2018 Volvo XC90 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2018 Volvo XC90 has a Complaint Index of 60, ranking 9th worst out of 21 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. Electrical system problems dominate at 32% of complaints, followed by brakes at 22%, with 3 recalls on file.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 60/100
- #9 of 21 XC90 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 50
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24.5
- 22 city / 28.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2018 Volvo XC90 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System16 (32%)
- Brakes11 (22%)
- Other9 (18%)
- Engine7 (14%)
- Fuel System6 (12%)
- Structure & Body6 (12%)
- Transmission & Powertrain5 (10%)
- Visibility & Wipers4 (8%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras3 (6%)
- Seat Belts2 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Rear view camera content sometimes fails to display within 2 seconds of shifting into reverse, linked to a slow-responding infotainment system.
- Brakes squeak repeatedly even after dealer inspection and repair attempts, alongside a center display screen that freezes and requires a restart.
- Windshields have cracked from small chips while driving on the highway, spreading into large cracks within minutes.
- The start-stop system has moved the vehicle forward from a stop without the accelerator being pressed, creating near-collision situations.
- Dashboard warnings for headlamp system malfunction and loss of city safety system have appeared alongside backup camera failures, sometimes resolved by software update.
- The automatic emergency braking system has activated without an obstacle present, locking up the vehicle and tightening seat belts at speeds between 15 and 40 mph.
2018 Volvo XC90 recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 23V827000Dec 7, 2023Seat Belts2,911 vehicles
Seat belts:critical fasteners
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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 21V273000Apr 21, 2021Electrical System162 vehicles
Electrical system:software
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2016-2020 XC90 Excellence vehicles. Liquid or condensation on the rear seat control display may cause the front passenger seat to move back as far as possible.
Risk: The rear passenger may become trapped by the front seat without the ability to cancel the seat's movement, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will update the rear seat control display software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10093.
- NHTSA 18V800000Nov 13, 2018Electrical System17,548 vehicles
Electrical system:software
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improperly. As a result, the GPS will not provide location information to emergency personnel in the event of an emergency.
Risk: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.
2018 Volvo XC90 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 28.5 MPG
- Combined
- 24.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 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.
2018 compared with other XC90 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2018 Volvo XC90 reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2018 XC90 carries a Caution verdict, with a Complaint Index of 60 that ranks 9th worst among 21 model years of the XC90.
- What are the most common problems with the 2018 Volvo XC90?
- Electrical system issues make up 32% of complaints, including headlamp malfunctions and camera failures, followed by brakes at 22%, engine at 14%, and fuel system at 12%.
- Does the 2018 Volvo XC90 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2018 XC90, covering seat belt anchorage bolts, a rear seat control display software issue, and a Vehicle Connectivity Module software correction.
- At what mileage do 2018 XC90 problems tend to show up?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 16,718.5 miles overall, with electrical complaints centering around 20,500 miles and brake complaints around 16,500 miles.
- Is the 2018 XC90 better or worse than other XC90 years?
- The 2018 XC90 is worse than years like 2010 and 2013, which earned Best verdicts with much lower Complaint Indexes of 20 and 15, but it is not among the worst years like 2016, which scored 100.