Swedish premium estate wagon known for safety and comfort. The T5 designation covers two different engine families: early 2.5L inline-5 (B5254T) and later 2.0L inline-4 Drive-E (B4204T). The 2.0L Drive-E is generally more refined and efficient. Main concerns include oil consumption on B4204T engines (piston ring issue affecting 2013-2016), Powershift dual-clutch transmission jerking, PCV breather system failures causing oil leaks, and premature rear brake pad wear. Infotainment freezing is common but usually fixable via software update. Good reputation for reliability when properly maintained.
Faulty piston rings cause oil burning, particularly 2013-2016 models · more· less
The B4204T 2.0L turbocharged engine has a known piston ring defect affecting 2013-2016 production. Owners report needing to add 0.5L oil every 2,000-3,000 km once the issue develops, typically around 70,000-100,000 km. Volvo issued Technical Bulletin TJ-31216 and offers an Extended Warranty Program for eligible vehicles. Repair requires new pistons and piston rings (not just rings alone, as old pistons only accept the faulty rings). Repair costs range from €5,000-€8,000, with worst-case engine replacement exceeding €10,000. Volvo corporate sometimes covers 50% of costs for out-of-warranty vehicles. From engine serial 1501327 onwards, the issue was corrected at the factory. Not all engines are affected - many reach high mileage without problems.
Jerky shifts, hesitation, rough engagement common with Getrag DCT · more· less
The Powershift dual-clutch transmission (used on T4, T5, T6 petrol models) is known for jerky gear changes, delayed shifts, and hard engagement, typically appearing between 60,000-100,000 km. Lawsuits allege ongoing defects including bucking, kicking, jerking, and lurching. The dry-clutch design is less tolerant of abuse than VW's wet-clutch DSG. Clutch replacement costs €1,500-€3,500 including dual-mass flywheel. Software updates in 2014+ models improved behavior. Holding the car on hills with the accelerator causes overheating and premature clutch wear. Manual transmission V60s do not have this issue and are more reliable. Some owners report smooth operation, suggesting inconsistent production quality. Avoid if you primarily drive in heavy traffic or hilly areas.
PCV breather system / oil trap failure€350 - €500
Clogged oil trap causes whistling noise, oil leaks, performance loss · more· less
Volvo's PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) system uses an oil separator box instead of a traditional valve. Plastic tubing and fittings become brittle and restricted with oil deposits. Symptoms include whistling noise (stops when oil cap is removed), oil leaks from engine seals due to excessive crankcase pressure, check engine light, and reduced performance. Typical failure occurs every 100,000 km but can be sooner with short-trip driving that doesn't fully heat-cycle the oil. The oil trap is located under the intake manifold requiring 2-3 hours labor. Total repair costs €350-€500 with OEM parts. Use only OEM parts - aftermarket versions commonly fail within months and can cause limp mode. Neglecting this causes serious engine damage from blown seals or failed oil pump suction.
Actuator sticks from carbon buildup, turbo fails from oil starvation · more· less
The turbo actuator tends to stick when the car is driven gently or only for short trips, as carbon builds up. Symptoms include EPC warning light and limp mode. VW won't sell the actuator separately from the turbo. Actuator-only repair at a specialist costs €500-€600, but if turbo internals are damaged, full replacement costs €2,400-€2,800. Complete turbocharger failure can also occur from oil starvation or worn seals, causing loss of power, loud whining noises, or excessive smoke. Using premium fuel and regular spirited driving (occasional full-throttle acceleration) helps prevent actuator sticking. Oil leaks around the turbo indicate worn seals requiring turbo replacement. The turbos are easily accessible from underneath, making labor costs relatively reasonable (3-4 hours).
