The Lemon Index
200920131st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
7 owner complaints, first 3 years 16–18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2011 Lexus RX 172011 Acura MDX 302011 BMW X5 95
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 5 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 11V286000 (steering) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Does it accelerate and hold speed smoothly, with no surging or stalling?
- Volvo sent dealers 221 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Shifting rough from 5th to 4th gear, and after standing experience shift shock when brake…”?
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 7 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 →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 1K to 23K miles (2K to 38K km) on the car (5 of all 7 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Problems Volvo told dealers about
Volvo sent dealers 221 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Shifting rough from 5th to 4th gear, and after standing experience shift shock when brake…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Steering · recall issued 2011
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 XC90 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 29, 2010, THROUGH AUGUST 16, 2010.
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 test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo XC90 SUV AWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Volvo XC90 SUV FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,350–$3,750 (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. 2011 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.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2011 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/volvo-xc90/?y=2011" 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-xc90/2011/">Lemon Index</a> (2011 Volvo XC90 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2011 Volvo XC90 reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a quarter as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 28; 100 is average, lower is better). The Volvo XC90 year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2019.
What are the most common 2011 Volvo XC90 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (43%), engine (29%) and speed control (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Volvo XC90 have?
1 safety recall (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Volvo XC90 get?
16 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2011 Volvo XC90 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 43% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2011 Volvo XC90 cost in fuel a year?
About $3,350 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Volvo XC90 have?
3.2L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl.
Is there a better Volvo XC90 year than the 2011?
Not nearby: the 2011 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Volvo XC90 years within 3 model years of it. 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