VolvoS602021Overview/volvo/s60/2021/base/

2021 Volvo S60

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 S60.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 Volvo S60 is a sedan equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission and requires 5.9 quarts of 0W-20 viscosity engine oil, achieving EPA fuel economy ratings of 21 mpg city, 32 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined; reliability data shows only 7 owner complaints filed for this model year with 3 recalls issued, representing a dramatic improvement from the model's complaint history spanning 2000-2018, which ranged from a peak of 238 complaints in 2001 down to just 1 complaint in 2000, indicating substantially improved dependability in recent years.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy21/32/25 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI Aux. battery: 401 · Aux. battery 180 CCA battery, OE oil filter 32140029. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI Aux. battery: 401 · Aux. battery 180 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size235/45R18/XL 98HOEM · verified
Wheel / rim8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter32140029
Engine air filter31370089
Battery31652065 alt 30659531
Front wiper blades30747599 alt 31693567
Thermostat31368063 alt 31686046
Cabin air filter31407747 alt 31434971

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length187.4 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height56.3 in
Wheelbase113 in
Curb weight3957 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)56/44

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined21 / 32 / 25 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume93 cu ft
Cargo volume12 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the S60 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.0–6.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.00 sec — 2023 T8 Recharge Ultimate Black Edition
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020T8 Inscription PHEV 2.0L Turbo Supercharger I-4 + Elec 9.1-kWh4.30 sec12.90 sec400 hpAWD
2020T5 Momentum 2.0L Turbo I-46.10 sec14.60 sec250 hpFWD
2019T6 R-Design 2.0L Turbo Supercharger I-45.20 sec13.80 sec316 hpAWD
2019T6 Momentum 2.0L Turbo Supercharger I-45.80 sec14.50 sec316 hpAWD
2019T6 R-Design 2.0L Turbo Supercharger I-45.90 sec14.30 sec316 hpAWD
2019T5 Momentum 2.0L Turbo I-46.20 sec14.60 sec250 hpFWD
2023T8 Recharge Ultimate Black Edition 2.0L Turbo I-4 + Elec 14.9-kWh4.00 sec12.40 sec455 hpAWD
2023T8 Recharge Ultimate Black Edition 2.0L Turbo I-4 + Elec 14.9-kWh4.10 sec12.50 sec455 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.9 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, Rear: Volvo P/N 31367567 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to Use a new seal: 28.0 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidVolvo P/N 31256774
Automatic Transmission FluidVolvo P/N 31256774
Automatic Transmission FluidVolvo P/N 31256774
Brake FluidDOT 4
Brake FluidDOT 4
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilRear: Volvo P/N 31259380
Differential Gear OilRear: Volvo P/N 31367567

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs13.0 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head InstructionsUse new fasteners only.
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new seal: 28.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new seal: 28.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse a new seal: 28.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Differential Fill PlugFinal Drive: 15.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug26.0 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF
Oil Capacity3.38 oz
RefrigerantR1234yf
Refrigerant Capacity1.43 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
111.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 18.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90°11 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Center Bolt15 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
129.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120°, Step 3: 120°29.5 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
133.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 50°33 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Inside Bolts15 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 10,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 10,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
Every 20,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Foglamp (adjust alignment) · Headlamp (inspect alignment)
Every 40,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect)
Every 50,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Timing Belt Tensioner (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2021 Volvo S60 falls at the quiet end of a long-term downward trend in reported federal complaints and recalls. Complaints peaked early in this generation at 238 in 2001 alongside nine recalls, then trended downward with a notable but isolated mid-cycle spike of 121 complaints and eight recalls in 2012. By 2018 the record had thinned to just four complaints and one recall, and the 2021 data shows only a handful of complaints—primarily two each in Unknown/Other and Service Brakes, plus single entries involving Electrical System and Visibility/Wiper—with zero crash or fire complaints reported. The federal data does not specify root causes for these 2021 complaints. Within this arc, 2021 looks like a mature, low-activity model year rather than one carrying the elevated complaint load seen in 2001–2004 or 2012. That makes the 2021 S60 a comparatively attractive used-car choice on this federal record alone, provided the individual vehicle has a clean service history and no open recalls.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
197
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
7
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 7 complaints on record, top 5 components.

Unknown Or Other2
Service Brakes2
Electrical System,Visibility/Wiper1
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Visibility/Wiper1
Steering,Electrical System,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 197 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
33031.6.02026-05-23Unknown Or OtherThis is a Technical Journal: Text plus 1 .jpg attachment - If remote control key is not…
37839.1.12026-05-23Unknown Or OtherThis is a TJ - Text plus two .mov attachments - If the customer is experiencing a frozen…
37839.1.12026-05-20Unknown Or OtherThis is a TJ - Text plus two .mov attachments - If the customer is experiencing a frozen…
34521.11.12026-05-07Exterior LightingThis is a Technical Journal: Headlamp condensation inside lens - information/leak test…
36496.10.02026-05-07Power TrainThis is a Technical Journal: Intermittent knocking noise during acceleration. If the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific S60. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2021 S60 take?

5.9 qt of 0W-20, per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 S60 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the S60 get?

EPA figures are 21 city / 32 highway / 25 combined mpg.