inscription, and R-Design, with all versions now getting standard "Thor's Hammer" headlights for the first time, a suite of safety features, and more. The 2016 XC90 also had standard all-wheel drive that could send up to 50% of the engine's power to the rear wheels. What Owners Have to Say About Them 2016 Volvo S60 Complaints VolvoEven though the 2016 S60 is the most reliable Volvo of recent times, it's still not perfect. There are currently 38 complaints made to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and/or Car Complaints. That said, there aren't enough complaints about any single problem to say they're all that common. Some highlights, though, include a few owners reporting excessive oil consumption, a handful of various electrical issues (none of which are repeated by more than one person each), and the rest of the recorded complaints are too far and few between to be worth including here. Among the three engines available for this model year, all appear to carry the brand's old reputation well. 2016 Volvo XC90 Complaints VolvoThe 2016 XC90 is a different story. In all fairness, it's the beginning of a brand-new generation, so it was bound to have some problems. That's perfectly normal as automakers work out new issues over time, but we would recommend avoiding this used purchase. Car Complaints and the NHTSA record 320 combined owner complaints. Most notably, there were complaints about overheating due to coolant leaks, excessive oil consumption from bad piston rings, electrical problems that included the automatic emergency braking feature activating unnecessarily, and more. Both Models Have Some Recalls to be Aware of 2016 Volvo S60 Recalls VolvoThe 2016 Volvo S60 has been affected by four recalls in its lifetime. As long as the previous owners took care of them while they were active, they shouldn't pose any threat to a buyer today. In addition, only one recall affects reliability, while the other three primarily affect safety. Here they are in the order in which they were issued: Starter Motor Fuse May Blow: Issued on September 2nd, 2015, is a recall pertaining to certain driving conditions in which, when using the automatic engine stop/start function, the starter motor fuse may blow, preventing the car from restarting when necessary. (affects 7,855 units) Seat Belt Buckle May Separate: Issued on November 2nd, 2016, is a recall regarding a problem in which the front passenger seat belt buckle attaching stud may loosen, allowing the buckle to separate from the seat belt bracket. (affects 74,027 units) Doors May Open Unexpectedly: Issued on November 26th, 2019, is a recall that pertains to a component within the door latches that may break, making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when it isn't actually latched. (affects 144,937 units) Seat Belts May Not Restrain Occupants: Issued on June 30th, 2020, is a recall regarding the flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions, which may fatigue over time and cause the seat belt to fail to secure the occupant in the event of a crash. (affects 308,260 units) 2016 Volvo XC90 Recalls Cars & BidsAs we mentioned earlier, automakers tend to make mistakes and learn from the first model year of a given generation and model. Keeping that in mind, we can see why the 2016 XC90 might have eight recalls. That's too many to list as we did with the S60's, so here are some highlights: Inflatable Curtain Airbag May Deploy Improperly: Issued on August 6th, 2015, is a recall regarding third-row seating side curtain airbags that may not fully inflate. (affects 3,911 units) Sunroof May Fully Close Unintentionally: Issued on May 4th, 2016, is a recall that explains that the sunroofs on the affected vehicles have a switch on the overhead console that may not be adequately recessed, allowing it to be unintentionally pressed. When pressed, the sunroof may fully close, which fails to comply with safety requirements. (affects 30,214 units) Seat Belt Buckle May Separate: Issued on November 2nd, 2016, is the same recall as the S60, which pertains to a problem where the front passenger seat belt buckle attaching stud may loosen, allowing the buckle to separate from the seat belt bracket. (affects 74,027 units) Fire Risk From Leaking Coolant Hose: Issued on April 17th, 2019, this recall explains that exposure to heat and humidity may cause the engine coolant bleeder hose to crack, resulting in a coolant leak. (affects 34,006 units) Maintenance Costs and Official Reliability Scores VolvoMany of us can trust the testimonies of those who actually owned the cars, but official scores can make or break decisions. J.D. Power has been scoring models' initial quality and reliability for nearly two decades. While scores do not reflect long-term reliability, they give a good estimate of what buyers can generally expect. In the S60's and XC90's cases, they were pretty spot on, as seen in the table above. RepairPal compiles real-world data from years of maintenance and repairs by owners to estimate annual costs. Since Volvo is a luxury brand, we're not surprised to see that both models have high annual costs, with the XC90 exceeding $1,000 per year. Be Careful When Deciding On Your Next Volvo Purchase Cars & BidsNo matter what your view of the brand is today, Volvo generally has a strong reputation for reliability. Its old models are built like tanks, and some of that reliability has carried on. The 2016 S60 might not look as bulky or boxy as those that came before it, but the 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-5 makes for a solid engine that can last as long as owners change the oil on time. The XC90 from the same model year is less exciting and comes with a few major problems, as reported by hundreds of owners over the last ten years. We would recommend avoiding the early second-gen model years.
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