DecodedCars2013 Volvo S60
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2013 models.
- Class
- Compact Cars
- Body styles
- 4 Dr Sedan T5 FWD, 4 Dr Sedan T6 AWD/R-Design
- Engines
- 2.5L 5-cyl turbo, 3.0L 6-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 24 combined · 21 city / 30 hwy
- Length
- 182.3 in
- Curb weight
- 3,547–3,772 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 4 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 19 similar 2013 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2013 Volvo S60 is a compact car offered with 2 engines (2.5L 5-cyl turbo and 3.0L 6-cyl turbo) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 182 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 109-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,547 lb (4 Dr Sedan T5 FWD).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 24 MPG combined (21 city / 30 highway), 7% worse than the 2013 compact car average of 25.9 MPG, for an estimated $2,800 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2013
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2012 S60 — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2012; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2012 S60 →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 Dr Sedan T5 FWD | 182.3 in | 73.6 in | 58.3 in | 109.4 in | 61.8 / 61.4 in | 3,547 lb | 62/38 |
| 4 Dr Sedan T6 AWD/R-Design | 182.3 in | 73.6 in | 58.3 in | 109.4 in | 61.8 / 61.4 in | 3,772 lb | 62/38 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S60 FWD | 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 30 / 24 | -7% | $2,800 | 362 |
| S60 AWD | 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 29 / 23 | -11% | $2,900 | 375 |
| S60 AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 25 / 21 | -19% | $3,200 | 425 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2013 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2013 Volvo S60.
Similar 2013 compact cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 Volvo S60 (this car) | 24 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2013 BMW 3 Series | 28 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz E-Class | 26 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2013 Lexus IS | 24 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2013 Audi A4 | 26 MPG | Not rated | 4 |
| 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 25 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2013 Lexus GS | 31 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (4)
Seat Belts › Front · Jun 30, 2020
NHTSA campaign 20V378000 · 308,260 vehicles
- Problem
- Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2008-2016 V70 and XC70, 2007-2016 S80, 2011-2018 S60 and V60, 2016-2018 S60 Cross Country, 2014-2020 S60L, 2009-2015 S80L, 2009-2016 XC60 and 2015-2018 V60 Cross Country vehicles. The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- An unsecured occupant has an increased risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- Fix
- Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the seat belt anchor cable for both front seats. The recall began December 10, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10029.
Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch · Nov 26, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V849000 · 144,937 vehicles
- Problem
- Volvo Car of USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2011-2017 S60, S60I, V60, S60CC and V60CC vehicles. A component within the door latches may break, making the doors difficult to latch and/or leading the driver or a passenger to believe a door is securely closed when, in fact, it is not.
- Risk
- A door that is not securely latched could open while the vehicle is in motion, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant.
- Fix
- Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace all four door latches, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89978.
Equipment › Other › Labels · Mar 5, 2013
NHTSA campaign 13V084000 · 7 vehicles
- Problem
- Volvo is recalling certain model year 2013 S60 and XC60 vehicles, manufactured on January 7, 2013. The product identification labels were printed with the incorrect manufacture year. Thus, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification Regulation."
- Risk
- With an incorrect date of manufacture on the certification label, the vehicle owner may not be to determine if they are affected by future vehicle recalls, increasing their risk of a crash of injury.
- Fix
- Volvo has quarantined the affected vehicles and will install correct labels prior to sale. The recall began during March 2013. Owner notification letters will not be sent.
Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module-Inactive · Sep 10, 2012
NHTSA campaign 12V439000 · 9 vehicles
- Problem
- Volvo is recalling certain model year 2013 S60 and XC60 vehicles. A manufacturing defect within the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) control unit may lead to an inadvertent deployment of the seat belt pretensioner and/or inflatable curtain.
- Risk
- If the seat belt pretensioner and/or inflatable side curtain deploy without cause, the driver could be distracted and the driver's visibility could be reduced, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- These vehicles have not been sold and the SRS control unit will be replaced prior to the cars being sold. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Not every 2013 Volvo S60 is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2013 Volvo S60 buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 4 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 36 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Electrical System — 7 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Air Bags — 6 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 60,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2013 Volvo S60. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other S60 years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 S60 | 31 | 188.2 in | Not rated | 3 | 0 |
| 2024 S60 | 31 | 188.2 in | Not rated | 4 | 22 |
| 2023 S60 | 31 | 188.2 in | Not rated | 7 | 3 |
| 2022 S60 | 31 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 4 | 15 |
| 2021 S60 | 30 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 3 | 8 |
| 2020 S60 | 30 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 6 | 12 |
| 2019 S60 | 31 | 187.4 in | Not rated | 5 | 25 |
| 2018 S60 | 29 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 4 |
| 2017 S60 | 29 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 6 | 18 |
| 2016 S60 | 30 | 182.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 29 |
| 2015 S60 | 29 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 60 |
| 2014 S60 | 24 | 182.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 21 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volvo. How we calculate this →