Most Volvo XC60 VINs open with YV4 (Sweden, 2010–2017). Position 11, the plant, reads 2; a 2026 XC60 carries T in position 10. Decoding one also brings up 36 recall campaigns and 295 owner complaints from NHTSA.
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How to read a Volvo XC60 VIN
Here is a real 2027 Volvo XC60 VIN from our database, split into its parts:
VIN YV4M22RM2V1559609 — decoded free on its own report page.
| Position | Section | What it tells you |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | WMI | World Manufacturer Identifier — country, manufacturer and vehicle type. |
| 4–8 | VDS | Vehicle Descriptor Section — body style, engine, restraint system, series. |
| 9 | Check digit | A calculated digit that validates the whole VIN. Wrong digit = wrong VIN. |
| 10 | Model year | One character for the model year. Letters skip I, O, Q, U and Z. |
| 11 | Plant | The assembly plant that built the car. |
| 12–17 | Serial | Sequential production number of this exact vehicle. |
Volvo XC60 VIN prefixes, and when each one was used
The Volvo XC60 VINs on record carry 2 different prefixes. The main one is YV4 (Sweden, 2010–2017), then YV1 (Sweden, 2010–2012):
| VIN starts with | Years seen | Built in | Vehicle type | VINs on record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YV4 | 2010–2017 | Sweden | Multipurpose Passenger Vehicle (MPV) | |
| YV1 | 2010–2012 | Sweden | Passenger Car |
Counted from 294 dated Volvo XC60 VINs attached to NHTSA complaints, each code checked against the NHTSA manufacturer registry.
Model-year codes for the Volvo XC60
Position 10 carries the model year, skipping I, O, Q, U and Z. The alphabet comes round every 30 years, which the Volvo XC60 has not yet outlived: its 17 years still map one-to-one. All 17 model years of the Volvo XC60, 2010 to 2026, with the character each one carries:
| Model year | VIN character (position 10) | Same character as |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | T | — |
| 2025 | S | — |
| 2024 | R | — |
| 2023 | P | — |
| 2022 | N | — |
| 2021 | M | — |
| 2020 | L | — |
| 2019 | K | — |
| 2018 | J | — |
| 2017 | H | — |
| 2016 | G | — |
| 2015 | F | — |
| 2014 | E | — |
| 2013 | D | — |
| 2012 | C | — |
| 2011 | B | — |
| 2010 | A | — |
Body and engine characters we see on Volvo XC60 VINs
Positions 4–8 are the maker's own build code. Across 210 VINs the Volvo XC60 uses 18 different characters in positions 4, 5 and 8:
| Position | Characters seen on real VINs | Variety |
|---|---|---|
| 4 — body | 9 (17%) · 1 (16%) · M (12%) · H (12%) · A (11%) · L (10%) | 6 distinct |
| 5 — series | 0 (34%) · 1 (24%) · 6 (16%) · 2 (12%) · 9 (4%) · 5 (3%) | 6 distinct |
| 8 — engine | K (26%) · L (20%) · M (17%) · Z (11%) · C (7%) · A (5%) | 6 distinct |
What a decoded Volvo XC60 VIN gets you
Behind a Volvo XC60 VIN: 295 owner complaints and every recall campaign NHTSA has on record:
| Data | For this model | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Recall campaigns | 36 campaigns | NHTSA |
| Owner complaints | 295 filed | NHTSA |
| Fuel economy | 24 mpg combined (avg) | EPA |
| Crash-test ratings | 14 rated model years | NHTSA |
| Model years covered | 17 years | ForCar catalog |
Where to find the VIN on a Volvo XC60
A Volvo XC60 VIN normally opens with YV4; the full number sits in four places, and all four must match.
| Where | How to see it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Dashboard, driver side | Through the windshield, bottom corner | Easiest to check before you touch anything |
| Driver door jamb | Open the door, sticker on the pillar | Also lists tire pressures and build date |
| Under the hood | Firewall or strut tower plate | Survives a windshield replacement |
| Title and insurance | Paper documents | Must match the car — a mismatch means fraud or a swapped panel |
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Frequently asked questions
Is this Volvo XC60 VIN decoder free?
Yes, with no account. Besides the year, plant and build characters it shows 36 recall campaigns and 295 owner complaints NHTSA holds on the Volvo XC60.
Why does my XC60 VIN start differently from another XC60?
Because the Volvo XC60 was built under several maker codes, by plant and period. Across the Volvo XC60 VINs on record we see 2 of them: YV4 (2010–2017), YV1 (2010–2012). Each is genuine for its years.
What year is my XC60 by its VIN?
Read position 10: a 2026 XC60 carries T, a 2025 XC60 carries S, a 2024 XC60 carries R.
Where was my XC60 built?
Position 11 names the plant. Across 295 dated Volvo XC60 VINs it reads 2 99%.
What does position 4 mean on a Volvo XC60 VIN?
It is part of the maker's own build code, so read it against this model, not a generic chart. On 210 Volvo XC60 VINs here, 9 is the most common character in position 4, on 17% of them.
What if the VIN on the dashboard doesn't match the door jamb?
On a Volvo XC60 check the prefix first: most genuine ones open with YV4. A plate that starts with anything else, or disagrees with the other copies of the number, needs documents checked before any money changes hands.
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