Volvo XC90 Reliability by Year
Best & Worst Years, Problems & Recalls — NHTSA Data
Comparing used Volvo XC90 options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
Model-year trends show patterns. Run a VIN check for the exact Volvo XC90 you plan to buy.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Volvo XC90 has 954 owner complaints and 44 safety recalls across model years 2017–2026. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2017 drew the most complaints; 2025 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Volvo
- Model
- XC90
- Model years analyzed
- 2017–2026 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 954
- Safety recall campaigns
- 44
- Crash-related complaints
- 41
- Fire-related complaints
- 43
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2017 (219 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2025 (48 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Poor
Volvo XC90: Which Years to Avoid & Which to Buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
PoorThe VOLVO XC90 has 954 NHTSA complaints and 44 recalls on record. 41 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 954 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 44 federal recall campaigns
- 41 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
🔔 NHTSA Safety Recalls
44 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
🔧 Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 954 NHTSA complaints.
📋 NHTSA Complaint Reports
954 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
Within 4 weeks of a brand new Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV, the backup camera would not display picture when put in reverse gear potentially leading to a fatal crash. This was fixed by switching off the vehicle for five minutes and back on. This was a known recall with XC90 2021-2025 models with campaign number 25V282000. This appears to be a persistent issue in the 2026 model year as well.
I turned on my brand new 2026 Volvo XC 90 and none of the cameras worked. I hard reset it three times and it still didn’t work. The message on the screen said “Camera view is temporarily unavailable. Press home button to close.” This is the second issue with the vehicle. First was apple car play, now, it’s the camera system.
The accident avoidance system engaged during a 55mph drive on a divided 4 lane road. no other cars on road, no animals. Car swerved sharply to left half way into left lane and brakes engaged sharply, enough that driver and passenger in front went forward. after clearing warning, and proceeding down the road a few hundred feet, same thing happened. Has also occurred during navigation of a sharp curve, possible due to picking up a small reflection sign well off road.
The original OEM tires on a 2025 Volvo XC90 (purchased new in March 2025) failed prematurely due to what appears to be a manufacturing defect. Tire size: [e.g. 275/45R20]. Brand: [e.g. Pirelli Scorpion]. DOT: 193 7B594P 1924 (manufactured week 19 of 2024). The vehicle's original tires were removed in November 2025 for winter tire installation, at which point the odometer showed 6,808 miles. The tires were stored indoors in bags and never used again until April 2026, when a professional tire shop (Discount Tire) refused to remount them on the vehicle citing unsafe condition. The tires exhibit severe sidewall bulging, starburst cracking indicating internal structural failure, and at least one tire shows a deep gash with internal steel cords exposed. Three of the four original tires are affected. The fourth original tire was replaced in June 2025 after it failed during normal highway driving - the cause was attributed to a road hazard at the time but is now believed to be the same underlying defect. The replacement tire (a different unit purchased separately) shows no defects whatsoever. The safety risk is significant: three tires with structural sidewall failure were on an active vehicle for the first 6,808 miles of its life, including at highway speeds. One tire experienced an in-service failure. The remaining three deteriorated to the point a professional installer deemed them unsafe to mount. The failed tires are available for inspection. The problem has been confirmed by an independent tire service center (Discount Tire) who refused to install due to safety concerns. The manufacturer has not yet inspected the tires. There were no warning lamps or prior symptoms before the June 2025 in-service failure, and no visible signs of the sidewall damage were observed until the tires were removed from storage in April 2026.
I am writing to report a serious safety concern related to a recent over-the-air software update for my 2025 Volvo XC90. On March 10, 2026, I was prompted to install a software update and scheduled it to complete overnight. The following morning, the vehicle interface indicated that the update had been successfully completed. Additionally, during a routine service visit on March 12, 2026, dealership personnel also believed the update had been properly installed. However, on March 15, 2026, while driving, I experienced a critical and dangerous failure: my brakes became unresponsive, and I was unable to stop the vehicle using the brake pedal. Multiple warning lights appeared simultaneously. Fortunately, I was near my home and was able to safely bring the vehicle to a stop by coasting through nearby streets. This situation could have resulted in a catastrophic accident had it occurred on a highway or in heavy traffic, particularly as my daughter was in the vehicle at the time. The vehicle was subsequently towed to the dealership. I was informed that during the initial installation attempt, the battery voltage dropped below the required level, causing the update to pause. Critically, I received no notification that the update had failed or was incomplete, and the vehicle interface continued to indicate that the update had been successfully installed. Upon inspection on March 16, 2026, the dealership determined that the software update resumed and completed installation on March 15—while I was actively operating the vehicle. At that time, the vehicle lost communication with its electronic systems, resulting in the loss of braking functionality. This sequence of events raises a significant safety concern. A software update that can pause due to low battery voltage and later resume without any notification—particularly while the vehicle is in operation—creates an unacceptable risk to drivers, passengers, and the public.
I am filing this complaint regarding misleading and inconsistent safety labeling on the Nuna REVV convertible car seat. The car seat’s physical sticker, the Nuna website product page, and the user manual all contain conflicting information about the height and weight limits for different installation configurations (vehicle belt vs. lower anchor, rear-facing vs. forward-facing). Specifically: • The website listed rear-facing use with vehicle belt as 5–30 lbs with a height range of 18–34 inches, and lower anchor belt as 5–30 lbs. The sticker on the seat displayed the height limit only for certain configurations, suggesting height was not a factor for others. • After I raised the discrepancy, Nuna’s own customer service team initially told me the sticker was correct and the lower anchor configuration had different limits. They later reversed course after consulting their CPST team, confirming that the rear-facing maximum is 30 lbs OR 34 inches for ALL installation methods — contradicting what both the sticker and website indicated. • This means both the NHTSA-approved sticker on the seat and the website contained incorrect or misleading information at the time of purchase. My [XXX] son ([XXX]) has been using this seat rear-facing based on the published specifications, but is actually over the height limit. This is a serious safety concern. Car seat labels are NHTSA-regulated and are the primary resource parents use to determine safe use. Conflicting information between the label, manual, and website creates a situation where children may be used outside the seat’s tested parameters without their parents’ knowledge. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate the labeling on the Nuna REVV to determine whether it meets federal safety labeling standards and whether a corrective action or recall is warranted. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2025 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that the camera was leggy and was inoperable while in reverse. While in a parking lot and driveway, the camera was inoperable. While on flat surfaces, the parking brake engaged without application. The driver had to manually release the brake. The vehicle was restarted, and the camera worked at times. While reversing, she bumped/crashed into a piece of metal in the driveway left by workers. There was no alert indicating that there was an object there. There were no reported injuries, air bag deployment, fire, or police report filed. The Google Assistant was glitching and went into Spanish mode. While using the turn signal, there was no sound. There was no air conditioning; the center screen had frozen. The cross-traffic sensor alert was triggered, causing the auto brake system to engage when there was no object, windy weather, or rain. While using a loaner, the vehicle has similar symptoms. The contact stated the vehicle was taken to the local dealer on seven occasions for software issues, and a computer processor chip was installed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, and they opened a case. The failure mileage was 100.
The contact owns a 2025 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving through a construction zone at an undisclosed speed, the lane-keeping assist malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to become erratic, which required the contact to forcefully engage the steering wheel to regain control of the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 18,000.
SPEED LIMIT indicator incorrect (example: indicator shows 80 mph speed limit on a small road in Alabama where it should be 35 mph; also, there is no road in Alabama greater than 75mph.) LANE DEPARTURE ASSIST has a hard time identifying lanes in some construction zones (this is extremely dangerous as the car is constantly trying to over-correct me) - infotainment system randomly reboots, presents a problem mostly when navigating - I have reported this issue way too many times and the infotainment system has been replaced once. REAR CAMERA comes on randomly, often when no car or object is near INFOTAINMENT system touch sensitivity is unacceptable
I am extremely disappointed with my 2025 Volvo XC90. The vehicle’s interface shuts down frequently, which is extremely dangerous—especially at highway speeds. On several occasions, including at night, the entire system has gone completely blank. This creates a serious safety hazard and puts lives at risk. Despite repeated complaints, the dealership has been ineffective and has provided no meaningful fix. In addition, when exiting a parking position, the exterior side mirrors deploy very slowly, making it unsafe to merge into traffic or assess surrounding vehicles. This delay is another clear hazard. Most concerning, the vehicle has shut down entirely while driving on multiple occasions. This is a life-threatening defect and completely unacceptable in a vehicle of this class. I paid over $90,000 for my XC90, expecting the highest standards of safety and reliability. Instead, I regret this purchase every day. Volvo’s failure to address these critical safety issues has severely undermined my confidence in the vehicle and the brand.
The rear passenger windows have a defective haze in the glass that distorts and reduces clarity of visibility. Issue reported to dealership and VOLVO USA yet no resolution. Research indicates that this is a concern with various models - some dealers are replacing the glass, others claim this is normal.
I was backing out of my drive. It was an early morning and it was very foggy. The windows were foggy and not totally defrosted yet. My camera wasnt showing everything around but we were having constant upgrade issues during this week of October 5th through the 10th. My automatic braking never activated even though it was turned on. I ran into a cattle feeder overhang. I never seen it in my camera view. The windows seem to have a really bad fog to them. My back driver tail-light got broken and back driver panel got dented and scratched. There are probably more things involved as its in the shop as I am typing this out. The adjustor had to send another estimate to my insurance company for more damages done. I haven't gotten word back from them yet. But, it's over $3,000. All of the issues seemed to resolve after the update was finished after that week. My automatic braking worked after that.
