The Used Car Index

2018 Volvo XC90 problems

NHTSA lists 51 complaints for the 2018 Volvo XC90, 2 of them mention a crash and 1 mention a fire. 3 complaints mention an injury, with 3 injuries and 0 deaths reported.

Data build 2026-10-08.

NHTSA lists this vehicle as VOLVO XC90.

At a glance

Complaints
51
With crash
2
With fire
1
With injury (complaints)
3
Injuries
3
Deaths
0
Recalls
3
Do not drive recalls
0
Park outside recalls
0
Recall potential units (maximum)
17,548
Investigations
1
Open investigations
0
Manufacturer communications
550

Complaints per 100k sold unavailable. No sales source is available for this record.

Where the complaints are

Top systems
SystemComplaintsShare of this vehicle's complaints
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1529.4%
SERVICE BRAKES1223.5%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER917.6%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM611.8%
ENGINE59.8%
POWER TRAIN59.8%
STRUCTURE47.8%
VISIBILITY/WIPER47.8%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE35.9%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES23.9%
Top subsystems
SystemSubsystemComplaints
STRUCTUREBODY4
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEAUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING2
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESDOORS2
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCEADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL1
VISIBILITYDEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM1

One complaint can name several systems, so shares can add to more than 100 percent.

Model-generated complaint tags

These labels are model-generated, not NHTSA data.

Failure modes
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
mechanical failure1529.4%0.76
electrical electronic1223.5%0.72
loss of control917.6%0.76
fluid or fuel leak59.8%0.64
structural or corrosion35.9%0.47
fire or overheating23.9%0.94
noise or comfort23.9%0.72
restraint or airbag23.9%0.91
visibility or lighting12.0%0.94
Severities
LabelCountShare of taggedMean confidence
moderate3772.5%0.82
low1121.6%0.72
high23.9%0.76
critical12.0%0.99

Model: typesafe/jev-1.13-20260917; schema version: tag-v1. 51 tagged complaints of 51 complaints (100.0%).

Confidence is the model's own probability for the label it chose (0 to 1), not accuracy.

Model-generated labels on tagged complaints only. Model years 2013 and newer are tagged in full; 2012 in part (see tagged_share); earlier model years have no tags. NHTSA's own flags remain separate in the complaints block.

Recalls

See new recalls and investigations this week.

3 recalls.

23V827000

Date: 2023-12-07. Systems: SEAT BELTS.

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

21V273000

Date: 2021-04-21. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

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.

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

18V800000

Date: 2018-11-13. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

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 (excerpt)

Consequence: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury. (excerpt)

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. (excerpt)

Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.

Investigations

1 investigations; 0 open.

DP22005

Opened: 2023-01-27. Closed: 2023-08-07.

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 ele

Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.

Linked campaign numbers: 22V063000.

Manufacturer communications

550 manufacturer communications.

Communications by system
SystemCount
EQUIPMENT240
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM179
EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY47
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING34
UNKNOWN OR OTHER34
ENGINE27
STRUCTURE26
POWER TRAIN24

11033746

Date: 2026-05-23. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 1 .jpg attachment - If remote control key is not detected by the car and shows message in DIM "Car key not found" or if functions such as lock/unlock are not working, please follow advice for detecting key

11033732

Date: 2026-05-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

This is a Technical Journal: Headlamp condensation inside lens - information/leak test. If the result is not ok (air leak), it is ok to replace the headlamp

11033734

Date: 2026-05-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.

This is a Technical Journal: Intermittent knocking noise during acceleration. If the sound corresponds to attached sound file, change front drive shafts to the below part numbers.

11033729

Date: 2026-05-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

This is a Technical Journal: Panoramic sunroof, sealing strip has a gap

11032678

Date: 2026-04-23. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE.

This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test. Perform the test. Follow service procedure
 Description and Service sections updated to clarify that vehicle reports are not required.

11032671

Date: 2026-04-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This is a TJ text only - The purpose of this TJ is to be a master reference list to easily identify any components that are on prior approval. This TJ will be regularily updated as items are added or removed from prior approval.
 Current items under prior approval are listed in the "Service" sec

11031109

Date: 2026-03-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING.

This is a Technical Journal: Headlamp condensation inside lens - information/leak test. If the result is not ok (air leak), it is ok to replace the headlamp

11031095

Date: 2026-03-07. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE.

This is a Technical Journal: If a vehicle with panorama roof shows symptom of a rattling noise when opening, follow the description under Service. If the analysis shows that the rattling noise comes from the roller blind, similar to the noise in the attached file, replace the roller blind according

11028386

Date: 2026-01-13. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 1 jpg and 1 mp4 file -- If there is a strange chafing or creaking noise when turning the steering wheel, follow the advice under Service.

11028385

Date: 2026-01-08. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.

This is a TJ If detected during Pre-delivery inspection or if customer complaints of chipped/cracked/distorted screen/glass within 6 months in service we request more information, follow advise under "Service".

Notes on this record

  • Complaints from the API and bulk file are merged and deduplicated by ODI number; the API alone misses records.
  • System and subsystem counts are numbers of distinct complaints, recalls or communications that name them. One record can name several systems, so shares across systems can add to more than 100 percent; a single share never exceeds 100 percent.
  • Recalls are counted once per campaign, investigations once per action and manufacturer communications once per NHTSA id, even when NHTSA lists several model names for the same record.
  • A sales denominator is a calendar-year proxy, not the population of vehicles still in use. Rates are copied from verified pipeline output.

Other names NHTSA uses

None listed.

Matched NHTSA models

Matched labels and complaints
NHTSA model labelComplaints
XC9051

Same model, other years

All model years | All Volvo models

Other Volvo models, 2018

Sources

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