02.11.2019
The Volvo XC60 (Volvo XC 60) is the first generation of a premium crossover produced by the Scandinavian automaker Volvo Cars from 2007 to 2017. The manufacturer has endowed the car with an exquisite and memorable design, which is the best way to emphasize the status of its owner in society. Also, the developers were well aware that a premium car should give pleasure from driving, so that even long trips do not cause the driver and his passengers the slightest inconvenience. Visually and technically, the Volvo XC60 is close to perfection, but is everything so good with its reliability now and let's try to find out.
Specifications Volvo XC60
Body type - J-class, crossover;
Drive type - forward, full;
Ecological type of engines - Euro-5;
Body dimensions (L x W x H), mm - 4627 x 1891 x 1713;
Wheelbase, mm - 2774;
Turning diameter, m - 11.7;
Minimum turning radius, mm - 5.9;
Track width, mm: front - 1632, rear 1586;
Overhang: front -909, rear -944;
Ground clearance (clearance), mm - 230;
Disc size - 17X7.5J;
Tire size - 235/65 R17;
Fuel tank volume, l - 70;
Curb weight, kg - 1726;
Gross weight, kg - 2505;
Trunk capacity, l - 490 (1455);
Options - Kinetic, Momentum, Summum, Ocean Race, R-Design
Weaknesses and shortcomings of the Volvo XC60 with mileage
Body:
LKP- unlike most modern cars, the Volvo XC60 is endowed with a paintwork that is resistant to mechanical damage.
bodywork iron- the metal of body panels has high-quality protection against corrosion, due to which, even in places of chips, it does not rust for a long time. On cars of the first years of production, it is worth checking the attachment points of plastic body parts (in case of violation of the paintwork, they bloom). But on the bottom of the car, corrosion is more common. The exhaust system, suspension arms, brackets, sills, contact welding points, cavities between the subframe and the body begin to rust most quickly under the onslaught of dirt and reagents. You should also pay attention to the cleanliness of the drains under the windshield. If this is not done over time, the accumulated dirt will begin to destroy the sealant that protects the interior and electronic components from moisture.
Chromium- chrome-plated trim parts painfully endure a meeting with road and washing chemicals.
Forniture- most often the details made of aluminum bother (over time, the brackets of the rear-view mirrors and door handles turn sour).
Mirrors- unreliable heating elements and wiring of the adjustment drive.
wipers- a malfunction of the trapezoid is most often caused by a malfunction of the position sensors, and its souring.
Optics- the protective plastic is overwritten, and if the block is leaking, the headlight starts to sweat. It should be noted that the presence of moisture in the optics negatively leads to early failure of its filling. You can also highlight a short service life, expensive linded headlights with xenon (up to 100,000 km).
Frontal glass- prone to cracking and rubbing, and the cost of replacing it will unpleasantly surprise you.
doors- the door locks bother the most, especially the fifth one (they knock while driving). In cars with keyless entry, the electronic module often fails. In the cold season, you need to take care of the handles, since when the door freezes, the likelihood of their breakage increases significantly. Those who like to slam the door often fly off the rods, in addition, this can cause damage to the power windows. The hinges do not differ in reliability, which eventually give up under the onslaught of the mass of the car door (sag). There are also complaints about the hydraulic drive of the tailgate (it was used until 2010), in which the control electronics of the pump motor hidden in the bowels of the door fails. In more recent versions, the electric drive sensor and the door open button bother (contacts rot).
Roof- the main source of trouble here is the insufficient tightness of the rails and antenna attachment points (they let moisture into the passenger compartment). On machines equipped with a sunroof, drains quickly become clogged, and water accumulates in them.
Bumper- in some instances, the holes for attaching the towing eye do not match in the front bumper.
Engine Reliability
Common problems:
overrunning clutch- rarely takes care of more than 150,000 km (wedge)
System cooling- here the Valeo fan requires special attention (after 4-6 years of service, play and characteristic noise appear) and the radiator (with regular contact with reagents, it starts to flow after 3-4 years of service). The control unit is also not reliable, in the event of a malfunction of which the fan may not work correctly (this ailment is fraught with overheating of the internal combustion engine).
