Volvo XC90 Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability

Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported deaths, injuries, crashes, and worst problem areas. Updated daily from federal databases.

63
Total Recalls
1057
Total Complaints
32
Total Crashes
36
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths
2004
Worst Year
2015
Best Year
0
Poor
Overall Reliability Score (0–100)

Own a Volvo XC90? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.

Volvo XC90 — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison

YearVerdictRecallsComplaintsCrashesInjuriesDeathsTop Issue
2026Excellent11Back Over PreventionFull report →
2025Excellent2121Service BrakesFull report →
2024Excellent2172Electrical SystemFull report →
2023Good4233Unknown Or OtherFull report →
2022Excellent423Electrical SystemFull report →
2021Good6356Service BrakesFull report →
2020Good7211Electrical SystemFull report →
2019Good42534Electrical SystemFull report →
2018Good22713Electrical SystemFull report →
2017Good3452EngineFull report →
2016Caution4139512EngineFull report →
2015BestExcellentFull report →
2014Excellent1SteeringFull report →
2013Excellent7Electrical SystemFull report →
2012Excellent3Back Over PreventionFull report →
2011Excellent19Electrical SystemFull report →
2010Excellent29Fuel/Propulsion SystemFull report →
2009Excellent17Electrical SystemFull report →
2008Excellent3161Electrical SystemFull report →
2007Excellent230Electrical SystemFull report →
2006Good23331Electrical SystemFull report →
2005Caution41642Electrical SystemFull report →
2004WorstAvoid534794Electrical SystemFull report →
2003Good4635Power TrainFull report →

24 model years shown. Crashes, injuries, and deaths from NHTSA complaint filings. Click any year for full details.

Most Common Volvo XC90 Problems

Electrical System
210
Power Train
159
Engine
100
Unknown Or Other
79
Fuel/Propulsion System
54
Service Brakes
43
Exterior Lighting
42
Structure
42
Engine And Engine Cooling
40
Steering
31
Air Bags
29
Fuel System / Gasoline
27

Based on 1,057 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years.

Recent Safety Recalls — Volvo XC90 (20222026)

#22V7930002022
20/10/2022
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2022-2023 S60, V60, S90L, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An electronic control module (ECM) software error may prevent the combustion engine from starting, causing a loss of drive power.

Remedy: Dealers will update the ECM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 8, 2022. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10198.

#23V8270002022
07/12/2023
SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2015-2024 XC90 vehicles. The second-row seat belt buckle and lower belt anchor bolts may not be tightened properly.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and tighten the second-row seat belt buckle anchorage bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 19, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10259.

#23V0010002022
05/01/2023
STEERING

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2022 V60CC, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. During steering gear assembly, double screws may have been assembled on top of each other, which can cause a screw to fall into the gearbox housing.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 1, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10213.

#25V1790002022
24/03/2025
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020-2021 S90, 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60, XC90, and 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high-voltage battery module as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the software to monitor the battery. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 28, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10312.

#25V3920002022
24/06/2025
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023 Volvo C40 BEV, 2025 EC40, 2023-2024 XC40 BEV, 2020-2026 XC90 PHEV, 2022-2026 XC60 PHEV, 2023-2025 S60 PHEV, 2024-2025 V60 PHEV, and 2025-2026 EX40 and 2025 S90 PHEV vehicles. In certain driving scenarios while coasting down a hill and using "B" mode or "One Pedal Drive," the vehicle may lose brake function.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to use "B" Mode (for plug-in hybrid vehicles) or "One Pedal Drive" (for pure electric vehicles) until the repair has been completed. The brake module software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10329.

#23V0120002023
19/01/2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023 S60, V60, V60CC, V90CC, XC60, XC90, XC40, and C40 vehicles. A diagnostic error in the Brake Control Module 2 (BCM2) may cause a loss of Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and traction control.

Remedy: Volvo will release an over-the-air (OTA) BCM2 software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 15, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10217.

#23V1880002023
22/03/2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023 S60, V60CC, XC60, XC90, XC40, and C40 vehicles. A diagnostic trouble code (DTC) may be falsely detected for the emergency call system (e-call) and display "e-Call Service Required" in the driver information module (DIM).

Remedy: Dealers will update the telematics and connectivity antenna module (TCAM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10225.

#25V2820002023
08/05/2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Remedy: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10320.

#25V9080002023
23/12/2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2024 C40BEV, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40, and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Remedy: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2026. Owners may contact Volvo Car’s customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10333. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 16, 2026. This recall replaces previous NHTSA recall number 25V282. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 25V282 will need to have the new remedy performed.

Showing 9 recalls from 20222026 model years. See the full year-specific pages for older recalls.

XC90 Years to Avoid

2004 XC90
347 complaints · 5 recalls · 9 crashes
Details →
2005 XC90
164 complaints · 4 recalls
Details →
2016 XC90
139 complaints · 4 recalls · 5 crashes
Details →

Ranked by combined complaints, recalls, crashes, injuries, and deaths.

Best XC90 Years to Buy

2015 XC90
0 complaints · 0 recalls
Details →
2014 XC90
1 complaints · 0 recalls
Details →
2012 XC90
3 complaints · 0 recalls
Details →

Years with fewest complaints and recalls.

Volvo XC90 Problems by Year

Select a year to see detailed complaints, recall notices, and safety incident data.

Frequently Asked Questions — Volvo XC90 Reliability

What year XC90 has the most problems?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2004 Volvo XC90 had the highest combined complaint and recall count — 347 complaints and 5 safety recalls. See the full 2004 report for specific defects.

Is the Volvo XC90 reliable?

The Volvo XC90 has accumulated 1,057 owner-filed complaints and 63 safety recalls across all model years in NHTSA's database. The 2015 model year shows the fewest reported issues. Always run a VIN check before purchasing any used XC90.

What are the most common XC90 problems?

The most frequently cited problem areas are: Electrical System (210 reports), Power Train (159 reports), Engine (100 reports), Unknown Or Other (79 reports). Based on NHTSA complaints across all model years.

How do I check if my XC90 has an open recall?

Use the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with auction history, odometer records, and 30+ intelligence signals.

Check a Specific Volvo XC90 VIN

Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.

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