Volvo XC90 years to avoid (and the best years)
586 NHTSA owner complaints and 26 recalls across 13 model years, 2010 to 2025. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 586complaints
- 26recalls
- 22reported crashes
- 27reported fires
- 35reported injuries
Which Volvo XC90 years should you avoid?
No Volvo XC90 model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Volvo XC90 year has 31 complaints on file. The busiest years are the 2016 (197), 2017 (77) and 2018 (50).
What are the best Volvo XC90 years?
The Volvo XC90 years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2013 (11), 2010 (12) and 2021 (17). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 27 | 0.9× | 2 | 4 | 0 | Few red flags | Backup camera |
| 2024 | 36 | 1.2× | 3 | 4 | 3 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2023 | 39 | 1.3× | 6 | 0 | 2 | Few red flags | Backup camera |
| 2022 | 29 | 0.9× | 4 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2021 | 17 | 0.5× | 6 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2020 | 31 | 1.0× | 7 | 2 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2019 | 41 | 1.3× | 6 | 2 | 8 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2018 | 50 | 1.6× | 3 | 2 | 3 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2017 | 77 | 2.5× | 7 | 3 | 9 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2016 | 197 | 6.4× | 8 | 5 | 8 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2013 | 11 | 0.4× | 0 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2011 | 19 | 0.6× | 1 | 0 | 2 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2010 | 12 | 0.4× | 3 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Fuel system |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 191 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Electrical & infotainment77 (40%)
- Engine & powertrain39 (20%)
- Brakes21 (11%)
- Structure & body20 (10%)
- Steering, suspension & tires15 (8%)
Recalls (26)
Safety · 25V908000 · Dec 2025 · model years 2023, 2024, 2025
A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Safety · 25V282000 · May 2025 · model years 2023, 2024, 2025
A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 25V179000 · Mar 2025 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022
A short circuit in a high-voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.
Seat belts · 23V827000 · Dec 2023 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
An improperly tightened seat belt buckle may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing their risk of injury during a crash.
Electrical system · 23V188000 · Mar 2023 · model year 2023
The false warning message could prevent the detection of an actual e-call system failure, which could delay an emergency response during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Brakes · 23V012000 · Jan 2023 · model year 2023
A reduction in brake support functions can increase the risk of a crash.
Steering · 23V001000 · Jan 2023 · model years 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
A screw inside the gearbox housing can cause the steering wheel to lock up and increase the risk of a crash.
Engine · 22V793000 · Oct 2022 · model years 2022, 2023
The vehicle may lose drive power as the high voltage battery is depleted, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 21V716000 · Sep 2021 · model years 2020, 2021
Separation of the rotor and shaft may cause a reduction in braking assistance and a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), increasing the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 21V682000 · Sep 2021 · model year 2021
An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Electrical system · 21V414000 · Jun 2021 · model years 2019, 2020
Failure of the low-pressure fuel pump can cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 21V273000 · Apr 2021 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020
The rear passenger may become trapped by the front seat without the ability to cancel the seat's movement, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 21V001000 · Jan 2021 · model year 2021
A detached SRS control unit can decrease the performance of occupant protection systems such as air bags, seat belts, and high voltage battery disconnect, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Safety · 20V144000 · Mar 2020 · model years 2019, 2020
If the automatic emergency braking system does not engage as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Engine · 19V308000 · Apr 2019 · model year 2016
If the coolant leak goes unnoticed, coolant may accumulate in the catalytic converter heat shield insulation and catch fire when the vehicle is stationary, increasing the risk of injury.
Electrical system · 18V800000 · Nov 2018 · model years 2017, 2018, 2019
If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
Seat belts · 17V370000 · Jun 2017 · model year 2017
Although, the seat belt will operate as intended in the event of a crash, if the MGG detaches, it may be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
Airbags · 17V104000 · Feb 2017 · model year 2017
If the IC air bags do not deploy properly in the event of a crash, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Seat belts · 16V798000 · Nov 2016 · model years 2016, 2017
If the seat belt buckle separates from the bracket, the front seat passenger may not be adequately restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Safety · 16V690000 · Sep 2016 · model years 2016, 2017
Significant water drainage into the passenger compartment may adversely affect air bag deployment in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Body & glass · 16V268000 · May 2016 · model year 2016
If the switch is unintentionally pressed and the sunroof panel closes, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Airbags · 15V497000 · Aug 2015 · model year 2016
Underinflated air bags may not fully protect third row occupants, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Airbags · 15V342000 · Jun 2015 · model year 2016
If the wiring harness is routed incorrectly, the wiring may be damaged, disabling the front seat side impact air bag, and increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front seat side impact air bag.
Steering · 11V286000 · May 2011 · model years 2010, 2011
THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Safety · 10V566000 · Nov 2010 · model year 2010
AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
Fuel system · 10V147000 · Apr 2010 · model year 2010
FUEL ODOR MAY BE DETECTED. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN LEAD TO A FIRE AT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL.