The Lemon Index
202120232nd generation
26 owner complaints, first 3 years 22–27 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2022 Lexus RX 272022 Acura MDX 582022 BMW X5 46
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 recalls 25V179000 (electrical), 23V827000 (seat belts) and 23V001000 (steering) done? It has 4 recalls in all. 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?
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Volvo sent dealers 219 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “PHEV Intermittent Start of the Combustion Engine in Hybrid”?
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 26 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 →
In owners' words
Electric charging connector frozen. Electronic release inoperable, and no alternate way provided to disconnect charger from vehicle. As a result, vehicle is completely stuck in very cold weather.
2022 Volvo XC90 owner · NHTSA complaint 11503950
More owner reports
The vehicle went into "turtle mode" on the freeway, abruptly started vibrating, reduced speed to a crawl, and then shut down. My family and I were trapped in the vehicle on the center divider of the freeway.
NHTSA complaint 11506012
Problems Volvo told dealers about
Volvo sent dealers 219 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- PHEV Intermittent Start of the Combustion Engine in Hybrid
- Creaking noise from Steering Wheel Module (SWM)
- This is a Technical Journal
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 4
- Electrical · recall issued 2025
The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2023
The second-row seat belt buckle and lower belt anchor bolts may not be tightened properly.
- Steering · recall issued 2023
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.
Show all 4 recalls
- Engine · recall issued 2022
An electronic control module (ECM) software error may prevent the combustion engine from starting, causing a loss of drive power.
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
Government investigations
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volvo XC90 T5 AWD SUV AWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
| Volvo XC90 T5 FWD SUV FWD | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★★ | ★★★★☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,800–$3,400 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
Every Volvo XC90 year. 2022 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 2022 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/volvo-xc90/?y=2022" 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-xc90/2022/">Lemon Index</a> (2022 Volvo XC90 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2022 Volvo XC90 reliable?
Yes, better than average by government complaints. It drew a bit over half as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 61; 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 2022 Volvo XC90 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (46%), fuel system (31%) and engine (19%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2022 Volvo XC90 have?
4 safety recalls (latest: electrical). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2022 Volvo XC90 get?
22 to 27 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Is the 2022 Volvo XC90 safe?
NHTSA gave it 5 out of 5 stars overall in its best tested version. Ratings differ by body style, and the full table is on the advanced page.
Does the 2022 Volvo XC90 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2022 Volvo XC90 cost in fuel a year?
About $2,800 to $3,400 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2022 Volvo XC90 have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Volvo XC90 year is better than the 2022?
Nearby, the 2019 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a fifth as many complaints as the average car).
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