Volvo XC90 Complaints

1,540 consumer complaints on file.

#11766225September 22, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS
2017 Volvo XC90 manufacturing defect where panoramic sunroof drainage network fails under normal rain, pooling water directly in the floorboard channels over safety module networks and wire harnesses.Water infiltration caused a catastrophic short-circuit of the floorboard-mounted amplifier while driving. This forced the audio system to emit an un-modulated, maximum-volume electronic blast through the cabin, causing severe driver distraction and documented temporary acute acoustic trauma/ear injuries to myself and my young child.Progressive electronic oxidation from ongoing water intrusion has since caused systemic failures of critical safety electronics. This includes spontaneous, unprompted activations of the automated emergency SOS calling network and dangerous operational delays in the backup camera engaging.Dealership service personnel inspected the vehicle and explicitly warned that the water-logged electrical networks are heavily compromised and at imminent risk of a complete blackout while in motion, posing a severe threat of sudden loss of power steering, braking, and propulsion on the highway. Rain is currently actively dripping from the interior ceiling onto passenger cabin components. This platform-wide engineering flaw creates an active fire, electrical, and crash hazard.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
2
Deaths:
0
#11765838September 21, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:HYBRID MANAGEMENT:POWER CONTROL UNIT/MODULE (HPCU)
The contact owns a 2021 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator or the brake pedal, the vehicle hesitated with the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the electric rear axle drive system had failed and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the failure occurred each time the vehicle was driven. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact to continue driving the vehicle because the vehicle was safe to drive. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11765624September 20, 2026
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I was driving my 2017 Volvo XC90 T6 Inscription when a ‘coolant low’ warning appeared. I immediately pulled over and the car began to smoke. I was unaware what to do so I called my husband and he told me to pop my hood. With 1.5 minutes of pulling over I open my door to find the lack to pop the hood and someone started yelling at me to get out. I looked up and the smoke had changed from white to brown- I exited the vehicle and called 911- Within approximately 5 minutes, the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames and was a total loss. The vehicle had been regularly maintained and to my knowledge, had no open recalls applicable at the time. After the fire, I became aware of a prior XC90 recall involving a coolant hose leak and fire risk. I understand that recall may not list my exact model year. I’m not claiming a specific cause, but due to the coolant warning preceding the fire, believe the circumstances warrant investigation. I was able to exit safely and no one was injured, but given how rapidly the fire developed, I’m concerned about the potential risk to others.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11765680September 20, 2026
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS, SEAT BELTS
I was in an accident going about 35mph. I slammed into a vehicle that turned in front of me. His vehicle was totaled with all of his airbags deployed. My issue is NOT with my airbags. My issue is that the seatbelt pretensioner system (which is designed to prevent whiplash) the emergency braking system and the hazard lights ALL did not active during, and/or after the crash. My vehicle is equipped with the safety features and collision avoidance that consists of seatbelt pretension, auto hazard lights and auto braking in the event of or to prevent a collision. Ironically, a few months before my accident, the seatbelt compression system erroneously activated during a right hand turn in my neighborhood that I make multiple times a day. Volvo the manufacturer had been contacted and did a diagnostic on it.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#11765214September 18, 2026
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2025 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH from a stop, the vehicle unintendedly accelerated to 40 MPH while entering an access road and turning right. The contact was able to continue driving to the residence. The vehicle was taken to be repaired on several occasions for Google software issues. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The dealer contacted manufacturer and reported that there was no fault found with the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 20,551.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11765393September 18, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
2020 Volvo XC90 suffered a sudden catastrophic engine blowout, blinding exhaust smoke, and dropped to a 10 mph limp mode on the highway with zero prior dashboard warning lights or oil alerts. the vehicle lacks a manual dipstick, making the me entirely dependent on a digital safety warning system that failed. [XXX] Volvo has failed to give me any documents/ photos or proof of cost of repair for almost 60 days INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764860September 16, 2026
AIR BAGS, SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Vehicle was stopped at a stop light with brake pedal pressed. Car started rolling with brake pedal pushed and repeatedly pushing the brake pedal did nothing! Car jerked three times and responded to pressing the park button. Once in park, I noticed that all warning lights came including brake warnings but the car would not turn off and it was stuck in park. Car would not come out of park but the radio and hazards worked. Police responded and advised not to take my foot off the brake until the tow truck got there. Initially, the tow truck driver could not put the car in drive or neutral or turn off vehicle. Tow truck driver was able to turn off the car and get it started again. Brakes should not just stop working in the middle of traffic in a 2 year old car with only 17k miles on it. Reporting because it appears this is a repeated Volvo issue. Per the Volvo app, all software downloads were updated and there was no error message before this happened.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11764008September 14, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
COMPONENT / SYSTEM: Sunroof drainage system — left front sunroof drain hose and sunroof tub. The vehicle and the component are available for inspection on request. WHAT HAPPENED: On or about July 6, 2026 I observed water entering the passenger compartment at the right rear interior quarter trim panel, visible on opening the tailgate. I reported it to Volvo Car USA Customer Care by telephone the same day. On July 29, 2026, while I was driving on a highway, water dripped from the overhead panel above the rearview mirror, surrounding the interior lights, onto me. The same day I found water again at the right rear quarter trim panel and, on removing the cargo floor panel, standing water in the spare wheel well with wet carpet, carpet backing and insulation. The vehicle was at an authorized Volvo dealer from July 31 to August 13, 2026. On September 13, 2026, during heavy rain, water again entered from the overhead panel above the rearview mirror — the same location. HOW SAFETY WAS PUT AT RISK: Water entered the passenger compartment and fell onto the driver while the vehicle was being operated at highway speed, which was a distraction. Water has also accumulated in the cargo area, where the battery and fuse box compartments are located, creating a risk to electrical components. Wet carpet, padding and insulation remain a mold concern. REPRODUCED OR CONFIRMED BY A DEALER: Yes. Under repair order 403698 at an authorized Volvo dealer, the technician water tested the sunroof drains and stated on the dealership's video inspection that "the one on the left front is draining pretty slow," that it "has a slow flow through the hose that goes through the sunroof tub," and that when he poured water into the driver's side drain hose "it was overflowing a little bit into the tub where it's not supposed to go." The written repair order records only: "CLEAN SUNROOF DRAINS AND RE-WATER TEST SUNROOF DRAINS. ALL ARE DRAINING AS DESIGNED. ALL OKAY AT THIS TIME." No cause is stated on th
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11763885September 13, 2026
AIR BAGS, VISIBILITY/WIPER
The sunroof repeatedly leaks. when a rainstorm comes it is literally a waterfall through the from mirror unit, threatening the electric in the console, making the steering wheel wet and slippery, and creating dangerous visibility problems. This is clearly a very dangerous design problem, and my internet search suggests it's well known and affects almost everyone from this model year. the danger level while the water is leaking is 10/10
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11763442September 10, 2026
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness
I am reporting a serious safety defect involving a Nuna RAVA child safety seat. The harness straps loosened on their own without the harness release button being pressed or otherwise intentionally operated. This occurred while the child was secured in the car seat. This malfunction presents a serious risk to child safety. If the harness loosens during vehicle travel, particularly in a sudden stop or crash, the child may not be properly restrained. In a crash, the child could potentially move out of the appropriate restraint position, be partially or completely ejected from the car seat, or suffer serious injury. The component involved is the harness restraint system, specifically the mechanism or component that is supposed to maintain the harness straps at the properly tightened position. The car seat is still in my possession and is available for inspection. I also have video footage of my child in the carseat while it was malfunctioning. I reported this safety concern to Nuna, the manufacturer, but Nuna has not responded to my safety complaint or inspected the car seat. I am requesting that NHTSA investigate this issue because an unintended loosening of the harness can compromise the effectiveness of the child restraint and potentially place a child at serious risk of injury or death in a crash.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11761290September 1, 2026
POWER TRAIN, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
2017 Volvo XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid, approximately 81,000 miles, experienced intermittent hesitation/loss of propulsion when accelerating. When acceleration is requested, the vehicle can hesitate before power is delivered, creating a serious safety concern when entering, merging into, or crossing traffic because expected acceleration is not immediately available. Diagnostic testing identified faults in the IEM/ERAD system, including P286D00, Clutch A Engagement Time Performance/Too Slow, and P0A1B62, Drive Motor A Control Module, Algorithm Based Failure. The vehicle is currently being evaluated by an authorized Volvo dealer. I was advised that the high-voltage battery cells appear to be functioning properly and that the dealer is consulting Volvo technical support regarding the loss-of-acceleration condition. Volvo has issued Technical Journal guidance addressing ERAD clutch DTCs, including P286D00, on this generation of XC90. I am concerned that delayed or failed engagement of the ERAD clutch can cause an unexpected delay or loss of propulsion during acceleration. I am also aware of another NHTSA complaint involving a 2017 Volvo XC90 ERAD clutch failure, NHTSA Complaint No. 11673211, describing a delay in propulsion followed by sudden power delivery. I am requesting that NHTSA review this condition as a potential safety defect involving ERAD clutch engagement and intermittent loss or delay of propulsion in Volvo XC90 T8 vehicles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759327August 25, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN
This submission supplements NHTSA Complaint #11759206, filed on August 24, 2026, regarding a 2018 Volvo XC90, in order to provide additional relevant information that came to light after the original filing. At the time of the first safety-critical malfunction (in-vehicle warnings including "Transmission Acceleration Performance Reduced" "Gear Lever Locked" and related electrical system symptoms), the service manager at Volvo Cars Brooklyn was able to remotely diagnose the likely cause by telephone, before the vehicle was even towed to the shop, specifically instructing the owner to check for dampness under the driver's floor mat, which was confirmed to be present. This indicates the symptom pattern described (sunroof leak leading to corrosion affecting the transmission, brakes, and electrical system) was already recognized and familiar to Volvo Cars Brooklyn's service staff, not a novel or difficult-to-diagnose issue. Additionally, the owner was informed that multiple other Volvo vehicles were present at Volvo Cars Brooklyn on the same day for repair of the same reported issue. Once arriving at the dealership, the service manager tole us that he had, "Just totaled a vehicle for the same issue." This suggests the underlying defect is not an isolated occurrence, but a broader, recurring pattern affecting multiple vehicles of this platform. This supplemental information is provided to support NHTSA's assessment of whether a safety-related defect trend exists affecting this vehicle platform, consistent with the pattern described in the original complaint and in other publicly available consumer complaints regarding sunroof-related water intrusion on the Volvo XC90.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11759206August 24, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle first experienced a safety-critical malfunction while driving on the highway on August 11, 2026, producing in-vehicle warnings reading "Transmission Acceleration Performance Reduced" and "Gear Lever Locked," along with broader electrical system symptoms, requiring the 2018 Volvo XC90 to be towed to Volvo Cars Brooklyn on August 11, 2026. At that time, dampness was discovered under the driver’s floor mat, leading to the discovery of a sunroof leak and resulting water intrusion. The dealership represented the vehicle as fully repaired and safe to drive. The same safety-critical malfunction occurred later that night, while driving about 90 miles away from the dealership, with the same warnings appearing, confirming that the original repair failed to address the underlying issue. Loss of normal transmission and braking function while the vehicle was in motion directly affected the driver's ability to control the vehicle. The vehicle was towed for a second time on the morning of August 12, 2026, to Volvo Cars Brooklyn, where it was confirmed that module corrosion caused by the original sunroof leak had not been properly diagnosed or corrected during the first service visit, and that this corrosion had disrupted signals to the vehicle’s electrical, braking, and transmission systems. The dealership completed a corrective repair on August 12, 2026, replacing the OFM module and removing water, following the second incident. The vehicle has not been separately inspected by Volvo’s manufacturer-level engineering team. This failure is consistent with a broader, documented pattern affecting this vehicle platform. Volvo has previously issued a Technical Service Bulletin addressing a sunroof-related water leak on an earlier model year of this platform. While that bulletin does not specifically cover the 2018 model year, numerous 2018 model year owners have independently reported the same failure pattern, a failed sunroof seal, often linked to clogged sunroof drains.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758785August 22, 2026
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
