There are 3 owner-reported engine complaints for the 2021 Volvo XC60in NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
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 dealer, who determined that the auxiliary battery power was low and that the vehicle needed a software update. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 18,000.
While driving, lost power very suddenly. A turtle comes across the dash. My vehicle wouldn’t start for roughly 20 minutes. After the 20 minutes, it starts up, but the check engine light is on. Nervous that my car isn’t safe to drive, I contact corporate Volvo, since there is NO information in the manual for what this means- they told me to contact my local. So I call them and they state it’s safe to drive and they could get me into the schedule 3 weeks out…. Then, I get to my appointment and they then tell me my brakes and rotators are completely shot at 42,000 miles.
On June 30, 2022 our Volvo XC60 was driven at high speed on I-80 in western NE at dusk in heavy truck traffic before a holiday weekend. With semi’s on 3 sides, and NO WARNING, the vehicle LOST COMPLETE POWER. Driver fought the rapidly slowing car out of the left lane and limped onto right shoulder dodging semi’s. Scary. Only a turtle 🐢 icon appeared on the dash. Online owner’s manual was not avail. There was no response to pressing On call or SOS buttons. Using a phone, the Volvo website said the turtle meant “Reduced Engine Performance” told us nothing new. Stuck in nowhere land without any help, turned the engine off, waited 10 min. Restarted the engine which then appeared in normal op. Turtle had disappeared. Cautiously eased back onto I-80. 20 minutes later, now in WY, the power FAILED AGAIN. This time a yellow engine icon showed on the dash. Using hazard flashers, driver again moved to right shoulder and turned off the car. Again no response from call buttons. A call to Dealership in IL said it was closed and the dealer Showroom in CO said to drop off the vehicle that night. Restarted and tried again in the dark. Near Cheyenne, Volvo lost power 3RD TIME. An Engine outline icon appeared. No help…made it to Ft Collins. We flew back home leaving a disabled Volvo at Ft Collins dealer whose service rep said the “car was unsafe“ and not having a definitive cause after they ran diagnostics, asked if we wanted to “file a case with the company”, and ordered a replacement fuel pump in hope it solves the problem. We immediately asked the case be filed and again 3 days later. By soliciting help from an IL Volvo dealership owner, we learn the case was Not filed (Never happened), and only Maybe? the fuel pump is bad. We are now 11 days without a car which will need to be transported somehow back to us. Meanwhile we are 970 miles away, doubting this car’s safe operation, and without confidence in the quality of technical service at Fort Collins dealer.
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 26, 2026