2012 Volvo Xc90 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (1) · Equipment:electrical:navigational System(Global Positioning System) (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Volvo Xc90 model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (212)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-04-23 · 35526.1.8 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: text plus 2 pdfs and 1 .png oil consumption test. perform the test. follow service procedure description and service sections updated to clarify that vehicle reports are not required.
Unknown Or Other 2026-04-07 · 37809.1.1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a tj text only - the purpose of this tj is to be a master reference list to easily identify any components that are on prior approval. this tj will be regularily updated as items are added or removed from prior approval. current items under prior approval are listed in the "service" sec
Unknown Or Other 2025-12-06 · 19245 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal. vehicle type and platform identification.
Exterior Lighting 2025-04-10 · 8501 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: remote connection, bomgar application. before joining a remote session: •connect a suitable battery maintainer/charger and verify that the battery voltage indicated in vida is between 12.5v and 14.9v. •connect to the vehicle over a wired connection using a voe
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-21 · S10303 · Service Campaign
volvo cars usa llc and volvo car canada ltd on behalf of the volvo car corporation has decided to launch service action s10303 on certain model year 2025 ex90 vehicles. volvo car investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob. as a result, there is a possibil
Unknown Or Other 2025-02-13 · S10303 · Service Campaign
volvo cars usa llc and volvo car canada ltd on behalf of the volvo car corporation has decided to launch service action s10303 on certain model year 2025 ex90 vehicles. volvo car investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob. as a result, there is a possibil
Showing the 6 most recent of 212 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2020-03-05 · Unknown Or Other · 51,500 mi“on morning of 2/15/2020, i was driving my xc90 (2012, base, auto transmission) on a city street when i realized the steering wheel was no longer in control. it caused the vehicle to swing left and right between the 2 lanes. i pressed hard on the brake to slow down -- thank god that cars behind me were able to avoid me. after 10 seconds or so of man…”
2016-10-04 · Power Train · 75,000 mi“there appears to be an intermitent defect with the transmission when the vehicle gets wet. when wet the vehicle lock up and not easily go into forward or reverse. this occasionally occurs after going through a car wash or when the vehicle is driven in wet weather and then, parked. after a few hours, when it is attempted to put the vehicle in gear, …”
2016-05-02 · Equipment:electrical:navigational System(Global Positioning System) · 44,013 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2012 volvo xc90. the contact stated that the rear back up camera and gps system worked intermittently. the failure occurred without warning. the vehicle was taken to the dealer approximately six times where the technician diagnosed that the vehicle needed a software update and the multimedia module and camera needed to be re…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.