The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 15 of 42 complaints (36%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 35 in 2020 to 42 in 2021.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 42
- Recall campaigns
- 6
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,850–$3,500
- Combined MPG
- 22–27
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | vs. 2021 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,100–3,500 | 2,850–3,700 | 2,850–3,500 | 2,850–3,500 | 2,850–3,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–25 | 21–27 | 22–27 | 22–27 | 22–27 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 19–24 / 26–29 | 18–26 / 26–30 | 19–26 / 28–30 | 19–26 / 27–30 | 20–26 / 26–28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 365–402 | 361–429 | 361–394 | 361–405 | 358–401 | |
| Complaints filed | 42 | 35 | 42 | 31 | 41 | |
| Recalls issued | 6 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 6 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 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 2021 Volvo XC90 have?
6 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 2021 Volvo XC90?
Electrical: 15 of 42 NHTSA complaints (36%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Volvo XC90 get?
EPA rates it 22–27 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2021 Volvo XC90?
EPA estimates $2,850–$3,500 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 | 21 mpg | 30 mpg (high) | 25 mpg | $3,100 | 361 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 19 mpg (low) | 28 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | $3,500 (high) | 394 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg | 28 mpg (low) | 23 mpg | $3,350 | 380 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium and Electricity | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 26 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (high) | $2,850 (low) | 197 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 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 (6)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
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.
STEERING
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- 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.
SEAT BELTS; SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR; SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR
- Defect
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 XC40, XC 40 Recharge, V60CC, V90, V90CC, XC90, and 2021-2022 V60, XC60, S60 vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Consequence
- An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10111.
AIR BAGS; SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER; AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE
- Defect
- Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 Volvo V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. The Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) control unit may not have been properly attached to the car body and may detach during a crash.
- Consequence
- A detached SRS control unit can decrease the performance of occupant protection systems such as air bags, seat belts, and high voltage battery disconnect, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy
- Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the SRS control unit mounting screws, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10068.