Head-to-head reliability
Volvo XC90 vs Volvo V60
How the Volvo XC90 and Volvo V60 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 Volvo V60: The XC90 averages 107.4 complaints per year and has 49 crash-related reports, while the V60 averages 5.8 complaints per year with 1 crash-related report. Both have brake and electrical issues, but the XC90's are more frequent. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the Volvo XC90 or Volvo V60 more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
Volvo XC90
The Volvo XC90 is a larger SUV with a complex electrical system, and owner complaints reflect that complexity. Over 10 years, it has averaged about 107 complaints per year, with the most frequent issues involving electrical failures, engine problems, and brake concerns. Some reported failures, like sudden loss of braking or hybrid battery failure, can be serious and costly. Buyers should expect a vehicle that may require more frequent attention to electrical and brake systems than a simpler car.
Volvo V60
The Volvo V60 is a smaller wagon with far fewer complaints per year—about 6—but still has notable issues. Electrical and brake problems dominate, and some owners report sudden loss of power or brake module failure. Recalls are relatively high for its low complaint count, suggesting some safety issues are addressed proactively. Overall, it appears less trouble-prone than the XC90, but specific failures can still strand a driver.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | Volvo XC90 | Volvo V60 |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,074 | 58 Better |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 44 | 32 Better |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 49 | 1 Better |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 107.4 | 5.8 Better |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 83 | 1 Better |
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 SYSTEM326
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER229
- 03ENGINE191
- 04SERVICE BRAKES138
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM105
Owners report hybrid battery cell module failures that disable the hybrid system, all-wheel drive, and even the engine, as well as sudden loss of acceleration and engine performance warnings. These failures can leave the vehicle undrivable and require expensive repairs.
Complaints include a 'turtle mode' that limits speed without warning, often on newer models with low mileage. This can reduce power dramatically on the highway, creating a safety risk.
Some owners describe a complete loss of braking, with the brake pedal not responding, and automatic emergency braking that fails to engage in low-speed collisions. Brake failures are among the most dangerous issues reported.
While fewer complaints, fuel/propulsion issues can cause stalling or loss of power. These problems often overlap with electrical faults and can be difficult to diagnose.
“SUPPLEMENTAL TO NHTSA COMPLAINT #11713668. This is a supplemental filing regarding the 2020 Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription, VIN [XXX] . The hybrid battery cell module failed in December 2025, disabling the vehicle's hybrid propulsion system, all-wheel drive, and e…”
“SUPPLEMENTAL TO NHTSA COMPLAINT #11713668. This is a supplemental filing regarding the 2020 Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription, VIN [XXX] . The hybrid battery cell module failed in December 2025, disabling the vehicle's hybrid propulsion system, all-wheel drive, and e…”
Volvo V60
- 01ELECTRICAL SYSTEM20
- 02SERVICE BRAKES13
- 03UNKNOWN OR OTHER7
- 04VISIBILITY/WIPER7
- 05FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6
A high-pressure fuel pump failure can shut down the car and leave it stranded, with the vehicle unable to shift into neutral. This is a serious safety concern, especially in traffic.
The Brake Control Module (BCM) can fail prematurely, causing trouble codes and potential braking issues. Owners also report failure to accelerate and low battery warnings, which may be linked to brake system electronics.
Exploding sunroofs and rearview mirrors that drift downward over time are reported. These issues can impair visibility and cause distraction while driving.
Some owners describe a 'free wheel' sensation where the car unexpectedly loses power or coasts, which they attribute to software problems. This can be frightening and may be hard to reproduce for repair.
“Me and my partners safety was put at risk when the vehicle’s high pressure fuel pump went out, shut the car down, and left us stranded in the middle of two lane traffic. What was scarier was how the vehicle couldn’t be manually overridden to shift into neutra…”
“Me and my partners safety was put at risk when the vehicle’s high pressure fuel pump went out, shut the car down, and left us stranded in the middle of two lane traffic. What was scarier was how the vehicle couldn’t be manually overridden to shift into neutra…”
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 Cars USA LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2019-2020 S60, V60, V60 Cross Country, S90L, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC40, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. Due to a software/hardware incompatibility, the Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB) system may not detect obstacles and engage as intended.
