2023 Volvo XC90 Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
73/100
#5 most-complained of 16 XC90 years
The 2023 Volvo XC90 has a Complaint Index of 73 and ranks 5th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. NHTSA logs 39 complaints, 6 recalls, and 2 injuries, with Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues making up 36% of complaints.
- Complaints
- 39
- Recalls
- 6
- Crashes / fires
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 25
- 22 city / 27 hwy
Top 2023 Volvo XC90 problems
NHTSA owner 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%)
What owners report
- Rearview camera image freezes, delays on startup, or blacks out repeatedly when backing up.
- Vehicle loses propulsion and stalls at highway speed after a low fuel or propulsion system warning message appears.
- Engine drops into reduced-power 'turtle mode' and throttles speed, sometimes with the check engine light coming on.
- Brake pedal resists pressure or fails to engage properly when shifting into reverse.
- Vehicle unexpectedly starts to roll or reverse after the park button is pressed.
- Second-row seat produces creaking noises that persist even after dealer lubrication attempts.
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 based on NHTSA data?
- NHTSA gives the 2023 XC90 a Complaint Index of 73, the 5th worst of 16 model years tracked, with 39 complaints and 6 recalls, resulting in a Caution verdict relative to other XC90 years.
- What is the most common problem area for the 2023 XC90?
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues account for 36% of complaints (14 of 39), mainly involving rearview camera display and freezing problems, followed by Electrical System issues at 23%.
- Does the 2023 XC90 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2023 XC90, covering rearview camera display, second-row seat belt anchor bolts, e-Call diagnostic errors, ABS/brake control module software, and an ECM software error that could prevent the engine from starting.
- How does the 2023 XC90 compare to other years?
- The 2023 XC90's Complaint Index of 73 is worse than 2020 (40), 2021 (60), and 2022 (47), but better than 2016 (100), 2017 (80), 2024 (87), and 2025 (93).
- What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Volvo XC90?
- The 2023 XC90 is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined (22 city / 27 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,200.