Interior car speakers stopped working which made collision audio cues not operational. During driving no blind spot audio, turn signal, and other audio was playing
Two major incidents occurred: 1)My fiance and I were driving on the highway with our four children at a speed of >50 MPH. There were no cars around us (front or sides) and no debris in the road, and the automatic emergency braking system engaged and brought the car to an abrupt stop in the middle of the highway. It happened a second time shortly thereafter at a speed around 30 MPH, again without any obstructions. I'm happy to provide the car for inspection upon request unless the manufacturer takes responsibility for this very serious malfunction and grants us a manufacturer buy-back. Stopping abruptly for no reason on the highway could have caused someone to rear-end us at a high speed and could have caused a very serious or fatal crash. I have spoken to the dealer multiple times (and I filed a complaint with Volvo Customer Care several weeks ago) and they say they'll try to "fix" it, but it's not a problem that we can ever risk having happen again. It is being inspected at the dealership now. There was no warning that this would occur. 2) There is a feature called "auto hold" whereby the driver can take their foot off the brake while sitting at a stop light and the car doesn't move again until the driver puts their foot on the accelerator. I was sitting at a stop light, using the auto hold feature, and even though I didn't put my foot on the accelerator, auto hold disengaged and the car started moving and hit the person in front of me. The malfunction of both the "auto hold" feature and the crash avoidance feature caused me to get in an auto accident. The dealer has the car and they're waiting for Volvo Customer Care to give them instructions about what to do. There were no warnings (like what normally would happen if the car is approaching something it thinks it might hit).
The screens and backup camera are repeatedly crashing, even after the recall "fix" from the dealership. This happens multiple times a week.
I am filing this report regarding a serious and potentially dangerous issue with my 2025 Volvo XC90 (VIN: [XXX]), purchased new on [XXX]. On [XXX], with only 4,516 miles, I experienced a sudden and unexplained drop in tire pressure while driving. I pulled over safely, replaced the flat with a temporary tire, and took it to a local tire shop. The technician informed me that the rear passenger-side rim had a severe internal crack on the inside barrel, causing an air leak. There was no visible damage to the tire, no pothole impact, no curb hit—only a clean break in the rim, which suggests a possible structural or manufacturing defect. I immediately brought the car to the original dealership (Volvo Cars Clear Lake in Friendswood, TX), where Service Advisor Jared Black dismissed my concern and refused to cover the repair under warranty, claiming the rim must have hit a rock. I disagreed and requested documentation of this finding, but Mr. Black initially refused to provide the inspection report. After persistent arguing and a 5-hour wait at the service center, I was finally given a report showing a $2,338.99 wheel replacement recommendation, not covered by warranty. I bought a Volvo for its safety reputation, but this rim cracked under normal driving conditions and low mileage. A failure like this at highway speeds could have been catastrophic. I believe this warrants an official safety investigation to determine whether other 2025 Volvo XC90 rims may be at risk of similar failure. Please investigate. I have documentation available and am willing to provide additional information. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
The contact owns a 2025 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving downhill at 15 MPH, while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle would not come to a complete stop as intended. No warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he drove up a hill in order to come to a stop. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic, where it was left for further diagnosis. The local dealer was not contacted. The air bags were deployed. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was sought. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact related to the failure to an NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V282000 (Back Over Prevention) that was repaired prior to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
I picked up the auto in Sweden OSD....the car does not have a owners manual that can be printed or down-loaded. Was informed by VOLVO that it is in the computer on the car and you can use that. You are unable to open the manual while the auto is moving. Was advised that VOLVO does not plan to make a manual available for download or purchase. With today's technology, how can you sell a car with no users manual. I believe this is a major safety issue.
The contact owns a 2025 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving through a residential area at 35 MPH, the vehicle independently slowed down with the message "Engine Has Now Stopped" displayed on the instrument panel. The contact pulled over and turned off the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle initially failed to restart after the first attempt; however, the vehicle restarted after the second attempt and resumed normal operation after the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The vehicle was taken to a dealer however, the dealer was unable to determine the cause for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 2,300.
On 2 occasions (only had vehicle 3 weeks), Ive received a message on the screen that the camera is temporarily unavailable when in reverse. The message suggests I press the home button but didn’t help. I then rebooted the Google based system by long pressing the home button again. After the reboot, hit the same message the camera is unavailable. I then tried to select the other cameras (side mirrors, front bumper), but nothing displayed.
Showing 20 of 954 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Before You Buy, Check the Exact Volvo XC90
These pages show model-year patterns across 10years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
📖 Understanding This Data
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Volvo XC90 has 954 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Volvo XC90 has 44 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 41 of the Volvo XC90's 954 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Volvo XC90 vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Volvo XC90 vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Volvo XC90 has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
Buyers Also Compare
How does the Volvo XC90 stack up? Compare complaint history with similar vehicles.
📍 Check a Volvo XC90 by State
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Volvo XC90.