In February 2026, my 2021 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 (VIN: [XXX]) experienced a hybrid battery cell failure. The failure was diagnosed and confirmed by an authorized Volvo dealership (Volvo of Tacoma) and is covered under the vehicle's manufacturer warranty. However, I have been informed that a replacement part may not be available until December 2026 or later — a delay of ten months or more from the original failure date. Volvo has advised me that attempting to charge the vehicle in its current state carries a risk of fire. As a result, I am unable to charge the hybrid system and have had to operate the vehicle on gasoline alone, with fuel costs increasing approximately 3.5x per month. Separately, an independent mechanic has advised me that continued operation of the vehicle without a functioning hybrid battery cell is causing ongoing, worsening mechanical damage over time, separate from the original defect. I have made extensive good-faith efforts to resolve this directly with Volvo Cars USA customer care, including phone calls, an online request form, and direct correspondence, with prolonged periods of no response despite written acknowledgment of the issue on XXX. Given that Volvo itself has identified a fire risk associated with charging this vehicle, combined with an indefinite repair timeline of ten months or more and mechanic-confirmed risk of continued mechanical degradation, I am filing this report to document a potential safety defect in the hybrid battery system of this vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758396August 21, 2026
SERVICE BRAKES
COMPONENT & AVAILABILITY: The primary brake booster assembly and vacuum pump failed twice. The vehicle remains fully assembled and grounded at Volvo Cars White Plains, available for immediate inspection upon request. SAFETY RISK: Both incidents involved primary braking system failure while traveling downhill. During the second failure on August 4, 2026, the vehicle completely overshot a residential intersection, crossed a perpendicular road, and overran the pavement, coming to a stop at the edge of the opposite traffic lane directly where a sharp hill forms and drops off. DEALER CONFIRMATION: The failure was diagnosed and confirmed by the authorized dealer service center (Volvo Cars White Plains) following flatbed towing on both June 5, 2026, and August 4, 2026. After the second failure, the service supervisor explicitly stated that because the identical system failure recurred, they would need corporate approval for a secondary repair. INSPECTION STATUS: The vehicle components were inspected and diagnosed by the manufacturer-certified dealership network. No independent third-party teardown has been authorized to preserve component evidence. WARNING SYMPTOMS & PRIOR INCIDENTS: The primary failure initially occurred on June 5, 2026, while driving downhill, requiring full-force manual pedal pressure to stop. Following a dealer replacement of both components under a single repair cost, the identical mechanical failure recurred three weeks later on August 4, 2026. Crucially, prior to both the first and second incidents, there were absolutely no warning lamps, dashboard messages, or symptoms of any kind before the component malfunction occurred.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11758241August 20, 2026
WHEELS
my vehicle has experienced a potentially catastrophic steering failure while driving, Volvo's authorized service attempts have not corrected it, and I no longer consider the vehicle safe.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757883August 19, 2026
SEAT BELTS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
At first I was having issues with stop and start, replaced the battery then was told I wasted coffee in my center Console and it cause electrical issues and was told the repairs would be 3,400 in which collision issuance paid for. After the repairs my driver side seat belt would latch then the passenger side wouldn’t latch either so I currently don’t have working A/C or working seatbelts which is known problem for these vehicles.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757537August 17, 2026
ENGINE
I discovered an engine coolant leak from a crack near the end of the Plastic Coolant Bypass Pipe (part #31368673/32382362) after noticing coolant puddling on my garage floor. There are numerous comments with pictures on-line about how common this part fails on this model Volvo. What's also interesting is that the "pipe" fails in exactly the same location (on top and near the end). Seems to me if this is a known defect and the part is not performing with reasonable reliability, Volvo should provide an allowance to car owners when the part fails.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757166August 15, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
The exterior chrome trim on the door handle has severely delaminated and flaked. The peeling metallic coating has separated from the plastic handle structure, creating a razor-sharp edge. This component is located on a primary vehicle entry point, creating an immediate laceration hazard to anyone attempting to open the door. The flaking metal shards are sharp enough to cut fingers or hands during normal vehicle operation, posing a particular safety risk to children or anyone unfamiliar with the vehicle's defect. This is a known manufacturing material failure affecting 2019 Volvo models.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11757167August 15, 2026
STRUCTURE:BODY
The exterior chrome trim on the door handle has severely delaminated and flaked. The peeling metallic coating has separated from the plastic handle structure, creating a razor-sharp edge. This component is located on a primary vehicle entry point, creating an immediate laceration hazard to anyone attempting to open the door. The flaking metal shards are sharp enough to cut fingers or hands during normal vehicle operation, posing a particular safety risk to children or anyone unfamiliar with the vehicle's defect. This is a known manufacturing material failure affecting 2019 Volvo models.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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