2021 Volvo XC90 reliability

Is it reliable?

Owners have filed 0 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Volvo XC90 over 6 years — 0 per year. The other XC90 years sit at about the same rate: their median is 0 complaints per year. NHTSA has 6 recalls on file, including Electrical system, software, Critical fasteners, and Steering.

2012 Volvo XC90 — Photo by Alexander Migl, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

Next to 2020 and 2022

The 2020 XC90 has 0 complaints, 0 per year, and the 2022 has 0 complaints, 0 per year. The 2021 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2020. The 2021 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2022.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2021 Volvo XC90. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (6)

Recall electrical system, software 2025-03-24 · NHTSA campaign 25V179000

Summary 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.

Remedy 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.

Recall seat belts, critical fasteners 2023-12-07 · NHTSA campaign 23V827000

Summary 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.

Remedy 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.

Recall Steering 2023-01-05 · NHTSA campaign 23V001000

Summary 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.

Remedy 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.

Recall hydraulic brakes, antilock and traction control 2021-09-15 · NHTSA campaign 21V716000

Summary 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.

Remedy 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.

Recall seat belts, front, retractor 2021-09-01 · NHTSA campaign 21V682000

Summary 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."

Remedy 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.

Recall Air bags 2021-01-07 · NHTSA campaign 21V001000

Summary 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.

Remedy 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.

Complaints by component (0 total)

No complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2021 Volvo XC90 T5 SUV AWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2021 Volvo XC90 T5 SUV FWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2021 Volvo XC90 T6 SUV AWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars
2021 Volvo XC90 T8 SUV AWD	5 stars	5 stars	5 stars	4 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
XC90 all-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	20	28	23 MPG	$3450
XC90 all-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	19	28	22 MPG	$3650
XC90 all-wheel drive plug-in hybrid	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	26	28	27 MPG / 520 mi range	$2950
XC90 front-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	Front-wheel drive	21	30	25 MPG	$3200

Specs and fitment

Second generation (SPA), 2015–present

Body styles SUV

Oil 0W-20 (2.0L) , 6 qt capacity

Tire size 235/60R18, 235/55R19; optional 275/45R20+ (trim dependent)

Known issues for this generation

Recall 19V308000 covers certain 2016 XC90 vehicles. Exposure to heat and humidity may crack the engine coolant bleeder hose and leak coolant; if unnoticed, coolant may accumulate in catalytic-converter heat-shield insulation and catch fire when the vehicle is stationary. Recall 16V268000 covers certain 2016 XC90 vehicles where the overhead sunroof switch may not be adequately recessed and can be pressed unintentionally so the sunroof fully closes. Recall 23V827000 covers certain 2015-2024 XC90 vehicles where second-row seat belt buckle and lower belt anchor bolts may not be tightened properly.

Compare

Previous year 2020 Volvo XC90 See every Volvo XC90 model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Volvo XC90 reliable?

Is the 2021 Volvo XC90 more reliable than the years next to it?

Has the 2021 Volvo XC90 been recalled?

The 2021 Volvo XC90 has 6 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2021 Volvo XC90?

Owners have filed 0 complaints about the 2021 Volvo XC90 with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2021 Volvo XC90 get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2021 Volvo XC90 is 24.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Volvo XC90 take?

P2 (2012-2014) 3.2L lists 0W-30/5W-30 (~7.2 qt); SPA (2015-on) 2.0L lists 0W-20 (~6 qt).

What does recall 19V308000 cover on the XC90?

Certain 2016 XC90 vehicles: heat and humidity may crack the engine coolant bleeder hose and cause a leak that can lead to a fire risk if unnoticed—see the NHTSA campaign for the remedy.

What tire sizes does the SPA XC90 use?

OEM sizes include 235/60R18 and 235/55R19; larger optional sizes such as 275/45R20 also appear by trim.