2017 Volvo XC90 problems, complaints & recalls
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
Owners have filed 58 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Volvo XC90, most often about engine. There are 7 recalls for this model year.
- Complaints
- 58
- Recalls
- 7
- Crashes
- 0
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 9
- Median mileage
- 92,000 mi at time of problem
Key facts
- Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 17 of 58 complaints (29%).
- Electrical System (16) and body & structure (8) follow.
- Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 92,000 mi.
- Owners reported 0 crashes, 6 fires and 9 injuries.
- The 2017 Volvo XC90 has 7 recalls on file.
- NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
- It ranks 2nd of 19 Volvo XC90 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
- That is 57% fewer complaints than the 2016 model year (136).
2017 Volvo XC90 problems by category
- Other / Unknown19 complaints
- Engine17 complaints
- Electrical System16 complaints
- Body & Structure8 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion6 complaints
- Transmission & Drivetrain4 complaints
- Brakes4 complaints
- Suspension3 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech3 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control3 complaints
- Airbags2 complaints
- Steering2 complaints
- Lighting2 complaints
- Visibility & Wipers2 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts1 complaints
- Wheels & Tires1 complaints
A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.
Most-reported components
| Component (as filed with NHTSA) | Complaints |
|---|---|
| Unknown or other | 18 |
| Engine | 16 |
| Electrical system | 15 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 |
| Power train | 4 |
| Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch | 4 |
| Service brakes | 3 |
| Structure:body | 3 |
When problems happen (mileage)
2017 Volvo XC90 recalls (7)
- SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
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.
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.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
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.
Remedy: 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.
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improperly. As a result, the GPS will not provide location information to emergency personnel in the event of an emergency.
Risk: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.
- SEAT BELTS
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017 XC90 vehicles. The Micro Gas Generator (MGG), a subcomponent part used within the right hand side seat belt retractor for the third row seats, may detach after the seatbelt retractor pretensioner is deployed.
Risk: Although, the seat belt will operate as intended in the event of a crash, if the MGG detaches, it may be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the third row passenger's side seatbelt retractor, free of charge. The recall began August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89716.
- AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017 XC90, S90, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The bolts that secure the Inflatable Curtain (IC) air bags in place may break, possibly resulting in the IC air bag deploying improperly in the event of a crash. As, such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
Risk: If the IC air bags do not deploy properly in the event of a crash, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 1, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89714.
- SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
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.
Remedy: 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.
- AIR BAGS · EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after Marc…
Recent 2017 Volvo XC90 complaints
Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
- Filed Sep 23, 2026PAElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionTransmission & Drivetrain
Vehicle has exhibited lagging and stalling while driving in "Pure" (electric-only) mode since approximately April 2026, at approximately 85,000 miles, accompanied by an illuminated check engine light. This has occurred repeatedly at red lights, intersections, stop signs, and in stop-and-go traffic, creating a risk of sudden loss of propulsion in live traffic situations, including at intersections where an unexpected stall could result in a collision. The dealership (Volvo…
NHTSA complaint #11766534 · source - Filed Sep 22, 2026IL2 injuredDriver Assistance & Safety TechElectrical SystemOther / Unknown
2017 Volvo XC90 manufacturing defect where panoramic sunroof drainage network fails under normal rain, pooling water directly in the floorboard channels over safety module networks and wire harnesses.Water infiltration caused a catastrophic short-circuit of the floorboard-mounted amplifier while driving. This forced the audio system to emit an un-modulated, maximum-volume electronic blast through the cabin, causing severe driver distraction and documented temporary acute…
NHTSA complaint #11766225 · source - Filed Sep 20, 2026WAFireOther / Unknown
I was driving my 2017 Volvo XC90 T6 Inscription when a ‘coolant low’ warning appeared. I immediately pulled over and the car began to smoke. I was unaware what to do so I called my husband and he told me to pop my hood. With 1.5 minutes of pulling over I open my door to find the lack to pop the hood and someone started yelling at me to get out. I looked up and the smoke had changed from white to brown- I exited the vehicle and called 911- Within approximately 5 minutes, the…
NHTSA complaint #11765624 · source - Filed Sep 1, 2026NCFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain
2017 Volvo XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid, approximately 81,000 miles, experienced intermittent hesitation/loss of propulsion when accelerating. When acceleration is requested, the vehicle can hesitate before power is delivered, creating a serious safety concern when entering, merging into, or crossing traffic because expected acceleration is not immediately available. Diagnostic testing identified faults in the IEM/ERAD system, including P286D00, Clutch A Engagement Time…
NHTSA complaint #11761290 · source - Filed Aug 10, 202694,000 miTXElectrical System
The contact owns a 2017 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the window power switch was enabled; however, the window switch failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the rear-view camera, the door switch, and the air conditioner failed to function as intended. In addition, the contact became aware of water on the front passenger’s side floorboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or…
NHTSA complaint #11756005 · source - Filed Jul 11, 2026CAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV PropulsionAcceleration & Cruise Control
Spark plugs, fuel injectors, cylinders and cylinder walls, pistons, oxygen sensor. Our safety was put at risk because the vehicles "reduced performance" was triggered and it affected the acceleration of the vehicle. The Volvo dealership was able to reproduce the issue because of the engine misfires.The only alert we received was the day prior our engine needed a liter of oil. We topped off the oil and that alert went away. The day we had the reduced performance we were…
NHTSA complaint #11749713 · source - Filed Jun 4, 202685,000 miVATowedBrakes
The contact's daughter owns a 2017 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while her son-in-law was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was firmly depressed, but the vehicle failed to stop immediately. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the vacuum hose had detached and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was…
NHTSA complaint #11742110 · source - Filed Apr 27, 2026OHFireElectrical SystemEngine
To whom it may concern. Our 2017 XC90 unexpectedly, spantaneously, and catastrophically caught fire under the hood and was a total loss 5 minutes after parking it on April 19, 2026. There were no leaks or other signs of mechanical issues. The vehicle had all regular maintenance completed at the Byers Volvo Service Department in Columbus, OH. It had no open recalls. It was always parked overnight in a garage. The Fire Inspector noted a possible vehicle manufacturing defect as…
NHTSA complaint #11734076 · source
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Other 2017 Volvo models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 11, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology