2007 Volvo XC90 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
38 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
75,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2007 model year. Data snapshot: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 13 of 38 complaints (34.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 8 | 21.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 5 | 13.2% |
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 10.5% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 10.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 7.9% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.6% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 13 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Steering | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 2 |
Electrical System: 13; Engine: 4; Steering: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Exterior Lighting: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Power Train: 3; Electronic Stability Control (Esc): 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 5 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 5 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 6 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 5; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 5; 100,000 to 149,999: 6; 150,000 and above: 5
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (6). 8 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 |
|---|---|
| 2007 | 4 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2007: 4; 2008: 3; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2012: 5; 2013: 2; 2014: 2; 2015: 4; 2016: 1; 2017: 2; 2018: 3; 2019: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 3; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10206813 · 2007-10-24 (October 24, 2007)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLVO XC90. ON OCTOBER 7, 2007, THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER ACCIDENTALLY PULLED THE GEAR SHIFT WHILE CLIMBING INTO THE BACK SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE ROLLED OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY. THE ENGINE WAS NOT RUNNING AND THE KEYS WERE NOT IN THE IGNITION. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO GET IN THE VEHICLE AND PLACE IT IN PARK WITHOUT A CRASH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE ENGINE IS NOT RUNNING, SHE COULD STILL SHIFT THROUGH ALL THE GEARS WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. ALSO, WHILE THE VEHICLE IS PLAC…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10206813 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10296643 · 2009-12-21 (December 21, 2009)
BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE 3 MONTHS AFTER BRAKE SYSTEM SERVICE BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. I HAD MY 2007 VOLVO XC90 SERVICED BY MOMENTUM VOLVO IN HOUSTON TEXAS. THEY HAVE SERVICED BRAKE SYSTEM AND INSTALLED NEW BRAKE PADS. 3 MONTHS LATER, THE BRAKE SYSTEM STARTED TO PERFORM POORLY, CAR WAS UNSTABLE WHEN BRAKING AND BRAKES WOULD MAKE A SCREECHING NOISE. ANOTHER VOLVO DEALER DIAGNOSED FAILURE OF BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AND INSTALLED NEW PARTS FOR A COST OF $600.00 VOLVO CLAIMS THAT THIS IS NOT WARRANTY RELATED ITEM EVEN THOUGH THE PARTS HAVE BEEN INSTALLE…
Owner-reported narrative. 42,112 miles reported. Look up ODI 10296643 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10207919 · 2007-11-05 (November 5, 2007)
ON OCTOBER 31ST OF THIS YEAR OUR 2007 VOLVO XC90 CAUGHT FIRE NEAR THE REAR HATCH. MY WIFE, WHO NORMALLY DRIVES THIS VEHICLE, WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR ON HER FIRST ATTEMPT. IT APPEARED THAT THE BATTERY WAS DEAD. AFTER A COUPLE OF MORE ATTEMPTS THE CAR DID START BUT, A CHECK ENGINE SIGNAL APPEARED. AT THIS POINT SHE DECIDED NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR AND LEFT IT AT HOME. I CAME HOME AT LUNCH AND AFTER A COUPLE OF ATTEMPTS THE CAR DID START. I LEFT THE CAR RUNNING FOR A FEW MINUTES AFTER WHICH TIME SMOKE STARTING FILLING UP THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10207919 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10341447 · 2010-07-05 (July 5, 2010)
JULY 4, 2010 IN REPLY TO: VIN# [XXX] VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA CUSTOMER CARE CENTER 1VOLVO DRIVE ROCKLEDGE, NJ 07647-0914 DEAR VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA, SUBJECT: VOLVO XC90 WARRANTY/SAFETY ISSUE I HAVE RETURNED MY VOLVO XC90 ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS FOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM RELATED PROBLEMS TO INCLUDE THREE SEPARATE INCIDENTS OF THE POSITION INDICATOR LIGHT BURNING OUT, MULTIPLE BULB FAILURES AND TIRE PRESSURE SYSTEM WARNINGS. MY VOLVO REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THAT THESE WERE UNRELATED NORMAL REPAIRS AND THAT I SHOULD NOT BE CONCERNED AFTER…
