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2016 Volvo XC90 recalls & problems

The 2016 Volvo XC90 has 8 safety recalls and 197 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine (86 complaints).

Recalls8safety recalls
Complaints197filed by owners
Crashes · fires5 · 10reported in complaints
NHTSA overall5 ★crash-test stars
2016 Volvo XC90 in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Seat beltsDec 7, 2023

Critical fasteners

Recall 23V8270002,911 vehicles

Problem
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.
Fix
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.
Electrical systemApr 21, 2021

Software

Recall 21V273000162 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2016-2020 XC90 Excellence vehicles. Liquid or condensation on the rear seat control display may cause the front passenger seat to move back as far as possible.
Risk
The rear passenger may become trapped by the front seat without the ability to cancel the seat's movement, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will update the rear seat control display software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10093.
Engine and engine coolingApr 17, 2019

Cooling system › Hoses/lines/piping/fittings

Recall 19V30800034,006 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2016 XC90 vehicles. Exposure to heat and humidity may cause the engine coolant bleeder hose to crack, resulting in a coolant leak.
Risk
If the coolant leak goes unnoticed, coolant may accumulate in the catalytic converter heat shield insulation and catch fire when the vehicle is stationary, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix
Volvo Cars will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine side coolant bleeder hose, free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R29936.
Seat beltsNov 2, 2016

Front › Buckle assembly

Recall 16V79800074,027 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 XC90, S90, XC60, V60 Cross Country, V60, S60 Cross Country, S60, and S60 Inscription vehicles manufactured February 16, 2015, to August 22, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the front passenger seat belt buckle attaching stud may loosen, allowing the buckle to separate from the seat belt bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages" and number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Risk
If the seat belt buckle separates from the bracket, the front seat passenger may not be adequately restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt buckle stud, replacing the seat belt buckle as needed, free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89708.
EquipmentSep 26, 2016

Appliance › Air conditioner

Recall 16V69000043,766 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Volvo XC90 and S90 vehicles manufactured April 15, 2015 through September 19, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning may leak into the passenger compartment due to a drain hose installation error during manufacturing.
Risk
Significant water drainage into the passenger compartment may adversely affect air bag deployment in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air conditioning drain hose for proper installation, replacing the hose as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on November the 14, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this campaign is R89707.

Components: Equipment › Appliance › Air conditioner; Air bags

VisibilityMay 4, 2016

Sun/moon roof assembly

Recall 16V26800030,214 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 XC90 vehicles manufactured January 27, 2015, to April 23, 2016. The sunroofs on the affected vehicles have a switch on the overhead console that may not be adequately recessed to prevent the switch from being unintentionally pressed. When pressed, the sunroof may fully close. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."
Risk
If the switch is unintentionally pressed and the sunroof panel closes, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software upgrade that disables the auto-close function, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552 or by visiting http://Volvo.custhelp.com. Volvo's number for this recall is R89702.
Air bagsAug 6, 2015

Side/window

Recall 15V4970003,911 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo XC90 vehicles manufactured January 27, 2015, to July 10, 2015. The third row seating side curtain air bags may not fully inflate.
Risk
Underinflated air bags may not fully protect third row occupants, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will modify the D-pillar interior panels to allow full inflation of the third row airbags, free of charge. The recall began on September 21, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo Customer Care at 1-800-458-1552.
Air bagsJun 3, 2015

Side/window

Recall 15V342000584 vehicles

Problem
Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo XC90 vehicles manufactured January 27, 2015, to May 19, 2015. The affected vehicles have front seats whose wiring harness for the Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) may have been routed incorrectly.
Risk
If the wiring harness is routed incorrectly, the wiring may be damaged, disabling the front seat side impact air bag, and increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front seat side impact air bag.
Fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the routing of the SIPS wiring, correcting the routing and installing a protective sleeve as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89571.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2016 Volvo XC90 T5 SUV AWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk17.9%

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard

2016 Volvo XC90 T5 SUV FWD

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
RolloverNot Rated

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard

2016 Volvo XC90 T6 SUV AWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk17.9%

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard

2016 Volvo XC90 T6 SUV FWD

OverallNot Rated
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
RolloverNot Rated

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard

2016 Volvo XC90 T8 SUV AWD

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk15.9%

Forward collision warning: Standard · Lane departure warning: Standard

2016 Volvo XC90 NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2016 Volvo XC90 NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

XC90 AWD PHEV Plug-in Hybrid

25mpg combined
City / highway24 / 27 mpg
Electric range14 mi
On electricity53 MPGe · 58 kWh/100 mi
FuelPremium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,300/year to fuel

XC90 FWD

24mpg combined
City / highway22 / 26 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/year to fuel

XC90 AWD

23mpg combined
City / highway22 / 25 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

XC90 AWD

22mpg combined
City / highway20 / 25 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Engine8617016,250 mi
Electrical systemSoftware5632010,000 mi
Unknown or other3614329,500 mi
StructureBody; Body › Tailgate2320030,000 mi
Service brakes141002,585 mi
Fuel/propulsion system1201030,000 mi
Vehicle speed controlAccelerator pedal110134,625 mi
Power train101005,000 mi
Air bags8102—
Steering700016,000 mi
Forward collision avoidanceAutomatic emergency braking; Warnings7000115,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch; Doors › Lock6000—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations