Volvo V60, S60, XC60 Reat Seat Release latch failure

markofealing · Jan 11th, 2017, 17:34

Just before Christmas, I went to put down my rear seat, pulled the release leaver and there was a loud plastic cracking sound, like when you crush a disposable plastic cup. The leaver broke off in my hand and the seat remained locked and upright!

Attached are two photos taken immediately afterwards showing a failure in the plastic:

https://1drv.ms/i/s!AjNdnGxt0SEahZolCSbxsQ1aasppAw
https://1drv.ms/i/s!AjNdnGxt0SEahZom4SWB5qfl0RfYCg

Searching online, I found this YouTube video https://youtu.be/Z947bd4JPDg of someone having exactly the same issue with their XC60. Interestingly the break is in exactly the same place as mine and the trim colour is the same as my V60.

My car is going into Volvo West London tomorrow to be inspected. Although out of warranty I see no reason why a leaver should fail in such a way during normal use.

Interestingly, the part is made in Germany.

Has anyone else experience a similar issue on post 2009 Volvo's?

Based on the video and the comments (and views) I very much doubt that this is a isolated case!

wimorrison · Jan 11th, 2017, 18:37

Hi there, possibly not what you want to hear but I haven't seen another issue like this in any of the posts on the s60/v60/XC60 forum which would suggest this is unique if you hadn't managed to find one on youtube.

I agree that parts shouldn't fail, unfortunately they do and will be interesting o see what Volvo say. I wonder if you have had this car from new therefore know the history of the car, or whether the failure could be caused by a previous owner?

Good luck, please come back and tell us what Volvo says

markofealing · Jan 30th, 2017, 17:13

The issue of the latch failure was going to be more of a point of principle more than anything else, after all we buy Volvos because they are very safe, durable and reliable so having a cheap bit of plastic breaking off in my hand for a 5yr old car was not going to be acceptable, especially if Volvo were making a profit out of the incident. This was expressed to my main dealer Volvo West London when I brought in the car for repair.

I picked up the car on Thursday, the bill came to £79.20 including VAT replacement parts and labour. This included a 20% on the replacement part and a 50% discount on the labour which I thought was reasonable under the circumstances. As usual, the car was fully valeted inside after the work at no extra cost.

I got the impression that this discount was given by the dealer and not Volvo UK which seems to me to be somewhat unfair on the dealer, after all they did not make the part, at the end of the day they just want a happy customer.

Hopefully, nothing else breaks off and the my V60 will continue to be an excellent car.

Jan 11th, 2017, 17:34	#1
markofealing New Member Last Online: Mar 4th, 2017 08:05 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: London	Volvo V60, S60, XC60 Reat Seat Release latch failure Just before Christmas, I went to put down my rear seat, pulled the release leaver and there was a loud plastic cracking sound, like when you crush a disposable plastic cup. The leaver broke off in my hand and the seat remained locked and upright! Attached are two photos taken immediately afterwards showing a failure in the plastic: https://1drv.ms/i/s!AjNdnGxt0SEahZolCSbxsQ1aasppAw https://1drv.ms/i/s!AjNdnGxt0SEahZom4SWB5qfl0RfYCg Searching online, I found this YouTube video https://youtu.be/Z947bd4JPDg of someone having exactly the same issue with their XC60. Interestingly the break is in exactly the same place as mine and the trim colour is the same as my V60. My car is going into Volvo West London tomorrow to be inspected. Although out of warranty I see no reason why a leaver should fail in such a way during normal use. Interestingly, the part is made in Germany. Has anyone else experience a similar issue on post 2009 Volvo's? Based on the video and the comments (and views) I very much doubt that this is a isolated case! Last edited by markofealing; Jan 11th, 2017 at 17:56.

Jan 11th, 2017, 18:37	#2
wimorrison Grumpy Old Sod Last Online: Dec 14th, 2021 15:39 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Hampshire, nee Scotland	Hi there, possibly not what you want to hear but I haven't seen another issue like this in any of the posts on the s60/v60/XC60 forum which would suggest this is unique if you hadn't managed to find one on youtube. I agree that parts shouldn't fail, unfortunately they do and will be interesting o see what Volvo say. I wonder if you have had this car from new therefore know the history of the car, or whether the failure could be caused by a previous owner? Good luck, please come back and tell us what Volvo says __________________ Currently XC60 Previously XC60, V70, S40, ...

Jan 30th, 2017, 17:13	#3
markofealing New Member Last Online: Mar 4th, 2017 08:05 Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: London	The issue of the latch failure was going to be more of a point of principle more than anything else, after all we buy Volvos because they are very safe, durable and reliable so having a cheap bit of plastic breaking off in my hand for a 5yr old car was not going to be acceptable, especially if Volvo were making a profit out of the incident. This was expressed to my main dealer Volvo West London when I brought in the car for repair. I picked up the car on Thursday, the bill came to £79.20 including VAT replacement parts and labour. This included a 20% on the replacement part and a 50% discount on the labour which I thought was reasonable under the circumstances. As usual, the car was fully valeted inside after the work at no extra cost. I got the impression that this discount was given by the dealer and not Volvo UK which seems to me to be somewhat unfair on the dealer, after all they did not make the part, at the end of the day they just want a happy customer. Hopefully, nothing else breaks off and the my V60 will continue to be an excellent car.

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