2011 Volvo XC90 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
19 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
94,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 19 complaints (26.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 31.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 10.5% |
| Braking behavior | 2 | 10.5% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 10.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
Electrical System: 5; Engine: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Power Train: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Steering: 2; Air Bags: 1; Exterior Lighting: 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 | 4 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 4; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 6 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 |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2011: 2; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 3; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 1; 2022: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 2 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 10515377 · 2013-06-05 (June 5, 2013)
EVERY TIME I DO NOT TURN MY CAR ON FOR 2 OR MORE CONSECUTIVE DAYS MY CAR BATTERY DIES. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME 7 TIMES IN THE COURSE OF MY 2 YEAR LEASE. EACH TIME IT IS TOWED AND SENT TO VOLVO FOR SERVICE THEY REPORT THAT THEY HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM. ONE TIME THEY CLAIMED IT WAS MY BLUE TOOTH DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE NEXT TIME IT WAS SIRIUS RADIO DRAINING THE BATTERY. THE LOST GOES ON AND ON. CLEARLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH NO SOLUTION AS MY VAR BATTERY DIES EVERY TIME IT IS LEFT UNATTENDED. WITHOUT FAIL! *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10515377 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10668277 · 2014-12-26 (December 26, 2014)
THE BATTERY IN THE VEHICLE FAILS DUE TO A DRAIN IN THE POWER SYSTEMS BECAUSE OF A FAILURE IN SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ,THIS FAULT IS KNOWN TO VOLVO AND THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR .IF THE CAR IS NOT DRIVEN EVERY DAY THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS SEARCH FOR BLUE TOOTH PHONE SIGNALS AND SATELLITE RADIO SIGNALS CAUSING A DRAIN ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ENOUGH TO KILL THE BATTERY ON A DAILY BASIS. VOLVO SAYS THEY HAVE A REPAIR FOR THIS AND SAY THAT I MUST PAY. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT TO VOLVO THEY SHOULD REPAIR THIS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 63,035 miles reported. Look up ODI 10668277 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10845870 · 2016-03-09 (March 9, 2016)
THE PROBLEM IS EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V579000 MY CAR STALLED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS TRANSMISSION WENT INTO PROTECTION MODE. IT STARTED FINE AGAIN WITH NO ISSUES AND SINCE THEN RUNNING FINE AND I PUT CLOSE TO 800 MILES. HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT INCLUDE XC90 IN THE LIST OF CARS AFFECTED FOR MODEL YEAR 2011. DEALER SIMPLY SUGGESTED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ($ 6681) AND VOLVO DENIED ANY HELP. I CALLED THE DEALER REGARDING UPGRADING SOFTWARE ON THE MODULES AND THEY SUGGESTED IT WOULD COST FEW H…
Owner-reported narrative. 133,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10845870 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10958736 · 2017-03-06 (March 6, 2017)
RECENTLY WE LOST THE SERPENTINE BELT WITHOUT KNOWING IT. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR COMPUTER MESSAGE CALLED OUR ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT WE WERE RUNNING ON BATTERY. THE ONLY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM WAS THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. WE DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE TO A VOLVO REPAIR FACILITY AND LEARNED WE LOST THE SERPENTINE BELT, THUS THE ALTERNATOR, WATER PUMP,POWER STEERING AND AIR CONDITIONER WERE INOPERATIVE. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE COMPUTER CONTROLS EVERYTHING AND WOULD NOT ISSUE A WARNING UNTIL THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND/OR THE BATTERY WAS CLOSE…
Owner-reported narrative. 98,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10958736 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10472427 · 2012-08-24 (August 24, 2012)
FROM THE BEGINNING THIS VEHICLE HAS DELAYED ACCELERATION, VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WHEN PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF ON-COMING TRAFFIC, OR MAKING LEFT HAND TURN WITH ON-COMING TRAFFIC. BRAKES MAKE LOUD CRACKING POPPING SOUND WHEN BRAKING AND TURNING THE WHEEL, DO NOT FEEL SAFE WITH IT MAKING SUCH AWFUL SOUNDS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 5 miles reported. Look up ODI 10472427 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11452346 · 2022-02-17 (February 17, 2022)
Electrical, Brake lights suddenly stopped working on both sides at once. I checked the fuse only to be told a relay may be the issue. The location of said relay is vague and not serviceable by owner. Risk of rear end collision. Of following traffic
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11452346 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11045205 · 2017-11-10 (November 10, 2017)
WHINING NOISE IN STEERING..... I CHECKED AND LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID IN 2015... ALSO IN 2016, AND NOW AGAIN IN 2017... I ADDED FLUID EACH TIME....
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11045205 at NHTSA ↗