The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 15 of 52 complaints (29%) mention it.
Complaints filed fell from 82 in 2017 to 52 in 2018.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 52
- Recall campaigns
- 3
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,850–$3,350
- Combined MPG
- 23–27
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,100–3,500 | 3,100–3,500 | 2,850–3,350 | 3,100–3,500 | 2,850–3,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–25 | 22–25 | 23–27 | 22–25 | 21–27 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 20–24 / 25–27 | 20–24 / 25–27 | 20–26 / 27–30 | 19–24 / 26–29 | 18–26 / 26–30 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 373–397 | 373–399 | 353–394 | 365–402 | 361–429 | |
| Complaints filed | 197 | 82 | 52 | 42 | 35 | |
| Recalls issued | 8 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 7 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 5 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 10 | 9 | 1 | 3 | 2 | |
| Injuries reported | 8 | 12 | 3 | 8 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
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 2018 Volvo XC90 have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Volvo XC90?
Electrical: 15 of 52 NHTSA complaints (29%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Volvo XC90 get?
EPA rates it 23–27 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Volvo XC90?
EPA estimates $2,850–$3,350 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 22 mpg | 29 mpg | 25 mpg | $3,100 | 353 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | $3,350 (high) | 394 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 22 mpg | 28 mpg | 24 mpg | $3,200 | 365 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium and Electricity | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 26 mpg (high) | 30 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | $2,850 (low) | 187 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 10 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 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 (3)
SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.