2012 Volvo Xc90 problems

General information about Volvo-Xc90
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Negative car reviews
Positive car reviews

The Volvo XC90 is a mid-size luxury SUV manufactured and marketed by Volvo Cars since 2002 and now in its second generation.

The first generation was introduced at the 2002 North American International Auto Show and used the Volvo P2 platform shared with the first generation Volvo S80 and other large Volvo cars. It was manufactured at Volvo's Torslandaverken. Volvo moved production equipment of the first generation to China and ended Swedish production at the end of 2014, renaming the car as the Volvo XC Classic (or Volvo XC90 Classic).

At the end of 2014, the second generation XC90 was introduced. It is based on a new global platform, the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA). Both generations of the XC90 have won Motor Trend's SUV of the Year award in their debuts.

In late 2022, the electric-only EX90 was introduced as the successor of the XC90.

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Common 2012 Volvo Xc90 problems

The Volvo XC90 2012 is known for several common problems, primarily affecting the battery, electrical system, and gearbox.

In summary, the 2012 Volvo XC90 has several common problems affecting the battery, electrical system, and gearbox. It's essential to check the service record and ensure that any potential issues have been previously repaired. While the XC90 is generally a reliable vehicle, it's crucial to be aware of these common problems to make an informed decision when purchasing a used car.

What is the most common problem of Volvo XC90?

What year did Volvo XC90 have transmission problems?

2003-2005

A federal judge has approved a settlement agreement reached between Volvo and 95,000 owners of XC90 vehicles that had defective transmissions. In 2009, a class action lawsuit was filed on behalf of owners of 2003-2005 Volve XC90 T6 sports utility vehicles (SUV).

What are the recalls on a 2012 Volvo XC90?

2012 Volvo XC90 Recalls

The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.

Is Volvo XC90 high maintenance?

The average annual repair cost for a Volvo is $769, which means it has above average ownership costs.

What is the most common problem of Volvo XC90?

What year did Volvo XC90 have transmission problems?

2003-2005

What are the recalls on a 2012 Volvo XC90?

2012 Volvo XC90 Recalls

The flexible steel cable that connects the seat belt to the front outboard seating positions may fatigue over time, causing the seat belt to not secure the occupant in the event of a crash.

Is Volvo XC90 a reliable car?

Is the Volvo XC90 a reliable car? The XC90 was the most reliable seven-seat SUV in the 2023 What Car? Reliability Survey, proving more dependable than the Audi Q7 and Land Rover Discovery.

2012 Volvo Xc90 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Volvo Xc90 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Steering problems
Unknown or other problems
Power train problems
Electrical system problems
Equipment problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2012 Volvo Xc90 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2012 Volvo Xc90 complaints

The NHTSA has received 3 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2012 Volvo Xc90.

2020-03-05

STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2020-02-15
VIN: YV4952CY9C1
Components: STEERING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Summary: ON MORNING OF 2/15/2020, I WAS DRIVING MY XC90 (2012, BASE, AUTO TRANSMISSION) ON A CITY STREET WHEN I REALIZED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NO LONGER IN CONTROL. IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWING LEFT AND RIGHT BETWEEN THE 2 LANES. I PRESSED HARD ON THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN -- THANK GOD THAT CARS BEHIND ME WERE ABLE TO AVOID ME. AFTER 10 SECONDS OR SO OF MANEUVERING, I MANAGED TO PULL OVER BY THE STREET. AN ORANGE TRIANGLE LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD, WITH A WARNING MESSAGE: "AUTO-SKID TEMPORARY OFF". I CALLED THE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO TOW IT TO MY GO-TO DEALERSHIP. AN HOUR LATER, A FLATBED TOW TRUCK CAME. THE TOW GUY MANAGED TO STILL DRIVE IT UP THE SLOPE OF THE FLATBED. WHEN WE GOT TO THE DEALERSHIP, THE TOW GUY HAD A HARD TIME UNLOADING THE VEHICLE. AS HE REVERSED THE XC90 BACK DOWN FROM THE SLOPE OF THE FLATBED, WE COULD TELL THE FRONT TWO TIRES WERE POINTING IN DIFFERENT DIRECTIONS. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE EVEN MOVED BACK AND FORTH. IF THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED LEFT, THE LEFT TIRE WOULD CRUSH INTO THE BACK OF THE FRONT BUMPER; IF THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED RIGHT, THE LEFT TIRE WOULD BACK OFF. THE GUY HAD TO INSERT A SMOOTH PLANK UNDER THE FRONT LEFT TIRE TO UNLOAD. ON MONDAY 2/17/2020, A REP FROM DEALERSHIP CALLED ME, SAYING THAT THE CONTROL ARM WAS DAMAGED WITH SCREWS AND BOLTS COMPLETELY MISSING!!! SHE SPECULATED THAT WE DROVE OVER A VERY LARGE POTHOLE OR HIT SOME CURB. MY WIFE DID HIT A CURB ON 2/14/2020, ONE DAY PRIOR, BUT IT WAS JUST A NORMAL SIZED CURB, IMPACTING ON THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE. BETWEEN MY WIFE AND MYSELF, WE COULDN'T RECALL ANYTHING SEVERE ENOUGH TO CAUSE THIS SORT OF DAMAGE! QUESTIONS: (1) HOW COULD HITTING SOME CURBS OVER THE PAST 8 YEARS CAUSE THE BOLTS TO SHEAR/LOOSEN AND RESULT IN SUCH A GRAVE INCIDENT! (2) HOW AM I EVER GOING TO TRUST THAT THE VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE AGAIN? HOW DO I CONVINCE MY 2 YOUNG CHILDREN TO RIDE IN IT EVER?

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2016-10-04

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2016-10-03
VIN: YV4952CY4C1
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: THERE APPEARS TO BE AN INTERMITENT DEFECT WITH THE TRANSMISSION WHEN THE VEHICLE GETS WET. WHEN WET THE VEHICLE LOCK UP AND NOT EASILY GO INTO FORWARD OR REVERSE. THIS OCCASIONALLY OCCURS AFTER GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH OR WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN IN WET WEATHER AND THEN, PARKED. AFTER A FEW HOURS, WHEN IT IS ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN GEAR, THE TRANSMISSION IS LOCKED UP AND THE VEHICLE WON'T MOVE. ONLY BY ROCKING THE VEHICLE DOES THE TRANSMISSION LOOSEN UP AND THE VEHICLE GOES INTO REVERSE. THE PARKING BRAKE IS NOT ENGAGED. THIS ISSUE IS MENTIONED MULTIPLE TIMES ON VOLVO RELATED FORUMS.

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2016-05-02

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT,BACK OVER PREVENTION PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2015-02-24
VIN: YV4952CF5C1
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT,BACK OVER PREVENTION
Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BACK UP CAMERA AND GPS SYSTEM WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A SOFTWARE UPDATE AND THE MULTIMEDIA MODULE AND CAMERA NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT DUE TO THE SOFTWARE COMPANY GOING OUT OF BUSINESS, THEY WOULD NO LONGER TRY TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,013. ..UPDATED 06/08/16 *BF ....UPDATED 06/15/16 *BF *CN

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Negative 2012 Volvo Xc90 car reviews

Tito Herman 2024-11-01

I purchased my Volvo XC90 brand new and have been the proud owner for over two years now. Unfortunately, I have been experiencing an issue with the A/C. Whenever I turn it on, there is a bad mold smell for the first 30 seconds, but thankfully it goes away afterwards. I have reported this issue to the dealer on four separate occasions, but despite their efforts, the problem still persists. Recently, at 58,000 miles, I was surprised to see a 'Low Oil Level' warning appear. Upon checking the dipstick, I found that the oil level was below the minimum. The dealer checked for oil leaks but found none, and suggested that the previous oil change may not have added enough oil. They also mentioned that it is normal for Volvos to consume some oil between services. I will keep an eye on the oil level to ensure there are no further issues.
Alex Prosacco 2024-10-25

I bought this car because of its superior safety rating, as I have two young children and wanted them to learn to drive in city traffic safely. The car has done its job in protecting my children, and I am grateful for that. Although the dashboard and functionality were outdated when I purchased it, my focus was on safety. I informed the salesman that my only two criteria for an XC90 were that the car is white and that it has a navigation system. Unfortunately, the navigation system does not work consistently, and I have contacted the dealer multiple times to fix the issue. Despite several software updates, the problem persists, and Volvo has informed me that they are unable to fix it. They have offered me incentives to trade in the vehicle for a new one, but I am disappointed that they are not supporting their product. As a Volvo owner, I expected high standards of satisfaction and pride, but unfortunately, I am neither satisfied nor proud. I had the option to purchase any SUV with a third row seat for my family, but I chose this Volvo as my first one because of the company's reputation and my research indicating that they were a solid company that stood behind their products. Unfortunately, I have had some issues with the navigation system, which is the only upgrade option that I requested. While I am disappointed with this, I must say that the vehicle itself has worked fine mechanically. Although I have owned vehicles from other manufacturers in the past, I have never run into a problem with maintenance or repair. I am hopeful that the manufacturer will provide better support in the future. Despite this experience, I am not completely dissatisfied with the vehicle and would consider purchasing from Volvo again in the future.
Curt Bailey 2024-09-14

I am confident in my experience with cars and can say that the 2010 XC90 3.2 is a reliable and comfortable vehicle with a great style. Despite owning it for 6 years and driving it for 71K miles, I have never had any issues with the rear differential until now. It is important to note that I have owned many cars and have never had issues with rear differentials, except for my Land Rover LR2 2010, which was replaced by the dealer at 36K miles. I made the mistake of purchasing a Land Rover because it had the same drive parts as my Volvo, but it turned out to be a Ford part. Overall, I am confident in the quality of my Volvo and its reliability.
Ceasar Cormier 2024-09-05

After looking at a range of cars from the 4 Runner to the Range Rover Sport, we finally settled on the XC90. We are happy to say that it met our expectations. While it may not be the flashiest vehicle, it has an appealing look and a nice interior. Although creature comfort is lacking, we were sold on the relatively decent price for the number of features and the 5 years of free maintenance. We also appreciate the spacious interior and the 3rd row seats, which are nice to have if needed without compromising space. While the 2nd row is a little tighter than some competitors, I, being 6' tall, could still sit there comfortably. This SUV will serve us well for a few years until we find something in this price range that excites us.
Abdul Bechtelar 2024-07-25

My wife and I purchased our Volvo XC90 while living in the UK, but since we were returning to the US within a year, we had the vehicle built to US specifications. When it comes to safety, the vehicle is 100% safe for the first 36K miles. However, my wife and I have had to replace the driver's side seatbelt twice, which suggests that Volvo may have cut corners on some unseen components. I have never had to replace a seatbelt, and I have owned cars with 190K miles that still had their original factory seatbelts. Additionally, the AC system failed on my wife's car with less than 36K miles and no warning. Fortunately, our vehicle was still under warranty. I was surprised to find that the car has manual lumbar support, which seems outdated for a 2011 model. I would not recommend purchasing this vehicle used; it is best to buy new with a warranty. If you plan on keeping the car long-term, make sure to maintain the warranty and have a maintenance package. The level of technology in this vehicle is weak compared to other 2011 models. Volvo attempted to make a significant leap with their new XC-90, which I have driven, but the infotainment system was a tech blunder. Overall, I believe that Volvo is trying to save money by making subtle changes to current models, but they are trying to make big leaps when they redesign their vehicles, which introduces too many changes in one package and creates too many potential problems. Additionally, support for Volvo along the Gulf Coast is limited, with only two dealerships in my area, both of which are more than 30 minutes away. I would not recommend purchasing this vehicle if your nearest dealership is more than an hour away, as it will be costly to have it serviced. It is best to avoid third-party repair shops or parts. Thank you for reading.At this point, my wife and I have owned this car for 9 years and it has 66000 miles on it. Despite its age, I would still give it a three-star rating. However, there have been some additional issues since my last review. The passenger side BLIS sensor constantly gives false indications or the whole system locks up when the vehicle is first started up. The moonroof cover is no longer connected to the track it was in, even though my wife and I have rarely used the moonroof. The headliner up by the windshield has started to delaminate. This is a 2011 vehicle and my 1997 Eddie Bauer's headliner stayed intact the whole time we had it, and we bought that in 2003. The only reason why I got rid of the Ford was because it had 200K miles and major parts were starting to fail. Also, the AC system has never been the same since the time it went out. The receiver for the driver's side seatbelt has also started having issues with locking in the belt. In short, I would not recommend buying this body style Volvo, no matter what price the dealer is offering it to you at. You'll end up spending more money on keeping it running and in decent condition than the monthly payment, unless you buy it outright. I think they stopped making this version of the XC-90 around 2015. On another note, I would advise against buying a new Volvo XC-90 until they put manual AC controls on the dash again because everything is under the iPad menus right now. I know it sounds silly, but if you live somewhere outside of Europe where you have blistering hot summers, you need backup controls for your AC just in case the iPad display fails. And yes, iPads do fail, and they are even more likely to fail if you can't park your car in a garage when you aren't using it. This vehicle is not worth the money as used or certified pre-owned. In short, I would recommend staying away from these XC-90s.

