The 2022 S60 shares Volvo's SPA platform with turbocharged/supercharged 2.0L four-cylinder engines across all trims. While refined and well-equipped, these Drive-E powertrains have documented internal engine failures and transmission cooling issues that can be catastrophic if ignored.
Symptoms: Sudden loss of power with metal-on-metal knocking noise, Oil consumption increasing dramatically over short period, Check engine light with cylinder misfire codes and low compression, Metallic debris visible in oil filter or on drain plug magnet
Fix: Complete engine rebuild or short-block replacement required. Root cause often traced to oil starvation from clogged pickup screen or defective PCV system allowing carbon buildup. 25-35 labor hours for short block swap, more for full rebuild. Some cases covered under extended Volvo warranty campaigns but not all.
Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid mixing with coolant (milky/pink coolant reservoir), Harsh shifting or slipping between gears, Overheating warnings on instrument cluster, Sweet smell from exhaust as coolant burns through transmission
Fix: Internal cooler in radiator fails, cross-contaminating fluids. Requires new radiator, complete transmission flush (sometimes multiple flushes), often new transmission fluid lines. If caught late, transmission internals are damaged and require rebuild or replacement. 8-12 hours labor if just cooler/radiator, 20-30 hours if transmission damaged.
Symptoms: Excessive vibration at idle, especially with A/C on, Clunking sound when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Visible sagging of engine/transmission when inspected from below, Increased harshness during acceleration
Fix: Hydraulic transmission mount degrades and loses damping fluid. Common across SPA platform vehicles. Replacement is straightforward but requires supporting powertrain. 2-3 hours labor. OEM mount recommended as aftermarket often fails prematurely.
Estimated cost: $400-700
PCV System Carbon Clogging
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 30,000-60,000 mi
Symptoms: Oil consumption increasing (1 quart per 1,000-2,000 miles), Rough idle or hesitation on acceleration, Oil leaks around valve cover or turbo seals, Whistling or hissing noise from engine bay
Fix: Direct-injection engines build carbon in PCV system and intake valves. Clogged PCV causes crankcase pressure, forcing oil past seals and into intake. Requires PCV valve replacement, intake manifold removal for cleaning, new gaskets. Preventive maintenance critical to avoid engine damage. 4-6 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $800-1,400
Fuel Filter/Pump Assembly Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Hard starting, especially when hot, Intermittent loss of power or stuttering under load, Engine stalling at idle or low speeds, Fuel pressure fault codes (P0087 low fuel pressure)
Fix: In-tank fuel pump module contains non-serviceable filter that clogs. Volvo doesn't list filter as maintenance item but contamination causes failures. Requires fuel tank drop and complete pump assembly replacement. 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $900-1,500
Front Seatbelt Retractor Binding (Recall Issue)
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: Seatbelt fails to retract smoothly or gets stuck, Belt locks up unexpectedly during normal driving, Difficult to extract belt from B-pillar, Grinding or clicking noise from retractor mechanism
Fix: Manufacturing defect in front seatbelt retractors covered under NHTSA recall. Retractor mechanism can bind, preventing proper restraint function. Dealer replacement of affected retractor assemblies under recall. 1-2 hours per side.
Estimated cost: $0 (recall repair)
Owner tips
Change oil every 5,000 miles maximum with full-synthetic—factory 10k interval accelerates PCV/carbon issues on these engines
Inspect transmission fluid and coolant at every service for cross-contamination from oil cooler failure
Consider walnut-blasting intake valves every 50k miles to prevent carbon buildup on direct-injection engines
Monitor oil consumption closely—more than 1 quart per 3,000 miles signals developing PCV or internal engine problems
Have transmission fluid changed every 40k miles despite Volvo's 'lifetime fluid' claim—extends transmission and cooler life significantly
Buy only with comprehensive warranty coverage or budget $3,000-5,000 for eventual transmission cooler and PCV system work—catastrophic engine failures make these risky beyond 60k miles without documented meticulous maintenance.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: AGM battery required for start-stop system; located in trunk
As an Amazon Associate, OLP earns from qualifying purchases — how we link. This never changes the specs we publish.
Every control module on the 2018-2024 Volvo S60 — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
⚠️ Controls power seat functions; basic coding often achievable with aftermarket tools
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020-2021 S90, 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60, XC90, and 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.
Consequence: A short circuit in a high-voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high-voltage battery module as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the software to monitor the battery. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 28, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10312.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · 23V780000
2023-11-21
Volvo Car USA, LLC. (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2024 S60 vehicles. The passenger air bag may not be secured properly, which can cause the air bag to deploy improperly.
Consequence: An air bag that does not deploy properly in a crash increases the risk of injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the bolts securing the passenger air bag, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 5, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10254.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM) · 22V793000
2022-10-20
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2022-2023 S60, V60, S90L, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An electronic control module (ECM) software error may prevent the combustion engine from starting, causing a loss of drive power.
Consequence: The vehicle may lose drive power as the high voltage battery is depleted, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will update the ECM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 8, 2022. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10198.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR · 21V682000
2021-09-01
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 XC40, XC 40 Recharge, V60CC, V90, V90CC, XC90, and 2021-2022 V60, XC60, S60 vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10111.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2022 Volvo S60 2.0L Turbo I4 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.