Are Volvos Reliable? A Complete Breakdown
Image by Robert Karkowski from Pixabay
When most people think of the Swedish car manufacturer Volvo, they think of iconic sedans and station wagons. However, with the recent reinvention of the brand, Volvo has released many well-designed vehicles with a robust Swedish design ethos.
But the critical question that most people ask is: are Volvos reliable? When people talk about reliable vehicles, Volvo doesn’t exactly come to mind.
So today, we’re going to break down the Volvo car brand and determine its reliability, discuss the most and least reliable models, and pinpoint its common issues.
How Reliable is the Volvo Brand?
Volvo is a car brand with an average to above-average reliability, depending on where you look. So if you’re looking for the most reliable brand, Volvo isn’t likely your top choice. On the flip side, you can purchase a Volvo and trust that you’ll be driving a fairly reliable vehicle.
But like most car brands, Volvo reliability is a mixed bag - some models are more reliable than others. Also, it’s worth noting that Volvo fares better in other areas of reliability.
According to the folks at RepairPal, Volvo has a respectable reliability score of 3.5 out of 5 and the Above Average rating. To repair and maintain a Volvo, expect to pay around $769 per year, higher than the average of $652 across all models. The average repair shop visits for a Volvo is 0.5 times which is also slightly higher than the general average of 0.4 visits a year.
Only 9% of Volvo repairs are considered severe, compared to the overall average of 12% across all models.
Are Volvos reliable? Well, it has to depend on which models you wish to use. According to Consumer Reports, the Volvo XC90 has a predicted reliability rating of 2 out of 5, while the Volvo S60 sedan boasts a 4 out of 5 rating.
Most people don’t buy a Volvo with reliability in mind. However, if you’re buying one and reliability is a big priority, we highly suggest that you check each model’s reliability rating.
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What are the Common Volvo Problems?
Are Volvos reliable? Let’s look at some of the most prevalent issues with all Volvo models.
Excessive Oil Consumption
According to CarComplaints.com, the #1 most prevalent problem with Volvo vehicles is excessive oil consumption.
Several reports claimed that their Volvo ran out of oil way before their next oil change - something improbable unless there’s something wrong like a damaged head gasket or dirty oil filters. In the worst-case scenario, excessive oil consumption can result in a damaged engine which is expensive to replace.
This particular problem is widespread with the Volvo S60.
Transmission Failure
Another issue widely reported by Volvo owners is the total failure of the transmission. Many users claimed that the transmission became erratic and eventually just totally failed. This issue was prevalent with the classic station wagon 2001 V70 and the 2005 XC90. Unfortunately, the transmission from those particular years was rare and expensive.
As far as we know, the newer models (2010 onwards) don’t have any significant issues with the transmission. However, if you have the Volvo V70, repairing the transmission can cost you as much as $4,000.
Cooling Fan Issues
Overheating engines is another common problem with Volvo cars, and it’s primarily because of issues with the engine cooling fan, aka radiator fan. The cooling fan ensures that the engine runs at optimal temperatures. Otherwise, the engine is prone to overheat, leading to catastrophic results and costly engine replacement.
Numerous causes that may result in a malfunctioning cooling fan include a dirty air filter, clutch assembly failure, faulty temperature sensor, and electrical issues. Cooling fan issues are reported mainly by XC60 owners.
Illuminating Dashboard Lights
Many Volvo owners have complained about illuminating dashboard lights, including check engine and other warning lights. While this is normal for operating vehicles, the Volvo’s warning lights may frequently come, even when there’s nothing mechanically or physically wrong with the car. Many of these lights were reportedly false positives, which can be irritating since dashboard lights shouldn’t ever be taken with a grain of salt.
Headlight Burnout
Frustrated owners say Volvo headlights have a shorter lifespan than other manufacturers. They claim their headlights would die sooner than expected, especially with specific models. Thankfully, replacing the Volvo’s headlights can be a simple DIY job or a quick one for a mechanic. However, it’s also possible that the issue potentially comes from the electrical system, which certainly warrants a trip to the mechanic.
Premature Tire Wear
Owners of the XC90 have reported excessive or premature tire wear. Uneven tire treads may occur, significantly impacting fuel efficiency and steering and putting the occupants at a higher risk of accidents. Some owners claimed that this issue could happen even with regular tire maintenance.
What are the Most Reliable Volvo Vehicles?
