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2016 Volvo XC90

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most XC90 years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Volvo XC90 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 34.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

89 reports with mileage · 108 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 86 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports10 fire reports4 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

12 reports
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30,000 miles · Jan 29, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System

THERE IS SOMETHING CALLED AN ERAD, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY THE VEHICLE CLUTCH FOR MY ELECTRONIC PLUG-IN HYBRID XC90. IT IS THE INSTRUMENT THAT SWITCHES BETWEEN ELECTRIC AND GAS. MINE FAILED. WHEN IT FAILS, WHEN YOU HIT THE GAS ENOUGH TO PUSH IT OUT OF ELECTRIC MODE TO GAS MODE, THE CAR ESSENTIALLY HESITATES FOR 1-2 SECONDS - IT …

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THERE IS SOMETHING CALLED AN ERAD, WHICH IS ESSENTIALLY THE VEHICLE CLUTCH FOR MY ELECTRONIC PLUG-IN HYBRID XC90. IT IS THE INSTRUMENT THAT SWITCHES BETWEEN ELECTRIC AND GAS. MINE FAILED. WHEN IT FAILS, WHEN YOU HIT THE GAS ENOUGH TO PUSH IT OUT OF ELECTRIC MODE TO GAS MODE, THE CAR ESSENTIALLY HESITATES FOR 1-2 SECONDS - IT FEELS LIKE IT'S TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO THEN AN OVERRIDE TO GAS MODE HAPPENS. WHEN I IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM, I WAS TRYING TO TURN OFF OF THREE LANES OF TRAFFIC TO A SIDE STREET AND THE CAR HESITATED (TEMPORARILY DOESN'T RESPOND TO THROTTLE INPUT) AS I WAS SITTING PERPENDICULAR TO TRAFFIC. THE ALL GAS MODE THEN TURNS ON AND TAKES OVER, BUT IT HESITATES WHICH COULD BE A SERIOUS PROBLEM. I COULD'VE BEEN HURT, BUT, THANKFULLY, I WASN'T. AFTER THAT, I DROVE IT IN FULL-TIME GAS MODE UNTIL IT WAS FIXED (NO PROBLEMS WHEN I DID THAT). IF THIS WERE AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, I WOULDN'T REPORT IT, BUT THERE WERE 4 OTHER VOLVOS SUFFERING FROM THE SAME ISSUE AT MY DEALERSHIP ALONE (VOLVO CARS OF BETHESDA) SO THEY COULDN'T TAKE ME FOR 3-4 WEEKS. THEY SELL FEWER THAN 5% OF THEIR TOTAL FLEET OF THESE T8 ELECTRIC HYBRIDS, SO FOR 5 TOTAL CARS TO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE (2016 - 2018) INDICATES A MAJOR PROBLEM. I'M CONCERNED SOMEONE WHO DOESN'T NECESSARILY HAVE MY AWARENESS OF CARS WHO MAY OTHERWISE FEEL SAFE IN THE CAR'S THROTTLE RESPONSE MAY TAKE AN UNNECESSARY CHANCE AND GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANKS!

NHTSA ODI #11172830

10,000 miles · Jul 17, 2016
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN CINCINNATI, OH AND NASHVILLE, TN, WE STOPPED IN CAROLLTON, KY TO REFUEL AT A LOCAL GAS STATION. UPON ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE FUEL DOOR, THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THERE IS NO BUTTON OR SWITCH TO USE TO OPEN THE FUEL DOOR ON THIS VEHICLE. DESPITE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE LOCK AND UNLOCK THE CAR, THE FU…

