What Volvo XC90 owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Volvo XC90 safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 29 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2024 | 36 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 80 |
| 2023 | 40 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 141 |
| 2022 | 29 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 218 |
| 2021 | 37 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 219 |
| 2020 | 32 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 248 |
| 2019 | 42 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 361 |
| 2018 | 51 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 549 |
| 2017 | 79 | 3 | 8 | 11 | 0 | 697 |
| 2016 | 197 | 5 | 10 | 8 | 0 | 721 |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 205 |
| 2014 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 211 |
| 2013 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 222 |
| 2012 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 211 |
| 2011 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 220 |
| 2010 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 216 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Volvo XC90 complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
On Wednesday 9/23, I was driving on a residential road and came to a stop sign. When I tried to stop at the intersection my brake pedal seized up and the car would not stop. The check engine light came on. I had to shift the car into park in order to stop the vehicle. I towed it to the dealer and found out today that the brake booster failed.
The contact owns a 2023 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while his son was attempting to latch the seat belt, the seat belt failed to retract. The failure had occurred several times. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V827000 (SEAT BELTS); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 28,000.
Coming from a cold start in hybrid or pure mode the ERAD disengages causing the vehicle to slow down, hesitate and buck until the gas engine can engage to recover acceleration.
My 2021 Volvo XC90 Recharge (plug-in hybrid) has been at Volvo Cars Dublin, Dublin CA since June 15, 2026 for a failed high-voltage battery cell module requiring replacement. The replacement part is on national backorder with no estimated availability. The vehicle has been out of service for over 100 days and remains undrivable. A failed high-voltage battery cell module in a plug-in hybrid is a safety concern, and the indefinite nationwide backorder suggests this defect and parts shortage may affect other owners. Volvo corporate (case 07207782) has provided no repair date.
My 2021 Volvo XC90 Recharge (plug-in hybrid) has been at Volvo Cars Dublin, Dublin CA since June 15, 2026 for a failed high-voltage battery cell module requiring replacement. The replacement part is on national backorder with no estimated availability. The vehicle has been out of service for over 100 days and remains undrivable. A failed high-voltage battery cell module in a plug-in hybrid is a safety concern, and the indefinite nationwide backorder suggests this defect and parts shortage may affect other owners. Volvo corporate (case 07207782) has provided no repair date.
Vehicle has exhibited lagging and stalling while driving in "Pure" (electric-only) mode since approximately April 2026, at approximately 85,000 miles, accompanied by an illuminated check engine light. This has occurred repeatedly at red lights, intersections, stop signs, and in stop-and-go traffic, creating a risk of sudden loss of propulsion in live traffic situations, including at intersections where an unexpected stall could result in a collision. The dealership (Volvo Cars of Fort Washington) has diagnosed this as originating from multiple hybrid drivetrain components over several repair visits: the High Voltage Coolant Heater (replaced per a referenced Volvo Technical Service Bulletin)…
2017 Volvo XC90 manufacturing defect where panoramic sunroof drainage network fails under normal rain, pooling water directly in the floorboard channels over safety module networks and wire harnesses.Water infiltration caused a catastrophic short-circuit of the floorboard-mounted amplifier while driving. This forced the audio system to emit an un-modulated, maximum-volume electronic blast through the cabin, causing severe driver distraction and documented temporary acute acoustic trauma/ear injuries to myself and my young child.Progressive electronic oxidation from ongoing water intrusion has since caused systemic failures of critical safety electronics. This includes spontaneous, unprom…
The contact owns a 2021 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator or the brake pedal, the vehicle hesitated with the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the electric rear axle drive system had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure occurred each time the vehicle was driven. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to continue driving the vehicle because the vehicle was safe to drive. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
This is a Tech Journal - Text only no attachments - If a customer experiences a âPropulsion System Performanceâ message in the DIM with diagnostic trouble code IEM P060700, often in combination with IEM P061A00, please follow the instructions under "Service".
This is a Technical Journal: Plus 2 attachments 1- TJI-497587-1 and 1 MP4 Speaker Grill -It may be possible for the rear door lock switch to get stuck in the speaker grille. This can lead to a drained battery. Applies only for cars with Premium or High Performance stereo. Service: Check for/remove edges in the hole for the button in the speaker grille. Follow attached method "TJ 32010.pdf" or the video "Speaker_Grill.mp4".
This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 1 .jpg attachment - If remote control key is not detected by the car and shows message in DIM "Car key not found" or if functions such as lock/unlock are not working, please follow advice for detecting key
This is a TJ Text only no attachments -- If the FLC2 is not responding when attempting to load software, or after a failed software upgrade, VIDA will report that the FLC2 cannot be unlocked. To resolve this issue, follow the instructions in this TJ under "Service".
This is a Technical Journal: Intermittent knocking noise during acceleration. If the sound corresponds to attached sound file, change front drive shafts to the below part numbers.
This is a Technical Journal: Headlamp condensation inside lens - information/leak test. If the result is not ok (air leak), it is ok to replace the headlamp
This is a Technical Journal: Panoramic sunroof, sealing strip has a gap
This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test. Perform the test. Follow service procedure Description and Service sections updated to clarify that vehicle reports are not required.
This is a TJ text only - The purpose of this TJ is to be a master reference list to easily identify any components that are on prior approval. This TJ will be regularily updated as items are added or removed from prior approval. Current items under prior approval are listed in the "Service" section
This is a Technical Journal: Headlamp condensation inside lens - information/leak test. If the result is not ok (air leak), it is ok to replace the headlamp
This is a Tech Journal - Text only no attachments - If a customer experiences a âPropulsion System Performanceâ message in the DIM with diagnostic trouble code IEM P060700, often in combination with IEM P061A00, please follow the instructions under "Service".
This is a TJ - Text only no attachments - If customer experiences an incorrect ambient temperature reading in DIM (Driver Information Module) or reduced A/C performance, follow the advice under Service. Please refer to the wiring diagram in VIDA to locate the relevant circuit for the ambient temperature sensor (component 7/481) at the passenger door mirror harness.
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Many end in a recall.
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-spe
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2010–2025, owners most often name: electrical system, engine, unknown or other. 621 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.
