NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
50 reports8,000 miles · Aug 1, 2019
Service BrakesUnknown Or OtherInjury
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT A SPEED OF 15-40 MPH, THE SUV IS ACTIVATING THE CRASH IMMINENT BRAKING "CITY CRASH AVOIDANCE" WITHOUT ANYTHING IN THE PATH OF THE VEHICLE. THIS ACTION IS LOCKING UP THE VEHICLE AND SEAT BELTS LOCK UP SQUEEZE MY WIFE UNEXPECTEDLY. DEALOR CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WHEN RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS AND WILL NO…
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WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT A SPEED OF 15-40 MPH, THE SUV IS ACTIVATING THE CRASH IMMINENT BRAKING "CITY CRASH AVOIDANCE" WITHOUT ANYTHING IN THE PATH OF THE VEHICLE. THIS ACTION IS LOCKING UP THE VEHICLE AND SEAT BELTS LOCK UP SQUEEZE MY WIFE UNEXPECTEDLY. DEALOR CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WHEN RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS AND WILL NOT REPLACE THE MODULES THAT CONTROL THIS FEATURE WITHOUT THEM SHOWING BAD. THIS HAS HAPPENDED ON THE SAME ROAD ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS.
NHTSA ODI #11241056
19,400 miles · May 20, 2019
Unknown Or Other
SPONTANEOUS SUNROOF BREAKAGE
NHTSA ODI #11208577
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2019
Fuel/propulsion System
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. FUEL FILLER PIPE HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES AND HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE CAR ONLY HAD 13K MILES FOR THE THIRD REPLACEMENT.
NHTSA ODI #11195745
20,000 miles · Mar 1, 2019
Exterior Lighting
ERROR MESSAGE SHOWED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, ' HEADLAMP SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, SERVICE REQUIRED', HOWEVER THE LIGHT WORKS BUT BACKUP CAMERA STOP WORKING. IT ALSO SHOWS ANOTHER ERROR MESSAGE 'CITY SAFETY SYSTEM UNAVAILABLE'. ASK THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT IS AN SOFTWARE ISSUE. FIXED AFTER THE SOFTWARE UPGRADE.
NHTSA ODI #11183474
2,800 miles · Dec 13, 2018
Power Train
SOMETIMES WHEN THE START STOP SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED AT A STOP AND YOU START BACK OFF THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES FORWARD WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. ON 3 OCCASIONS IT CAUSED ME TO ALMOST RUN INTO THINGS. I REPORTED IT TO VOLVO AND THEY SAID THE SYSTEM IS FINE.
NHTSA ODI #11161200
11,500 miles · Nov 20, 2018
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System
I PURCHASED MY 2018 VOLVO XC90 T6 AWD (HEREINAFTER, THE '2018 XC90' OR 'THE VEHICLE') IN OCTOBER 2017, THROUGH LEASE AGREEMENT. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, I NOTICED THAT THE FUEL EFFICIENCY OF THE VEHICLE WAS WELL BELOW THE EPA RATING AND WARRANTED RANGE, BASED ON REPRESENTATIONS BY THE DEALER AT, AND PRIOR TO, THE TIME OF SALE. I TOOK…
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I PURCHASED MY 2018 VOLVO XC90 T6 AWD (HEREINAFTER, THE '2018 XC90' OR 'THE VEHICLE') IN OCTOBER 2017, THROUGH LEASE AGREEMENT. SHORTLY THEREAFTER, I NOTICED THAT THE FUEL EFFICIENCY OF THE VEHICLE WAS WELL BELOW THE EPA RATING AND WARRANTED RANGE, BASED ON REPRESENTATIONS BY THE DEALER AT, AND PRIOR TO, THE TIME OF SALE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT, SO THE ISSUE COULD BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER. THE DEALER REPORTED THERE WAS A SOFTWARE UPDATE THAT ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM, AND THAT IT WOULD NO LONGER BE AN ISSUE. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE ISSUE CONTINUED TO RE-APPEAR AND THE FUEL EFFICIENTLY CONTINUED TO SUFFER. I AGAIN, ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS (BETWEEN 5 OR 6) BETWEEN DECEMBER 2017 AND NOVEMBER 2018, TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT. IN EACH OCCURRENCE, EXCEPT THE FINAL ONE PRIOR TO THIS COMPLAINT BEING FILED, IT WAS AGAIN REPORTED THAT NO ISSUE EXISTED OR HAD BEEN REMEDIED WITH A SOFTWARE FIX. FURTHERMORE, IN (OR AROUND) JULY OF THIS YEAR, THE COMPRESSOR (OR ANOTHER COMPONENT CONTROLLING THE HVAC SYSTEM IN THE 2018 XC90) FAILED, WHILST DRIVING TO HOUSTON, TEXAS. THE HEAT INSIDE THE VEHICLE QUICKLY RAISED. THIS PART WAS REPLACED IN HOUSTON. IN OCTOBER 2018, I AGAIN, FINALLY, TOOK THE 2018 XC90 TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT BECAUSE (1) THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON; AND (2) THE ELECTRONIC SAFETY SYSTEMS, SUCH AS THE AUTO BRAKING, HAD AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGED WITHOUT ANY CARS AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO DRIVING AND HANDLING IN A STRANGE MANNER. FUEL EFFICIENCY WAS AGAIN A CONCERN. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD THE VEHICLE FOR APPROX. TWO-AND-A-HALF WEEKS. THEY, ULTIMATELY, DETERMINED THE FUEL PARTS, WERE DEFECTIVE. THEY REPLACED THESE PARTS AND NOTED IT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL PRIOR FUEL ISSUES. HOWEVER, THEY ALSO STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED, BUT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE LIST. NO RECALL NOTICE EXISTS WITH THE NHTSA.
NHTSA ODI #11152941
5,000 miles · Nov 9, 2018
Visibility/wiperCrash
VOLVO XC90 2018 MODELS WILL NOT ALWAYS DISPLAY REAR VIEW CAMERA CONTENT WITHIN 2 SECONDS OF SHIFTING INTO REVERSE AS PER FMVSS 111. THIS IS DUE TO REALLY SLOW AND LAGGING INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM. BEHAVIOR IS EVIDENT ON MULTIPLE MODELS AND VEHICLES WHICH SHARE SAME SENSUS INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM.
NHTSA ODI #11150284
25,000 miles · Aug 22, 2018
Electrical SystemService Brakes
WE HAVE OWNED OUR XC90 SINCE NOVEMBER 11, 2017. THE BRAKES WERE SQUEALING WHEN BRAKING IN NORMAL CONDITION(S), NO RAIN ON ROAD OR WATER ON BRAKES WHETHER WE WERE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS, HIGHWAYS OR FREEWAYS. VOLVO SERVICE TECHNICIANS HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS ON 30 MARCH 2018, JUST A LITTLE OVER 4 MONTHS OF O…
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WE HAVE OWNED OUR XC90 SINCE NOVEMBER 11, 2017. THE BRAKES WERE SQUEALING WHEN BRAKING IN NORMAL CONDITION(S), NO RAIN ON ROAD OR WATER ON BRAKES WHETHER WE WERE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS, HIGHWAYS OR FREEWAYS. VOLVO SERVICE TECHNICIANS HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS ON 30 MARCH 2018, JUST A LITTLE OVER 4 MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE. FOUR MONTHS LATER 8 AUGUST 2018, VOLVO SERVICE TECHNICIANS HAD TO REPLACE ALL 4 ROTORS AGAIN, BUT NOT THE BRAKE PADS. THERE IS NEARLY 25,000 MILES ON THIS CAR, WHICH NORMALLY ROTORS AREN'T TYPICALLY REPLACED UP TO 70,000 MILES. I UNDERSTAND THIS VARIES BASED ON DRIVING BUT TWICE IN 8 MONTHS FOR ALL 4 ROTORS IS INSANE. THEY ALSO FOUND ALL FOUR ROTORS EACH TIME WERE WARPED. WE OWNED A 2012 VOLVO XC60 FOR 5 YEARS AND NEVER HAD THE BRAKES OR ROTORS REPLACED DURING THAT ENTIRE TIME. SECONDLY A GRINDING SOUND IS COMING FROM THE SUNSHADE WHEN IT IS BEING OPENED OR CLOSED. OUR VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP SINCE 14 AUGUST 2018 WHERE THEY REPLACED THE SUNSHADE, ONLY TO HAVE TO REPLACE IT AGAIN 21 AUGUST 2018. WE WENT TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE AND THE GRINDING SOUND IS BACK AGAIN, WHICH NOW VOLVO WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE SUNSHADE FOR A THIRD TIME. I AM A VOLVO CUSTOMER FOR LIFE, BUT THESE ISSUES NEED TO BE ADDRESSED AND FIXED FOR FUTURE MODELS. I AM THANKFUL FOR THE COURTESY VEHICLE DURING THIS TIME, BUT I REALLY WANT MY VEHICLE BACK. I ASSUME MY NEXT COURSE OF ACTION IF WE GET THE VEHICLE BACK A THIRD TIME WITH A DEFECTIVE SUNSHADE OR BRAKES IS LEMON LAW.
NHTSA ODI #11121658
1,250 miles · Mar 19, 2018
Visibility/wiper
CRACKED WINDSHIELD EVEN WITH LESS THAN MINOR CHIP. THE CAR WAS DRIVING AT 68MPH ON A STRAIGHT HIGHWAY ON A 'CLIP' SOUND WAS HEARD HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER 10 MINUTES A 14 INCH CRACK WAS NOTED FROM THE TOP EDGE TO THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR HAS <2000 MILES ON IT. IS THE QUALITY OF WINDSHIELD WORSE IN CARS WITH…
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CRACKED WINDSHIELD EVEN WITH LESS THAN MINOR CHIP. THE CAR WAS DRIVING AT 68MPH ON A STRAIGHT HIGHWAY ON A 'CLIP' SOUND WAS HEARD HITTING THE WINDSHIELD. AFTER 10 MINUTES A 14 INCH CRACK WAS NOTED FROM THE TOP EDGE TO THE CENTER OF THE WINDSHIELD. THE CAR HAS <2000 MILES ON IT. IS THE QUALITY OF WINDSHIELD WORSE IN CARS WITH DRIVER ASSISTANCE PACKAGES. HAVE DRIVEN DIFFERENT VEHICLES WITHOUT DRIVER ASSISTANCE AND NEVER ENCOUNTERED SUCH AN INCIDENT. THE EXTENT OF CRACK WITH A CHIP (WHICH IS NOT EVEN VISIBLE), IS QUITE SURPRISING. I HOPE NHTSA WILL LOOK INTO THIS. IS THIS ISOLATED TO THIS VEHICLE MANUFACTURER OR WITH MOST MANUFACTURER WINDSHIELDS WITH DRIVER ASSISTANCE PACKAGES. THIS MAY BE LIFE-THREATENING IF THE GLASS IS NOT STRONG ENOUGH AND SHATTER WITH SUCH MINOR ROAD HAZARDS.
NHTSA ODI #11080094
3,400 miles · Dec 27, 2017
Electrical SystemService Brakes
BRAKES CONTINOUSLY SQUEAK. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE BREAK SYSTEM TWICE AND MADE ONE ATTEMPTED REPAIR. ONE WEEK LATER THE BRAKES ARE BACKING TO SQUEAKING. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE LESS THAN 90 DAYS, I'VE HAD ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES FOR MORE THAN HALF THAT TIME. THE CENTER DISPLAY COMPUTER SCREENS FREEZES CONSTANTLY, BUT REC…
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BRAKES CONTINOUSLY SQUEAK. THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE BREAK SYSTEM TWICE AND MADE ONE ATTEMPTED REPAIR. ONE WEEK LATER THE BRAKES ARE BACKING TO SQUEAKING. I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE LESS THAN 90 DAYS, I'VE HAD ISSUES WITH THE BRAKES FOR MORE THAN HALF THAT TIME. THE CENTER DISPLAY COMPUTER SCREENS FREEZES CONSTANTLY, BUT RECENTLY FREEZES AND WILL NOT RESTART UNTIL AFTER THE CAR IS STOPPED AND RESTARTED.
NHTSA ODI #11056836
Official recalls
3Dec 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.
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.
Nov 13, 2018
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improperly. As a result, the GPS will not provide location information to emergency personnel in the event of an emergency.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.
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.