Head-to-head reliability
Volvo XC90 vs FORD F 150
How the Volvo XC90 and FORD F 150 compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
Volvo XC90 vs FORD F 150: The XC90 averages 103.8 complaints per year, while the F-150 averages 1,131.1. The XC90's top issue is electrical system failures, including sudden loss of propulsion, whereas the F-150's top issue is powertrain problems, like harsh transmission shifts. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo XC90 or FORD F 150 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo XC90
The Volvo XC90, a luxury SUV, shows a reliability profile dominated by electrical system issues, with over 300 complaints in the last decade. Owners report problems like sudden loss of propulsion, warning lights, and brake noise, often in newer models. While it has fewer complaints per year than the Ford F-150, the nature of these issues—especially electrical and engine failures—can be concerning for a premium vehicle.
FORD F 150
The Ford F-150, a popular pickup, has a much higher complaint volume, averaging over 1,100 per year. The most common issues involve the powertrain, particularly the 10-speed automatic transmission, which owners describe as jerky, hard-shifting, and sometimes failing. Electrical problems, including camera and sensor malfunctions, are also frequent. This suggests that while the F-150 is a workhorse, it may have more frequent and varied reliability headaches.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo XC90 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,038 Better | 11,311 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 44 Better | 145 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 47 Better | 328 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 103.8 Better | 1131.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 75 Better | 287 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 0 Better | 1 |
Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.
What actually goes wrong
The problems owners report
The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.
Volvo XC90
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM312
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER223
- 03ENGINE183
- 04SERVICE BRAKES132
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM97
Owners report a range of electrical failures, including sudden loss of propulsion, warning messages like 'Propulsion Service Required,' and issues with the hybrid system. These can be intermittent and may require multiple dealer visits, as seen in the sample complaints.
There are reports of the engine shutting off abruptly at highway speeds, which is a serious safety concern. Other engine-related complaints include check engine lights and repeated 'Propulsion Service Required' messages, often leading to computer resets by the dealer.
In cold weather, some owners hear a loud knocking noise when backing up, possibly related to the auto-hold brake feature. This can be alarming and may indicate a brake system issue that needs attention.
“My car is a 2022 Volvo hybrid T8, 6-passenger XC90. I purchased the SUV in August of 2023 as a "certified pre-owned" vehicle with only 17,923 miles on it at the time of purchase. This SUV has been fine until within the last two to three months (July-Sept. 202…”
“My car is a 2022 Volvo hybrid T8, 6-passenger XC90. I purchased the SUV in August of 2023 as a "certified pre-owned" vehicle with only 17,923 miles on it at the time of purchase. This SUV has been fine until within the last two to three months (July-Sept. 202…”
FORD F 150
- 01POWER TRAIN3,553
- 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2,071
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER1,401
- 04EXTERIOR LIGHTING1,164
- 05ENGINE847
The most frequent complaints involve the 10R80 automatic transmission, with owners describing hard shifts, jerking, clunking, and even sudden loss of power. These issues can occur during normal driving and may be safety hazards, especially in traffic.
Electrical problems include warning messages like 'Front Camera Malfunction' and 'Pre Collision Assist Not Available' appearing on the dash. These can be persistent and may affect driver-assistance features.
While not detailed in the sample, exterior lighting is a top complaint area, likely involving headlight failures or malfunctions, which can reduce visibility and safety.
“I started noticing hard and delayed shifts from 7th into 8th gear. My RPM's were not increasing when this happened, and then on a very crowded major road I lost all power, vehicle shut off and drifted, then started up and jerked again very hard. This failure…”
“I am reporting a safety-related transmission problem I experienced with my 2020 Ford F-150 equipped with the 10R80 automatic transmission. While driving normally, the transmission shifts hard (ie: jerks, clunks) between 4-5 and 5-6 gears, and has on occasion…”
Official recalls
Safety recalls on record
Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.
Volvo XC90 — 44 recalls
The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2022-2023 S60, V60, S90L, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An electronic control module (ECM) software error may prevent the combustion engine from starting, causing a loss of drive power.
The risk: The vehicle may lose drive power as the high voltage battery is depleted, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will update the ECM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 8, 2022. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10198.
The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply wi…
The risk: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for…
The defect: 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.
The risk: An improperly tightened seat belt buckle may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing their risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: 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…
The defect: 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.
The risk: An improperly tightened seat belt buckle may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing their risk of injury during a crash.
