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

What owners actually said

197 reports

Mileage unknown · Mar 30, 2021

Seat Belts

WHILE DRIVING THE REAR DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER SEATBELT WILL UNBUCKLE WITHOUT ANYONE TOUCHING IT. THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE MOST RECENT OCCASION WAS 3/24/21. USUALLY OCCURS ON LONGER CAR RIDES

NHTSA ODI #11405622

81,000 miles · Mar 3, 2021

Engine

THE CAR WAS DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH WHEN THIS HAPPEN. ENGINE STARTED TO HAVE MULTIPLE MISS FIRE. TOOK IT TO A PROFESSIONAL SHOP AND CYLINDER 1, 2 AND 3 HAVE A WET SPARK PLUG. THEY DID MORE TESTING AND FOUND THAT THE CYLINDER OIL RING HAS FAILED. CAR ONLY HAS 81K MILES AND NEEDS A NEW ENGINE OR ENGINE REBUILD THIS IS BELOVED TO BE T…

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NHTSA ODI #11398852

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

48,000 miles · Jan 11, 2021

Electrical SystemStructure

REAR LEFT DOOR SPONTANEOUSLY UNLATCHED AND OPENED WHILE DRIVING WITH 6-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER IN ADJACENT SEAT. DOOR WILL SUBSEQUENTLY NOT LATCH.

NHTSA ODI #11387620

87,000 miles · Nov 3, 2020

Engine

RAN A ERRAND, CAME HOME. WENT TO MY CAR & A BLUEISH LIQUID WAS COMING OUT. TOOK TO A SHOP & THEN TO THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP

NHTSA ODI #11372898

65,000 miles · Aug 7, 2020

Electrical System

THE LCD INSTRUMENT PANEL RANDOMLY GOES BLANK. THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. SO, NO SPEEDOMETER, TURN SIGNALS, GAS GAUGE ETC. CAN BE SEEN. VOLVO CLAIMS A SOFTWARE UPDATE SHOULD FIX THE ISSUE BUT IT HAS NOT. IT HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR ALMOST ONE YEAR.

NHTSA ODI #11343959

54,000 miles · Jun 3, 2020

Unknown Or Other

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

NHTSA ODI #11327107

82,000 miles · Mar 17, 2020

Engine

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THE PULLEY ON THE ALTERNATOR FAILED SO THE SERPENTINE BELT FELL LOSE AND ENDED UP BEHIND THE ENGINE WHERE THE TIMING BELT IS LOCATED. THIS CAUSED THE ENGINE TO LOSE TIMING AND DAMAGED ALL THE VALVES, CYLINDERS, AND ENGINE BLOCK. NOW THE VOLVO DEALER IS TELLING ME THE ENGINE CAN'T BE REPAIRED AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED WITH A NEW ONE THAT WILL COST $16,000.00. THIS HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON THE FREEWAY AND ARTERIAL STREETS. THE DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE WAS CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE ALTERNATOR PULLEY. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL.

NHTSA ODI #11318396

44,000 miles · Mar 14, 2020

Engine

THE START-STOP FUNCTION MALFUNCTIONED ON MY VEHICLE AT A BUSY STOP LIGHT/INTERSECTION. MY WIFE AND I FELT WE NEEDED TO PUSH THE CAR TO SIDE TO KEEP FROM GETTING HIT, DESPITE FLASHERS ON. WE HAD IT TOWED TO A VOLVO DEALER WHO WAS VERY HELPFUL. THEY HAD CAR FIXED NEXT DAY. SAID THE COMPUTERS OR SENSORS NOT COMMUNICATING. I ASKED …

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NHTSA ODI #11317984

59,000 miles · Mar 14, 2020

Service BrakesSteering

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THE CONTROLS ON STEERING INTERMITTENTLY DISABLED. I TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THEY UPDATED THE SOFTWARE AND IT WAS FIXED FOR WHILE, BUT IT REAPPEARED AGAIN! MANY VOLVO OWNERS HAS THE SIMILAR ISSUES MOST OF THEM ENDED UP REPLACING THE CONTROL MODULE PART ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SYMPTOM SINCE MOST DRIVERS LIKE ME RELY HEAVILY ON THESE CONTROLS TO SELECT VEHICLE SYSTEM OPTIONS AND CRUISE CONTROL. ALSO DEALER ASKING ME TO CHANGE THE BREAK COMPONENTS VERY FREQUENTLY SOMETIMES JUST 20000 MILES. I AM ENDED PAYING HEFTY PRICE OF THESE PARTS TO KEEP THE BREAKS SAFE.

NHTSA ODI #11317970

Official recalls

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

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

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.

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

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.