Recall Alert: 2013 Volvo S60, XC60

Volvo is recalling just seven model-year 2013 S60 sedans and XC60 crossovers due to identification labels with an incorrect manufacture year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Affected vehicles were manufactured on Jan. 7. An incorrect date of manufacture on the certification label means the vehicles are noncompliant with regulation requirements, and owners may not be able to determine whether their vehicles are affected by future recalls.

The recall began March 8. Volvo has already quarantined the affected vehicles and will install correct labels before sale; no owner notification letters will be sent. For more info call NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 or go to www.safercar.gov.

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Recall Alert: 2013 Volvo S60, XC60
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Five New Cars Earn IIHS Top Safety Pick+

Well, that was a quick turnaround. Just seven months after eight of 11 luxury cars blew the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's new small-overlap frontal test, all five cars in the latest IIHS small-overlap test scored Acceptable or Good — the top two of four possible scores.

The 2014 Mazda6 sedan, 2013 Honda Civic Coupe and Civic Sedan, 2013 Volvo XC60 SUV and 2013 Lincoln MKZ sedan passed IIHS' most challenging frontal test, which simulates a 40-mph impact with a rigid barrier that overlaps just 25% of the front of a car. All five cars earned IIHS' Top Safety Pick+ ("plus") honor, a rank above Top Safety Pick status.

IIHS said in 2012 that some 10,000 annual highway deaths in the U.S. occur from frontal collisions, and nearly a quarter of those occur because of so-called small overlap situations.

The 2013 MKZ is the first car that documents an automaker's improvement in the same test. In August 2012, its predecessor scored poorly, allowing a belted crash-test dummy to careen toward the A-pillar rather than the front airbag. The redesigned MKZ offered better front-airbag protection, earning the car an Acceptable score. The Mazda6 scored Acceptable, too.

2014 Volvo XC60: What's Changed

• Most significant changes: Exterior styling tweaks and a new gauge layout 
• Price change: TBA 
• On sale: This summer
• Which should you buy, 2013 or 2014? If you bemoan the loss of traditional gauges to panels and screens, stick with the 2013.

Volvo's smallest crossover is getting a makeover. The updated 2014 XC60 will debut next month at the 2013 Geneva International Motor Show with subtle exterior styling tweaks, a new gauge cluster and revised interior materials.

Volvo's best-selling vehicle wears restyled headlamps and a wider hood with a more horizontal grille and a larger badge. The 2014 version is also one body color — no more black trim outside. Gone too are the previously visible washer nozzles; they're now out of sight under the hood. Volvo also says there's newly available 20-inch wheels that keep the same tire profile height as the 19s, so ride shouldn't be impacted.

Recall Alert: 2013 Volvo S60, XC60

Volvo is recalling nine model-year 2013 versions of the S60 sedan and XC60 SUV due to problems with the supplemental restraint system, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

A faulty supplemental restraint system control unit could cause the seat belt pretensions and/or side airbags to inadvertently deploy. This could cause an accident.

Volvo claims none of these vehicles have been sold yet, and the issue will be fixed before the cars go on sale. Owners can call Volvo at 800-458-1552 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.

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NHTSA Fines Volvo $1.5 Million

The automaker who worked to make its name synonymous with "safety" is being fined for not reporting safety recalls in a timely manner. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Volvo Cars North America has agreed to pay a $1.5 million penalty to settle the charge.

NHTSA's investigation found that in 2010 Volvo failed to issue six safety recalls within the amount of time required by law, as was the case with a seventh recall reported in 2012. Under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, automakers have five business days to notify NHTSA after determining a defect exists.

Volvo Incentive Offers Two Months of Free Payments

During its summer sales event, Volvo is offering longer free-maintenance plans on its 2013 models and is allowing buyers to waive the first two months of finance or lease payments on its 2012 models.

There's a catch, though. The waived payments have a cash limit and must be financed through U.S. Bank. Also, Volvo's longer maintenance schedule for its 2013 models includes fewer, more spread out service intervals than were offered on its 2012 and 2011 models.

2012 Volvo XC60: Car Seat Check

Volvo's sporty, luxurious compact crossover can carry five passengers in style, and quickly, too. The T6 R-Design model we tested has a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six-cylinder and pins you in your seat with 300 horsepower. Moms and dads alike will have plenty of fun driving the XC60, but they might find it a bit difficult to install child-safety seats in its second row.

For the Car Seat Check, we use a Graco SnugRide 30 rear-facing infant-safety seat, a Britax Roundabout convertible child-safety seat and Graco high-back TurboBooster seat.

A Volvo SUV Shouldn't Be This Fast

There is a lot to like about Volvo's popular small SUV, the XC60. It's stylish, packed with safety features and rather comfortable. It starts at $33,300 and can be equipped with navigation and a slew of other features for $40,250. In this segment, that's downright affordable.

The standard engine is a rather mundane 3.2-liter six-cylinder with 240 horsepower. Mundane wasn't cutting it for Volvo, though, so they added a turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder. I drove one recently, and it boggled my mind.

It's fast. Really fast — 300 hp, 325 pounds-feet of torque. This is a sleeper with speed. It gives up only 1 mpg to the base engine, too. But it's also entirely pointless.

Cars.com Reviews the 2012 Volvo XC60

As a former Volvo owner, Cars.com Senior Family Editor Kristin Varela had high hopes for the 2012 Volvo XC60, but they faded over time. While the XC60 offers quick acceleration, the ride was too soft and there was too much road noise intruding into the cabin, according to Varela. One bright spot though was the XC60's stylish, Scandinavian-themed interior, she said.

2012 Volvo XC60 Review

Recall Alert: 2012 Volvo S60 and XC60

Volvo is recalling 2,742 model-year 2012 versions of the S60 sedan and XC60 SUV because of problems with the underbody coating, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

In the affected vehicles, an incorrect mixture of underbody coating could lead to icicle-like pieces hanging down from the undercarriage, especially if too much coating is applied. The pieces could puncture the fuel line and cause a leak, increasing the risk of fire.

The S60s affected by the recall were built between Jan. 10 and Feb. 3, 2012. The XC60s were made between Jan. 10 and Jan. 26, 2012. You can check your vehicle’s build date on a sticker on the driver-side doorjamb.

Volvo will notify owners starting on or before April 13, and dealers will inspect the undercarriage and remove excess coating free of charge. They will also replace any affected fuel lines. Owners can call Volvo at 800-458-1552 or NHTSA's vehicle safety hotline at 888-327-4236 for more info.