The fix: 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…
FORD F 150 — 145 recalls
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 trucks equipped with high series LED headlamps with Autolamp (On/Off) functionality. The Daytime Running Lamps (DRL) may remain activated instead of dimming to parking lamps when the Master Lighting Switch (MLS) is manually rotated from…
The risk: DRL that cannot dim may reduce the visibility of other drivers, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the body control module, free of charge. The recall began March 10, 2020. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 20C03.
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2019-2020 F-150 vehicles. The fastener securing the Power Distribution Box (PDB) 12V cable and Battery Monitoring System (BMS) eyelets to the positive battery terminal may loosen and affect the vehicle's systems such as instrument panel displays and br…
The risk: Inoperative vehicle systems or an engine stall can increase the risk of a crash. Reduced braking and steering efforts increases the risk of a crash. This condition could also create a resistive short, increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the positive battery cable/BMS/PDB joint for excess sealant adhesive and remove any excessive adhesive, reassemble the joint, and retorque the fastener, as necessary, free of charge. The re…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2015-2019 Ford F-150 and 2017-2019 Ford F-250 Super Duty, F-350 Super Duty, F-450 Super Duty, and F-550 Super Duty pick-up trucks equipped with an engine block heater. Water and contaminants may get into the block heater cable's splice connector causin…
The risk: When the heater is plugged in, prolonged corrosion could cause a resistive short, increasing the risk of overheated or melted wiring which can increase the risk of a fire.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will disable the block heater cable, free of charge. Once parts are available, Dealers will replace the engine block heater cable, free of charge. The recall began June 3, 2019. Owners may contact Ford…
The defect: Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2018-2020 F-150 and 2019-2020 F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty pickup trucks, and 2018-2019 Ford Explorer, 2019-2020 Expedition, and 2020 Escape vehicles equipped with driver and/or passenger's manual front seat back recliner mechanisms. Also…
The risk: A seat back with an improperly assembled recliner mechanism may have reduced strength and may not adequately restrain an occupant in a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Ford will notify owners, and Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the seat structure and replace them, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 21, 2019. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's num…
Buyer analysis
Volvo XC90 or FORD F 150: which should you buy?
The Volvo XC90 has significantly fewer complaints per year (about 104) compared to the Ford F-150 (about 1,131), indicating a lower frequency of reported issues. However, the XC90's problems, particularly electrical and engine failures, can be serious and may affect newer models. In practice, the F-150's higher complaint volume suggests more frequent visits to the shop, but the XC90's issues might be more concerning due to their nature.
Key differences
- The Volvo XC90 has far fewer complaints per year (103.8) than the Ford F-150 (1,131.1), indicating a lower rate of reported problems.
- The XC90's top issue is electrical system failures, including sudden loss of propulsion, while the F-150's top issue is powertrain problems, especially harsh transmission shifts.
- The XC90 has a higher proportion of crash-related complaints (47 vs 328) relative to its total, but the F-150 has more injuries and deaths overall.
- The F-150 has more recalls (145) than the XC90 (44), suggesting more widespread safety campaigns.
- Inspect the electrical system, especially the hybrid components and software, for any warning messages or intermittent failures.
- Check the engine for any signs of stalling or loss of power, and review service records for repeated 'Propulsion Service Required' visits.
- Test drive the truck to feel for hard shifts or jerking from the transmission, especially between 4th-5th and 5th-6th gears.
- Check the dashboard for any warning lights related to the front camera or pre-collision assist, and verify they clear after a restart.
Before you buy
- Obtain a vehicle history report and check for open recalls on both models.
- Have a trusted mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on the transmission for the F-150 and the electrical system for the XC90.
- Test drive at various speeds and conditions, including cold starts and highway driving, to replicate reported issues.
- Ask for service records to see if the transmission or electrical issues have been addressed.
- Research common issues for the specific model year you're considering, as problems can vary.
Year by year
Which model years to avoid
Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.
| Year | Volvo XC90 | FORD F 150 |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 7 | 24 |
| 2025 | 54 | 329 |
| 2024 | 102 | 617 |
| 2023 | 117 | 1507 |
| 2022 | 116 | 3432 |
| 2021 | 51 | 5234 |
| 2020 | 90 | 33 |
| 2019 | 123 | 36 |
| 2018 | 150 | 56 |
| 2017 | 228 | 43 |
Check the actual car
Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.
Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific Volvo XC90 or FORD F 150 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo XC90 vs FORD F 150
- Volvo XC90 total complaints
- 1,038
- FORD F 150 total complaints
- 11,311
- Volvo XC90 total recalls
- 44
- FORD F 150 total recalls
- 145
- Volvo XC90 avg complaints/year
- 103.8
- FORD F 150 avg complaints/year
- 1131.1
- More reliable overall
- Volvo XC90
- Volvo XC90 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- FORD F 150 top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN