The Volvo XC90 is a three-row midsize luxury SUV and was Volvo's first SUV, unveiled in January 2002 and first sold for the 2003 model year. It seats up to seven and is offered with front- or all-wheel drive. The second generation, sold in the U.S. from the 2016 model year, uses four-cylinder engines only, including a plug-in hybrid. We put all 15 Volvo XC90 model years from 2010 to 2024 side by side, using the same rule for every year.
Volvo XC90 by model year
Complaints per 100,000 sold. Red: more than twice the model average. Green: the fewest, among years at least three years old.
| Year | Per 100k sold | Complaints | Recalls | Top system | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 119 | 12 | 3 | Fuel system | |
| 2011 | 179 | 19 | 1 | Engine | |
| 2012 | 32 | 3 | 0 | Electrical | Fewest |
| 2013 | 161 | 11 | 0 | Airbags | |
| 2014 | partial year | 4 | 0 | Airbags | |
| 2015 | 0 | 0 | 1 | n/a | Fewest |
| 2016 | 607 | 197 | 8 | Engine | Most complaints |
| 2017 | 261 | 81 | 7 | Engine | |
| 2018 | 165 | 52 | 3 | Electrical | |
| 2019 | 117 | 42 | 6 | Electrical | |
| 2020 | 99 | 34 | 7 | Electrical | |
| 2021 | 103 | 40 | 6 | Electrical | |
| 2022 | 91 | 31 | 4 | Electrical | Fewest |
| 2023 | 103 | 41 | 6 | Driver assistance | |
| 2024 | 92 | 37 | 3 | Electrical |
Why these years stand out
2016: most complaints. The 2016 Volvo XC90 scored 607 complaints per 100,000 sold, 3.7 times the model average. Of its 197 complaints, 98 involve the engine or transmission, and the parts named most often are engine (86), electrical system (55) and body (21). NHTSA lists 8 recalls for this model year and 1 defect investigation.
2012, 2015 and 2022: fewest complaints. The 2012 drew 3 complaints, or 32 per 100,000 sold; The 2015 drew 0 complaints, or 0 per 100,000 sold; The 2022 drew 31 complaints, or 91 per 100,000 sold. These years have been on the road at least three years, which gives owners time to report problems, so a low count means something.
What Volvo XC90 owners report most
Electrical complaints lead for the Volvo XC90, at 29% of all complaints for 2010-2024. Engine and transmission reports together make up 35%. One complaint can name more than one system, so the bars can add up to more than the total.
When problems are reported: mileage
207 Volvo XC90 complaints list the odometer reading at the time of the problem. 63% were reported before 50,000 miles and 14% after 100,000. Most reports come early in ownership, which points to problems that show up while the vehicle is still fairly new.
Volvo XC90 compared with other luxury suvs
In 9 of 14 model years the Volvo XC90 drew fewer complaints per 100,000 sold than the average luxury suv we track for the same year. For 2024, the Volvo XC90 scored 92 against a class average of 83. The class average only uses models with clean, published sales figures.
Volvo XC90 generations
- 2005-2014First generation
2.5L turbo five-cylinder; 2.9L twin-turbo six (T6); 3.2L six; 4.4L V8 · 4-speed automatic (T6); 5-speed automatic; 6-speed automatic
A V8 engine built by Yamaha was added to the lineup in 2005.
- 2016-2024Second generation
2.0L turbo four; 2.0L turbocharged and supercharged four; 2.0L turbocharged and supercharged plug-in hybrid (T8); mild-hybrid versions · 8-speed automatic
The redesign moved to Volvo's Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform.
There was no 2015 model year XC90 in the U.S.; the redesigned model followed the 2014 model. A refresh for the 2020 model year added a six-seat layout with second-row captain's chairs on T6 and T8 versions. The 2.9L T6 of the first generation was offered only with all-wheel drive.
Volvo XC90 fuel economy
The 2026 Volvo XC90 is rated at 23 to 27 MPG combined by the EPA, depending on the version. Every year and engine will be on its own MPG page.
Questions
What is the best year for the Volvo XC90?
By complaints filed with NHTSA per 100,000 sold, 2012, 2015 and 2022 had the fewest among model years at least three years old. 2012 scored 32, against a model average of 163.
What years of the Volvo XC90 have the most complaints?
2016. The 2016 scored 607 per 100,000 sold, with 98 engine or transmission complaints. A complaint is a report from an owner and does not prove a defect.
At what mileage do Volvo XC90 owners report problems?
Across 207 complaints that list the odometer reading, 63% were filed before 50,000 miles and 14% after 100,000 miles. These are miles at the time of the reported problem, not how long the vehicle lasts.
How many recalls does the Volvo XC90 have?
NHTSA lists 55 recall campaigns across model years 2010-2024 (a campaign that covers several years counts once per year). Check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaint counts are reports filed by owners with NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify them, and a complaint does not prove a defect. Scores are our calculation, explained on the Method page. Not affiliated with any automaker.
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (complaints, recalls, investigations), data through October 2026; U.S. sales from manufacturer reports, compiled by motorwick; fuel economy: U.S. EPA estimates.