Volvo XC90 Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
The Volvo XC90 years to avoid are 2016, 2017, 2024, and 2025, based on NHTSA complaints and recalls. 2016 stands out with 197 complaints, a complaint index of 100, 8 recalls, and 10 fires. The 2010 model year is the best, with only 12 complaints and a complaint index of 20.
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 616
- Recall campaigns
- 26
- Crashes reported
- 26
- Fires reported
- 27
- Top problem area
- Engine
XC90 Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Volvo XC90 problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Best | 20 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Fuel System | 17 | — |
| 2011 | Good | 33 | 19 | 0 | 1 | 1 | Engine | 18 | — |
| 2012 | No verdict | 7 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Electrical System | 18.5 | — |
| 2013 | Good | 27 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | Airbags | 18.5 | — |
| 2014 | No verdict | 13 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Airbags | 18.5 | — |
| 2015 | No verdict | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | — | — | — |
| 2016 | Avoid | 100 | 197 | 5 | 10 | 8 | Engine | 23.5 | — |
| 2017 | Avoid | 80 | 79 | 3 | 8 | 7 | Engine | 23.5 | — |
| 2018 | Caution | 53 | 50 | 2 | 1 | 3 | Electrical System | 24.5 | — |
| 2019 | Caution | 67 | 41 | 2 | 3 | 6 | Electrical System | 23.5 | — |
| 2020 | Good | 40 | 32 | 2 | 2 | 7 | Engine | 24 | — |
| 2021 | Caution | 60 | 35 | 3 | 0 | 6 | Electrical System | 24 | — |
| 2022 | Good | 47 | 29 | 0 | 1 | 4 | Electrical System | 25 | — |
| 2023 | Caution | 73 | 39 | 0 | 0 | 6 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 25 | — |
| 2024 | Avoid | 87 | 36 | 4 | 0 | 3 | Electrical System | 24 | — |
| 2025 | Avoid | 93 | 29 | 5 | 0 | 2 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 26 | — |
XC90 years to avoid: what went wrong
2016 Volvo XC90 Index 100 · 197 complaints · 8 recalls
The 2016 XC90 has the highest complaint volume in the lineup, with 197 complaints and a complaint index of 100. Engine problems make up 48% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 13,500 miles, and the Electrical System accounts for another 29% at a median of 10,000 miles. NHTSA logged 8 recalls, 10 fires, 5 crashes, and 8 injuries for this year. Owners reported unexpected vehicle movement while parking, distracting touchscreen controls, engine coolant hose issues tied to a recall, and a fire after recall service. Structure & Body complaints, at 17%, included door and seat-belt anchorage problems.
2016 engine problems →2016 electrical system problems →2016 structure & body problems →
2025 Volvo XC90 Index 93 · 29 complaints · 2 recalls
The 2025 XC90 has a complaint index of 93 from 29 complaints, with Collision Avoidance & Cameras leading at 38% (median 2,300 miles) and Electrical System at 24% (median 4,500 miles). NHTSA recorded 2 recalls, both tied to rearview camera display software, along with 5 crashes. Owners reported brakes failing to stop the vehicle on a downhill grade, foggy backup cameras that did not show obstacles, a parking brake that engaged on its own on flat ground, and seatbelt pretensioners and emergency braking that did not activate in a crash.
2024 Volvo XC90 Index 87 · 36 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2024 XC90 shows a complaint index of 87 from 36 complaints, with Electrical System problems dominating at 50% (median 32,000 miles) and Collision Avoidance & Cameras at 19% (median 3,250 miles). NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 4 crashes for this year, including a rearview camera software recall shared across multiple Volvo models. Owners reported vehicles rolling unexpectedly after pressing the park button, instrument cluster blackouts with no turn signal sound during highway driving, and the transmission needing multiple button presses to engage park.
2017 Volvo XC90 Index 80 · 79 complaints · 7 recalls
The 2017 XC90 carries a complaint index of 80 across 79 complaints, with Engine issues leading at 35% (median 19,000 miles) followed by Electrical System at 24% (median 25,000 miles). NHTSA recorded 7 recalls, 8 fires, and 11 injuries for this year. Owners reported engine bay fires starting while the vehicle sat parked, forward collision warning systems failing to activate before a rear-end crash, and sudden steering seizure paired with electronic gauge shutdown while driving.
Most common Volvo XC90 problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Engine186 (30%)
- Electrical System178 (29%)
- Other128 (21%)
- Structure & Body77 (13%)
- Brakes74 (12%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras59 (10%)
- Fuel System58 (9%)
- Transmission & Powertrain42 (7%)
- Airbags29 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires26 (4%)
Frequently asked questions
- What Volvo XC90 years should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the years to avoid are 2016, 2017, 2024, and 2025. The 2016 model year is the worst, with a complaint index of 100, 197 complaints, and 8 recalls.
- What is the best year for the Volvo XC90?
- The 2010 XC90 is rated best, with only 12 complaints, a complaint index of 20, and 3 recalls.
- Is the 2016 Volvo XC90 reliable?
- The 2016 XC90 has the highest complaint index (100) of any XC90 year, with 197 complaints, 8 recalls, and 10 reported fires, most centered on the Engine and Electrical System.
- Does the 2024 or 2025 Volvo XC90 have recall issues?
- Yes. Both years are tied to rearview camera display software recalls (25V908000 and 25V282000), and the 2024 model also received a second-row seat belt anchorage recall (23V827000).
- How many total complaints and recalls does the Volvo XC90 have?
- Across model years 2010-2025, NHTSA lists 616 total complaints and 26 total recall campaigns for the Volvo XC90.