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2021 Volvo XC60 problems: engine and transmission complaints and recalls

NO ELEVATED SIGNAL
24%
7 of 31 relevant owner complaints are about the engine, transmission or fuel system

No elevated drivetrain complaint concentration in the available NHTSA records for the 2021 Volvo XC60. Engine, transmission and fuel system account for 24% of relevant complaints.

Better than 81% of the 1,789 model years we track (2010–2023).

NHTSA data checked October 3, 2026
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Does the 2021 Volvo XC60 have engine or transmission problems?

Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 7 of 31 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Volvo XC60 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (24%). For comparison, the 2022 scores 13%. 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
7
engine, transmission, fuel
Total complaints
31
this model year
Fires reported
0
owner-reported
Recall campaigns
5
3 crashes · 4 injuries

Complaints by component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9 · 29%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER8 · 26%
SERVICE BRAKES7 · 23%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE6 · 19%
STEERING5 · 16%
ENGINE5 · 16%

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

POWER TRAIN,SERVICE BRAKES09/21/2021CRASH1 INJURED
The contact owned a 2021 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the vehicle suddenly began to accelerate and the brakes failed to stop. The vehicle crashed into a nearby fence causing the vehicle to flip. The air bags did deploy. The contact received injuries to their right shoulder and…
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM12/12/2024
Driving as normal through a major intersection and the car began to jerk and stutter when trying to accelerate. there was no warning or symptom prior to this issue, but upon it happening, the turtle warning light appeared and had the display had an engine system message saying "reduced performance". I was able to pull …
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE11/20/2024
The contact owns a 2021 Volvo XC60. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power. The contact pulled over to the shoulder, and the vehicle continuously turned on and off independently. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the d…

Three of 7 drivetrain complaints. The full report shows more, with quotes about the engine in the car you are looking at first.

Recall campaigns on the 2021 Volvo XC60 (5)

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
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 lo…
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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…
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 Syst…

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

Before you buy a 2021 Volvo XC60

Questions people ask about the 2021 Volvo XC60

Does the 2021 Volvo XC60 have engine or transmission problems?

Not as a pattern, going by owner complaints. 7 of 31 relevant complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Volvo XC60 concern the engine, transmission or fuel system (24%). It describes the model year, not any one car, so an inspection still matters.

Are there engine or transmission recalls on the 2021 Volvo XC60?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns on the 2021 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 2021 (24%). Manufacturers fix things mid-generation, so the year before or after can be a different car.

Should I buy a 2021 Volvo XC60?

That depends on the car in front of you, not just the model year. The 2021 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. Combined across 4 body styles NHTSA files separately.