Water pump / thermostat failure€500 - €1,200
Electric water pump fails around 70,000-100,000 km causing overheating · more· less
The electric water pump typically fails between 70,000-100,000 km or after 10 years. Symptoms include coolant warning light, engine overheating, or poor cabin heating. Failures can occur without warning. Electric water pumps are expensive - OEM parts cost €380-€400, aftermarket (Pierburg OE supplier) around €380. Labor adds €150-€300 depending on shop rates (2-3 hours). Total repair €500-€800. It's recommended to replace the thermostat simultaneously (adds €100-€200) as it's in the same location and similar age. Some mechanics recommend preventive replacement at 100,000 km to avoid roadside breakdown. A 2010-2015 recall exists for coolant leaks that could cause engine fires in extreme cases - verify completion with VIN.
Front control arm bushings wear out causing alignment problems, squeaking, and knocking noises from the front end, typically after 80,000-120,000 km. When worn, you'll hear clunking over bumps and steering feel becomes vague. The bushings aren't serviceable separately - complete control arm replacement is required. Arms include two rubber bushings and a press-in ball joint. Bushing-only replacement (if shop will do it) costs €400-€500, but dealers recommend complete arm replacement at €1,100-€1,300 for both sides. Trailing arm bushings (rear) may need replacement as early as 60,000 km, causing darty, sketchy handling. Front sway bar bushings are a €20 part but require 6 hours labor to drop the subframe. Consider polyurethane aftermarket bushings (Powerflex) for longer life and easier DIY installation.
Premature rear brake pad wear€250 - €500
Rear pads wear out at 20,000-35,000 km due to soft compound and EPB · more· less
Excessive rear brake pad wear is extremely common on the V60, with many owners reporting replacement needed at only 20,000-35,000 km. Dealers recommend checking rear pads every 15,000 km. Contributing factors include: soft "luxury" pad compound for quiet operation, electronic parking brake (EPB) system holding pressure, auto-hold function causing premature wear via software glitch, and adaptive cruise control favoring rear brakes. Some dealers claim this is "normal" for Volvo. Solutions include switching to metallic or semi-metallic pads (longer lasting than OEM ceramic), EBC Red Stuff pads for better longevity, replacing stuck calipers rather than trying to clean/grease them. Rear pad replacement costs €120-€200 per axle DIY, €250-€500 at a shop. Rotors typically need replacement every second pad change, adding €150-€250.
Infotainment system freezing/rebooting€0 - €1,500
Sensus system freezes every few minutes, reboots repeatedly · more· less
Many V60 owners report the Sensus infotainment system freezing every 3-5 minutes, displaying the Volvo logo, then rebooting. Cycle repeats constantly. Causes include: Volvo On Call app issues (system-wide problem Volvo was addressing), Bluetooth phone incompatibility locking up the system, failed control module requiring replacement, low battery voltage deprioritizing infotainment. Solutions: Manual reboot by holding volume button until shutdown, then press again; battery disconnect for 2-3 minutes; dealer software update (sometimes effective); module replacement €1,200-€1,500 if hardware failed. Try disconnecting Bluetooth devices first. Some owners found certain phones (especially older models) caused the issue. If software update doesn't fix it, module is likely dead. Pull audio/infotainment fuses to reset system. This is frustrating but rarely safety-critical.
Air conditioning compressor failure€1,200 - €2,000
AC compressor fails after 60,000-100,000 km from seal leaks · more· less
AC compressor failure typically occurs between 60,000-100,000 km due to leaky seals and inadequate lubrication. Early symptoms include weak cooling, intermittent AC function, or unusual noises when AC is on. T5 and T6 petrol versions show compressor defects as early as 50,000 km in some cases. Compressor replacement costs €1,200-€1,500 for parts and labor. If condenser or evaporator also need replacement, costs can reach €2,000+. The most common causes are refrigerant leaks from worn seals and lack of lubrication from not running the AC regularly. Prevention: run AC for 10 minutes monthly even in winter to keep seals lubricated. If both compressor and evaporator fail, total repair can reach €3,900-€5,000. Get multiple quotes - independent shops typically charge 30-40% less than dealers.