The risk: If the automatic emergency braking system does not engage as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the Active Safety Domain Master (ASDM) software, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall…
The defect: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 S90L, 2020-2021 XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.
The risk: Separation of the rotor and shaft may cause a reduction in braking assistance and a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will replace the hydraulic unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10120.
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 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…
Volvo V60 — 32 recalls
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 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2024 C40BEV, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, 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 fai…
The risk: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view 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 February 24, 2026. Owners may contact Volvo Car’s customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's numb…
The defect: 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 improper…
The risk: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
The fix: 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.
The defect: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2017 S60 and S60 Cross Country, V60 and V60 Cross Country, and XC60 vehicles manufactured August 16, 2016, through October 21, 2016. The affected vehicles have driver and front passenger seat side mounted side air bags (SAB) with inflator in…
The risk: If the air bag inflator initiator fails to ignite, the air bag will not deploy, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the front seat side air bags, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on February 13, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552.…
Buyer analysis
Volvo XC90 or Volvo V60: which should you buy?
The Volvo V60 has far fewer complaints per year (5.8 vs. 107.4) and fewer crash-related reports (1 vs. 49), suggesting it is less likely to have recurring problems. However, both models have serious reported failures, so the V60's lower volume doesn't mean it's trouble-free. In practice, the XC90 may demand more frequent repairs, while the V60's issues, though rarer, can still be severe.
Key differences
- The XC90 has about 18 times more complaints per year than the V60, with electrical and engine issues being most common.
- The XC90 has 49 crash-related complaints and 83 injuries, while the V60 has only 1 crash-related complaint and 1 injury, indicating a much lower reported crash rate.
- Both have brake complaints, but XC90 owners report complete brake loss, while V60 owners report brake control module failures and acceleration issues.
- The V60 has a notable sunroof explosion complaint, while the XC90's recalls include forward collision avoidance and seat belt fasteners, highlighting different safety concerns.
- Check for any signs of hybrid battery or electrical system faults, especially on T8 models, as these can disable the vehicle and be costly to fix.
- Test the brakes thoroughly, including automatic emergency braking, and look for any warning lights or soft pedal feel, as some owners report total brake failure.
- Listen for fuel pump whine or hesitation and check for trouble codes related to the brake control module, as these can cause sudden shutdowns.
- Inspect the sunroof for cracks or misalignment and test the rearview mirror memory function, as these are reported problem areas.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls, especially for the XC90's forward collision avoidance and the V60's air bags.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection focusing on electrical systems, brakes, and fuel delivery.
- Test drive at highway speeds and in stop-and-go traffic to check for hesitation, warning lights, or loss of power.
- Verify that all software updates and recall repairs have been completed by a Volvo dealer.
- For the XC90, specifically ask about hybrid battery health if considering a T8 model; for the V60, check the sunroof and rearview mirror operation.
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 | Volvo V60 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 58 | 0 |
| 2024 | 108 | 6 |
| 2023 | 120 | 3 |
| 2022 | 116 | 1 |
| 2021 | 51 | 6 |
| 2020 | 96 | 18 |
| 2019 | 126 | 3 |
| 2018 | 153 | 1 |
| 2017 | 237 | 6 |
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 Volvo V60 in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- Volvo XC90 vs Volvo V60
- Volvo XC90 total complaints
- 1,074
- Volvo V60 total complaints
- 58
- Volvo XC90 total recalls
- 44
- Volvo V60 total recalls
- 32
- Volvo XC90 avg complaints/year
- 107.4
- Volvo V60 avg complaints/year
- 5.8
- More reliable overall
- Volvo V60
- Volvo XC90 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Volvo V60 top complaint area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM