As far as my comments on quality, here goes: The first week I owned it, the headliner material started to come apart. Same week, the wind dam under the front of the car fell off on the highway. The dealer insisted I hit a curb and I had to fight to get it replaced at no charge. Since day 1 I've been hearing a metallic "clink" when I start to back up; it sounds like a chevy truck setting into reverse. Dealer said it's normal. I've reprogrammed the radio multiple times and have since just decided to live with have all channels available. It just keeps losing them. Same with the garage door button. O and speaking of the radio, I'm still getting some kind of lockout mode where the channel simply will not change until I shut the car off and restart it. The dealer could not reproduce it. The automatic mirror angle change when backing up is just silly. The SALESMAN told me that when I bought it. It was an effort to be like BMW and it's not perfected. The mirrors point in and down at the ground. Not useable. The fuse has blown on the 12v outlet a few times, usually while I'm using my gps and I need it most. No explanation for that. A sport mode button would have been useful, it's a pain to locate the option and the car defaults to econ when it's turned off. I still have my '03 honda accord that I bought new, I've been to the dealer with it a handful of times over the past 9+ years. There's the promise of quality and there's the delivery. I trust that old honda hands down over my brand new S60.

 

My original post (about 14 months ago) was asking other S60 owners if they noticed wind noise coming from the side mirrors (my previous 2001 S80 seemed much quieter). However I have since gotten used to the change and don't even notice what I originally thought was too much noise.

I have had no problems with this car whatsoever. It is a pleasure to drive, feels very solid on the road, handles better than anything I've ever driven. I'm averaging 24.4 MPG (I love the Gas Cubby app.) and I drive 80% city/20% highway. When I do more than 20% highway driving I see my mileage go up to almost 26.5 MPG. In 14 months I have had no trouble with this car and highly recommend the S60 T5.

 

Update. Took delivery of a 2012 S60T5 in April 2011. Since then plagued with annoying drivetrain buzzing and vibration, slow downshift, engine lugging at low speeds and low MPG. Dealer initially erroneously diagnosed it as a loose exhaust heat shield, later a factory rep called it "harmonic imbalance in the drivetrain."

Seven visits to the dealer in 21 months, most recently in December 2012 to replace a defective leak detection pump. The problems persist despite three TCM software upgrades, a CEM software upgrade, a fuel pump software upgrade, a transmission adaptation and a gear indication mode test.

Dealership service advisors and technicians have verified my complaints/concerns. Although Volvo Cars North America continues to claim "the vehicle is operating within design specifications," they have now offered a "$4,000 trade-in adjustment" on a 2013.

Now at 7,600 miles. Averaging 14.5 MPG.

 

Hello all,
I posted on this thread a couple times & was one of the original posters along with Chicagopete & 12S60. I have i posted under my name as well as Alfa7777. My TWO cars are the Nexus cars to the recall 243 for the fuel pump. I've had trans issues from day one! Volvo refuses to acknowledge the physical signs & says that VIDA has no codes. My dash has give numerous signs ie check engine light flashes, no traction control at times & Trans malfunction msgs in the right display 4 times in 7 breakdowns with the two cars I've had. The car lost power for the 4th time after a long trip on Thursday Dec 27th. As I have never made a successful round trip out of state I had bought white shoe polish for when the next breakdown occurred. It took a couple months but as expected it died on its way back from Atlanta. I had tried to drop it off at Dyer & Dyer in Atlanta, due to drive train shaking at hwy speed. Once they contacted VCNA is was promptly returned to me as it came in under its own power. The car I have now is 0 for 4 when going out of state. From what I have experienced is that the Trans has something to do with it but isn't fully communicating with engine mgt. I've even had the fuse blow on the fuel circuit which is disturbing, yet Volvo doesn't seem to feel the same way. Since Volvo is always unable to get a code (which at this point i'm convinced this is intentional) I was quick to get my iphone out & record. Now I have proof which I sent to everyone i've been in contact with at Volvo & everyone at NHTSA who is assigned to Volvo's recalls.
I urge everyone who has an issue to contact NHTSA & maybe we can get some help here since Volvo doesn't want acknowledge the issue. I've seen them spend at least 15k on me alone just to keep it quiet, which in my opinion is a hell of a lot more than addressing a transmission.
Here's the e-mail addresses to submit a complaint to:
'Kelly.schuler@dot.gov'
'Red.odi@dot.gov'
'nhtsa.webmaster@dot.gov'

You can watch my car die the 4th time & transmission code show up here:
Watch how erratic the tach is before it packs up!
Hopefully this can help all of us who have been saddled with these cars.

If anyone wants to contact me you more than welcome to via e-mail sales@pd4re.com

 

Yes, I have the same issue about engine vibration at lower RPM such as 1300 - 1500 and speed around 35 MPH to 40 MPH. It's sends a vibration all the way into cabin. I bought S60 T5 in April 2012. I took the car to the dealer and they updated the software transmission. It got a tab bit better, but still a big issue for me. They suggested that I drive in Sport Mode, which I do not like as it would do a hard shift when you are trying to park. It jerks forward. I am not sure what I can do about it. But I am really upset with VOLVO right now

Ajay

 

Well, time to leave this thread. I traded in my wife's 2012 FWD T5 for a 2013 AWD T5 on New Years Eve. Never really like how the FWD handled in bad weather, especially snow. Had the 2012 in for a service and they gave me the 2013 AWD T5 as a loaner on a day with heavy snow, and the handling was night and day. That clinched it for me, so I made the trade.

Besides the handling, the most noticeable difference is the trans. There's no abrupt downshifting when throttling down on the 2013. I suspect there was something buggy in the 2012 that has been fixed in the new model year. I always was a little suspicious of the 2012, I don't get that sense with the new one.

 

Update. Took delivery of a 2012 S60 T5 in April 2011. Since then, plagued with annoying drivetrain buzzing and vibration at low speeds, slow downshift, engine lugging at low speeds and low MPG. Dealer initially erroneously diagnosed it as a loose exhaust shield, later a factory rep called it "harmonic imbalance in the drivetrain."

Seven visits to the dealer in 22 months. The problems persist despite three TCM software upgrades, a CEM upgrade, a fuel pump software upgrade, a transmission adaptation, a gear indication mode test and a leak detection pump replacement. Dealership service advisors and technicians have verified my complaints.

Volvo Cars North America has offered to take back the troublesome S60 and sell (or lease) me a new 2013 at a $4,000 discount off MSRP.

Now at 7,900 miles. Averaging 17.0 MPG.

 

Well, I had it with 2012 S60 T5. I traded in and got a 2013 AWD S60 T5, which drives much better and doesn't seem to have those issues as 2012 S60 T5. Time will only tell the difference.

 

Hi everyone. This is my first ever post to the forum, and I need your help with something. I read on a couple of threads the problems with transmission, and want to check if I have the same thing or not.
I have a problem with my transmission. More or less the problem has to do with noise, and not being smooth as well. I can actually hear the gear changing especially when the car is downshifting from 3 to 2, and 2 to 1. I hear a loud "clank", and feel a slight jerkiness as well. On another note, when I put the car on N, I hear a series of 2 sounds too, with a 3 second gap between both sounds. Note that this happens when I am in automatic mode.

Changing to manual mode is a whole different story, sounds are much much louder, and the jerkiness is more profound. Another thing to note is none of these things happen when the car is started in the morning. I guess when the transmission heats up a bit, all this stuff happens.

Anyways, been to the dealer, with lots of debate on whether the sound exists or not, but finally they gave in. They told me that there is this plastic thing that needs to be changed (they didnt give me any paperwork indicating the type of repair needed or the part that is going to be replaced), and they have already ordered the part and is on its way.

You guys probably have more information than I do, so can anyone tell me what is happening with my car ? Would really appreciate your help guys !!

 

I read through you issues with the 2012, hope you problems are behind you with the 2013. I bought a 2013 S60 T5. It failed during my 1st road trip at ~850 miles - fuel pressure issue, after towing, etc. dealer "reloaded the software"...

On 2nd road trip, now with ~2350 miles on it, it failed with what appeared to be similar symptoms. My wife was driving alone on this trip, so had to rent a car to continue her trip, with car currently being diagnosed by dealer in Indy.

