NHTSA (USA)High Risk
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts securing the second-row seat belt buckle and lower belt anchor may not be properly tightened, affecting their stability.
This page covers 8 recalls, 72 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2017 Volvo Xc90.
22–25 mpg combined
9.4–10.7 L/100km
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted. Ranges reflect the 4 tested variants for this model year.
Engine complaints dominate the 2017 XC90's complaint picture, with owners frequently describing sudden and severe engine fires occurring after the vehicle had been parked, often with no prior warning signs, leaks, or mechanical symptoms. The electrical system draws the next-largest share of reports, where owners describe the rearview camera and infotainment display glitching or going unresponsive, along with the instrument cluster failing to display speed and warning indicators reliably. Door latches and locks round out the notable complaints, owners report rear doors that won't open due to child locks that can't be deactivated, and separately, rear doors that unlatch and swing open on their own while driving at highway speeds, a pattern that comes up across more than one report.
72
Total Complaints
3
Crash-Related
7
Fire-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2017 Volvo XC90 has 8 recalls, with the most serious involving multiple restraint system failures: curtain airbag mounting bolts that can break and cause improper airbag deployment in a crash, and several seatbelt defects across multiple rows.
The seatbelt concerns cover the front, second, and third rows. In the front, the passenger seatbelt buckle's attaching stud can loosen and let the buckle separate from its bracket entirely. In the second row, buckle and anchor bolts may not be properly tightened, reducing how well the belt holds an occupant in a crash. In the third row, a component inside the seatbelt retractor's pretensioner can detach when the belt fires in a crash and become a projectile inside the cabin. There is also an air conditioning drain hose that can leak water into the passenger compartment, which may interfere with airbag deployment in a crash. Two software-related recalls affect certain trims: moisture on the rear seat control display in XC90 Excellence models can cause the front passenger seat to move rearward and trap a rear passenger, and a connectivity module software error can prevent GPS location from reaching emergency services after a crash.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts securing the second-row seat belt buckle and lower belt anchor may not be properly tightened, affecting their stability.
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Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and tighten the second-row seat belt buckle anchorage bolts as needed, at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Liquid or condensation on the rear seat control display can cause the front passenger seat to move fully backward.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the rear seat control display software at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
A software error in the Vehicle Connectivity Module may cause the GPS to fail to send your vehicle's location to emergency responders during an emergency call.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the Vehicle Connectivity Module software at no cost to restore GPS location reporting to emergency services.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The tube holding the micro gas generator in the 3rd row passenger side seat belt retractor may not be crimped correctly. If the seat belt pretensioner activates during a crash, the gas generator squib could detach and be ejected from the tube.
What the fix does
The 3rd row passenger side seat belt retractor will be replaced with a properly manufactured unit.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The micro gas generator in the third row right seat belt retractor may detach after the pretensioner fires, potentially affecting seat belt function.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the third row right side seat belt retractor at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The bolts securing the inflatable curtain air bags may break, causing the air bags to deploy improperly during a crash.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the bolts as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The front passenger seat belt buckle attaching stud may loosen, causing the buckle to separate from the seat belt bracket.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt buckle stud and replace the seat belt buckle as needed at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The air conditioning drain hose may be incorrectly installed, causing it to leak water into the passenger compartment.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect the drain hose installation and replace it if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
