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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

36 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2023
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

First, the rear passenger side door latch failed at 57k miles, allegedly due to water intrusion. They replaced with a revised part - p/n 32310869. Now at 63k miles, the driver side rear door latch failed in the same way. This compromises safety because it renders the rear seats completely inaccessible. I could not get my child…

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First, the rear passenger side door latch failed at 57k miles, allegedly due to water intrusion. They replaced with a revised part - p/n 32310869. Now at 63k miles, the driver side rear door latch failed in the same way. This compromises safety because it renders the rear seats completely inaccessible. I could not get my children out of the back seat through traditional means. The problem has been confirmed by a dealership and is well documented online. There was no warning or indication when the part had failed. The passenger door stopped working "regularly" (intermittently would not open) a few days before it failed entirely. The driver rear door gave no advanced notice.

NHTSA ODI #11502287

Mileage unknown · Mar 15, 2022
EngineUnknown Or Other

There is an open recall for certain 2016 XC 90s related to cracks in the coolant pipes. My vin doesn’t have a recall attached but in the last 2.5 years I have owned the vehicle I have had to change this part 2 times. I feel my vin/vehicle should be part of the recall. My local dealer is not willing to assist nor Volvo Customer …

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There is an open recall for certain 2016 XC 90s related to cracks in the coolant pipes. My vin doesn’t have a recall attached but in the last 2.5 years I have owned the vehicle I have had to change this part 2 times. I feel my vin/vehicle should be part of the recall. My local dealer is not willing to assist nor Volvo Customer Service.

NHTSA ODI #11456883

Mileage unknown · Feb 21, 2022
Unknown Or Other

The door lock actuators were poorly designed, allowing water intrusion. This causes the actuator to rust and freeze up making it impossible to unlock the door and open it from the inside or outside. There was no warning about this, it just stopped working one day. If someone had been in the backseat when it stopped working they…

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The door lock actuators were poorly designed, allowing water intrusion. This causes the actuator to rust and freeze up making it impossible to unlock the door and open it from the inside or outside. There was no warning about this, it just stopped working one day. If someone had been in the backseat when it stopped working they would have had to crawl across to the other side to get out. What if there had been an accident and you could not get your child or baby out the nearest door quickly. We have been waiting nearly three weeks now for the replacement part, a part we were told by Volvo has been redesigned so this should not happen again. A part we (our insurance) has to cover. What about the other locks on the car, are they going to fail and lock us in the car? Why is Volvo not replacing these actuators.

NHTSA ODI #11453307

Mileage unknown · Jan 14, 2022
Unknown Or Other

Rear doors stop opening from outside and interior

NHTSA ODI #11447529

30,000 miles · Apr 19, 2021
Unknown Or OtherInjury

THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLES (LEVERS TO OPEN THE DOORS)- HAVE A THICK METALLIC PAINT THAT CHIPS OFF AND CAUSES FINGERS TO BE CUT.

NHTSA ODI #11412820

40,000 miles · Feb 22, 2021
Unknown Or Other

INSIDE AND OUTSIDE HANDLE CEASE TO WORK EFFECTIVELY RESULTING IN DOOR NOT OPENING. HAS HAPPENED A HANDFUL OF TIMES WITH REPAIR REQUIRED. OCCUPANTS ARE NOT ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11397355

54,000 miles · Jun 3, 2020
Unknown Or Other

COOLANT LEAK. AND HOSE GOT BURNED BY ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11327107

38,026 miles · Feb 18, 2020
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or Other

VEHICLE SOFTWARE UPDATE REMOVED SAFETY ITEMS. I.E., WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND IS IN PILOT ASSIST MODE LANE AVOIDANCE AUDIO WARNING SOUND AND STEERING WHEEL PULL BACK, CRASH AVOIDANCE AUDIO WARNING SOUND (WHEN NOT IN CRUISE CONTROL). PILOT ASSIST NO LONGER WORKS AT ALL. VOLVO STATES SOFTWARE UPDATES REMOVED THESE ITEMS. I…

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VEHICLE SOFTWARE UPDATE REMOVED SAFETY ITEMS. I.E., WHEN VEHICLE IS IN MOTION AND IS IN PILOT ASSIST MODE LANE AVOIDANCE AUDIO WARNING SOUND AND STEERING WHEEL PULL BACK, CRASH AVOIDANCE AUDIO WARNING SOUND (WHEN NOT IN CRUISE CONTROL). PILOT ASSIST NO LONGER WORKS AT ALL. VOLVO STATES SOFTWARE UPDATES REMOVED THESE ITEMS. ISSUE IS= I WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE REMOVAL OF THESE ITEMS. I BOUGHT THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS EQUIPPED WITH THOSE ITEMS. VOLVO REMOVED THEM WITHOUT MY PERMISSION OR EVEN NOTIFYING ME THE UPDATE WOULD DEGRADE MY VEHICLE. VOLVO STATES THEY ARE UNWILLING TO REMOVE THE SOFTWARE OR EVEN MODIFY IT FOR INDIVIDUAL CUSTOMERS. THESE ARE SAFETY ISSUES. VOLVO COMPLAINT REFERENCE NUMBER IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. VEHICLE MILEAGE 38026. BOUGHT NEW IN 2016 SEPTEMBER.

NHTSA ODI #11309868

60,000 miles · Jan 27, 2020
Unknown Or Other

HAVE HAD TWO DOOR LATCH MECHANISMS FAIL AT 60K MILES WHICH MAKE THE DOOR INOPERABLE AND COULD POTENTIALLY TRAP OCCUPANTS IN THE VEHICLE. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH THE DOORS CLOSED IN BOTH CASES.

NHTSA ODI #11302216

Mileage unknown · Jan 19, 2020
Unknown Or Other

THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR BECAME UNLATCHED AND OPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE DOOR WOULD NOT RE-. EVENTUALLY, WE WERE ABLE TO LOCK IT IN PLACE.

NHTSA ODI #11300287

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.