The Lemon Index
200820111st generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 10,757 in the U.S. in 2009 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 1 complaint in its first 3 years.
1 owner complaint, first 3 years 15–17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2009 Lexus RX 402009 Acura MDX2009 BMW X5
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
No complaints for this year listed a mileage, so we can't say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 10V566000 (equipment) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Volvo sent dealers 215 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Title BLIS fault tracing”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Volvo's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 1 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
Problems Volvo told dealers about
Volvo sent dealers 215 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Title BLIS fault tracing
- This is a Technical Journal: "BLIS service required" may be displayed in DIM(Drivers…
- Technical Journal TITLE : The Error Frame Finder (EFF) can be an aid in fault tracing…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Equipment · recall issued 2010
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,550–$4,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 3.2L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl.
Every Volvo XC90 year. 2009 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2009 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/volvo-xc90/?y=2009" title="Volvo XC90 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="514" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/volvo-xc90/2009/">Lemon Index</a> (2009 Volvo XC90 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2009 Volvo XC90 reliable?
We can't score it: only 10,757 were sold in the U.S. in 2009 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 1 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2009 Volvo XC90 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (100%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2009 Volvo XC90 have?
1 safety recall (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2009 Volvo XC90 get?
15 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2009 Volvo XC90 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2009 Volvo XC90 cost in fuel a year?
About $3,550 to $4,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2009 Volvo XC90 have?
3.2L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl.
What Volvo XC90 year is better than the 2009?
Nearby, the 2011 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a quarter as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2019 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works