2017 Volvo Xc90 problems

General information about Volvo-Xc90
Overview of popular issues
Recalls 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 2017 Volvo Xc90 problems

The 2017 Volvo XC90 has been reported to have several common problems by its owners. According to CarComplaints.com, the worst complaints are related to the air conditioning and heating system, interior accessories, and brakes.

Firstly, the AC/heater system has been reported to have issues by two owners. One owner reported that the A/C unit blew warm air, and another owner reported that the AC was replaced when purchased but continued to not operate properly. The latter owner also mentioned that the evaporator replacement is no longer under warranty, indicating a potential issue with the AC system's longevity.

Secondly, the interior accessories have been reported to have issues by one owner. The owner reported that the screen becomes extremely hot constantly, which can reset itself several times while driving. This issue can be a significant inconvenience and safety concern for drivers, especially during long trips.

Lastly, the brakes have been reported to have issues by one owner. The owner reported that the brake issues are a significant problem and that they know two other families with the same model and year, and they also have the same problems. This issue can be a significant safety concern for drivers, and it is essential to address it promptly.

In addition to these issues, other problems have been reported by owners, including engine problems, electrical problems, miscellaneous problems, body/paint problems, seat belts/airbags problems, steering problems, suspension problems, exterior accessories problems, drivetrain problems, wheels/hubs problems, and lights problems.

It is essential to note that the average cost to fix these issues is $1,100, and the average mileage is 49,000 miles. This indicates that these issues may occur later in the car's lifespan, but they can still be costly to fix.

In conclusion, the 2017 Volvo XC90 has several common problems reported by its owners, including AC/heater system issues, interior accessories problems, and brake issues. While these issues can be significant safety concerns, it is essential to address them promptly to ensure the car's longevity and safety.

What is the most common problem of Volvo XC90?

How many miles can a 2017 Volvo XC90 last?

The Volvo XC90 can typically last anywhere from 150,000 to 200,000 miles when given the proper care and maintenance it needs. Bring your model into our Quantrell Volvo Cars service center for check-ups, routine oil changes, battery replacements, or more serious repairs.

Is Volvo XC90 high maintenance?

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

Is Volvo XC90 reliable?

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.

2017 Volvo Xc90 complaints

The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2017 Volvo Xc90.

You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.

2017 Volvo Xc90 recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 7 recalls for different components of the 2017 Volvo Xc90.

2023-12-07

Manufacturer: Volvo Car USA, LLC
Components: SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
Summary: 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.

2021-04-21

Manufacturer: Volvo Car USA, LLC
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Summary: 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.

2018-11-13

Manufacturer: Volvo Car USA LLC
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
Summary: 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 of an emergency.
Consequence: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
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.

2017-06-08

Manufacturer: Volvo Car USA LLC
Components: SEAT BELTS
Summary: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017 XC90 vehicles. The Micro Gas Generator (MGG), a subcomponent part used within the right hand side seat belt retractor for the third row seats, may detach after the seatbelt retractor pretensioner is deployed.
Consequence: Although, the seat belt will operate as intended in the event of a crash, if the MGG detaches, it may be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the third row passenger's side seatbelt retractor, free of charge. The recall began August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89716.

2017-02-16

Manufacturer: Volvo Car USA LLC
Components: AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
Summary: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017 XC90, S90, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The bolts that secure the Inflatable Curtain (IC) air bags in place may break, possibly resulting in the IC air bag deploying improperly in the event of a crash. As, such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
Consequence: If the IC air bags do not deploy properly in the event of a crash, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 1, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89714.

2016-11-02

Manufacturer: Volvo Car USA LLC
Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Summary: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 XC90, S90, XC60, V60 Cross Country, V60, S60 Cross Country, S60, and S60 Inscription vehicles manufactured February 16, 2015, to August 22, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the front passenger seat belt buckle attaching stud may loosen, allowing the buckle to separate from the seat belt bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages" and number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Consequence: If the seat belt buckle separates from the bracket, the front seat passenger may not be adequately restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt buckle stud, replacing the seat belt buckle as needed, free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89708.

2016-09-26

Manufacturer: Volvo Car USA LLC
Components: EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
Summary: Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Volvo XC90 and S90 vehicles manufactured April 15, 2015 through September 19, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning may leak into the passenger compartment due to a drain hose installation error during manufacturing.
Consequence: Significant water drainage into the passenger compartment may adversely affect air bag deployment in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air conditioning drain hose for proper installation, replacing the hose as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on November the 14, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this campaign is R89707.

Negative 2017 Volvo Xc90 car reviews

Preston Kreiger 2025-05-01

I've had this SUV for just over 9 months and put 6K miles on it. Although my wife doesn't drive it much, we didn't spend much time exploring its features. After nine months, we discovered that the car actually had a coin holder, but unfortunately, the door to the coin holder was stuck. I took it to the dealer, Momentum Jaguar Volvo in Houston, where I bought it from, and explained the issue. They kept the car for a day and said they had to order a part to fix it, which would be covered by warranty. However, the next day they called me to say that it wouldn't be covered by warranty because the door was stuck due to a spill. I explained that we hadn't used the car much and that's how the coin holder was until we realized it was a coin holder. If they had left it at that, I would have gladly taken the car back. However, they took out the center console and wanted to charge me $400 to install it back. When I looked at the disassembled center console, I did see some spill on the sides of the console, but nothing actually in the coin holder door mechanism. It looked like the dealer wanted to charge me $690 to replace the coin holder because Volvo does not reimburse them that much if it was done under warranty. They even called Volvo customer care and made sure I couldn't preemptively talk to them and have it replaced under warranty. I even purchased an extended warranty through Volvo for this car, but all Volvo and the dealer wanted to do was cut corners by claiming the damage was caused by the spill when actually there was no water damage to the coin holder itself. They won't admit that it was defective to start with. All this for replacing a $90 coin holder. I would recommend people looking into buying this car to make sure what kind of service the dealer will provide after the purchase. Please read reviews about the dealer service department before purchasing, because most of the headache with Volvo cars is dealing with dishonest dealers' service department.Hello! I understand your concerns about the warranty. However, I want to assure you that we always strive to provide the best service possible. Our service advisors are trained to make fair and honest assessments of each situation. If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. We are here to help!
Darius Jast 2025-03-25

I really want to love this car, but I'm struggling with the build quality and service. Unfortunately, they are not up to par with other luxury brands, especially considering the price you pay. I bought mine brand new back in 2017 with all the options, including air suspension. As of this review, it has 28K miles after almost 4 years, always garaged and well maintained. On the positive side, the styling inside and out is great. The interior is one of the best I've seen, with comfortable seats and a quiet interior. I love the air suspension and the ability to put it into dynamic sports mode. The Bowers and Wilkens sound system sounds fantastic. The 4-cylinder engine is a little noisy at high revs, but otherwise, it's okay and powerful enough for our occasional San Francisco to Los Angeles trips. However, there are some downsides. The interior squeaks, rattles, and makes a high-pitched noise. For a $75K car, I expected better build quality. Even a $3K sound system cannot drown out the annoying noises. After 2 years, a high-pitched noise from the dashboard developed when driving over rough asphalt. The dealer could not identify the source and would not replace it. After 3 years, a constant squeaking noise from the 2nd row developed regardless of road condition or if anyone is sitting there or not. The dealer told me that Volvo only has a 1-year warranty on squeaks and rattles. Also, after 3 years, one of the chrome trims on the window started to come off. The dealer also told me that Volvo only has a 1-year warranty on body and trim defects. In conclusion, I believe that Volvo can provide a better customer experience by improving the build quality or at least having a better warranty to address issues that come up in the first 4 years. I've had several Lexus cars in the past, including a 1996 LX450 that I drove for 15 years and 273K miles, and I never experienced so many annoying noises from the cabin. I have a BMW that has a more comprehensive warranty that covers these types of issues. Service can also be improved. It's very difficult to get loaner vehicles, unlike Lexus and BMW, but this may be specific to the dealer I go to (McKevitt Volvo in San Leandro, CA).Based on my experience with the cost of the car over the last 4 years, I would probably not buy another Volvo. I hope this information is helpful to someone.
Dominic Leannon 2024-11-26

I recently finished my lease on a 2017 XC90 T6 Inscription AWD with the Polestar Package. Unfortunately, my experience with this car was not great. It required frequent software updates and even had a leaking exhaust system. Additionally, the build quality was subpar, with issues such as a misaligned rear driver's side door that caused excessive buffeting at highway speeds and rattling doors. The 21 inch wheels looked nice but negatively impacted ride quality, even with the air suspension option. Despite having experience with competing brands' systems such as iDrive, MMI, CUE, and Comand/MBUX, I found the Sensus system difficult to use due to the poor ride quality. The screen was laggy and had small icons, which made it frustrating to use the frequently used controls such as climate control and seat heating/ventilation. It was also disappointing that the car lacked power folding second and third row seats, as well as a power steering column adjustment. Another design flaw was the placement of the rear climate controls, which were often interfered with by the front passenger's elbow, causing the fan to go full blast and create excess noise in the already loud cabin. The fan speeds were not gradual enough, resulting in either full blast or no air flow at all. Lastly, I had to deal with whistling air vents in the front row throughout the lease. Overall, I would not recommend this car.The Pilot Assist feature was one of the reasons I chose this car, but unfortunately, I lost trust in it when it almost pulled me into a division wall on the freeway without warning. Additionally, the front emergency braking activated on its own a few times in the last few months, even when there was no immediate danger of an accident. As a result, I no longer feel safe driving this vehicle, let alone with my family. I have since switched to a different brand, and I am much happier now.
Noble Gaylord 2024-11-12

This Volvo is an average SUV. Although some materials such as the rest hand are hard, it still gets the job done. The ride can be a bit hard, but it's still a reliable vehicle.
Ambrose Medhurst 2024-10-09

Hey there! I wanted to share my experience with my 2017 Volvo XC90. Despite some skepticism about the 4-cylinder engine's ability to move a 6000 lbs. vehicle, I decided to purchase it. I just wanted to let you know that around 100K miles, the super/turbo charger may fail. Hope this helps!

Positive 2017 Volvo Xc90 car reviews

Jamaal Fritsch 2025-05-02

I must say, I am a huge fan of Volvo! When it came time to buy my new XC90 (T6 Momentum Plus), I knew I had to have it. I did come across some reviews on here about software issues and other 'nightmares' resulting from new technology and bugs that weren't worked out, which made me a little apprehensive. However, I decided to put my concerns to the side and take advantage of the year-end closeout deals and buy one. I've been driving the car for about 6 months now and have taken it all over Colorado, trying it out in pretty much every driving scenario: traffic jams, countryside driving, mountain driving, rain, snow, icy conditions, etc. After all of that, I have to say this car has been pretty much perfect. In my personal opinion, other reviews about 'nightmares' are not only exaggerated but blown completely out of proportion. This car's technology centers around safety, so if you're going to weave all over the road, drive it like a sports car, follow people too closely, or in other words, drive like a moron, this car is going to fight you (unless you disable the various safety systems) every step of the way. I have slightly modified my driving style and find that all the technologies work as promised without any issues. During my first week of having the car, the auto brake did engage when I was speeding up and getting too close to a car to change lanes, but it didn't screech to a halt or anything like that. It simply beeped at me and softly started to slow me down to avoid what it thought was an imminent crash. It took me about a month to 'learn' the car and adapt my driving accordingly. Since that time, everything has been smooth. There are certain things that annoy me about the car that I do hope Volvo changes in the future, but they are minor issues.For instance, I really enjoy using the 360 degree camera and parking features. However, living in a busy city means I don't have the luxury of stopping in the middle of the road to swipe through 2-3 screens to select the feature I want to use. It would be great if the car had some shortcut buttons on the dash, so I could quickly turn my 360 camera on/off or select a specific feature without having to swipe through menus. Despite this, my overall experience with the car is fantastic. It's extremely comfortable to drive and ride in, and it's a real head-turner. The gas mileage is decent, and I usually keep the car in ECO mode, except when driving up into the mountains, where I use Dynamic mode for a thrilling drive. On average, I get between 19.5 and 21 MPG on a tank, which is a mix of both city and highway driving. When driving long distances on the interstate, I average 23-26 MPG. However, I do wish the fuel tank was a little larger, as I only get 300 miles out of a tank before the gas light comes on, meaning I have to get gas every week. Some of the other competing SUVs can get 400-600 miles out of a tank.
Jessy Collier 2025-04-17

