2020 Volvo XC90 problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 11, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 32 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Volvo XC90, most often about electrical system. There are 7 recalls for this model year.

Complaints: 32
Recalls: 7
Crashes: 2
Fires: 2
Injuries: 0
Median mileage: 25,000 mi

Key facts

Electrical System is the most-reported problem area, named in 9 of 32 complaints (28%).
Engine (7) and body & structure (5) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 25,000 mi.
Owners reported 2 crashes, 2 fires and 0 injuries.
The 2020 Volvo XC90 has 7 recalls on file.
NHTSA has opened 1 defect investigation covering this vehicle.
It ranks 9th of 19 Volvo XC90 model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
That is 20% fewer complaints than the 2019 model year (40).

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
Electrical system	9
Engine	7
Unknown or other	6
Service brakes	4
Fuel/propulsion system	3
Power train	3
Vehicle speed control	3
Air bags	2

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2020 Volvo XC90 complaints that list mileage.

2020 Volvo XC90 recalls (7)

Recall 25V179000Mar 24, 20257,483 vehicles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
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.
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 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 23V001000Jan 5, 202374 vehicles
STEERING
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.
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 21V716000Sep 15, 20219 vehicles
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
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.
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 21V414000Jun 2, 202185,550 vehicles
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2020 V90, XC60, S60, V60, V60CC, S90, V90CC, S90L, and XC90 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump can blow a fuse and fail.
Risk: Failure of the low-pressure fuel pump can cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 2, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10100.
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 20V144000Mar 12, 2020121,605 vehicles
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING · FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE:SOFTWARE:PEDESTRIAN/CYCLIST/OBJECT/OBSTACLE/ RECOGNITION
Volvo Cars USA LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2019-2020 S60, V60, V60 Cross Country, S90L, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC40, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. Due to a software/hardware incompatibility, the Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB) system may not detect obstacles and engage as intended.
Risk: If the automatic emergency braking system does not engage as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the Active Safety Domain Master (ASDM) software, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R29998.

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 2020 Volvo XC90 complaints

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

Filed Sep 18, 2026NYElectrical SystemEngine
2020 Volvo XC90 suffered a sudden catastrophic engine blowout, blinding exhaust smoke, and dropped to a 10 mph limp mode on the highway with zero prior dashboard warning lights or oil alerts. the vehicle lacks a manual dipstick, making the me entirely dependent on a digital safety warning system that failed. [XXX] Volvo has failed to give me any documents/ photos or proof of cost of repair for almost 60 days INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT…
NHTSA complaint #11765393 · source
Filed Sep 13, 2026DCAirbagsVisibility & Wipers
The sunroof repeatedly leaks. when a rainstorm comes it is literally a waterfall through the from mirror unit, threatening the electric in the console, making the steering wheel wet and slippery, and creating dangerous visibility problems. This is clearly a very dangerous design problem, and my internet search suggests it's well known and affects almost everyone from this model year. the danger level while the water is leaking is 10/10
NHTSA complaint #11763885 · source
Filed Aug 20, 2026TXWheels & Tires
my vehicle has experienced a potentially catastrophic steering failure while driving, Volvo's authorized service attempts have not corrected it, and I no longer consider the vehicle safe.
NHTSA complaint #11758241 · source
Filed Jul 22, 2026AZElectrical SystemEngine
My 2020 Volvo XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid has been out of service for 78+ days due to a hybrid battery defect covered under an active manufacturer warranty (Claim Type XXX, valid through XXX). The vehicle was towed to Volvo Cars Arrowhead (Glendale, AZ) on XXX after a hybrid battery failure. The dealer confirmed in writing on XXX that multiple hybrid components require replacement and that parts are on extended backorder, and that Volvo Cars USA had authorized a rental vehicle…
NHTSA complaint #11752094 · source
Filed Jun 10, 2026CTEngineAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain
This is my daughters vehicle. She was driving home from work with my [XXX] and [XXX] grandchildren in the car. The car suddenly wouldn't drive at a safe speed and was chugging along. She almost got into an accident because she couldn't go faster than about 12 mph. She as finally able to pull over in a safe location and called AAA. My son in law met her and picked her and the children up. The vehicle was towed to VOLVO in Buffalo NY. The diagnosis was a known leak in the…
NHTSA complaint #11743304 · source
Filed May 11, 2026KSOther / Unknown
The rear a/c evaporator coil has failed, leaking UV dyed green oil into the main battery pan. The a/c vents in the car in the driver and middle rows are now blowing hot air. This is a very commonly known problem with Volvo SPA XC90s from 2016-2021. It’s incredibly expensive to repair($3500 +). There should be a recall to replace/repair this problem in these relatively new and expensive cars.
NHTSA complaint #11737179 · source
Filed Apr 30, 2026MIFireEngineOther / Unknown
I was driving when a turtle popped up on my dashboard I pulled over to Google what that meant and popped the hood cause I seen a little smoke within 3 sec the car busted in flames I ran back and grab my daughter out the back seat we were almost locked in due to the car melting the wire and flames started coming inside the car
NHTSA complaint #11735004 · source
Filed Apr 25, 2026GAElectrical SystemFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
SUPPLEMENTAL TO NHTSA COMPLAINT #11713668. This is a supplemental filing regarding the 2020 Volvo XC90 T8 Inscription, VIN [XXX] . The hybrid battery cell module failed in December 2025, disabling the vehicle's hybrid propulsion system, all-wheel drive, and electric-only mode. As of this filing, the vehicle has been without hybrid functionality for over four months. The replacement part remains unavailable. Since the original complaint, the owner initiated civil proceedings…
NHTSA complaint #11733717 · source

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Other 2020 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