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WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN CINCINNATI, OH AND NASHVILLE, TN, WE STOPPED IN CAROLLTON, KY TO REFUEL AT A LOCAL GAS STATION. UPON ATTEMPTING TO OPEN THE FUEL DOOR, THE DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THERE IS NO BUTTON OR SWITCH TO USE TO OPEN THE FUEL DOOR ON THIS VEHICLE. DESPITE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE LOCK AND UNLOCK THE CAR, THE FUEL DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. WE CONTACTED VOLVO ONCALL, WHO ADMITTED THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT THEY DID NOT HAVE SOLUTION. THE ONLY OFFER FOR ASSISTANCE WAS TO USE THE KEY REMOTE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THE CAR 3 TIMES IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESET THE ELECTRONICS. THIS CAR ALSO COMES WITH A BUTTONLESS "KEY TAG," WHICH IS WHAT WE WERE USING AT THE TIME. VOLVO HAD NO AWARENESS OF THIS KEY TAG AND HAD NO OTHER SOLUTION TO OFFER. GIVEN OUR PROXIMITY TO LOUISVILLE, WE AGREED TO ATTEMPT THE DRIVE TO LOUISVILLE AND LEFT THE CAR WITH FRIENDS WHILE WE RENTED A CAR AND DROVE TO NASHVILLE TO GET THE KEY FOB WITH BUTTONS. THEN DROVE BACK TO LOUISVILLE TO TRY THE LOCK-UNLOCK OPTION TO NO AVAIL. WE THEN TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL VOLVO DEALER WHERE THE DOOR WAS MECHANICALLY OPENED AND THE LOCK MECHANISM WAS DISASSEMBLED SO THAT THE CAR COULD BE REFUELED. THOUGH A KNOWN ISSUE BY VOLVO, THEY HAVE NOT COMMUNICATED WITH THE DEALERS AS THIS CAR HAD A 10,000 MILE SERVICE 2 DAYS PRIOR TO THIS EVENT. THE INABILITY TO FUEL THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE PEOPLE TO BE STRANDED SHOULD PROMPT A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #10885322

Official recalls

8

23V827000 · Seat Belts:critical Fasteners

Dec 7, 2023

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An improperly tightened seat belt buckle may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing their risk of injury during a crash.

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.

21V273000 · Electrical System:software

Apr 21, 2021

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2016-2020 XC90 Excellence vehicles. Liquid or condensation on the rear seat control display may cause the front passenger seat to move back as far as possible.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The rear passenger may become trapped by the front seat without the ability to cancel the seat's movement, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will update the rear seat control display software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10093.

19V308000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:hoses/lines/piping/fittings

Apr 17, 2019

Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2016 XC90 vehicles. Exposure to heat and humidity may cause the engine coolant bleeder hose to crack, resulting in a coolant leak.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Volvo Cars will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine side coolant bleeder hose, free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R29936.

16V798000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

Nov 2, 2016

Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 XC90, S90, XC60, V60 Cross Country, V60, S60 Cross Country, S60, and S60 Inscription vehicles manufactured February 16, 2015, to August 22, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the front passenger seat belt buckle attaching stud may loosen, allowing the buckle to separate from the seat belt bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages" and number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt buckle stud, replacing the seat belt buckle as needed, free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89708.

16V690000 · Air Bags; Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner

Sep 26, 2016

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Volvo XC90 and S90 vehicles manufactured April 15, 2015 through September 19, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning may leak into the passenger compartment due to a drain hose installation error during manufacturing.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air conditioning drain hose for proper installation, replacing the hose as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on November the 14, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this campaign is R89707.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Equipment:appliance:air Conditioner

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Volvo XC90 and S90 vehicles manufactured April 15, 2015 through September 19, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning may leak into the passenger compartment due to a drain hose installation error during manufacturing.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air conditioning drain hose for proper installation, replacing the hose as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on November the 14, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this campaign is R89707.

Air Bags

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Volvo XC90 and S90 vehicles manufactured April 15, 2015 through September 19, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning may leak into the passenger compartment due to a drain hose installation error during manufacturing.

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air conditioning drain hose for proper installation, replacing the hose as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on November the 14, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this campaign is R89707.

16V268000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

May 4, 2016

Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 XC90 vehicles manufactured January 27, 2015, to April 23, 2016. The sunroofs on the affected vehicles have a switch on the overhead console that may not be adequately recessed to prevent the switch from being unintentionally pressed. When pressed, the sunroof may fully close. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the switch is unintentionally pressed and the sunroof panel closes, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.

Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software upgrade that disables the auto-close function, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552 or by visiting http://Volvo.custhelp.com. Volvo's number for this recall is R89702.

15V497000 · Air Bags:side/window

Aug 6, 2015

Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo XC90 vehicles manufactured January 27, 2015, to July 10, 2015. The third row seating side curtain air bags may not fully inflate.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: Underinflated air bags may not fully protect third row occupants, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will modify the D-pillar interior panels to allow full inflation of the third row airbags, free of charge. The recall began on September 21, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo Customer Care at 1-800-458-1552.

15V342000 · Air Bags:side/window

Jun 3, 2015

Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo XC90 vehicles manufactured January 27, 2015, to May 19, 2015. The affected vehicles have front seats whose wiring harness for the Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) may have been routed incorrectly.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: 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.

Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the routing of the SIPS wiring, correcting the routing and installing a protective sleeve as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89571.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.