2018 Volvo XC90 VIN Check, Recalls & Reliability

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners of the 2018 Volvo XC90 frequently report issues with the electrical system, particularly involving water leakage affecting electrical components. Complaints describe water entering through a failed seal, often impacting the control display and transmission module, leading to erratic vehicle behavior and warnings such as "Gear lever locked" and "transmission acceleration performance reduced." These issues are noted to occur around 101,000 miles and have resulted in vehicles being undrivable, requiring towing. Additionally, owners report problems with the 12V battery charging system, with recurring error messages suggesting potential safety implications, although no crashes or fires are mentioned. Buyers should be aware of these issues, especially if considering a used model with a sunroof or high mileage.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners of the 2018 Volvo XC90 report several distinct issues related to vehicle safety and usability. A recurring problem involves the inoperability of rear passenger door handles, which cannot be opened from either inside or outside, potentially hindering emergency egress. Another common complaint is the peeling of chrome-plated trim on the console and door handles, which has caused injuries due to sharp edges. Additionally, there is a serious incident involving engine compartment fires, leading to complete vehicle loss and smoke inhalation injuries. Some owners also experience unintended activation of the crash imminent braking system, causing abrupt stops and seatbelt tightening without obstacles present. These issues are reported across various timelines and mileage, with no specific pattern noted. Safety implications include potential fire hazards and unexpected vehicle braking, which are crucial considerations for prospective buyers.

Severity signals: 0 crash, 1 fire, 2 injury reports

STRUCTURE

Owners report several structural issues with the 2018 Volvo XC90. Rear doors can inadvertently open while driving in cold conditions, even when indicators show they are closed and locked. Water leakage from the panoramic sunroof is also a common complaint, with water entering the vehicle and affecting the cargo area, dashboard, and seating during rain. Additionally, there are reports of the driver's side door handle breaking off, complicating vehicle exit, and issues with the secondary hood latch release cable preventing hood access. These issues do not specify mileage ranges but highlight potential safety concerns, especially regarding door security and water intrusion affecting vehicle electronics.

ENGINE

Owners of the 2018 Volvo XC90 report several engine-related issues, with a common problem being unexpected engine failure while driving, where the electronics indicate the vehicle is still running but restarting is difficult. Complaints frequently mention dashboard warnings such as "ENGINE LOW Performance" and sudden engine cut-offs, often linked to fuel system components like the fuel filler pipe and fuel pressure indicators, typically occurring around 59,300 miles. Another issue involves the engine coolant bleeder hose cracking, leading to severe coolant leaks and engine overheating, which restricts acceleration and poses a safety hazard in traffic. These issues are not currently covered by recalls, and owners express dissatisfaction with the lack of support from Volvo for repairs.

SERVICE BRAKES

Owners report two primary issues with the 2018 Volvo XC90's brakes: brake booster failure and premature brake wear. Multiple owners describe a hard brake pedal accompanied by a hissing noise, indicating potential brake booster failure, which makes the vehicle difficult to stop and poses a safety risk. Additionally, complaints frequently mention excessive brake pad and rotor wear, with some owners needing replacements between 1,000 and 20,000 miles, which they find unusual and costly. These issues suggest potential safety implications, particularly with the brake booster failures, as they may lead to difficulty in stopping the vehicle safely. Used car buyers should be aware of these patterns, especially regarding maintenance costs and potential safety risks.

VISIBILITY/WIPER

Owners of the 2018 Volvo XC90 report several issues related to the vehicle's visibility and wiper systems. One common complaint involves windshield wipers activating randomly and eventually failing to operate, which can occur around 38,000 miles and may require costly repairs. Another issue noted is a slow or lagging infotainment system that delays the rearview camera display, leading to a crash in one instance. Additionally, some owners describe windshields cracking easily with minor impacts, even on vehicles with less than 2,000 miles, raising concerns about the durability of the glass, especially in models equipped with driver assistance packages. These issues could affect vehicle safety and visibility, which are critical for potential buyers to consider.

Severity signals: 1 crash, 0 fire, 0 injury reports

POWER TRAIN

Owners of the 2018 Volvo XC90 report issues primarily related to the Electric Rear Axle Drive (ERAD) system, with complaints indicating sudden failures leading to a complete loss of propulsion. Symptoms include loud whining noises from the rear, vehicles becoming undriveable, and sudden stops in traffic, which pose significant safety risks. One complaint notes that an ERAD failure was linked to improper servicing, resulting in transmission fluid leaks and internal damage. Another issue involves the start-stop system, where unintended acceleration occurs after the system reactivates, nearly causing collisions. These problems occur at varying times, with one owner noting a previous ERAD replacement under warranty. Potential buyers should be aware of these issues, as they may affect vehicle safety and repair costs.

STEERING

Owners of the 2018 Volvo XC90 report issues related to the steering and electrical systems. Complaints frequently mention water leakage into the rearview mirror area, where the car's drive assist computer system is located, leading to malfunctions in the pilot assist feature. This issue is reportedly linked to vehicles with a panoramic sunroof. Another frequent problem involves the vehicle unexpectedly shutting off while driving, including situations at intersections and traffic lights, with dashboard lights going black or displaying a message indicating "engine not in P." Both issues have significant safety implications, as they can lead to loss of control or unexpected vehicle stoppage in traffic. These problems are reported to occur without prior warnings, and some owners note difficulty in reproducing the issues at dealerships.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

Owners of the 2018 Volvo XC90 report issues with the rear door latches, with complaints frequently mentioning that the rear driver's side door fails to latch properly due to water ingress. This problem is linked to water entering through the window and affecting the latch mechanism, potentially allowing the door to appear closed while remaining unlatched. Additionally, owners describe instances where the rear doors do not open from either the inside or outside, even when the vehicle is unlocked, occurring sporadically and unpredictably. These issues present significant safety implications, as they could hinder quick egress in emergencies. No specific mileage range is consistently noted in these reports, suggesting the problems may arise at various points in the vehicle's lifecycle.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Owners report issues with the fuel filler pipe on the 2018 Volvo XC90, with multiple complaints describing the check engine light activating as a primary symptom. The fuel filler pipe is noted as needing replacement, with one owner experiencing this issue three times by 13,000 miles. Another owner mentions a leak in the fuel filler pipe identified at 23,000 miles, which was addressed under warranty. No safety implications such as crashes or fires are reported in these complaints, but the recurrence of the issue at low mileage could be of interest to potential buyers.