Common problems

Volvo XC90 Common Problems

We grouped the top NHTSA owner-complaint categories across 9 Volvo XC90 model years, then counted how often each issue recurs. The result shows patterns worth inspecting without pretending every vehicle will have them.

Data updated April 2026

Owner complaints
229

9 model years

Top recurring issue
Electrical System

8 affected years

Crash reports
12

Owner-reported severity signal

Fire reports
6

13 injuries · 0 deaths

Pattern overview

Most reported Volvo XC90 problem categories

#1

Electrical System

58complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 8 model years; highest in 2022.

#2

Unknown Or Other

26complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 7 model years; highest in 2019.

#3

Service Brakes

21complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 7 model years; highest in 2023.

#4

Back Over Prevention

14complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 4 model years; highest in 2023.

#5

Power Train

11complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 4 model years; highest in 2024.

#6

Engine

9complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2019.

#7

Visibility Wiper

5complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 3 model years; highest in 2025.

#8

Structure

6complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2018.

#9

Latches Locks Linkages

4complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 2 model years; highest in 2023.

#10

Fuel Propulsion System

2complaints represented

Appears among the leading issues for 1 model year; highest in 2022.

What owners reported

Issue summaries by Volvo XC90 model year

2022 Volvo XC9012 reports

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners report several issues with the electrical system of the 2022 Volvo XC90, with recurring themes of infotainment and propulsion system malfunctions. Multiple complaints describe the infotainment system freezing or shutting off unexpectedly, sometimes affecting the entire digital dashboard and climate controls. These issues often occur when interacting with the system via steering wheel buttons, with some incidents leading to the vehicle shutting off and restarting itself. Additionally, propulsion system warnings and unexpected "turtle mode" activation are noted, leading to sudden power loss and vehicle shutdowns at highway speeds. These problems are reported at various mileage points, with some occurring shortly after purchase. Safety implications include potential loss of vehicle control and being stranded in hazardous conditions, such as on highways or in extreme weather.

2024 Volvo XC9010 reports

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners report multiple electrical system issues with the 2024 Volvo XC90, including intermittent infotainment and instrument cluster failures that can lead to a complete loss of vehicle audio alerts and warning systems. Complaints frequently mention unintended acceleration, unexpected braking, and false obstacle detection, creating potential safety risks. These issues often occur without warning and are not linked to specific conditions, with some reports indicating occurrences as early as 700 miles. One incident involved a crash due to instrument cluster and turn signal failures. Buyers should be aware of these recurring electrical malfunctions and the associated safety implications, especially in vehicles used for transporting families.

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners report several issues with the 2023 Volvo XC90's electrical system, particularly related to the infotainment system and key fob recognition. Complaints frequently mention the infotainment system shutting off and restarting every 10 to 15 minutes after a software update, resulting in loss of navigation, camera, sound, and air conditioning functions. Additionally, multiple owners describe problems with the key fobs not being recognized unless placed in a specific position, causing issues with trunk operation and vehicle alerts. Affected vehicles often experience these issues shortly after software updates, and some owners have dealt with these problems for nearly two years. Safety implications include potential distraction from malfunctioning infotainment systems and unreliable vehicle access and operation.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Owners report frequent failures of the air conditioning system in the 2019 Volvo XC90, particularly involving leaks in the evaporator coils. Typical symptoms include refrigerant smells entering the cabin, loss of cooling capability, and inability to defrost windows, with issues emerging as early as 27,000 miles. Multiple owners describe significant repair costs for these failures, often exceeding several thousand dollars. Additionally, there are reports of chrome trim peeling inside the vehicle, leading to sharp edges that have caused injuries. These issues may pose safety concerns, especially during high temperatures or when sharp edges are exposed.

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners of the 2019 Volvo XC90 frequently report issues with the electrical system, notably involving water leaks from the sunroof drainage that affect electrical components, including the airbag system and sunroof controls. Complaints also describe problems with the vehicle's key recognition system, leading to the vehicle not starting and stranding owners, often occurring within the first few months of ownership or at low mileage. Additionally, some owners experience stalling issues and malfunctioning rear door motors, particularly in cold weather conditions. These electrical problems potentially compromise vehicle safety by affecting critical systems like airbags and vehicle operation.

