2023 Volvo XC90 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2023 Volvo XC90 has a Complaint Index of 70 and ranks 7th worst out of 21 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA lists 39 complaints, 6 recalls, and 2 injuries, with the top problem area being Collision Avoidance & Cameras at 36% of complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 70/100
- #7 of 21 XC90 years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 39
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22 city / 27 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2023 Volvo XC90 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras14 (36%)
- Electrical System9 (23%)
- Other7 (18%)
- Fuel System6 (15%)
- Brakes5 (13%)
- Structure & Body5 (13%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (8%)
- Engine2 (5%)
- Lane Departure2 (5%)
- Steering2 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Rearview camera freezes, delays on startup, or blacks out repeatedly when backing up.
- Vehicle loses power or stalls at highway speed after the low fuel warning light illuminates and will not restart.
- Engine can enter 'turtle mode,' throttling speed after a check engine light and performance warning appear repeatedly.
- Brake pedal develops resistance or fails to engage properly when shifting into reverse.
- Gear shifter and parking brake reportedly fail to hold, with the vehicle inadvertently rolling backward after the park button is pressed.
- All audio alerts, turn signals, and infotainment sounds can stop working simultaneously while driving.
2023 Volvo XC90 recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 25V908000Dec 23, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras413,151 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Back over prevention:software
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2024 C40BEV, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40, and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2026. Owners may contact Volvo Carâs customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10333. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 16, 2026. This recall replaces previous NHTSA recall number 25V282. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 25V282 will need to have the new remedy performed.
- NHTSA 25V282000May 8, 2025Collision Avoidance & Cameras413,151 vehiclesOver-the-air fix
Back over prevention:software
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10320.
- 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.
2023 Volvo XC90 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 22 MPG
- Highway
- 27 MPG
- Combined
- 25 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,200
- 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.
2023 compared with other XC90 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2023 Volvo XC90 reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2023 XC90 a Complaint Index of 70, ranking it 7th worst among 21 model years, with a Caution verdict based on owner complaints and recalls.
- What is the top complaint for the 2023 Volvo XC90?
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues lead with 14 complaints, 36% of the total, mostly involving rearview camera freezing or blackout.
- Does the 2023 Volvo XC90 have recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2023 XC90, covering rearview camera display, seat belt anchorage, e-call software, brake control module ABS, and engine control module software.
- What mileage do 2023 XC90 problems show up at?
- The median mileage at failure across reported complaints is 6,000 miles, though some issues like electrical faults were reported closer to 75,655 miles.
- Is the 2023 XC90 better than other recent years?
- It ranks better than 2024 and 2025, which carry Avoid verdicts with higher Complaint Indexes of 90 and 95, but worse than 2022, which earned a Good verdict at 45.