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2010 Volvo XC60 problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

NO ELEVATED SIGNAL
16%
8 of 56 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

No elevated drivetrain complaint concentration in the available NHTSA records for the 2010 Volvo XC60. Engine, transmission and fuel system account for 16% of relevant complaints.

Better than 93% of the 1,789 model years we track (2010–2023).

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026
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Does the 2010 Volvo XC60 have engine or transmission problems?

Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 8 of 56 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2010 Volvo XC60 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (16%). For comparison, the 2011 scores 23%. This describes the model year, not any one car: a well-maintained or already-repaired example can be fine, and a clean model year can still have a bad car in it.

Drivetrain complaints
8
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
56
this model year
Fires reported
1
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
7
3 crashes · 6 injuries

Complaints by component

UNKNOWN OR OTHER13 · 23%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM11 · 20%
STRUCTURE7 · 13%
VISIBILITY/WIPER7 · 13%
SERVICE BRAKES5 · 9%
VISIBILITY5 · 9%

The years either side

2010
16%
8 of 56
2011
23%
6 of 36
2012
9%
4 of 46
2013
9%
5 of 66
2014
too few complaints
2015
33%
14 of 47
2016
64%
18 of 38
2017
too few complaints
2018
13%
4 of 36
2019
18%
5 of 36
2020
too few complaints
2021
24%
7 of 31
2022
13%
9 of 74
2023
16%
8 of 54

Manufacturers fix things mid-generation. A bad year next to a clean one is common; the fix usually arrived in between.

What owners reported

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING01/28/2022
The contact owns a 2010 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the charging system failure warning message was displayed, and the battery warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic replaced the battery and alternator; however, the fa…
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,ENGINE05/11/2020FIRE
MY CUSTOMER WAS HEADED NORTHBOUND ON HWY 63, HAD JUST PASSED OVER I-70 WHEN THE CUSTOMER HEARD A POOF AND SMOKE STARTED BELLOWING FROM THE HOOD AND THE TAILPIPE. THEY PULLED OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY, BUT BY THEN SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE VENTS AS WELL. THEY GOT OUT OF THE CAR, AND CALLED 911 BECAUSE O…
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM05/06/2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLVO XC60. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT SMELLED FUEL FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK AND THE FUEL PUMP AND REGULATOR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. TH…

Three of 8 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

Recall campaigns on the 2010 Volvo XC60 (7)

SEAT BELTS:FRONT
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 …
SEATS
VOLVO IS RECALLING MODEL YEAR 2010 XC60 VEHICLES. THE DRIVER'S SEAT SIDE COVER PANEL (SEAT CONTROL PANEL) IN CERTAIN DRIVER'S SIDE IMPACTS MAY RELEASE THE ATTACHMENT OF T…
AIR BAGS
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 XC60 VEHICLES. THE CURTAIN AIR BAGS MAY HAVE BEEN MIS-ASSEMBLED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS. THIS MAY CAUSE AN AIR BAG TO…

This does not say whether a particular car has an open, unrepaired recall. That depends on the VIN.

Before you buy a 2010 Volvo XC60

Questions people ask about the 2010 Volvo XC60

Does the 2010 Volvo XC60 have engine or transmission problems?

Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 8 of 56 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2010 Volvo XC60 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (16%). It describes the model year, not any one car, so an inspection still matters.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2010 Volvo XC60?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns on the 2010 Volvo XC60. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

Which Volvo XC60 years are better?

Among the Volvo XC60 years we track, the 2012 (9%), the 2013 (9%) and the 2018 (13%) have a lower engine and transmission complaint share than the 2010 (16%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car.

Should I buy a 2010 Volvo XC60?

That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2010 Volvo XC60 shows no elevated engine or transmission pattern in owner complaints, which is a good starting point. It is still one car with its own history, so get an independent pre-purchase inspection and a vehicle history report before you commit.

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Experimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across a model year, not the condition of any individual vehicle.