vehicle signal
U.S. public vehicle records

2021 Volvo XC90: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

33 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

2,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 9 of 33 complaints (27.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior1030.3%
Electrical and battery issues824.2%
Transmission and shifting39.1%
Engine operation26.1%
Steering behavior26.1%
Fuel system concerns13.0%

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.

Electrical System
9
Engine
8
Service Brakes
7
Fuel/Propulsion System
5
Unknown Or Other
5
Power Train
3
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
2
Seat Belts
2
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System9
Engine8
Service Brakes7
Fuel/Propulsion System5
Unknown Or Other5
Power Train3
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking2
Seat Belts2

Electrical System: 9; Engine: 8; Service Brakes: 7; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Power Train: 3; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 2; Seat Belts: 2

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
3
25,000 to 49,999
1
50,000 to 74,999
0
75,000 to 99,999
1
100,000 to 149,999
0
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,0003
25,000 to 49,9991
50,000 to 74,9990
75,000 to 99,9991
100,000 to 149,9990
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 28 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.

2020
1
2021
3
2022
4
2023
4
2024
3
2025
4
2026
14
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20201
20213
20224
20234
20243
20254
202614

2020: 1; 2021: 3; 2022: 4; 2023: 4; 2024: 3; 2025: 4; 2026: 14

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 8 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 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 11385260 · 2020-12-28 (December 28, 2020)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE, THE BACKUP CAMERA DISPLAY APPEARED VERY BLURRY AND DISTORTED CAUSING A VISIBILITY HAZARD TO THE DRIVER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT, NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200. *LN*JB

Owner-reported narrative. 200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11385260 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11388231 · 2021-01-14 (January 14, 2021)

*WITH THE BOWERS & WILKINS SOUND SYSTEM* TWICE WITHIN 1400 MILES, THERE WAS A LOUD "POP" SOUND FROM THE SPEAKERS FOLLOWED BY NO SOUND FROM ANY PORTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE POP SOUNDED LIKE A WINDOW OR THE SUNROOF SHATTERED. ALL SOUND WAS LOST: SENSUS FEEDBACK, TURN SIGNALS, PARKING SENSORS, PHONE, ETC. THE ONLY THING THAT WORKED WAS THE BASS. AFTER THE CAR WAS PARKED AND OFF, AND RE-STARTED, EVERYTHING WORKED AS NORMAL. ODDLY, THERE WAS THE FEELING OF STATIC ELECTRICITY JUST PRIOR TO EACH POP. THESE POPS WERE CAUGHT ON DASH CAM FOR PROOF. THERE …

Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11388231 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11389044 · 2021-01-20 (January 20, 2021)

ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE ENGAGING VIOLENTLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AT LEAST. 3 TIMES. RESULTING IN ABRUPT STOP IN MOVEING TRAFFIC! DEALER IN NO HURRY TO REPAIR SUGGESTING BRING BACK WHEN THEY ARE ABLE! AM NOTIFYING VOLVO, DEALER , THEY WILL ASSUME ALL LIABILITY FOR INJURY OR DEATH FOR THIS DEFECT AND LACK OF CONCERN IN REPAIRING ( TOLD A SOFTWARE PROBLEM , BUT ALSO TOLD CAUSED DAMAGE TO OTHER COMPONENTS DUE TO VIOLENT AND ABRUPT STOPS! VERY UNCOMFORTABLE ESPECIALLY SINCE REPAIR MGR IS SO ARROGANT!

Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11389044 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11440067 · 2021-11-10 (November 10, 2021)

Check engine light illuminated at 11,000 miles. Diagnostics showed a software update was needed but the software update did not fix the problem. Volvo corporate said the IEM module needed to be replaced. The IEM module controls the rear axle / propulsion and this is a serious safety issue because sudden loss of propulsion while driving at high speeds increases risk of having an accident. After replacing the IEM module, the mechanic cleared the DTC codes, test drove the car, and re-ran the DTC - and the code indicating a software update was stil…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11440067 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11446230 · 2022-01-04 (January 4, 2022)

With 2700 miles my XC90 has the Emission Control System light is on. The engine noise is considerably louder than normal (being a hybrid the SUV is pretty quiet) and it is not using the electric option.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11446230 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11486819 · 2022-09-27 (September 27, 2022)

My Xc90 is shuttering at interstate speeds as well as below. When I purchased, they had to machine the rotors and said they balanced the front tires. It did not help much. The brakes shake less. I'm sure the entire rotors are warped. All this with 12k miles on the vehicle.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11486819 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11491884 · 2022-11-02 (November 2, 2022)

Took my car in because one of my backseat seatbelts no longer retracted properly and Was so loose that I couldn’t possibly buckle my daughter in safely in her car seat. I had noticed the seatbelt on the other side was also starting to retract more slowly. When the service center did the test they said the one that no longer retracted was covered under warranty but the other was not broken enough to be covered and that I could come back when it was. So basically I should keep buckling my child into a faulty seatbelt until it is completely broken…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11491884 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 11493737 · 2022-11-15 (November 15, 2022)

I brought a 2021 XC90 Volvo on 8/18/2022 with 12861 miles on it. The attached photo will show the current mile on the vehicle is 17421, so you can see I have only put 4560 miles on the vehicle. This vehicle was only brought 3 months ago. It's very concerning that I was driving down interstate 530 on Sunday 11/13/2022 and for the first time ever the low-pressure light comes on and then seconds later the vehicle starts the shakes and I almost lost control of the vehicle. I managed to get to the side of the highway to find that my back passenger r…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11493737 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

21V001000 · Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module | Seat Belts:Pretensioner | Air Bags

Reported: 2021-01-07 (January 7, 2021)

Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 Volvo V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. The Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) control unit may not have been properly attached to the car body and may detach during a crash.

Consequence: A detached SRS control unit can decrease the performance of occupant protection systems such as air bags, seat belts, and high voltage battery disconnect, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the SRS control unit mounting screws, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10068.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V682000 · Seat Belts:Rear/Other:Retractor | Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | Seat Belts

Reported: 2021-09-01 (September 1, 2021)

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 XC40, XC 40 Recharge, V60CC, V90, V90CC, XC90, and 2021-2022 V60, XC60, S60 vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10111.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
21V716000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | Service Brakes, Hydraulic

Reported: 2021-09-15 (September 15, 2021)

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 S90L, 2020-2021 XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.

Consequence: Separation of the rotor and shaft may cause a reduction in braking assistance and a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the hydraulic unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10120.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
23V001000 · Steering

Reported: 2023-01-05 (January 5, 2023)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
23V827000 · Seat Belts:Critical Fasteners

Reported: 2023-12-07 (December 7, 2023)

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.

Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗
25V179000 · Electrical System:Propulsion System:Traction Battery | Electrical System:Software

Reported: 2025-03-24 (March 24, 2025)

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.

Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