System lubricants- painfully tolerates untimely maintenance (dirty oil reduces the life of the oil pump and oil separator). Another of the minuses is the lack of a dipstick for checking the lubrication level, the role of which is played by an electronic sensor that has ruined more than one hundred motors.
Maslozhor- appears when the ventilation system is significantly contaminated or the turbine malfunctions.
supports engine- the most complaints about the resource of the upper cushion, which the internal combustion engine is fixed from strong longitudinal movements (serves 100-150 thousand km).
Resource- on average, the service life of the piston group of all engines is about 400,000 km.
Petrol
timing- the gas distribution mechanism drive is driven by a metal chain, which often does not withstand more than 150,000 km (stretched). Regular use of low-quality gasoline leads to the formation of soot on the valves, which significantly complicates their work (the disease is eliminated by cleaning, and in advanced cases, by replacing the valves).
Turbine- the main reason for the early failure of the supercharger is improper operation (installation of a turbo timer significantly reduces the risk of breakdown). Also, a turbine malfunction can be caused by a leak in the intake manifold pipes or a failure of the boost sensor.
Gasoline pump- most often the reason for the incorrect operation of the pump installed in the tank is the filter mesh clogged with dirt. If the problem is detected in a timely manner, cleaning the filter will be enough to eliminate it. Symptoms: reduced traction in all ranges and difficulty with cold start.
Difficulties With launch- the main culprit for this trouble is a faulty crankshaft position sensor or camshaft sensor. Also, failure of the engine control unit and fuel pump leads to problems with starting.
Breakdown gaskets- this trouble does not occur often, but if it is not timely eliminated, it can cause costly repairs. In some cases, a sink or chip forms right on the block at the place of gas breakthrough, which is much more expensive to fix.
Diesel
Main malfunctions- most often in engines running on heavy fuels, injectors fail (clog and flow), a heat exchanger (flows), a high pressure pump (high pressure fuel pump), a USR gas recirculation valve and a particulate filter (does not like urban operation).
timing- a belt drive is used here, which is recommended to be serviced every 60,000 km (belt and roller replacement). For cars with high mileage, drive rockers, which act as a fuse when the timing belt breaks, require attention (they break when twisted). It is also necessary to monitor the integrity of gaskets and rubber parts (prone to fogging and even leaks), since oil entering the drive reduces its service life.
cracks V pistons: there are two reasons for the appearance of this trouble - leaks of nozzles (pouring) and overblowing. Also, a breakdown can be caused by the use of coking oil, which clogs the piston cooling nozzles.
badass liners And crankshaft- this disease is not widespread and most often affects cars with high mileage, which use low-viscosity SAE20 oils.
Inlet collector- needs periodic cleaning. The presence of vibrations in the intake manifold often leads to chafing of the wiring and the front pipe of the cooling system. To protect yourself from unexpected costs, it is recommended to remove the Helmholtz resonator, which in a short period of time can make a hole in the electrics and cooling system.
Turbines- with proper operation, 200-250 thousand km are nursed, on pre-styling cars, an electric drive and a block of vortex dampers can bother.
Gearboxes
Mechanics- M66 mechanical transmission is reliable, but loves timely service and quality oil. You should also regularly monitor the level of lubrication in it, since its lack adversely affects the rubbing parts of the gearbox. One of the most common mechanical failures is the destruction of the dual-mass flywheel, which does not like to work at low speeds. For machines manufactured after 2013, oil seals and bushings installed at the junction of the box with the bevel gear are quickly handed over. Owners of cars with automatic transmission often face the same ailment.
Machine: three automatic transmissions were provided for this car - a 6-speed Aisin TF80SC, an 8-speed TG-81SC and a Geartronic 6DCT450 robot aka MPS6. The most successful of this list is considered a six-speed automatic transmission. The main disadvantage of this transmission is the unsuccessful cooling system, which, under heavy loads, does not cope with the tasks assigned to it. Operation of the transmission with a dirty working fluid adversely affects the condition of the valve body, which leads to shocks. By a run of 150-200 thousand km, the torque converter clutches wear out, the wear products of which kill the brake band, clutch packs and hydraulic plate. Closer to 200,000 km, the pump bushings and DIRECT drum clutches become unusable. In order not to have significant problems in the continuation of the resource declared by the manufacturer, it is necessary to install an additional cooling radiator and change the lubricant in the box every 30,000 km.
