2016 Volvo XC90

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2016 Volvo XC90
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:38:18.270Z

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2016: 195 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2003	93
2004	462
2005	223
2006	53
2007	38
2008	29
2009	7
2010	12
2011	19
2012	3
2013	11
2014	4
2015	0
2016	195
2017	73
2018	46
2019	37
2020	28
2021	32
2022	28
2023	39
2024	30
2025	26

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

ENGINE 43%

43% of complaints: engine — 84 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned a 2016 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an unknown speed, white smoke began to emit from the vehicle as fellow motorists alerted her daughter that a fire had started underneath the vehicle.

NHTSA ODI report, 20250130

FOLLOWING RECALL SERVICE BY DEALERSHIP AGAINST NHTSA RECALL 19V308 THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP FROM THE DEALERSHIP AND DRIVEN DIRECTLY HOME, ~16 MILES. AT MILE ~2 BURNING RUBBER WAS SMELLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20190831

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 28%

28% of complaints: electrical system — 55 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE

Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN PARK ASSIST MODE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN REVERSE INDEPENDENTLY AND BACKED INTO A TREE WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20200127

STRUCTURE 11%

11% of complaints: structure — 21 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

SERVICE BRAKES 7%

7% of complaints: service brakes — 14 distinct reports on file.

CRASH

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 6%

6% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 12 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20150630 — air bags

Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo XC90 vehicles manufactured January 27, 2015, to May 19, 2015.

Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the routing of the SIPS wiring, correcting the routing and installing a protective sleeve as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2015.

Campaign 15V342000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20150921 — air bags

Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo XC90 vehicles manufactured January 27, 2015, to July 10, 2015. The third row seating side curtain air bags may not fully inflate.

Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will modify the D-pillar interior panels to allow full inflation of the third row airbags, free of charge. The recall began on September 21, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo Customer Care at 1-800-458-1552.

Campaign 15V497000 — check if this car was fixed

▮ 2016 — complaint volume: 195

R 20160624 — visibility

Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 XC90 vehicles manufactured January 27, 2015, to April 23, 2016.

Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software upgrade that disables the auto-close function, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2016.

Campaign 16V268000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161121 — air bags, equipment

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Volvo XC90 and S90 vehicles manufactured April 15, 2015 through September 19, 2016.

Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air conditioning drain hose for proper installation, replacing the hose as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on November the 14, 2016.

Campaign 16V690000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20161216 — seat belts

Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 XC90, S90, XC60, V60 Cross Country, V60, S60 Cross Country, S60, and S60 Inscription vehicles manufactured February 16, 2015, to August 22, 2016.

Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt buckle stud, replacing the seat belt buckle as needed, free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552.

Campaign 16V798000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20190612 — engine and engine cooling

Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2016 XC90 vehicles. Exposure to heat and humidity may cause the engine coolant bleeder hose to crack, resulting in a coolant leak.

Remedy: Volvo Cars will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine side coolant bleeder hose, free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R29936.

Campaign 19V308000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20210714 — electrical system

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2016-2020 XC90 Excellence vehicles. Liquid or condensation on the rear seat control display may cause the front passenger seat to move back as far as possible.

Remedy: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will update the rear seat control display software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552.

Campaign 21V273000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20230127 — DP (closed 20230807)

Pedestrian alert sounds

R 20240119 — seat belts

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.

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.

Campaign 23V827000 — check if this car was fixed