Volvo may not pave the way for vehicle reliability, but several models will give you peace of mind.
Volvo S60
This classic Volvo sedan has been in production since 2000, and it’s one of the most popular Volvo vehicles available. Due to its popularity, it’s also a Volvo model with the most complaints.
According to Consumer Reports, the 2021 model has an overall score of 75% and a predicted reliability rating of 4 out of 5. You will enjoy its updated and visually exciting exterior and posh interior quality.
If there are S60 models that you should steer clear of, it’s probably the 2001 and 2012 models. This is because most of the complaints about S60 came from the 2001 and 2012 years.
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Volvo V60
If you prefer the classic station wagon, the Volvo V60 is a good candidate for reliability. The 2021 V60 is available in both gas engine and plug-in hybrid versions.
Volvo vehicles offer some of the best safety features; the Volvo V60 is no exception. The V60 has boasted excellent performance in its crash and safety tests for many years now. It comes with a wealth of standard safety features such as parking sensors, rearview camera, forward-collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and many more.
The V60 is just a solid station wagon with minimal reliability issues.
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Volvo V70
The Volvo V70 is one of the most practical wagons ever to hit the road. Replaced by the V90 in 2016, the V70 is a solid and shorter alternative than its successor.
Due to its interior space, a wealth of safety features, and decent towing capacity, the V70 is an excellent family car to go on long road trips. We recommend going for the third-generation models for newer features and a facelift.
However, the V70 is not without its issues. You should look out for its wheel suspension, which has a relatively high defect rate. Another area of concern is the V70’s electronics, particularly its sensors and alarm systems.
What are the Least Reliable Volvo Models?
Are Volvos reliable? Let’s look at two of the least reliable Volvo models and their most common issues.
Volvo XC60
Volvo’s popular XC60 is packed with cutting-edge safety features and tech to make long drives more enjoyable. However, it has its fair share of problems, and there are many reported issues with this line that are hard to ignore.
The XC60, as per Consumer Reports, has an overall mediocre score of 60 but with a predicted reliability of 2 out of 5. While it received good scores for its comfort, safety, and performance, some reliability issues can be deal-breakers.
The most common problem is the failing engine cooling fan, resulting in abnormally high engine temperatures that may lead to overheating and engine damage.
Volvo XC90
According to Car Complaints, if you’re going to avoid just one Volvo, make it the XC90 - particularly 2004, 2005, and 2016 models.
This midsize luxury SUV offers plenty of styling, comfort, and safety features. Unfortunately, there were a few reports about the XC90’s reliability issues. With the 2016 model, many owners claimed that the Auto Brake System had failed. While they’re driving, the Auto Brake feature is engaged, and the seatbelts are activated - this is plain scary, especially when driving on the freeway.
Additionally, the XC90’s infotainment system will constantly glitch or reboot itself, which is unintuitive while you’re on the road. This issue can even happen at very low mileage (900 miles).
Frequently Asked Questions: Volvo Reliability
Q: What are some of the most common problems reported by Volvo owners?
A: Some of the most prevalent issues with Volvo vehicles include excessive oil consumption, particularly in the S60 model, and transmission failure, which is common in the 2001 V70 and 2005 XC90. Other reported problems include cooling fan issues leading to overheating engines, dashboard lights illuminating even when there are no apparent problems, premature headlight burnout, and excessive or uneven tire wear in the XC90.
Q: Which Volvo models are considered the most reliable?
A: The Volvo S60 sedan and V60 station wagon are among the most reliable Volvo models. The 2021 S60 has a Consumer Reports predicted reliability rating of 4 out of 5, while the V60 offers excellent safety features and minimal reliability issues. The V70, replaced by the V90 in 2016, is also a solid choice, especially the third-generation models.
Q: Are there any Volvo models that potential buyers should avoid?
A: The Volvo XC90, particularly the 2004, 2005, and 2016 models, is the one Volvo to avoid. The 2016 XC90 has reported issues with the Auto Brake System engaging unexpectedly and problems with the infotainment system glitching or rebooting, even at low mileage. The Volvo XC60 also has a below-average predicted reliability score from Consumer Reports, with common issues like failing engine cooling fans.
Q: Are Volvos more expensive to repair than other car brands?
A: While Volvo may have slightly higher maintenance and repair costs than the average across all car brands, only 9% of Volvo repairs are considered severe, lower than the overall average of 12% for all models.
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