I'm also having doubts about Volvo's quality control. I like the car a lot, but I have never had reliability issues like this on a new car, and am wondering what to do from here.

 

I've have a 2012 S60 since August of 2012 - leased just as the 2013s were coming out. I got a good deal, but I wish I had gotten the 2013, as I have the same obsevations about the transmission roughness as others (vibration at low rpms in drive mode, and rough shifts in sport mode). I believe it is a design/software issue, but Volvo seem unable to address it. I recently drove a 2014 as a loaner, and there were no such issues. I am going to bring it up with the service advisor and see what they say.

 

Ok, it's been 10 months since I swapped out the 2012 for the 2013. I've had ZERO issues with the 13, the only time it's been in was for the scheduled service. Apparently they've fixed the bugs that were inherent in the 12.

If any newbies are shopping for used ones I'd suggest stay far, far away from the 2012's

 

Im having similar problems.Loss of power.The mechanic has had it three days ,involved three mechanics and they can't find the problem.Sounds time for a class action law suit.

 

I took the car in for service a few weeks ago and the software update they did fixed the rough transmission issue. It basically keeps the RPMs a bit higher or adjusts the timing so that the drivetrain is less rough at low rpm's such as in 30 to 40 mile-per-hour driving. The sport mode is much smoother as well, although it seems that it is less aggressive

 

Glad to hear Volvo has finally corrected the problem.

I leased a 2012 S60T5 FWD in April 2011. Plagued with annoying drivetrain buzzing, vibration and engine lugging at low speeds. Also slow downshift and low MPG. A factory rep called it "harmonic imbalance in the drivetrain." I've heard other S60 owners refer to it as "cabin drone."

Seven visits to the dealer in 22 months. The problems persisted despite three TCM software upgrades, CEM and fuel pump software upgrades, a transmission adaptation and a gear indication mode test. The dealership confirmed my complaints.

In February 2013, VCNA took the troublesome S60 back, letting me out of the lease 14 months early. VCNA also gave me a $4,000 discount on a new 2013 Volvo C30.

 

Please laugh in it's face the next time and say something like, so, the bad gas was only in cyl no. 5, but the other cylinders got good gas, ooh, now that's clear.

 

ChicagoPete...Thanks for posting and starting this thread. I just joined the forum because I was considering a preowned 2011-2012 S60 T5 or a 2009 V70. Now I'm sadly walking away. My other choice is a 2009 Saab 9-5 for $13,000 with 50,000 miles. My tipping points was that I have a brilliant Saab-only mechanic right near me. The Volvo gremlins just scare me. Thanks again to all for their posts.

 

You're welcome!

fyi I've had the 2013 S60 T5 since 12/31/2012. 13,000 miles, and it's been in the shop ONCE for the 10k scheduled service and that's it. It's night and day compared to that 2012.

Definitely get the AWD too instead of FWD, the handling in any type of weather is impeccable. The AWD is a completely different vehicle.

 

I've posted here under alfa7777 as well. I had one of the original cars that started the whole issue. The replacement car made the 1st look like a gem. After the forth breakdown & a posting of the DIM showing the Trans code they can never find. All of a sudden we had a trans issue that they said wasn't the issue. This was after I went after them as a lemon & they refused to take it back & only offered a settlement. When the car came back the dealer left their hard copy of the file in the car by accident. When they said there was no codes & stated as such on the service order. The VIDA print out showed the tale tell 5th cyl overheat. But since the dealer only had the car as all dealers were under strict order that only regional VCNA techs work on the car. It was the VCNA factory tech that made the call. So I ask this who has now been experiencing detraining trans performance. Sometime doesn't want to downshift after a long hwy run on the off ramp. Sputters & jams into gears when after long runs. Volvo is hiding a bad batch of trans under the guise of Fuel system softwaree updates. Seriously my car has had more "Updates" than my windows pc! Last of a line of three Volvos come March. Horrible cars!

 

Good idea to leave a short review be it positive or negative
2012 Volvo S60 Review - Carsurvey.org