Used Car Checklists

2023 Volvo S60: What to check before buying

Only 3 owner complaints are on file with NHTSA for this car, so this sheet is short. Problems reported on other S60 years with the same design are listed below the checklist.

Volvo S602023
Owner complaints
3
Recalls
6
Crashes reported
0
Reliability
Good
70/100 on Auto Reliability Index

Run the VIN before you go

A history report shows accidents, title brands, odometer readings, and open recalls for this 2023 Volvo S60. Ask the seller for the VIN; it is also on the dash at the base of the windshield.

Your inspection sheet

Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.

These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.

Reported on other S60 years with the same design

Few owners have reported problems with this year yet. These years share the 2023's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.

2024 S60

16 owner complaints
  • Electrical 4
  • Brakes 2
  • Steering 2

Worth adding to your 2023 checks

  • Drive at least 30 minutes and watch the center screen for blanking, freezing, or rebooting.
  • Signal repeatedly during the drive and confirm the turn signal clicks and blind spot chimes never go silent.
  • Shift into reverse several times and confirm the backup camera appears every time.
Open the 2024 checklist

2022 S60

14 owner complaints
  • Electrical 3
  • Steering 2
  • Fuel system 2

Worth adding to your 2023 checks

  • Drive at highway speed for at least 20 minutes and watch for power-down or shutdown warnings.
  • Ask for service records showing any mid voltage battery module replacement or related electrical repairs.
  • Shift from reverse into B several times and press the accelerator gently; reject a car that hesitates and then lurches.
Open the 2022 checklist

2020 S60

9 owner complaints
  • Brakes 3
  • Steering 2
  • Electrical 2

Worth adding to your 2023 checks

  • Drive at 65 to 75 mph on smooth highway and feel for vibration in the steering wheel.
  • Check service records for repeated rotor, tire, or balancing work done to chase a highway vibration.
  • Measure rear brake pad thickness and look for grooves on the rear rotors.
Open the 2020 checklist

Which S60 is it?

EPA figures for each version of the 2023 Volvo S60. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.

VersionDriveEPA rating
2.0L 4-cylHybridAWD, FWD28–30 mpg
2.0L 4-cylPlug-in hybridAWD530 mi range
  • The 2023 Volvo S60 was sold in two versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
  • On the hybrid, watch for the car moving off on electric power at low speed and for any hybrid system warning on the dash.
  • Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A S60 that averages well under the EPA 28 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.

Why these checks: what owners reported

NHTSA complaints for the 2023 Volvo S60, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.

  • Backup camera2No crashes

    The rearview camera screen goes black or cuts out when the car is shifted into reverse, so the driver loses the rear view while backing up. The dropouts come and go and keep coming back. Reports say they continue even after a dealer software update that was supposed to fix them. The complaints give no mileage pattern. The main danger is backing into a person, an object, or another car if the driver counts on the camera to see behind the car.

In owners' own words

Excerpts from complaints S60 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.

Backup camera
I received a previous recall notice for the backup camera not working and visited the dealership on August 19, 2025 to recieve the software update that was supposed to fix this problem. Since receiving the fix, I have continued to have the same intermittent interruption of the backup camera as I was having before the "fix". I do not believe the software fix helped the issue and this feels like an underpowered hardware issue.

Filed with NHTSA, September 2025

How the 2023 compares with other S60 years

Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.

The 2023 has the fewest owner complaints of the 5 S60 years we cover, well under the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.

2023 Average of other years
  • Backup camera20

Where the 2023 fits in the S60's history

Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.

The 2023 is the fifth model year of the S60's third generation (2019–2024).

Recalls to confirm (6)

Recall repairs are free at any Volvo dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.

  1. 25V908000Backup cameraDec 2025

    Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2024 C40BEV, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40, and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".

    Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2026. Owners may contact Volvo Car’s customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10333. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 16, 2026. This recall replaces previous NHTSA recall number 25V282. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 25V282 will need to have the new remedy performed.

  2. 25V282000Backup cameraMay 2025

    Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".

    Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10320.

  3. 23V780000AirbagsNov 2023

    Volvo Car USA, LLC. (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2024 S60 vehicles. The passenger air bag may not be secured properly, which can cause the air bag to deploy improperly.

    Risk: An air bag that does not deploy properly in a crash increases the risk of injury.

    Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts securing the passenger air bag, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 5, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10254.

  4. 23V188000ElectricalMar 2023

    Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023 S60, V60CC, XC60, XC90, XC40, and C40 vehicles. A diagnostic trouble code (DTC) may be falsely detected for the emergency call system (e-call) and display "e-Call Service Required" in the driver information module (DIM).

    Risk: The false warning message could prevent the detection of an actual e-call system failure, which could delay an emergency response during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.

    Fix: Dealers will update the telematics and connectivity antenna module (TCAM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10225.

  5. 23V012000BrakesJan 2023

    Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023 S60, V60, V60CC, V90CC, XC60, XC90, XC40, and C40 vehicles. A diagnostic error in the Brake Control Module 2 (BCM2) may cause a loss of Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and traction control.

    Risk: A reduction in brake support functions can increase the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Volvo will release an over-the-air (OTA) BCM2 software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 15, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10217.

  6. 22V793000EngineOct 2022

    Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2022-2023 S60, V60, S90L, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An electronic control module (ECM) software error may prevent the combustion engine from starting, causing a loss of drive power.

    Risk: The vehicle may lose drive power as the high voltage battery is depleted, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Fix: Dealers will update the ECM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 8, 2022. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10198.

Also looking at these instead of a S60?

Cars shoppers compare with the Volvo S60, with their own 2023 checklists.