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.
What the fix does
This page covers 6 recalls, 34 owner complaints and EPA fuel economy for the 2019 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 and electrical complaints make up the bulk of what 2019 XC90 owners report. On the engine side, owners of the plug-in hybrid variant describe the vehicle lurching or hesitating during transitions between electric and gasoline power, a symptom that in some cases returned even after dealer service. Electrical complaints frequently involve water intrusion, owners report flooded floorboards traced to clogged or crimped sunroof drains, with resulting damage to suspension modules and other electronics. A smaller cluster of owners reports HVAC evaporator failures. Brake complaints are limited to a handful of reports, including one describing smoke from a front wheel well area. A separate thread of complaints involves premature paint peeling and delamination on front bumpers and body panels, described by multiple owners as occurring without any collision or obvious environmental cause.
34
Total Complaints
2
Crash-Related
3
Fire-Related
4
With Injuries
By System
The 2019 Volvo XC90 has 6 recalls, the most serious involving a loose screw inside the steering gearbox that can cause the steering wheel to lock up while driving.
A fuel system recall covers a low-pressure fuel pump that can blow a fuse and stall the engine, raising the risk of a crash. On the safety equipment side, second-row seatbelt buckle and lower anchor bolts may not be properly tightened, meaning the belt may not hold an occupant in a crash. The automatic emergency braking system may also fail to detect obstacles due to a software and hardware incompatibility, preventing it from engaging when needed.
Two electrical software issues round out the list. On XC90 Excellence trims, liquid or condensation on the rear seat control display can cause the front passenger seat to slide fully rearward, potentially trapping the rear passenger with no way to stop the movement. A separate software error in the vehicle connectivity module can cause the telematics system to fail to transmit GPS location to 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.
What the fix does
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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 →
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
During assembly, two screws may have been stacked on top of each other in the steering gear. One screw can fall loose into the gearbox housing.
What the fix does
The steering gear will be replaced at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The low-pressure fuel pump can blow its fuse, causing the pump to fail and stop working.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the fuse at no cost to restore fuel pump function.
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 and hardware mismatch may prevent the Automatic Emergency Brake system from detecting obstacles and activating when needed.
What the fix does
Dealers will update the Active Safety Domain Master software at no cost to restore proper brake system function.
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.