The Lemon Index

All cars · Volvo XC90 · 2021

2021 Volvo XC90. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index40100 = average car
Complaints15NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold38,657U.S. model year
Per 100K sold39complaints
Complaint rank#4 of 10among the 10 scored Volvo XC90 model years (2004–2022); #1 = fewest complaints per car sold, not the YouTube rank

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Brakes27%
Electrical20%
Automatic emergency braking13%
Transmission & drivetrain13%
Engine13%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
1500000

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 6

  • 25V179000 Mar 2025 Electrical System / Software

    Defect. Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020-2021 S90, 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60, XC90, and 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.

    Risk. A short circuit in a high-voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.

    Remedy. Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high-voltage battery module as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the software to monitor the battery. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 28, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1

  • 23V827000 Dec 2023 Seat Belts / Critical Fasteners

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. An improperly tightened seat belt buckle may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing their risk of injury during a crash.

    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. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10259.

  • 23V001000 Jan 2023 Steering

    Defect. Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2022 V60CC, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. During steering gear assembly, double screws may have been assembled on top of each other, which can cause a screw to fall into the gearbox housing.

    Risk. A screw inside the gearbox housing can cause the steering wheel to lock up and increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 1, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10213.

  • 21V716000 Sep 2021 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

    Defect. Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 S90L, 2020-2021 XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.

    Risk. Separation of the rotor and shaft may cause a reduction in braking assistance and a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Dealers will replace the hydraulic unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10120.

  • 21V682000 Sep 2021 Seat Belts / Front / Retractor

    Defect. Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 XC40, XC 40 Recharge, V60CC, V90, V90CC, XC90, and 2021-2022 V60, XC60, S60 vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

    Risk. An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.

    Remedy. Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10111.

  • 21V001000 Jan 2021 Air Bags

    Defect. Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 Volvo V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. The Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) control unit may not have been properly attached to the car body and may detach during a crash.

    Risk. A detached SRS control unit can decrease the performance of occupant protection systems such as air bags, seat belts, and high voltage battery disconnect, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.

    Remedy. Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the SRS control unit mounting screws, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10068.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedPedestrian alert sounds20232023

Manufacturer communications 219

Volvo filed 219 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • This is a Technical Journal: Creaking noise from Steering Wheel Module
  • Creaking noise from Steering Wheel Module (SWM)
  • This is a Technical Journal

Crash ratings by version

VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
Volvo XC90 T5 SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Volvo XC90 T5 SUV FWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆
Volvo XC90 T6 SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
StandardStandardNo

Engines and drivetrains 3

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.0L 4-cyl turboAuto (S8)FWD21 / 30 / 25Premium$3,100
2.0L 4-cyl turboAuto (S8)AWD19 / 28 / 22Premium$3,500
2.0L 4-cyl turbo plug-in hybridAuto (S8)AWD26 / 28 / 27Premium$2,850

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2018531731,609Brakes
201919735,760Electrical
202027934,251Brakes
2021401538,657Brakes
2022612634,101Electrical
2023864139,920Backup camera
20241063639,492Electrical

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated · Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com). Get the data

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