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10341447 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10249524 · 2008-11-21 (November 21, 2008)
THE TRANSMISSION ON THE 2007 VOLVO XC 90 T6 ARE FAILING EARLY AT AN ALARMING RATE. MINE HAS FAILED AT 70K MILES, LEAVING ME STRANDED. THIS IS NOTED TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND IS WELL DESCRIBED IN DISCUSSION FORUMS, WITH MANY TRANSMISSIONS FAILING BEFORE 30K MILES. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 75,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10249524 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10462958 · 2012-06-25 (June 25, 2012)
DESPITE VOLVO'S KNOWLEDGE OF PROBLEMS WITH THE XC90 TRANSMISSION, WHEN IT FAILED COMPLETELY, I TOOK IT TO AN AAMCO DEALER BECAUSE THERE WAS NO LOCAL VOLVO DEALER. THE TACH WAS ALL THE WAY TO THE RIGHT AND THE WHEELS WOULD DO NOTHING. IT WAS VERY DANGEROUS. DESPITE HAVE THE EXTENDED 100K WARRANTY, AND THIS PRIOR KNOWLEDGE, VOLVO CORPORATE REFUSED TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY WITH THE $6K COST OF THE REPAIRS BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE IT REPAIRED AT A VOLVO DEALER. I WAS TOLD BY AAMCO THAT IT WAS DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING. I WOULD NEVER OWN ANOTHER VOLVO O…
Owner-reported narrative. 73,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10462958 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10218595 · 2008-02-20 (February 20, 2008)
VOLVO 2007XC90 BROKEN BALL JOINT CAUSING ACCIDENT-. AUTHORMESSAGE JANICE G MAZUREK DDS JAN 24,2008 LOCATION: VENTURA CALIFORNIA VOLVO 2007XC90 BROKEN BALL JOINT CAUSING ACCIDENT- ________________________________________ WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE DRIVING MY XC90 WITH 14,000 MILES THE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT FRACTURED CAUSING ME TO LOOSE STEERING CONTROL AND VEER OFF THE ROAD. LUCKILY I WAS TRAVELING 30 MILES AN HOUR WITH NO CARS CLOSE BEHIND AND I WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE CAR SAFELY OFF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL VOLVO DEALER.…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10218595 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10447420 · 2012-02-10 (February 10, 2012)
WHEN RESTARTING MY CAR IN AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PICK-UP LINE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT "STUCK" AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AND BECAUSE IT COULD NOT BE PUT INTO NEUTRAL, IT HAD TO BE DRAGGED ONTO THE TOW TRUCK BED. THE LOCK CYLINDER HAS FAILED. IT IS ESTIMATED THAT WE WILL BE WITHOUT THE CAR FOR 7 DAYS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10447420 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10788135 · 2015-11-03 (November 3, 2015)
IN A NUTSHELL: AT APPROXIMATELY 8:35 WEDNESDAY MORNING (OCTOBER 28TH), MY VOLVO XC90 SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE IN THE POURING RAIN. I WAS IN THE CAR AT THE TIME. THANKFULLY NOBODY WAS HURT. TORONTO FIRE SERVICES AND TORONTO POLICE SERVICES BOTH ATTENDED THE SCENE. THE MOST FRIGHTENING PART OF THIS INCIDENT IS THE FACT THAT IT WAS COMPLETELY SPONTANEOUS AND VERY CLOSE TO THE GAS TANK! OBVIOUSLY IT WAS THE RESULT OF AN ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTION. THANKFULLY ANOTHER DRIVER ALERTED ME TO THE FACT THAT MY CAR WAS ON FIRE - AS IT WAS NOT APPAREN…
Owner-reported narrative. 103,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10788135 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11497169 · 2022-12-13 (December 13, 2022)
IF THE CONDITION OCCURS VEHICLE OWNERS MAY NOTICE FUEL SMELL AND/OR FUEL LEAK WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE. This Recall Was Done for a 2004 Volvo xc90 . I am currently Experiencing the same problem with my 2007 volvo Xc90 AWD. Every time, I fill up to 1/2 a tank or full , I start to smell the fumes inside the vehicle . I took it to get inspected , and the mechanic said the fuel pump assembly usually cracks and the vapor goes inside the cabin. I personally think this is not safe for us drivers or the pass…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11497169 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10608578 · 2014-07-07 (July 7, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE IGNITION COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 170,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10608578 at NHTSA ↗