Volvo XC90 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 1,531 owner complaints and 35 safety recalls on file for the Volvo XC90, across 23 model years (2003–2025). The 2004 model year has the most complaints (462). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
Volvo XC90 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical XC90 year: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2016, 2017. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2004 XC90: 462 complaints, 6 recalls
- 2005 XC90: 223 complaints, 6 recalls
- 2016 XC90: 197 complaints, 8 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2012 XC90: 3 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2014 XC90: 4 complaints, 0 recalls
- 2009 XC90: 7 complaints, 1 recall
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Volvo XC90 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System problems | 446 | 20 | 12 |
| Power Train problems | 311 | 18 | 6 |
| Engine problems | 237 | 21 | 3 |
| Fuel/propulsion System problems | 120 | 18 | 1 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 83 | 11 | 0 |
| Structure | 80 | 18 | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 79 | 17 | 7 |
| Exterior Lighting | 77 | 12 | 2 |
| Air Bags | 70 | 19 | 8 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 64 | 10 | 0 |
| Steering | 64 | 17 | 3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 54 | 16 | 5 |
| Suspension | 49 | 12 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention | 39 | 11 | 2 |
| Seat Belts | 33 | 14 | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 32 | 10 | 4 |
| Wheels | 31 | 16 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 30 | 8 | 0 |
| Tires | 30 | 10 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 29 | 12 | 0 |
| Visibility | 25 | 10 | 0 |
| Equipment | 24 | 10 | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 22 | 10 | 2 |
| Visibility/wiper | 22 | 11 | 2 |
| Seats | 15 | 9 | 1 |
| Lane Departure | 10 | 6 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 8 | 6 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| Traction Control System | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Child Seat | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Hybrid Propulsion System | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| Interior Lighting | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Equipment Adaptive/mobility | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Firerelated | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Other/i Am Not Sure | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Volvo XC90 problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2016: engine (86) · electrical system (56)
- 2005: power train (62) · electrical system (51)
- 2004: electrical system (158) · power train (145)
All Volvo XC90 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 XC90 | 29 | 2 | — | Back Over Prevention | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2024 XC90 | 36 | 3 | — | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2023 XC90 | 41 | 6 | — | Back Over Prevention | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2022 XC90 | 29 | 4 | — | Electrical System | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2021 XC90 | 39 | 6 | — | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2020 XC90 | 33 | 7 | — | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2019 XC90 | 42 | 6 | — | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2018 XC90 | 51 | 3 | — | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2017 XC90 | 80 | 7 | — | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2016 XC90 | 197 | 8 | — | Engine | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2015 XC90 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2014 XC90 | 4 | 0 | — | Air Bags | |
| 2013 XC90 | 11 | 0 | — | Air Bags | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2012 XC90 | 3 | 0 | — | Back Over Prevention | |
| 2011 XC90 | 19 | 1 | — | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2010 XC90 | 12 | 3 | — | Fuel/propulsion System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2009 XC90 | 7 | 1 | — | Electrical System | |
| 2008 XC90 | 29 | 3 | — | Electrical System | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2007 XC90 | 38 | 2 | — | Electrical System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2006 XC90 | 53 | 3 | — | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2005 XC90 | 223 | 6 | — | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2004 XC90 | 462 | 6 | — | Electrical System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2003 XC90 | 93 | 5 | — | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Volvo: all Volvo models · Volvo VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Volvo XC90 years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2003 (93), 2004 (462), 2005 (223), 2016 (197), 2017 (80) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical XC90 year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Volvo XC90?
Electrical System, with 446 complaints across 20 model years.
How many recalls does the Volvo XC90 have?
35 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.