Can we define the "bad years" of V60 / S60 engines?

[BlackBart]

I've always liked the V60 wagon, mostly the 2015 to 2017 series. Great design, comfortable, white block 5 cylinder. It's sort of halfway between a full-size V70 and a GTI 4 door in size. I understand it's a P3 / EUCD Ford-based chassis, but I haven't heard people don't like them.

The 2018 is a new body / chassis and they seem to all have the 4 cylinder.

The piston ring failure, as far as I can find, affected mostly 4 cylinders, but also some 5's. It is said to have been fixed at the factory by mid-2016, so either the very late 2016's or all of the 2017's should avoid this issue. I have read it mostly affected the Drive-E 4 cylinder engines.

So, does that leave only 2017, 5-cylinder V60s as my target market? T5 5 cylinder, AWD, non-CC, good color, nice seats, low miles.
It seems I'm always looking for a unicorn GT.

[BlackBart]

Wait, I'm confused - did they drop the 5 cylinder for the 2017 model year?

<EDIT>......or get a 2018 and live with the 4 cylinder?

[scot850]

I thought the 5 cylinder was dropped in 2016 and the 6 cylinder in md 2015 (2015.5). The main issue with the 5 cylinder is the thin oil and the overly optimistic service intervals on oil changes. Owners who reduced the oil changes to 5000 from 10000 miles saw fewer issues with the piston rings with some claiming using 1 quart max between 5k changes even with over 100k on the clock.

I had considered a V60 from the 2015/6 years but would stick to the 6 cylinder. What killed it for me it the tiny joke of a load space. It fails the 2 golf bag rule the boss imposes!

Neil.

[matthew1]

BB, I also wanted to know this. Here's what an AI said:

2015–2016 (including 2015.5 models): These years are most commonly reported as affected, with numerous owner complaints, forum discussions, and references in class action lawsuits.
Early 2016 models remain problematic in many cases.
The fix was implemented mid-2016 model year production (starting around engine serial number 1501327), so late-build 2016 V60s may have the updated pistons/rings.
2017 and later: Generally not affected, as the redesigned parts were standard by then.

Note: Earlier V60 models (pre-2015) often used a 5-cylinder or inline-6 engine, which had separate but less widespread oil consumption concerns—not the same Drive-E piston ring defect.Volvo acknowledged the issue in the US around 2023 by extending warranties (typically 8 years/100,000–125,000 miles) for oil consumption testing and repairs on qualifying vehicles. There was no formal recall, but class action lawsuits alleged concealment of the defect in 2013–2016 models across various Volvo lines (including V60). Many owners reported repairs covered partially or fully under goodwill or extended terms if diagnosed properly.

[BlackBart]

Interesting.

I see on average a 2016 with a 5-cyl should be in the low teens per Kelly, but I see them higher.

I found a 2018 V60 Premier 4-cyl with 44,000 mi for $19,900.