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.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Owners report several electrical system issues with the 2025 Volvo XC90. A common problem involves the vehicle's interface and infotainment system frequently shutting down, sometimes while driving, which includes the entire system going blank and affecting safety features like collision audio cues. Some owners describe the vehicle unexpectedly slowing or shutting down, displaying messages like "Engine Has Now Stopped," with one report indicating this occurred at approximately 2,300 miles. Additionally, there are complaints about remote start functionality issues, where the vehicle fails to transition to normal operating mode without restarting. These issues pose potential safety risks, particularly when they occur at highway speeds or affect critical driving information.

POWER TRAIN

Owners report issues with the 2024 Volvo XC90's power train, particularly related to the park button and the center display console. Several complaints highlight that the park button sometimes requires multiple presses or additional pressure to engage, occasionally leading to the vehicle rolling when not properly secured, with one incident resulting in a minor crash into a garage appliance. Additionally, the center display console, which controls critical vehicle functions, is described as freezing or becoming unresponsive, necessitating vehicle restarts to resolve the issue. These problems are reported by owners with vehicles purchased as recently as August 2023, affecting both new and slightly used models. Safety implications are noted due to the potential for vehicle movement when parked and the inability to engage park reliably.

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

Pre-purchase inspection

What to check on a used Volvo XC90

When problems are reported to begin

  • Service brake failures5,000 miles on the 2025 model-year record
  • Electrical system shutdowns2,000–3,000 miles on the 2025 model-year record
  • Electrical system failures700–32,000 miles on the 2024 model-year record
  • Back over prevention failures1,000–5,500 miles on the 2024 model-year record
  • Electrical system failures1,000–6,000 miles on the 2023 model-year record
  • Propulsion system failures0–9,000 miles on the 2022 model-year record
  • Electrical system failures10,000–30,000 miles on the 2022 model-year record
  • Electrical system failuresup to 50,000 miles on the 2021 model-year record

Buyer red flags

  • Verify backup camera functionality by shifting into reverse and checking for image display
  • Perform a hard reset of the vehicle systems to ensure cameras and infotainment reset properly
  • Check for any error messages related to the camera system on the infotainment screen
  • Ensure Apple CarPlay connects and functions without issues
  • Review vehicle history for any recall repairs related to camera systems
  • Inspect tires for sidewall bulging and cracking
  • Check rims for internal cracks or air leaks
  • Test lane-keeping assist in construction zones

How to interpret the counts

Complaint totals are not failure rates

A popular or older model can accumulate more complaints simply because more vehicles exist and have spent longer on the road. The categories above aggregate the counts embedded in each model year's leading issues. Use recurrence across years and severity signals to decide what to inspect; use the VIN and a mechanical inspection to judge one car.

Source trail

Where this Volvo XC90 data comes from

VinExposed combines model-level research with the vehicle-specific history you get from a VIN. Reliability scores and complaint patterns come from Auto Reliability Index's Volvo XC90 research, which analyzes NHTSA records and independent repair data.

Recall counts describe a model year, not the repair status of one car. Confirm the exact VIN with the official NHTSA recall lookup and a vehicle-history report before buying.

Buyer questions

Volvo XC90 research FAQ

What is the most common Volvo XC90 problem?

Electrical System is the broadest recurring complaint category in the available model-year records, appearing among the top issues for 8 years with 58 complaints represented.

Which Volvo XC90 year has the most reported problems?

The 2022 has the largest electrical system count among the years where that category appears. Compare the full year record because a different year may lead on another problem category.

Do NHTSA complaints prove a Volvo XC90 has a defect?

No. Owner complaints are unverified reports and can be duplicated or influenced by sales volume and vehicle age. They are useful patterns to investigate alongside recalls, service records, inspection results and the exact VIN.

Check the actual car

Model research narrows the list. The VIN confirms the car.

Check title brands, accidents, odometer history, auction records and recall status for the specific Volvo XC90 you are considering.