The eight-speed automatic is no less reliable (it is an upgraded version of the TF-80SC automatic transmission), but it also painfully endures abrupt starts and untimely maintenance. Fans of lighting at traffic lights quickly give up the torque converter lock-up clutches, the wear products of which are carried by oil along the box, clogging the solenoids, pump and valve body. In the most neglected cases, everything ends with an expensive repair of the hydraulic plate. With rare maintenance, a mixture of oil and friction wear products quickly clogs the channels of the “anthill” of the hydraulic plate, as a result, the possibility of ATF leakage and the associated oil starvation of the main components and their failure. You can also note the cuff of the pump and the oil seal of the left axle shaft, through which grease begins to ooze over time. For cars with urban operation, due to the fact that the box goes into “neutral” at the slightest opportunity, the wear of the brake band and clutch packs is accelerated.
Manual transmission is found only on cars with a two-liter unit and front-wheel drive. The main cause of all troubles is the tendency of the robot to overheat, so you need to monitor the cleanliness of the radiators very carefully. As for the reliability of the transmission, it is necessary to note the not too long service life of the clutch, gear forks (brass inserts wear out) and mechatronics. To extend the service life of the robot, it is necessary to adapt the box every 10-15 thousand km in a specialized service. Another weak point is the gland cover, in which the sealing ring wears out, which is fraught not only with the appearance of a leak, but also with the cover skewed. Quite often, the electronic transmission control board also fails. In addition, the manual transmission is more picky about the purity of the lubricant than hydromechanical machines.
Four-wheel drive
The Haldex electromagnetic clutch is responsible for connecting the rear axle (until 2012, the fourth generation was installed, after - the fifth). It is worth noting that servicing the fifth generation Haldex is easier (you do not need to remove the driveshaft to change the lubricant), but it should be done more often than in the fourth (every 20-30 thousand km). This is due to the fact that the pump mesh quickly clogs and accelerates the wear of the pump parts. In the fourth Haldex, with gentle operation, the lubricant should be changed every 40-50 thousand km. With active use of clutches, the crankcase housing should be cleaned every 2-3 years. If we talk about the shortcomings, then it is necessary to highlight the electronic part of the transmission (brings the software and wiring connectors). For machines operated in megacities, the intermediate support of the driveshaft quickly surrenders. CV joints, as a rule, withstand approximately 200,000 kilometers.
Volvo XC60 undercarriage reliability
The car is equipped with a fully independent suspension with McPherson struts in front and a multi-link design in the rear. The chassis of the Volvo XC60, contrary to panic rumors, is quite strong and can withstand 100-150 thousand km under moderate loads. The diameter of the installed wheels also has a strong effect on the resource (the larger the rollers, the shorter the service life of the suspension parts). Of the minuses of the chassis, it is worth highlighting its excessive rigidity, the low resource of wheel bearings and a small selection of non-original parts. You can also note the high cost of active suspension components.
Steering- a rack with electric power steering is used here, which are not reliable (rarely withstand more than 100,000 km). Basically, weak bushings become the cause of the breakdown, but the amplifier electric pump can also fail. The service life of the latter largely depends on the frequency of maintenance of the node. In addition to the fluid (to be replaced every 40,000 km), it is also necessary to change the expansion tank in which the filter is installed (also suitable for Land Rover).
brakes- as a rule, they do not bother with significant breakdowns. Among the shortcomings, it is worth highlighting the squeaks that appear after an unqualified replacement of consumables (the use of a new kit and a complete cleaning of the brake cylinder is required). On long runs, wedging of the guide calipers of the rear wheels is possible. There are also complaints about the low resource of brake pads and malfunctions of the handbrake. Replacing rear brake pads with an electric parking brake requires a special tool.
Salon and electrical equipment
Salon- as it should be for premium-class cars, only high-quality wear-resistant finishing materials were used here, due to which the age of the car can only be given out by the sidewalls of the front seats (rubbed), floor mats, pedal covers, buttons and the presence of squeaks from the lining of the front pillars and instrument panel. Also, signs of wear appear on the lining of the center console and sills. Of the minuses, one can single out specific Scandinavian ergonomics and cabin equipment controls that require delicate handling.
