2010 Volvo XC90: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
97,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2010 model year. Data snapshot: . 10 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 12 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 3 | 25.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 2 | 16.7% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 8.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Service Brakes | 1 |
| Structure | 1 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Steering: 2; Tires:Temporary/Emergency Spare Tire: 2; Air Bags: 1; Engine: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Service Brakes: 1; Structure: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 4 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 4; 150,000 and above: 1
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 2 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
2014: 2; 2016: 2; 2018: 3; 2019: 2; 2020: 2; 2023: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 2 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10588537 · 2014-05-15 (May 15, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN HER GARAGE, THE SPARE TIRE BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WINCH THAT WAS HOLDING THE SPARE TIRE IN PLACE FRACTURED, CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10588537 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10641814 · 2014-10-06 (October 6, 2014)
I PULLED DOWN THE SPARE TIRE IN OUR 2010 XC90 TODAY TO REPAIR A FLAT (I THINK THIS MAY BE THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE HAD TO DO SO). THERE ARE 4 LARGE BURNED AND MELTED AREAS (AS IF IT HAD BEEN ON A GIANT GRILL) ON THE SIDEWALL OF THE SPARE TIRE THAT FACES THE UNDERCARRIAGE WHERE IT IS SUSPENDED UNDERNEATH THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I ASSUME THIS IS FROM THE MUFFLER OR SOME OTHER HOT METAL. IN ADDITION TO WONDERING IF THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD, I AM ALSO APPREHENSIVE ABOUT THE INTEGRITY AND SAFETY OF THE SPARE TIRE ONCE IT IS PLACED ON THE CAR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10641814 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10845752 · 2016-03-09 (March 9, 2016)
STARTLINGLY LOUD POP WHEN DRIVING AT 70MPH ON INTERSTATE. PULLED OFF TO CHECK TIRES IN THICK MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND DID NOT NOTICE SUNROOF HAD SHATTERED UNTIL SOME MILES LATER WHEN I CONTINUED TO HEAR GRAVEL ROLLING AROUND ON TOP OF MY CAR. A LARGE CHUNK OF WINDOW HAD FLOWN OFF THE BACK, APPARENTLY. FORTUNATELY, SCREEN WAS CLOSED. AND,THE CARS BEHIND ME WERE NOT EFFECTED. I DO NOT RECALL ANYTHING HITTING THE SUNROOF NOR WAS I BEHIND ANY TRUCKS THAT MAY HAVE HAD LOOSE ROCKS. COST TO REPAIR IS $935!!, ALL OUT OF POCKET SINCE MY DEDUC…
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10845752 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10923852 · 2016-11-02 (November 2, 2016)
THE SPARE TIRE CABLE ASSEMBLY BROKE, CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO DROP FROM UNDER VEHICLE WHILE PARKED IN GARAGE. THE CABLE ASSEMBLY DISMOUNTED FROM THE CARRIER NUT. SPARE TIRE HAS NEVER BEEN USED MY OWNER. IF VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON ROAD AT TIME OF CABLE MALFUNCTION, WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR POSSIBLE DEATH. PLEASE ADVISE!
Owner-reported narrative. 71,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10923852 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11076176 · 2018-03-04 (March 4, 2018)
THE DRIVERS SIDE VIEW MIRROR HAS LOOSENED WITHOUT EVIDENCE OF TRAUMA. IT IS DIFFICULT TO MAINTAIN VISIBILITY WITHOUT OPENING THE WINDOW AND MANUALLY PUSHING THE MIRROR CASING OUTWARD. IT MOVES WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND WHEN STATIONERY.
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11076176 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11110733 · 2018-07-11 (July 11, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD DETERIORATED TO THE POINT WHERE IT WAS STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND AND BUCKLING IN THE AREA OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COMPONENT. THE DEALER (VOLVO ESCONDIDO, 1938 AUTO PARK WAY, ESCONDIDO, CA 92029) WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY EXTREME HEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11110733 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11144238 · 2018-10-30 (October 30, 2018)
DROVE VOLVO ONE DAY AGO AND WHILE DRIVING ON RURAL HIGHWAY ROAD EARLY MORNING IN THE DARK, VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING TOTALLY SHUT DOWN IN MIDDLE OF ROAD AND STALLED OUT. HAD TO VEER OFF ROAD AND COAST ON INCLINE WITH NOT MUCH MOMENTUM DUE TO CARS BEHIND ME. WAS DANGEROUS SITUATION, BUT LUCKILY GOT VEHICLE INTO SMALL DITCH OFF ROAD . HAD TO BE TOWED TO GARAGE AS WOULD NOT RESTART. WAS ADVISED BY VOLVO DEALER AFTER DIAGNOSTIC THAT FUEL PUMP WAS BAD AND PART BURNED OUT INSIDE IT AND NEEDS REPLACED. ABOUT A LITTLE LESS THEN A YEAR AGO VEHICLE BEGAN…
Owner-reported narrative. 101,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11144238 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11209692 · 2019-05-24 (May 24, 2019)
STEERING OFTEN SHAKES AND IS HARD TO CONTROL GOING OVER 50 MILES PER HOUR. STEERING COLUMN STICKS AT TIMES AND THEN IS VERY WOBBLY.
Owner-reported narrative. 95,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11209692 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
10V147000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
Reported: 2010-04-16 (April 16, 2010)
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 XC90 VEHICLES. A LEAK MAY DEVELOP IN THE FUEL LINE BETWEEN THE LINE AND A CONNECTOR.
Consequence: FUEL ODOR MAY BE DETECTED. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN LEAD TO A FIRE AT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE PRINTED ON THE FUEL LINE AND REPLACE THE FUEL PRESSURE LINE IF IT FALLS WITHIN THE RECALLED RANGE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
NHTSA campaign record ↗10V566000 · Equipment:Electrical:Navigational System(Global Positioning System)
Reported: 2010-11-08 (November 8, 2010)
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Consequence: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
NHTSA campaign record ↗11V286000 · Steering
Reported: 2011-05-18 (May 18, 2011)
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 XC90 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 29, 2010, THROUGH AUGUST 16, 2010. THE POWER STEERING FLUID MAY LEAK FROM THE OIL PIPE CONNECTION AT THE STEERING GEAR VALVE HOUSING.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OIL PIPES ON THE POWER STEERING RACK FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
NHTSA campaign record ↗