IllustrationTHE CAR TURNED OFF COMPLETELY IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD; THE SPEED SLOWED DOWN (THE CAR WAS OFF) AND HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all XC90 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
480–25K
1325–50K
950–75K
1075–100K
7100–150K
2150K+
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
What owners actually said
197 reportsVEHICLE 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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN PARK ASSIST MODE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN REVERSE INDEPENDENTLY AND BACKED INTO A TREE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO SMOT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN PARK ASSIST MODE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN REVERSE INDEPENDENTLY AND BACKED INTO A TREE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO SMOTHERS EUROPEAN VOLVO CARS 2881 CORBY AVE, SANTA ROSA, CA 95407 TO BE INSPECTED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. A CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVE WAS THEN SENT TO THE DEALER AND DETERMINED THAT NO SAFETY ERROR HAD OCCURRED ON THE VEHICLE. THEY DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT TO BE HUMAN ERROR. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE WITH THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000. BF *TR
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.
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.
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING SUN ROOF LEAKAGES DURING RAIN OR SNOW. THIS MAKES DRIVING DANGEROUS WHEN IT IS RAINING OR SNOWING. DEFECTS DUE TO POOR SUNROOF DESIGN AND COMPONENTS CAUSING WATER TO ENTER VEHICLE WHEN RAINING OR SNOWING. DISCUSSIONS PANELS ON LINE IDENTIFIES OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WITH NO CONCRETE SOLUTIONS …
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VEHICLE EXPERIENCING SUN ROOF LEAKAGES DURING RAIN OR SNOW. THIS MAKES DRIVING DANGEROUS WHEN IT IS RAINING OR SNOWING. DEFECTS DUE TO POOR SUNROOF DESIGN AND COMPONENTS CAUSING WATER TO ENTER VEHICLE WHEN RAINING OR SNOWING. DISCUSSIONS PANELS ON LINE IDENTIFIES OTHER OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM WITH NO CONCRETE SOLUTIONS AS MOST ARE TRIALS AND ERRORS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 5 MPH AND ACCELERATED AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTONOMOUS BRAKING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MIDWESTERN AUTO GROUP (614-889-2571, LOCATED AT 6335 PERIMETER LOOP RD, DUBLIN, OH 4301…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED TO 5 MPH AND ACCELERATED AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN AUTONOMOUS BRAKING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MIDWESTERN AUTO GROUP (614-889-2571, LOCATED AT 6335 PERIMETER LOOP RD, DUBLIN, OH 43017) WHERE THE SOFTWARE WAS UPDATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED AT 75 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT CALLED BYERS VOLVO AT 614-864-0780 (LOCATED AT 301 N. HAMILTON ROAD, COLUMBUS, OH 43213) AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR A SOFTWARE UPDATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 220. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
STOP/START BATTERY FAILED. LEAKED ACID. CAUSED EXCESSIVE AND INTENSE FOUL FUMES INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. MADE THE CAR INTOLERABLE TO BE IN WITHOUT OPENING WINDOWS AND MOON ROOF.
FOLLOWING RECALL SERVICE BY DEALERSHIP AGAINST NHTSA RECALL 19V308 THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND DRIVEN DIRECTLY HOME, ~16 MILES. AT MILE ~2 BURNING RUBBER WAS SMELLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. AT MILE ~10 SOME SMOKE WAS SEEN WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. AT MILE~16 THE ENGI…
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FOLLOWING RECALL SERVICE BY DEALERSHIP AGAINST NHTSA RECALL 19V308 THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND DRIVEN DIRECTLY HOME, ~16 MILES. AT MILE ~2 BURNING RUBBER WAS SMELLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. AT MILE ~10 SOME SMOKE WAS SEEN WHEN STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. AT MILE~16 THE ENGINE DIED AS THE VEHICLE WAS BEING PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY. SMOKE STARTED POURING OUR FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND FIRE WAS SHORTLY THEREAFTER VISIBLE. THE ENTIRE FRONT END BURNED. I HAVE PLENTY MORE PICTURES OF THE BURNING AND BURNED CAR.
VERY LOUD SQUEALING NOISE STARTED FROM ENGINE BAY WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT ACCOMPANIED BY A YELLOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. NOISE WOULD DISAPPEAR UNDER ACCELERATION BUT RETURN AGAIN OFF THROTTLE. DEALER DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED 'BREATHER CHAMBER' WITH THE FOLLOWING COMMENT: 'IF NOT REPAIRED, FAULTY BREATHER CHAMBERS CAN LEAK OIL ON OT…
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VERY LOUD SQUEALING NOISE STARTED FROM ENGINE BAY WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT ACCOMPANIED BY A YELLOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. NOISE WOULD DISAPPEAR UNDER ACCELERATION BUT RETURN AGAIN OFF THROTTLE. DEALER DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED 'BREATHER CHAMBER' WITH THE FOLLOWING COMMENT: 'IF NOT REPAIRED, FAULTY BREATHER CHAMBERS CAN LEAK OIL ON OTHER MAJOR ENGINE COMPONENTS, INCLUDING THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH COULD LEAD TO A NUMBER OF SAFETY ISSUES INCLUDING FIRE.' THE VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 52,000 MILES. I'M TOLD THIS IS A REGULARLY OCCURRING VOLVO ISSUE BY MECHANIC FRIENDS.
Official recalls
823V827000 · 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
1DP22005 · 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.