Electronics- does not have exemplary reliability and can cause many problems. Most often, failures are observed in the operation of security systems and keyless entry, all kinds of sensors, central locking and a standard rear view camera. Often the cause of failures is a damaged wiring harness. The pressure pipeline of the air conditioning compressor is also not reliable, the malfunction of which is manifested by an increase in the noise of operation. When contacting the dealer, the pipeline is changed to a new one, although many owners claim that the breakdown can be fixed with simple cleaning and vacuuming. On a run of 100-150 thousand km, the climate system fan motor starts to make noise. Often, the trouble can be eliminated by updating the lubrication motor, but in order to get to it, you will have to disassemble the front panel.
Let's summarize
Despite certain shortcomings, the first generation Volvo XC60 cannot be called a problem car with serious flaws. Yes, like any other used car, it tends to break down. As a rule, these are minor faults that may require good service and considerable investment - these are the realities of the premium class.
If you have experience in operating this car model, please tell us what problems and difficulties you had to face. Perhaps it is your review that will help readers of our site when choosing a car.
Front-wheel drive cars are quite common, but the bulk of the XC60 crossovers still have all-wheel drive with a Haldex clutch in the rear axle drive. The mechanical part of the transmissions does not have any special weaknesses. The resource of CV joints, cardan shaft and rear gearbox is more than sufficient. With runs of less than 150 thousand, breakdowns are extremely rare and are mainly associated with loss of oil level and mechanical damage. Purely city cars with constant plug operation may have a shorter life of the intermediate support of the cardan shaft, but such cases are rare.
All-wheel drive for cars until 2012 is carried out using the Haldex coupling of the fourth generation, and after - the fifth. The easiest way to distinguish between them is visually: the fifth generation couplings have a separately made pump unit, an electronic board on the right side and a more compact body of the coupling itself. Fifth generation couplings are easier to maintain: the driveshaft does not need to be removed to change the oil, and on the fourth generation couplings, the pump rests against the driveshaft coupling when removed. But newer couplings require much more maintenance.
The pump mesh becomes clogged after 20-30 thousand mileage, which leads to its failure. The fifth generation does not have a hydraulic accumulator and a separate filter, it is generally noticeably simpler and cheaper, but, unfortunately, it remains more expensive to repair. The fourth Haldex is noticeably better in this respect. This clutch, without any special consequences, with gentle operation, endures an oil change after 40-50 thousand runs for the first time and about 30-40 thousand in subsequent ones. For careful drivers and with runs under a hundred thousand, the oil may turn out to be clean. And the chances of pump failure are much less.
A clutch of any generation with the active use of all-wheel drive should be sorted out with the cover removed and the crankcase cleaned once every two or three years. With active forcing of fords, problems with the electronic part of the couplings are possible, especially if the service was too lazy to service the connectors.
With manual transmissions, there are no particular difficulties. The M66 six-speed gearbox, with careful operation, proved to be quite reliable. But you should keep an eye on the oil level, and fans of driving at especially low speeds should worry about the resource of dual-mass flywheels.
With automatic transmission, everything is somewhat more complicated. The bulk of the cars on our market are diesel versions with six-speed Aisin TF80SC automatic transmissions, the same box was installed before restyling with 3.2 and 3.0 liter gasoline engines. Pre-styling gasoline two-liter cars were equipped with a preselective automatic transmission 6DCT450 manufactured by Getrag. Well, after restyling, two-liter diesel and gasoline cars were equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission Aisin TG-81SC, also known as AWF8F35 / AWF8F45.
The number of complaints about the Aisin automatic transmission is quite large, but, nevertheless, they are considered quite reliable, and experienced Volvo drivers love them. Paradox? Not at all: it's just that these boxes are very strong, but the standard cooling system, to put it mildly, is rather weak. It ensures normal operation during the warranty period, subject to the mild European mode of movement. This automatic transmission loves low city speeds, lack of sharp accelerations, stable speed, no hard overtaking on the highway, clean radiators and caring mechanics. The manufacturer promises that the box will pass 350 thousand kilometers. It is believed that Scandinavian cars should drive just as much to make the consumer happy. In our conditions and with our drivers, after hundreds of thousands of regular maintenance, you can expect minor problems in the form of jerks, slippage when switching due to contamination of the valve body and damage to the solenoids. And cars from large cities can have a noticeably greater number of problems due to the permanent overheating of the transmission in the summer.
