2010 Volvo XC90 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Best The 2010 Volvo XC90 ranks 17th of 21 model years with a Complaint Index of 20 and a Best verdict. NHTSA logs 12 complaints and 3 recalls, led by fuel system issues (33% of complaints) with a median failure mileage of 125,000.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 20/100
- #17 of 21 XC90 years
- Verdict
- Best
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 12
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 0
- Top issue
- Fuel System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 17
- 15 city / 21 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 0 / 0
Top 2010 Volvo XC90 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System4 (33%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires3 (25%)
- Steering2 (17%)
- Structure & Body2 (17%)
- Airbags1 (8%)
- Brakes1 (8%)
- Engine1 (8%)
- Other1 (8%)
- Visibility & Wipers1 (8%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Vehicles stall or shut down without warning at highway speeds, often near a quarter tank of fuel.
- A strong gas smell appears inside the cabin near the back seats after filling the tank, with no visible leak.
- The spare tire cable or winch assembly fractures, letting the spare tire drop while the vehicle is parked.
- The spare tire sidewall shows burned or melted spots from contact with a hot exhaust component underneath the vehicle.
- Steering shakes or feels hard to control above 50 mph, with the steering column sticking or wobbling.
- The dashboard near the passenger airbag deteriorates and buckles over time.
2010 Volvo XC90 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 11V286000May 18, 2011Steering350 vehicles
Steering
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 xc90 vehicles manufactured from january 29, 2010, through august 16, 2010. The power steering fluid may leak from the oil pipe connection at the steering gear valve housing.
Risk: This condition could lead to a sudden loss of power steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the oil pipes on the power steering rack free of charge. The recall is scheduled to begin during june 2011. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
- 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 10V147000Apr 16, 2010Fuel System2,494 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2010 xc90 vehicles. A leak may develop in the fuel line between the line and a connector.
Risk: Fuel odor may be detected. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can lead to a fire at the right front wheel.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the date code printed on the fuel line and replace the fuel pressure line if it falls within the recalled range free of charge. The recall began on april 23, 2010. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
2010 Volvo XC90 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 15 MPG
- Highway
- 21 MPG
- Combined
- 17 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,800
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- 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.
2010 compared with other XC90 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2010 Volvo XC90 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2010 XC90 ranks 17th out of 21 XC90 model years with a Complaint Index of 20, earning a Best verdict relative to other years.
- What problems does the 2010 Volvo XC90 have?
- NHTSA complaints center on the fuel system (33% of complaints, median failure mileage 125,000), followed by suspension/wheels/tires (25%) and steering (17%).
- Does the 2010 Volvo XC90 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2010 XC90: a power steering fluid leak, a Garmin GPS battery overheating issue, and a fuel line leak.
- How does the 2010 XC90 compare to other Volvo XC90 years to avoid?
- Years like 2005 (Complaint Index 80), 2016 (100), and 2017 (85) rank as Avoid, while the 2010 model's Complaint Index of 20 places it among the better years.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2010 Volvo XC90?
- EPA rates the 2010 XC90 at 17 mpg combined (15 city / 21 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,800.