2021 Volvo XC90 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
60/100
#7 most-complained of 16 XC90 years
The 2021 Volvo XC90 has a Complaint Index of 60 and ranks 7th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 35 complaints, 6 recalls, 3 crashes, and 2 injuries for this year, led by electrical system issues.
- Complaints
- 35
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 24
- 20.5 city / 28 hwy
Top 2021 Volvo XC90 problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Electrical System11 (31%)
- Engine8 (23%)
- Brakes7 (20%)
- Other7 (20%)
- Fuel System6 (17%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras5 (14%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (9%)
- Seat Belts2 (6%)
- Steering2 (6%)
- Structure & Body2 (6%)
What owners report
- Backup camera display appears blurry and distorted in reverse, creating a visibility hazard.
- Bowers & Wilkins sound system cuts out completely after a loud pop, killing audio and features like turn signal chimes and parking sensors.
- Electric parking brake engages violently at highway speed, causing abrupt stops in moving traffic.
- Check engine light comes on with a propulsion module (IEM) fault that a software update fails to fix, raising concern about sudden loss of propulsion at speed.
- Vehicle enters a reduced-power 'turtle mode' on the highway without warning, cutting top speed to around 35 mph.
- Infotainment screen goes black or freezes while driving, sometimes accompanied by an apparent loss of vehicle power.
2021 Volvo XC90 recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V179000Mar 24, 2025Electrical System7,483 vehicles
Electrical system:propulsion system:traction battery
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020-2021 S90, 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60, XC90, and 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.
Risk: A short circuit in a high-voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high-voltage battery module as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the software to monitor the battery. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 28, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10312.
- 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.
2021 Volvo XC90 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20.5 MPG
- Highway
- 28 MPG
- Combined
- 24 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,325
- 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.
2021 compared with other XC90 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2021 Volvo XC90 reliable?
- Compared to other XC90 model years, 2021 ranks 7th worst out of 16 with a Complaint Index of 60 and a Caution verdict. It has fewer complaints than the 2016 and 2017 XC90 but more than 2020 and 2022.
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volvo XC90?
- Electrical system complaints lead at 11 (31% of complaints), followed by engine issues (8 complaints, 23%) and brakes (7 complaints, 20%), based on NHTSA data.
- Does the 2021 Volvo XC90 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2021 XC90, covering the high-voltage battery, seat belts, steering gear, brakes, seat belt retractors, and airbag control unit mounting.
- At what mileage do 2021 XC90 problems typically show up?
- Median mileage at failure is 21,000 overall; electrical system complaints show a median of 30,350 miles and brake complaints a median of 40,250 miles.
- Should I avoid the 2021 Volvo XC90?
- The 2021 XC90 carries a Caution verdict, meaning it has more reported problems than most other XC90 years but is not among the worst, which include 2016, 2017, 2024, and 2025.