Pictured: Volvo XC60 D3 "2009–13
Almost all complaints about transmission problems in Volvo arise from those who believe the standard manual and official services, do not install additional cooling and change the oil at least once every 60-90 thousand kilometers. Experienced Volvo drivers install additional radiators and external filters without waiting for the “first call”, change the oil every 30 thousand kilometers and have no problems throughout the entire run in any operating mode. However, there are plenty of occasional Volvo buyers. Yes, and those who consider the factory design to be infallible, and the need for regular repairs as an undoubted and easy duty, are enough even among fans of the brand. So it's still worth talking about the problems they have.
The main problem with all Aisin automatic transmissions is the wear of the valve body plate and the lack of official repair kits for solenoids. Oil contamination eats away the aluminum of the “plate”, and even with new solenoids installed, the box will not work like new. More precisely, it will not work when the limit of adaptation of the control unit is reached, and these limits are quite large. So the scanner and flushing often work wonders, the main thing is not to bring the automatic transmission to the destruction of the mechanical part.
The main mechanical problems are related to the wear of the friction clutches of the Direct drum (speeds 4-5-6) due to the drop in oil pressure and the wear of the pump bushing. All other troubles rarely appear and are usually associated with either overheating or advanced valve body problems.
The friction linings of the GDT do not withstand a too aggressive style of movement, which, unfortunately, is becoming familiar to the latest call-up Volvo drivers. Already after hundreds of thousands of kilometers, accelerated contamination of even fresh oil can be observed due to wear of the linings to the adhesive layer, in which case an urgent repair of the gas turbine engine is required. Fortunately for the XC60, the bulk of the cars are equipped with classic 2.4-liter diesel engines with a very mild thermal regime, which also has a good effect on the operation of the automatic transmission. The operating conditions of the box with gasoline engines are noticeably tougher, and the resource of the boxes is much less, especially for aggressive drivers.
The newer eight-speed unit TG-81SC (AWF8F35 / AWF8F45) is in many ways similar to an improved and supplemented version of the six-speed box. The runs of cars with it are still small, and the complaints relate mainly to the hard “down” switching, which sometimes manifests itself at runs up to 30 thousand kilometers, as well as strange transitions into emergency mode. The design remains quite exotic for our market, so there are definitely problems with the repair. But foreign users report the benefits of additional cooling and solving problems with replacing the valvebody. Of the interesting features is the use of a dual-mass flywheel paired with an automatic transmission, so if you hear tapping at low speeds, remember that there is such a detail here.
Pictured: Volvo XC60 2.4D "2008–13 Front-wheel drive cars with 2.0 liter engines are found with the Getrag 6DCT450 box. In short, you don't have to be afraid of her. This unit is more common on the second generation S60 model, so if you want to buy an XC60 with it, .
Engines
There are a lot of engines for the Volvo XC60. Here are in-line gasoline "sixes" with a volume of 3.2 and 3.0 liters, well known from the model, and two-liter gasoline turbo engines, just as well known from the second generation S60. But surprisingly, 2.4-liter diesel engines in different boost options turned out to be the most popular option. The reason for the popularity is quite obvious: diesels cover a good power range, they are mainly combined with classic automatic transmissions and four-wheel drive, they are quite economical and, moreover, they are available in all trim levels, from inexpensive to top-end ones. Well, of course, these motors deservedly have the status of reliable and time-tested, because these are the last representatives of the ModularEngine series, which dates back to the nineties. I don’t want to say anything bad about other engines, they are very good at Volvo, but diesels are very good even against their background.
The motors of the third generation D5244xx line, which were installed on the XC60, retained the main features of their predecessors. All the same five cylinders, four valves per cylinder, aluminum block, belt driven camshafts and a fair amount of reliability. The most powerful options have about 440 Nm of torque and more than 215 hp. power.
Timing chain 2.0
original price
2 853 rubles
What can be said about the few mechanical failures? For example, sometimes rockers fail in the timing drive, which play the role of a fuse when the timing belt breaks. They are prone to breakage when twisted, especially on motors with runs over 200 thousand. The timing mechanism is recommended to be changed every 60 thousand and carefully monitored for oil contamination: motors are prone to fogging and even leaks.
