2018 Volvo XC90 problems, complaints & recalls

2018 Volvo XC90 recalls (3)

• Recall 23V827000Dec 7, 20232,911 vehicles
  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.

• Recall 21V273000Apr 21, 2021162 vehicles
  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.

• Recall 18V800000Nov 13, 201817,548 vehicles
  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.

NHTSA defect investigations

• DP22005Opened Jan 27, 2023Closed Aug 7, 2023led to recall 22V063000

  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 2018 Volvo XC90 complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Oct 1, 2026CABrakes

   On Wednesday 9/23, I was driving on a residential road and came to a stop sign. When I tried to stop at the intersection my brake pedal seized up and the car would not stop. The check engine light came on. I had to shift the car into park in order to stop the vehicle. I towed it to the dealer and found out today that the brake booster failed.

   NHTSA complaint #11768341 · source
2. Filed Aug 25, 2026NYBrakesElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   This submission supplements NHTSA Complaint #11759206, filed on August 24, 2026, regarding a 2018 Volvo XC90, in order to provide additional relevant information that came to light after the original filing. At the time of the first safety-critical malfunction (in-vehicle warnings including "Transmission Acceleration Performance Reduced" "Gear Lever Locked" and related electrical system symptoms), the service manager at Volvo Cars Brooklyn was able to remotely diagnose the…

   NHTSA complaint #11759327 · source
3. Filed Aug 24, 2026NYBrakesElectrical SystemTransmission & Drivetrain

   The vehicle first experienced a safety-critical malfunction while driving on the highway on August 11, 2026, producing in-vehicle warnings reading "Transmission Acceleration Performance Reduced" and "Gear Lever Locked," along with broader electrical system symptoms, requiring the 2018 Volvo XC90 to be towed to Volvo Cars Brooklyn on August 11, 2026. At that time, dampness was discovered under the driver’s floor mat, leading to the discovery of a sunroof leak and resulting…

   NHTSA complaint #11759206 · source
4. Filed Aug 19, 2026SCElectrical SystemSeats & Seat Belts

   At first I was having issues with stop and start, replaced the battery then was told I wasted coffee in my center Console and it cause electrical issues and was told the repairs would be 3,400 in which collision issuance paid for. After the repairs my driver side seat belt would latch then the passenger side wouldn’t latch either so I currently don’t have working A/C or working seatbelts which is known problem for these vehicles.

   NHTSA complaint #11757883 · source
5. Filed Jul 13, 2026PAOther / Unknown

   The air conditioning evaporator core has been widely known to freeze and crack on 2016-2021 models of the xc90 which sends toxic refrigerant smell thru the vents. This is a big safety hazard and should be recalled. Volvo knows about this but only does a goodwill repair to loyal customers who purchased the vehicle new and have all service records from the dealership. This is a $4000 repair for everyone else for a manufacturer defect and safety issue

   NHTSA complaint #11749955 · source
6. Filed Jul 7, 2026COBrakes

   VIN: [XXX] •Make/Model/Year: 2018 Volvo XC90 •Mileage at time of each incident (58,385 / 58,480 / 68,261) •Approximate dates of each incident Vehicle has experienced recurring brake system failures. First, a seized rear brake caliper (Sept 2025) requiring caliper/rotor/pad replacement. Four days later, brake pedal became stiff and hard to depress; brake booster diagnosed as internally failed and replaced. Approximately 9 months and 9,800 miles later, vehicle experienced…

   NHTSA complaint #11748675 · source
7. Filed Jun 16, 2026ILElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise Control

   My 2018 Volvo XC90 T8 Plug-In Hybrid experienced a catastrophic, premature component failure of the Electric Rear Axle Drive (ERAD) propulsion system while driving. The ERAD unit suffered a total failure of internal bearings and sensors, completely disabling the electric rear wheel propulsion system and suddenly forcing the vehicle into a reduced-power "limp mode" on the road. This sudden loss of hybrid propulsion creates an immediate highway safety hazard, removing expected…

   NHTSA complaint #11744495 · source
8. Filed Jun 16, 2026CA1 injuredFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   At approximately 6:30 PM, after normal driving and parking at a local park, our family was unloading children from the vehicle. One child was standing next to the vehicle while we removed a younger child from the rear seat. The child suddenly screamed and stated that he had burned himself. We later determined that he had accidentally come into contact with the exterior exhaust outlet. As we continued walking, we noticed the injury was more severe than initially believed. We…

   NHTSA complaint #11744366 · source

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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