7.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$4,750
Average Mileage:
79,900 miles
Total Complaints:
6 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
  2. replace engine (2 reports)
  3. replace piston rings or engine (1 reports)
2012 Volvo S60 engine problems

engine problem

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2012 Volvo S60 Owner Comments

problem #6

Dec 012021

S60 T5

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,409 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

click to see larger images

excessive oil consumption excessive oil consumption excessive oil consumption excessive oil consumption excessive oil consumption

This in regards to a vehicle I purchased on March 30, 2021. It is a 2012 Volvo S60 T5 VIN #YV16622FS4C2056728. When I purchased the car it had 99,489 miles on the odometer and when the vehicle became an issue it was at 104,409 miles on the odometer. I purchased it on Craigslist from a physician in Maine. On December 1, 2021 my husband was driving the vehicle on the highway and it stalled without warning after almost crashing into the vehicle in front of him. He was able to pull over, start the car back up and drive it home. There were no warning alerts or check engine light that came on the dashboard. After browsing the internet, we realized that the car had a recall due to an oil consumption level issue in 2014 (Recall #R29436; National Highway Traffic Safety Administration campaign #13V592000). I contacted Volvo of North America who opened up a case (case #211203-000423) and then had the car towed to Portland Volvo in Scarborough, Maine for an appointment on December 14, 2021. On December 15, 2021 Portland Volvo informed us that the vehicle’s engine was beyond repair. Later that evening I received an email from Jemmy at Volvo of NA stating that they would cover $750 of the repairs. I emailed her back asking her to wait for a quote from Portland Volvo on how much it was going to be to repair the vehicle. On December 16, 2021 I was informed by Kristen at Portland Volvo that she spoke with the district manager and that a used engine costs between $10-14,000 and that Volvo of North America has decided not to help because the car is now out of warranty but it was a manufacturer's defect. I have been going back and forth with then for a couple of weeks now and they have denied my appeal even though I haven't been able to speak with a single person who is handling this, only secretaries. Not only has the car been seen periodically throughout its lifetime at Volvo dealerships but was seen in July 2021 due to two recalls that needed to be fixed at Volvo in Exeter, NH. They did a multi-point inspection on the car and everything passed and only 3,500 miles had been put on the car since. I have been researching this on the internet since this issue occurred and this seems to be an issue with several owners of the 2012 Volvo s60 T5 cars with engine code 62, which mine is.

Volvo Checks Date Location Mileage 4/25/2014 Portland Volvo 34,903 5/12/2014 Portland Volvo
1/15/2015 Boston Village Volvo 42,060 10/21/2015 Boston Village Volvo 49,853 7/31/2017 Portland Volvo
9/5/2017 Boston Village Volvo 72,623 6/4/2018 Boston Village Volvo 78,865 3/19/2019 Boston Village Volvo 86,606 2/19/2020 Portland Volvo 94,708 4/30/2020 Portland Volvo 96,387 7/12/2021 Volvo Cars of Exeter 101,251

- JS ., Rochester, NH, US

problem #5

Jul 082019

S60 T5

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,980 miles

Car ran out of oil before next oil change was due and engine was ruined. Oil light never came on! I reached out to Volvo USA for support, but they said no as this is past warranty and I didn't have evidence of all oil changes at the dealer (I sometimes used the closest/quickest option).. I think they know this is an issue.

- Jeffrey L., North Attleboro, US

problem #4

Oct 102017

S60 T5 2.5L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles

Just add a few quarts every now and then. It doesn't affect the performance. I use Castrol synthetic oil.

- Wilson M., Cerritos, CA, United States

problem #3

Aug 242016

S60 T5 2.5L 5

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving my CPO Volvo 400 miles a day as I usually do. Get close to my house and the oil light flashes every time I make a sharp turn. It bursts out 'no oil pressure- turn off for safety' and does this only when I turn. I pull into my driveway to see it went almost none dry between oil changes (every 10,000 miles- synthetic) and I was mortified. The motor could have seized. This was my first warning and had not leaked any oil anywhere in my driveway. Typically if a car consumes that much oil it is usually going somewhere like the ground. No warnings at all. I added five quarts of oil. And started driving to look for a new car. I had enough issues with the car to the point I was just done. From electrical issues to suspension issues! I never took it to the dealership to get it looked at or fixed but I am calling Volvo tomorrow to tell them. Pick up new car tomorrow

- H M., Sturbridge, MA, US

problem #2

Dec 312015

S60 T5

  • Automatic transmission
  • 74,000 miles

There apparently is a major issue with the 2012 Volvo S60 T5. Not everyone will hit this issue. If they do, it will usually be around the 60k-70k mileage range when the vehicle is well out of warranty but way before you ever expect an engine from the company with the reputation of Volvo to fail. Most 2012 Volvo's are not in this mileage range for this year of car. Most are around (36k-48k) miles.

Volvo has a TJ# 29871 out on this. Can also be found under TJ29871-2015-02-05 (Engine 62 : High Oil Consumption). They describe the process to identify if the car is affected. If it is, the first thing they will attempt to do is replace the piston rings. This job usually retails for around $5k. If that does not resolve the problem, then Volvo replaces the engine are a retail cost of around $12k. For those having their cars serviced by a Volvo dealer, Volvo seems to be stepping up. For others, Volvo is giving those owners the middle finger. Audi had a similar issue with 2009-2011 (A4, A5, Q5 cars) and they extended the warranties of those vehicles. Why isn't Volvo doing the same?

The use of Google leads to quite a few threads on this issue.

See here: http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread.php?217635-2012-S60-T5-Hole-in-Exhaust-valve-at-78k-miles

And here: http://forums.swedespeed.com/showthread.php?227512-2012-T5-S60-Oil-Guzzler-and-No-Warning!

And here:http://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-s60-v60-10/burning-oil-81241/

This issue will only get worse, not better. If your car has not gotten up there in mileage, then you need to pay very close attention to your oil levels. At the first sign of oil consumption, you need to take it to the dealer and make them fix it. (Most likely they won't be able to and the engine will need a significant overhaul).

- volvoregret, Bath, PA, US

problem #1

Aug 122014

S60 T5

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

Bought my certified pre-owned 2012 Volvo S60 from a local dealership. Not long after I had it, my oil light flashed on. I checked my oil, and there was hardly any. I added oil and took it in to the dealer to see what was going on. They said there was a recall, and they followed the guidelines from Volvo and sent me on my way.

About 5k miles later, I checked my oil again, and it was low. I took it back to the dealer and they made another repair and sent me on my way. about 1500k miles later, I check my oil again, and it's low again. I took it back to the dealer, and they installed a brand new engine at 52,500 miles. I had it back for 8 days, and the check engine light came on. It is now back at the dealer. UGH! Waiting to see what is wrong with the beast now.

- butterflygeorgia, Auburn, GA, US

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