Most of the complaints are caused by quite typical diesel problems: pollution and leakage of injectors, pollution of the intake manifold and breakdown of the actuator of the dampers for changing geometry, pollution of the EGR valve, pollution and leakage of its heat exchanger. Particulate filter contamination is a problem, in general, typical for all diesel engines, and on a Volvo, the engine really does not like those who do not drive on the highway at all.
With turbines after 150-200 thousand run, you can expect trouble. Previously, it is unlikely, unless the owner was engaged in chip tuning of the motor.
Quite a few minor annoyances are caused by the layout of auxiliary systems. For some reason, a long intake manifold and its vibrations among the owners are considered the cause of oil leaks, although in practice oil leaks from the intake are only their indicator. And a modification that is fashionable among Volvo drivers with the installation of an additional mounting bracket will not fix the crankcase ventilation system. Although the vibrations of the intake manifold lead to abrasion of the engine compartment wiring harness and the front cooling pipe, a more effective way is to remove the Helmholtz resonator, which is very large here and can rub a hole in the electrics and cooling system.
Another feature of the motors on the XC60 is the absence of a regular oil dipstick, an electronic level sensor is used here. If possible, it is worth installing a classic dipstick: the oil can begin to decrease if the ventilation system is contaminated or the turbine is damaged very quickly, and the electronics sometimes fail, and there are already a lot of ruined motors on the conscience of the electronic sensor.
The appearance of cracks in the pistons during injector leaks and overblowing is, unfortunately, a fairly common problem. Especially if coking oil was used, the piston cooling nozzles are dirty, and the owner does not pay attention to the excess volume of crankcase gases for a long time. When buying a car, pay attention to the volume of crankcase gases and engine oiling. And it is better to measure compression even with low mileage, especially if there are signs of overheating or the likelihood of installing chip tuning.
When using low-viscosity SAE20 oils, there is also a chance for crankshaft scuffing and increased wear of the liners after 150,000 miles, but this is still a very rare problem. In the world of modern disposable motors, the motors of this series can still be considered a bulwark of stability, serviceability and reasonableness.
And instead of a resume
Definitely, the car has earned its popularity. This is a very good alternative to the overly complicated German cars.
Pictured: Volvo XC60 T6 "2008–13 There are few shortcomings in the most running configurations. Among them are the presence of minor failures even in the first years of operation and the intense thermal regime of the automatic transmission in a typical Russian urban cycle, as well as not very favorable service conditions from dealers. But the pluses definitely outweigh, especially if you don’t take cars with new-generation two-liter engines and don’t chase after overly sporty chassis trim levels. And it would be nice to have in mind a proven service that serves cars not according to the regulations, but in good conscience.
Would you take a Volvo XC60 I with mileage?
is a powerful and practical crossover that captivates with a futuristic appearance with a relief body and stylish Thor's hammer headlights. A whole arsenal of assistants will take care of your safety - including adaptive cruise control, active cornering headlights that increase the illumination of the road by 90% around the corner, and brake lights that independently distinguish between normal braking and emergency. 216 mm ground clearance will allow the car to confidently overcome any obstacles in the city and on rough terrain.
The complete Volvo XC60 range is available at the Volvo Car Koptevo showroom in Moscow. Here you will find 2018-2019 Inscription, Momentum and R-Design models and choose your desired body color - the palette includes more than 10 shades. Help is needed? Contact an experienced dealership manager.
Advantages of Volvo Car Koptevo
The official dealer offers favorable terms of cooperation:
- You can apply for a car loan or buy a car on lease. Take part in the Trade-in program and buy a new car to replace the old one.
- You can get a car insurance policy at a car dealership.
- All vehicles are covered by a manufacturer's warranty.
- We invite you to test drive your chosen model. This is a great opportunity to see the strong character of the crossover!
- After-sales car maintenance is carried out in a certified car service, which is equipped with high-tech equipment. Our masters provide a full range of services and work only with branded parts and consumables recommended by Volvo.
- You will be pleased with democratic prices. We regularly run profitable promotions.
Explore the catalog of Volvo XC60 kits that are available in the showroom. Your car is already waiting for you! To clarify the details, contact a Volvo Car Koptevo representative by phone or request a call back.
