Volvo XC90 Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 311 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the Volvo XC90 across 18 model years. The 2004 model year has the most (145). The words owners use most often: “transmission service” (11% of reports).
- 311power train complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 6mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- $7,750typical repair cost reported by owners
- 37%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Transmission service: mentioned in 33 of 311 complaints (11%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical power train repair on the Volvo XC90 at $7,750, and half of them between $5,850 and $9,350.
Based on 43 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2006–2018), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 270 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 311 complaints, 6 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 1 an injury.
Volvo XC90 power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 XC90 | 5 | 14% | — |
| 2023 XC90 | 3 | 7% | 1,000 |
| 2022 XC90 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2021 XC90 | 3 | 8% | — |
| 2020 XC90 | 3 | 9% | 79,000 |
| 2019 XC90 | 3 | 7% | 50,000 |
| 2018 XC90 | 5 | 10% | 2,800 |
| 2017 XC90 | 5 | 6% | 7,766 |
| 2016 XC90 | 10 | 5% | 5,000 |
| 2014 XC90 | 1 | 25% | 5,200 |
| 2012 XC90 | 1 | 33% | 75,000 |
| 2011 XC90 | 3 | 16% | 1,500 |
| 2008 XC90 | 4 | 14% | 60,500 |
| 2007 XC90 | 5 | 13% | 73,000 |
| 2006 XC90 | 3 | 6% | 78,000 |
| 2005 XC90 | 62 | 28% | 71,500 |
| 2004 XC90 | 145 | 31% | 78,000 |
| 2003 XC90 | 49 | 53% | 76,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists power train for the Volvo XC90. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
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.
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…
2017 Volvo XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid, approximately 81,000 miles, experienced intermittent hesitation/loss of propulsion when accelerating. When acceleration is requested, the vehicle can hesitate before power is delivered, creating a serious safety concern when entering, merging into, or crossing…
This submission supplements NHTSA Complaint #11759206, filed on August 24, 2026, regarding a 2018 Volvo XC90, in order to provide additional relevant information that came to light after the original filing. At the time of the first safety-critical malfunction (in-vehicle warnings including…
The vehicle first experienced a safety-critical malfunction while driving on the highway on August 11, 2026, producing in-vehicle warnings reading "Transmission Acceleration Performance Reduced" and "Gear Lever Locked," along with broader electrical system symptoms, requiring the 2018 Volvo XC90 to…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Volvo XC90s have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 311 owner complaints about power train for the Volvo XC90. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Volvo XC90 power train?
No recall currently lists power train for this vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix power train problems on the Volvo XC90?
Owners report a typical cost of $7,750 (half paid between $5,850 and $9,350), from 43 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about power train problems on the Volvo XC90?
The most frequent phrase is “transmission service”, in 33 of 311 complaints.
Other Volvo XC90 problems
- Electrical System problems (446)
- Engine problems (237)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (120)
See all Volvo XC90 problems.