2007 Volvo XC90 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2007 Volvo XC90 has a Complaint Index of 40, ranking 13th of 21 model years, and earns a Good verdict relative to other XC90 years. NHTSA lists 38 complaints, 2 recalls, and 5 fire reports for this year, with electrical system issues the top concern.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 40/100
- #13 of 21 XC90 years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 38
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 5
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15 city / 20 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2007 Volvo XC90 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System14 (37%)
- Brakes7 (18%)
- Engine6 (16%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (16%)
- Other5 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (13%)
- Steering4 (11%)
- Fuel System3 (8%)
- Airbags1 (3%)
- Seat Belts1 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report electrical fires starting near the rear hatch or engine bay, sometimes preceded by a dead battery or check-engine light.
- Some describe the vehicle catching fire spontaneously while driving or parked, unrelated to a crash.
- Brake rotors have been reported needing replacement shortly after purchase, followed later by brake system failure and screeching noises even after dealer service.
- A broken engine valve spring caused violent shaking and shutdown while driving at highway speed early in the vehicle's life.
- Transmission failures have been reported around the median mileage of 73,000 miles noted for this problem area.
- A suspension stay bar reportedly broke at low mileage, causing a rear tire to wobble at low speed.
2007 Volvo XC90 recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 10V566000Nov 8, 2010Other416 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system)
Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
Risk: An overheated battery could lead to a fire.
Remedy: Volvo advises owners to please stop using the garmin portable gps device immediately, and visit the garmin website to determine if their unit is affected. The unit's battery will be replaced with a new battery and a spacer will be inserted on top of the battery next to the pcb. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 18, 2010. Owners may contact garmin at 866-957-1981 or visit garmin's website at www.garmin.com/nuvibatterypcbrecall.
- NHTSA 07V563000Dec 12, 2007HVAC37,000 vehicles
Visibility:defroster/defogger/HVAC system
On certain sport utility vehicles, under certain conditions, the climate control module (ccm) may receive a 'shut-down signal' from the engine control module (ECM) after ignition key insertion. If this condition occurs, the climate control functions will not be available (including the defroster) during that driving cycle.
Risk: Inoperative defrosters under inclement weather conditions could cause impaired visibility which has the potential to result in personal injury and/or vehicle and property damage.
Remedy: The ECM software will be upgraded. The recall began on january 28, 2008. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
2007 Volvo XC90 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 20 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,700
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2007 compared with other XC90 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2007 Volvo XC90 reliable?
- Among 21 XC90 model years, 2007 ranks 13th worst with a Complaint Index of 40 and a Good verdict relative to other years, meaning it performs better than many other XC90 model years based on NHTSA complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2007 Volvo XC90?
- Electrical system issues make up 37% of complaints (14 of 38), followed by brakes at 18% and engine and suspension issues each at 16%, per NHTSA data.
- Does the 2007 Volvo XC90 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2007 XC90: one for a climate control module software issue and one for overheating batteries in aftermarket Garmin GPS units. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- Did the 2007 Volvo XC90 have fire problems?
- NHTSA lists 5 fire-related complaints for the 2007 XC90, several involving the electrical system, out of 38 total complaints for the year.
- What year Volvo XC90 should I avoid instead of 2007?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2005 (Complaint Index 80), 2016 (100), 2017 (85), 2019 (75), 2024 (90), and 2025 (95) carry Avoid verdicts, all worse than the 2007 model's Good verdict.