2019 Volvo XC90 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2019 Volvo XC90 has a complaint index of 75, ranking 6th worst out of 21 model years, with 41 complaints and 6 recalls logged by NHTSA. Owners report the most trouble with the Electrical System (27% of complaints) and Engine (24%), giving it an Avoid verdict relative to other XC90 years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #6 of 21 XC90 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 41
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 2
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Electrical System
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 23.5
- 20.5 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
Top 2019 Volvo XC90 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System11 (27%)
- Engine10 (24%)
- Other9 (22%)
- Brakes6 (15%)
- Structure & Body4 (10%)
- Airbags3 (7%)
- HVAC3 (7%)
- Visibility & Wipers3 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain2 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe the vehicle unexpectedly accelerating forward on its own after being placed in park, in one case causing a crash into a garage door.
- Some owners report the vehicle stalling unexpectedly, in one case after a fuse replacement failed to fix the issue.
- Engine oil consumption and valve ring sealing problems have been reported, with one owner noticing the issue around a similar mileage to the median failure point of 61,511 miles.
- Smoke has been reported coming from the wheel well or under the hood, sometimes paired with a dashboard warning about reduced powertrain mode.
- Front brake rotors have needed replacement more than once at relatively low mileage, sometimes accompanied by steering shake when braking.
- A rear passenger door has been reported getting stuck in a locked position, unresponsive to interior or exterior controls.
2019 Volvo XC90 recalls
6 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 23V001000Jan 5, 2023Steering74 vehicles
Steering
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2022 V60CC, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. During steering gear assembly, double screws may have been assembled on top of each other, which can cause a screw to fall into the gearbox housing.
Risk: A screw inside the gearbox housing can cause the steering wheel to lock up and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 1, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10213.
- NHTSA 21V414000Jun 2, 2021Fuel System85,550 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2020 V90, XC60, S60, V60, V60CC, S90, V90CC, S90L, and XC90 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump can blow a fuse and fail.
Risk: Failure of the low-pressure fuel pump can cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 2, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10100.
2019 Volvo XC90 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20.5 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 23.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,375
- 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.
2019 compared with other XC90 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Volvo XC90 reliable?
- Compared with other XC90 model years, the 2019 ranks 6th worst out of 21 years tracked, with a complaint index of 75 and an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 Volvo XC90?
- NHTSA complaint data shows Electrical System issues make up 27% of complaints and Engine issues 24%, followed by Brakes at 15%. The median mileage at failure across issues is 50,000 miles.
- Does the 2019 Volvo XC90 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2019 XC90, covering the steering gear, fuel pump fuse, seat belt anchor bolts, Vehicle Connectivity Module software, and Automatic Emergency Braking software, though none are do-not-drive recalls.
- How does the 2019 XC90 compare to other years?
- The 2019 XC90's complaint index of 75 is worse than years like 2013 (index 15, Best verdict) and 2010 (index 20, Best verdict), but better than 2016 (index 100) and 2025 (index 95), both rated Avoid.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2019 Volvo XC90?
- EPA rates the 2019 XC90 at 23.5 mpg combined (20.5 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,375.