Generally reliable, but several age-related and design issues
The Volvo V60 T5 is a well-built premium estate with good long-term reliability when properly maintained. However, it has several known issues that require attention: oil consumption on 2013-2016 engines, Powershift transmission problems, and unusually fast rear brake wear. The PCV system needs regular replacement. Most issues are well-documented with established fixes. Manual transmission models are significantly more reliable than Powershift automatics. Budget €1,000-€1,500 annually for potential repairs beyond routine maintenance.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
General checks
Service history
Complete Volvo dealer or authorized specialist records essential. Verify oil changes every 10,000-15,000 km maximum.
Tires
Check tread depth, age (date codes), uneven wear. Common sizes: 215/50R17, 235/45R18. Premium tires cost €120-€180 each.
Cold start
Must start engine completely cold. Listen for timing chain rattle, turbo noises, or whistling from PCV system.
Body condition
Check for rust, accident damage, paint mismatch. Volvo aluminum body panels don't rust but check wheel arches.
Test drive
Minimum 20-30 minutes including varied speeds. Test all electronic systems, especially infotainment.
Specific for this vehicle
Check oil consumption (B4204T 2.0L engines)
For 2013-2016 models, check dipstick level. Ask owner about oil top-ups between services. Adding 0.5L every 2,000 km indicates piston ring issue. Check engine serial number - from 1501327 onwards issue was corrected.
Test Powershift transmission thoroughly (if automatic)
Drive for minimum 20 minutes until transmission fully warm. Feel for jerky shifts, hesitation, clunking when changing gears. Test hill starts - avoid buying if harsh engagement. Manual gearbox models are much more reliable.
Listen for PCV system whistling noise
With engine running, listen for whistling from engine bay. Remove oil filler cap - if whistle stops, PCV system is failing. Check for oil leaks around valve cover and rear main seal (caused by excessive crankcase pressure).
Check rear brake pad thickness
Rear pads wear abnormally fast. Ask when last replaced. Inspect through wheel spokes - if less than 4mm remaining, negotiate replacement into price. Check for stuck calipers (uneven wear left vs right).
Test infotainment system for 15+ minutes
Use navigation, Bluetooth, radio, climate controls. Watch for freezing, unexpected reboots, blank screen. Try connecting different phones to check Bluetooth compatibility. Known issue but often fixable.
Inspect suspension bushings and ball joints
Grab front wheels at 3 and 9 o'clock and wiggle - excessive play indicates worn control arm bushings. Test drive over bumps - listen for clunking. Check rear for darty, unstable handling (trailing arm bushings).
Verify all recalls completed
Contact Volvo dealer with VIN. Key recalls: coolant leak fire risk (2010-2015), airbag deployment (2016), seatbelt anchor cable (2011-2018), fuel hose cracking (2015-2016).
Check coolant level and condition
Low coolant or brown/milky appearance indicates water pump or head gasket issues. Check under car for coolant leak evidence (pink/orange stains).
Test turbo under load
Accelerate hard from 2,000 rpm in 3rd gear. Should feel strong, linear boost with no hesitation. EPC warning light = actuator problem. Blue smoke = turbo seals failing. Listen for excessive turbo whine.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Coolant leak fire risk (2010-2015)Verify completed
Front passenger seatbelt buckle (2016-2017)Verify completed
Contact a Volvo dealer with the VIN to verify all recalls completed. For oil consumption issue, ask about Extended Warranty Program eligibility (may cover repair costs even out of standard warranty).
Warranty Status
Factory warranty (3 years / 60,000 km)Expired on all 2010-2018 models
Oil consumption Extended Warranty (varies)Check eligibility with dealer
Typical extended warranty cost€800-€1,200/year
All 2010-2018 V60s are outside factory warranty. For 2013-2016 models with B4204T engines, check if eligible for Volvo's Extended Warranty Program covering oil consumption repairs. Third-party extended warranties are available but carefully review exclusions.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.