Positive 2012 Volvo Xc90 car reviews

Quinten Gerhold 2024-10-13

Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share some details about my car that I think you might be interested in. It's been well-maintained with a never-overheated radiator, all new plastic coolant pipes, hoses, and expansion tank, and a new water pump. The power steering pump and fluid reservoir are very quiet, and the steering rack has been replaced with an OEM part. I've also upgraded the tie rods, struts, control arms, stabilizers, and bearings, and added IPD subframe bushing blocks. The motor mounts have all been replaced with modified torque rods, and there are new catalytic converters and a Helmholtz Resonator with a stock R design muffler. The car has new coil packs with OEM Volvo plugs, OEM CV axles, and IPD spring seats with new cold coiled springs. I've also replaced the ball joints, manifold pressure sensor, intake manifold gaskets, oil separator diaphragm and gasket, dipstick and fill cap O rings, alternator with upgraded slip clutch, AC drier expansion valve and condenser, blower motor with resistor, and heater core OEM Behr. The car has upgraded LED tail lights and LED headlights, yellow fog lights, a back-up camera, and reverse radar. I've also subscribed to VDASH, which has removed the 130mph speed governor, allowing for a smooth and comfortable 110mph cruise. The ride height causes instability at about 118mph. The car has only 2000k highway miles and has always been maintained with Castrol GTX conventional motor oil. The timing chain is dead quiet. All work has been done by me under the supervision of master Volvo mechanic, yacht racing champion, and all-around pain in the ass Leo Gabriels of Gabriel's Imports in Ojai. I'm open to reasonable offers, though I'm pretty sure it's worth more to me than any person of sound mind could offer.
Mikel Simonis 2024-09-19

I've had the car for about 8 months now. Unfortunately, the brakes started squeaking within a couple of months of purchase, which was a bit disappointing since I had replaced a minivan with very squeaky brakes. Although I have taken it to the shop a couple of times, the issue has not been resolved yet. On the bright side, the V8 engine is fantastic and provides a lot of power. However, I would not recommend purchasing the navigation package as the system is not very user-friendly. It can't even locate big retail stores without an exact address, although the real-time traffic feature is helpful. Have any of you experienced the buzzing sound in the speakers? I hope someone can help me identify the issue. Overall, it's a great, fun, and safe car to drive around.
Maverick Hayes 2024-08-11

We purchased our 2010 Volvo XC90 AWD in November of 2009. The process began with two dealerships competing to offer us the best price. Since we didn't plan on putting many miles on the family vehicle, we decided to lease it. We were able to secure a great deal with very little down, a 5-year lease, 3-year maintenance, and a 5-year bumper-to-bumper warranty for only $495 per month. After the lease was up, we decided to buy it for around $10,000. Over the next 3 years, we only needed to perform normal maintenance and had extremely low loan payments. From years 8-13, we only needed to replace the front struts and wheel bearings. We finally traded it in after 13 years and 3 months with 180,000 miles for $2,700 and purchased a new Toyota Tacoma. The A/C, sunroof, and rear hatch hydraulic arms needed some work/replacement. Overall, it was the best car I've owned in my 30+ years of driving. I'm curious to see if the latest generation of XC90 will be as impressive as this one.
Ali Quitzon 2024-07-14

Overall, I think this is one of the best values in the luxury SUV market, especially for a 7-seater. It's also one of the better-looking SUVs out there, even if it's an older design.
Frankie Stokes 2024-06-25

In 2018, we purchased our beloved 'Vo' as a safe car for our two teenage boys to drive. After 5 years and 109k miles, she was involved in an accident that was not our son's fault. Despite the other car taking all the damage, Vo did her job and kept my son safe with only a broken tail light. Although she can be expensive to maintain, she is a great car with a comfortable ride and is incredibly safe. We absolutely love our Vo! In July 2023, we had to replace the pistons and other major engine parts, which cost about the same as the value of the car. However, she has been running great ever since. All in all, she may be expensive to upkeep, but she is still a fantastic car.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2012 Volvo Xc90 problems:

Looking at buying 2012 VOLVO XC90 3.2 AWD, your thoughts ...

https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/looking-at-buying-2012-volvo-xc90-3-2-awd-your-thoughts-please.465553/

Jul 10, 2017 ... I may not be using the right terms but as near as I can tell there are no particular problems common to this year and model. I do know ...

2012 Volvo XC90 Problems and Complaints - 3 Issues

https://repairpal.com/2012-volvo-xc90/problems

Top 2012 Volvo XC90 Problems · Software Upgrades Will Fix Audio System Problems. 158 people have reported this. 73 · Hard Shifts and Transmission Slips. 29 ...

XC90 common problems - Volvo Owners Club Forum

https://www.volvoforums.org.uk/showthread.php?t=319549

Aug 27, 2021 ... Check for smooth running and visible smoke. There's a rubber core plug on the engine that can fail and cause a goodly oil leak. Not a difficult ...

2012 Volvo XC90 Problems | Kelley Blue Book

https://www.kbb.com/volvo/xc90/2012/common-problems/

How reliable is the 2012 Volvo XC90? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.