The Lemon Index

All carsVolvoXC902013

2011 Volvo XC90, 1st generation, illustration2011
2013 Volvo XC90, 1st generation, illustration
2014 Volvo XC90, 1st generation, illustration2014

2013 Volvo XC90 problems.

1st generation

Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 6,845 in the U.S. in 2013 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 7 complaints in its first 3 years.

Better years to buy

This generation201128
Other generations201919202027202140

All 20 yearsCompare

7 owner complaints, first 3 years 18–19 mpg combined, EPA

Similar cars, same year

2013 Lexus RX 192013 Acura MDX 202013 BMW X5 58

Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.

When problems show up

Only 6 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.

Questions to ask the seller

  1. Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
  2. Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
  3. Volvo sent dealers 223 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “One of adaption references values, during autocalibration, decreased in dem due to low current…”?

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:

0crashesaverage car: 0
0injuriesaverage car: 0
0firesaverage car: 0
0towsaverage car: 0

“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.

electrical29%
engine14%
wheels14%
stability control14%
fuel system14%

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.

half by 31K
0K50K100K150K200K

Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 25K to 58K miles (40K to 94K km) on the car (6 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 223 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:

  • One of adaption references values, during autocalibration, decreased in dem due to low current…
  • VOLVO CARS SERVICE AND PARTS BUSINESS Service Manager Bulletin TITLE : The Volvo Replacement…

Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.

Recalls 0

No safety recalls on record.

Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.

Check a VIN for open recalls

Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada

Every Volvo XC90 recall, all years · All Volvo recalls

Safety

Stability controlStandard
Collision warningNot offered
Lane departure warningNot offered
Crash test details
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Volvo XC90 SUV FWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆
Volvo XC90 SUV AWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines

About $3,150–$3,350 (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.

Every Volvo XC90 year. 2013 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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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/volvo-xc90/?y=2013" 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-xc90/2013/">Lemon Index</a> (2013 Volvo XC90 reliability)</p>

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Quick answers

Is the 2013 Volvo XC90 reliable?

We can't score it: only 6,845 were sold in the U.S. in 2013 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.

What are the most common 2013 Volvo XC90 problems?

In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (29%), engine (14%) and wheels (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.

How many recalls does the 2013 Volvo XC90 have?

None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.

What gas mileage does the 2013 Volvo XC90 get?

18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).

Does the 2013 Volvo XC90 have transmission problems?

Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.

How much does the 2013 Volvo XC90 cost in fuel a year?

About $3,150 to $3,350 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.

What engines does the 2013 Volvo XC90 have?

3.2L 6-cyl.

What Volvo XC90 year is better than the 2013?

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

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