Reliability of new Volvos

Malcolm · May 29, 2018

I have been considering trading my 2016 BMW X3 for an XC 60 T6. I like the features on the car but have read several articles about the car's reliability. I have owned Volvos in the past a 2006 XC 90 with the V8 and the S 40 AWD. I would love to hear from the group as to their experiences with new 2017 or later Volvos.

Thank you,

Malcolm

StanleyR · May 29, 2018

All newer Volvo's are wonderfully reliable.
Anyone who says different is a bold-faced liar!

Malcolm · May 30, 2018

Thank you for your "unbiased" opinion.

skibum50 · May 30, 2018

It's the first model year for the SPA XC60, so there really isn't enough experience to make a reliability determination yet.

hfwilkesjr · May 30, 2018

The 2018 XC60 has a platform and computer systems that have been out since 2015 in the 2016 XC90 and the drivetrain has been around since 2012 or 2013 in the S60. It may be a different shape but it’s not new tech.

Malcolm · May 30, 2018

How has your XC60 been so far?

Wayne T5 · May 30, 2018

Depends on what you consider acceptable. Some folks are willing to look past numerous service visits on the newer cars because they like them so much while others consider any unscheduled dealership visit to be unacceptable on a premium priced product. Really comes down to your own individual tolerance for pain.

Certainly, the first year SPA cars (2016 XC90) seem to have had more issues than the second year cars. The SPA XC60 is still a little new but it does seem like there are fewer complaint posts. Based on our less than stellar track record with our old '15.5 XC60 I can't imagine a new one could be any worse. YMMV.

StanleyR · May 30, 2018

Wayne T5 said:
Depends on what you consider acceptable. Some folks are willing to look past numerous service visits on the newer cars because they like them so much while others consider any unscheduled dealership visit to be unacceptable on a premium priced product. Really comes down to your own individual tolerance for pain.

Merely teething issues.
By the time the warranty has expired your Volvo will be completely rebuilt (yay, new car!) from all the recalls

StanleyR · May 30, 2018

Malcolm said:
Thank you for your "unbiased" opinion.

My pleasure

...I haven't owned a Volvo in over ten years

gerrit · May 30, 2018

It's still real early; I have 10K miles on my '18 XC60 and have had only one problem (errant system warning), and it was solved with a software upgrade. At 10k miles on my last car, I had to have the engine rebuilt. So overall this is a substantial improvement.

MalSled · May 30, 2018

I've got just about 4500 miles on my T6 Inscription and have been very happy with it so far. The only issue so far has been an occasional rattle in the sunroof shade, but all I have to do to stop it is open the shade a crack. Since it's not bothering me I'll wait until my 10k service to have it checked out. My previous car was also an XC90 V8, a 2007, and I've found the XC60 to be better in initial quality.

HoustonEaDo · May 30, 2018

4000 miles on mine - it's been in the shop a total of 5 weeks so far with numerous electronic issues, check engine light, etc....It has never been 100% since the day I bought it - the dealers can't figure out why the Volvo On Call app doesn't work - I have given up on getting that fixed. This was my first, and last Volvo. I really like the vehicle, but all these issues and bad dealer experience have soured me on the brand.

Wayne T5 · May 30, 2018

StanleyR said:
Merely teething issues.
By the time the warranty has expired your Volvo will be completely rebuilt (yay, new car!) from all the recalls

More or less. Unfortunately, not sure I want to own this car outside of warranty. We are about three years in and have two years, 24k miles left to figure that out (car has 36k on the clock roughly).

Wayne T5 · May 30, 2018

HoustonEaDo said:
4000 miles on mine - it's been in the shop a total of 5 weeks so far with numerous electronic issues, check engine light, etc....It has never been 100% since the day I bought it - the dealers can't figure out why the Volvo On Call app doesn't work - I have given up on getting that fixed. This was my first, and last Volvo. I really like the vehicle, but all these issues and bad dealer experience have soured me on the brand.

That's a shame. Have you looked into lemon law yet?

rodrigofalvarez · May 30, 2018

Wayne T5 said:
More or less. Unfortunately, not sure I want to own this car outside of warranty. We are about three years in and have two years, 24k miles left to figure that out (car has 36k on the clock roughly).

If you're three years in, you only have one year, right? The warranty is 4yr/50k miles, or am I wrong?

HoustonEaDo · May 30, 2018

Wayne T5 said:
That's a shame. Have you looked into lemon law yet?

I have a case open with Volvo - but they are little to no help - just lots of apologies. The issues don't affect the drivability so it's not like I am breaking down all the time - it's just frustrating having a new vehicle where all the features don't work.

Wayne T5 · May 30, 2018

rodrigofalvarez said:
If you're three years in, you only have one year, right? The warranty is 4yr/50k miles, or am I wrong?

Oops, right you are! I may be having to consider options sooner, lol.

gluc0se · May 30, 2018

I have a 2018 XC60 T8 R-Design (all options except for heated rear seats), with about 8500 miles. I had a few quirks in the beginning but the new software update seemed to correct them. It's been in the shop a total of 3 times and the last time was just for the 10K mile first oil change. I realize that 8500 miles is nothing but so far a good experience.

billshoff · May 30, 2018

I know the question is about newer Volvos but I'm proud of my 2008 V70 that I bought used with 31,000 miles in 2010. It now has 75,000 miles and has had only one repair: the AM radio was replaced. Just oil changes (10W30 and generic oil filters), 3 batteries and two sets of tires. Everything works as it should except there are a few squeaks from the cargo area.
I bought my 2012 C70 T5 Platinum just two years ago with 42,000 miles. It now has 52k miles. A low pressure valve in the HVAC system failed and was replace for $200 at an independent repair shop while on vacation. Two oil changes and two minor repairs to the convertible top that I fixed myself.
I have no experience with the local Volvo dealer. I bought both cars from out-of-town dealers.

Tango · May 30, 2018

5500 miles, only issue was warped rotors. Replaced under warranty. I have the 100,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty, as well as 80,000 miles of maintenance. This car has been amazing! Polestar upgraded. With all the electronics, and high tech in this car I would not want to own it, or any other car out of warranty. Tom

Reliability of new Volvos

Malcolm

StanleyR

Malcolm

skibum50

hfwilkesjr

Malcolm

Wayne T5

StanleyR

StanleyR

gerrit

MalSled

HoustonEaDo

Wayne T5

Wayne T5

rodrigofalvarez

HoustonEaDo

Wayne T5

gluc0se

billshoff

Tango

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