2011 Volvo XC90
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 7 of 19 complaints (37%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 12 in 2010 to 19 in 2011.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | vs. 2011 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,650–4,150 | 3,450–4,150 | 3,450–3,900 | 3,300–3,450 | 3,300–3,450 | |
| Combined MPG | 15–17 | 15–18 | 16–18 | 18–19 | 18–19 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 13–14 / 19–20 | 13–15 / 19–22 | 14–16 / 21–22 | 16 / 22–23 | 16 / 22–23 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 523–592 | 494–592 | 494–555 | 468–494 | 472–476 | |
| Complaints filed | 7 | 12 | 19 | 3 | 11 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2011 Volvo XC90 have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2011 Volvo XC90?
Engine: 7 of 19 NHTSA complaints (37%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Volvo XC90 get?
EPA rates it 16–18 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Volvo XC90?
EPA estimates $3,450–$3,900 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.2L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 16 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | 18 mpg (high) | $3,450 (low) | 494 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 8 | 4.4L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 14 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | 16 mpg (low) | $3,900 (high) | 555 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.2L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 16 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | 18 mpg (high) | $3,450 (low) | 494 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
STEERING · Campaign 11V286000 · May 18, 2011
Defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 XC90 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 29, 2010, THROUGH AUGUST 16, 2010. THE POWER STEERING FLUID MAY LEAK FROM THE OIL PIPE CONNECTION AT THE STEERING GEAR VALVE HOUSING.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OIL PIPES ON THE POWER STEERING RACK FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.