2021 Volvo XC90 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other XC90 years
- About as many complaints as other years 10th of 23 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 6 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Volvo XC90. That ranks 10th out of 23 XC90 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (12 complaints, 31%), typically at around 30,350 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 3 injuries. There are 6 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation involving it.
- 39owner complaints
- 6safety recalls
- 1NHTSA investigations
- 3complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2021 Volvo XC90 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 12 | 31% | 30,350 | — | — |
| Engine | 8 | 21% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 7 | 18% | 40,250 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 6 | 15% | — | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 5 | 13% | — | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 3 | 8% | 2,000 | — | — |
| Power Train | 3 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 2 | 5% | 200 | — | — |
| Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness | 2 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Air Bags | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Hybrid Propulsion System | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 3% | 78,500 | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 3% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 3% | 40,000 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 1 | 3% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2021 Volvo XC90 recalls (6)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery; electrical system:software
Problem: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020-2021 S90, 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60, XC90, and 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.
Risk: A short circuit in a high-voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high-voltage battery module as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the software to monitor the battery. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 28, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10312.
Seat belts:critical fasteners
Problem: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2015-2024 XC90 vehicles. The second-row seat belt buckle and lower belt anchor bolts may not be tightened properly.
Risk: An improperly tightened seat belt buckle may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing their risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the second-row seat belt buckle anchorage bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 19, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10259.
Steering
Problem: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2022 V60CC, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. During steering gear assembly, double screws may have been assembled on top of each other, which can cause a screw to fall into the gearbox housing.
Risk: A screw inside the gearbox housing can cause the steering wheel to lock up and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 1, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10213.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Problem: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 S90L, 2020-2021 XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.
Risk: Separation of the rotor and shaft may cause a reduction in braking assistance and a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the hydraulic unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10120.
Seat belts:rear/other:retractor; seat belts:front:retractor
Problem: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 XC40, XC 40 Recharge, V60CC, V90, V90CC, XC90, and 2021-2022 V60, XC60, S60 vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10111.
Seat belts:pretensioner; air bags; air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Problem: Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 Volvo V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. The Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) control unit may not have been properly attached to the car body and may detach during a crash.
Risk: A detached SRS control unit can decrease the performance of occupant protection systems such as air bags, seat belts, and high voltage battery disconnect, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the SRS control unit mounting screws, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10068.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Pedestrian alert sounds (DP22005) — opened Jan 27, 2023, closed Aug 7, 2023, led to recall 22V063000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
The chrome trim on the center console, immediately to the right of the gear selector, deteriorates and peels away, leaving razor-sharp edges capable of cutting skin. This appears to be a widespread issue, with numerous owner reports and photographs online dating back to the 2016 Volvo XC90. The…
This is 2021 volvo xc90 purchased new in 2021. A few weeks ago, my wife asked me to look at the middle row seatbelt as it wouldnt buckle. I could see that it was broken. I checked the seatbelt next to it and same thing. Plastic buckle broken in same place. I took it to the dealer where we get…
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…
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…
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…
Other Volvo XC90 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 XC90 | 29 | 2 |
| 2024 XC90 | 36 | 3 |
| 2023 XC90 | 41 | 6 |
| 2022 XC90 | 29 | 4 |
| 2021 | 39 | 6 |
| 2020 XC90 | 34 | 7 |
| 2019 XC90 | 42 | 6 |
| 2018 XC90 | 51 | 3 |
| 2017 XC90 | 80 | 7 |
| 2016 XC90 | 197 | 8 |
| 2015 XC90 | 0 | 1 |
| 2014 XC90 | 4 | 0 |
| 2013 XC90 | 11 | 0 |
| 2012 XC90 | 3 | 0 |
| 2011 XC90 | 19 | 1 |
| 2010 XC90 | 12 | 3 |
| 2009 XC90 | 7 | 1 |
| 2008 XC90 | 29 | 3 |
| 2007 XC90 | 38 | 2 |
| 2006 XC90 | 53 | 3 |
| 2005 XC90 | 223 | 6 |
| 2004 XC90 | 462 | 6 |
| 2003 XC90 | 93 | 5 |
See all Volvo XC90 problems by year, every Volvo model, or the Volvo VIN decoder.
Similar Volvo models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volvo XC90?
Owners most often report electrical system, engine, service brakes problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 12 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2021 Volvo XC90?
Yes, 6 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2021 Volvo XC90 a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other XC90 model years, the 2021 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.