2021 Volvo Xc90 problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Service Brakes (4) · Fuel/Propulsion System (4) · Electrical System (4)
🧭 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 (6)
Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery 2025-03-24 · campaign 25V179000 · 7,483 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10312.
Seat Belts:critical Fasteners 2023-12-07 · campaign 23V827000 · 2,911 vehicles
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.
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.
Steering 2023-01-05 · campaign 23V001000 · 74 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 2021-09-15 · campaign 21V716000 · 9 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
Seat Belts:rear/Other:retractor 2021-09-01 · campaign 21V682000 · 19,149 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags: Air Bag/Restraint Control Module 2021-01-07 · campaign 21V001000 · 2,883 vehicles
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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (219)
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.
Unknown Or Other 2026-05-23 · 33031.6.0 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: text plus 1 .jpg attachment - if remote control key is not detected by the car and shows message in dim "car key not found" or if functions such as lock/unlock are not working, please follow advice for detecting key
Power Train 2026-05-07 · 36496.10.0 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: intermittent knocking noise during acceleration. if the sound corresponds to attached sound file, change front drive shafts to the below part numbers.
Exterior Lighting 2026-05-07 · 34521.11.1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: headlamp condensation inside lens - information/leak test. if the result is not ok (air leak), it is ok to replace the headlamp
Structure:body 2026-05-06 · 35503.4.0 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a technical journal: panoramic sunroof, sealing strip has a gap
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 219 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-29 · Structure:body“the rear passenger-side door latch on my 2021 volvo xc90 failed, and the door will not open from inside or outside. this prevents an occupant from exiting through that door, including in an emergency or after a crash. the failure occurred on xxx at approximately 45,000 miles while the vehicle was in normal use. i have small children and they are …”
2026-10-16 · Electrical System“the check engine light on our volvo xc90 plug-in hybrid came on stating "hybrid system failure service required". the vehicle would no longer accept a charge. a service appointment was made and the technician found that there was a fault with cell module a. a case was started but we were told the part was on backorder. …”
2026-10-11 · Unknown Or Other“the chrome trim on the center console, immediately to the right of the gear selector, deteriorates and peels away, leaving razor-sharp edges capable of cutting skin. this appears to be a widespread issue, with numerous owner reports and photographs online dating back to the 2016 volvo xc90. the same defect is present on my 2021 model, suggesting v…”
2026-10-05 · Seat Belts“this is 2021 volvo xc90 purchased new in 2021. a few weeks ago, my wife asked me to look at the middle row seatbelt as it wouldnt buckle. i could see that it was broken. i checked the seatbelt next to it and same thing. plastic buckle broken in same place. i took it to the dealer where we get serviced and they told me it would cost $900. …”
2026-09-25 · Electrical System“my 2021 volvo xc90 recharge (plug-in hybrid) has been at volvo cars dublin, dublin ca since june 15, 2026 for a failed high-voltage battery cell module requiring replacement. the replacement part is on national backorder with no estimated availability. the vehicle has been out of service for over 100 days and remains undrivable. a failed high-volta…”
2026-09-21 · Electrical System:propulsion System:hybrid Management:power Control Unit/Module (Hpcu) · 60,000 mi“the contact owns a 2021 volvo xc90. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator or the brake pedal, the vehicle hesitated with the check engine warning light illuminated. the dealer was contacted. the vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the electric rear axle drive s…”
2026-09-10 · Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness“i am reporting a serious safety defect involving a nuna rava child safety seat. the harness straps loosened on their own without the harness release button being pressed or otherwise intentionally operated. this occurred while the child was secured in the car seat. this malfunction presents a serious risk to child safety. if the harness loosens d…”
2026-08-22 · Engine“in february 2026, my 2021 volvo xc90 recharge t8 (vin: [xxx]) experienced a hybrid battery cell failure. the failure was diagnosed and confirmed by an authorized volvo dealership (volvo of tacoma) and is covered under the vehicle's manufacturer warranty. however, i have been informed that a replacement part may not be available until december 2026 …”
2026-06-04 · Seat Belts“i am submitting this complaint regarding serious safety concerns with my volvo vehicle that may affect the safety of my family, especially young children. 1. second-row center seat integrated booster seat belt failure the integrated booster seat belt in the second-row center seat is not functioning properly. the seat belt mechanism appears defect…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.