When it comes to 3 row luxury SUVs, the options are quite limited. The Mercedes GLS is too big and the BMW X5's 3rd row is unusable. That's why we narrowed it down to the XC90 and Audi Q7. My wife and I both fell in love with the XC90's exterior and interior, so we ended up purchasing the XC90 T8 Inscription with all the possible options. Although the MSRP was 85K, we were able to get a good deal. The car is very quiet and drives really nicely, and my wife swears by its handling. However, I find the driving experience a bit boring. The acceleration is nowhere close to my Mercedes E350, but I understand that it's a big and heavy car. It has an electric-only range of about 15 miles, which my wife loves due to its quietness, but I find it a bit sluggish in electric mode. In the last 4 months, I've had to visit the dealer twice. Once because the engine light came on and another time because of a rattling noise in the center console. The dealer fixed the engine light issue, but the noise issue has not been fully resolved (it only comes back at certain speeds). I think it might be due to the air suspension, but I'll have to live with it. I don't expect such issues in an 85K car. If I had to buy again, I would go for the T6, which is 400lb lighter and has better handling. It's also 15K cheaper. Now that it's been a year since I've had this vehicle, it has made two trips to the dealer for various issues. One for a bad temp sensor and another for a bad battery cooling pump. The dealership fixed a creaking sound in the center console by putting some extra insulation. I hope everything is sorted out now and that only regular servicing will be needed in the future. I've grown used to its driving characteristics, and I must say that the driving experience is best in Sports mode. Everyone compliments its looks.
Marques Jast 2025-04-02

In 2016, we had the pleasure of picking up our XC90 in Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo generously flew us over and back, picked us up at the airport, put us into a lovely hotel, and even provided a delicious three-course meal upon our arrival. After taking us to the factory, we were introduced to our new car and our advisor went over it with us. Following a short test drive, we enjoyed a Swedish meatball lunch and a factory tour, making for an unforgettable experience! For the past four years, our XC90 has been incredibly reliable with no mechanical issues. Using battery power for regular work commuting and hybrid mode for everything else, we're getting about 36-37 mpg. It effortlessly flies through the Colorado Mountains and getting into the car at the end of a long day feels like being wrapped in a comfortable cocoon. Unlike most cars after a few years, nothing rattles. Our only complaint is that the Pirelli tires that came with the car only lasted about 30K miles. Despite Consumer Reports giving it an unflattering rating, our experience with the XC90 has been nothing but positive. Having owned Cadillac Escalade and SRX, and high-end Suburbans, the Volvo is by far our favorite car. We would buy another one in a heartbeat!
Nathanael Larson 2025-03-25

I recently traded in my beloved VW Touareg Executive for a Volvo XC 90. I considered several other options such as the Audi Q7, Jag F Pace, and Jeep Grand Cherokee, but I found that the XC 90 was the best fit for me. I have previously owned 2 X5's and a Super Charged Range Rover, so I have extensive experience with these types of vehicles. The XC 90 is an exceptional car with a super quiet ride, a surprisingly good 4 cylinder engine, and loaded with technology. Even the stock sound system is excellent, so I wouldn't recommend spending the extra $2,600 on the upgrade unless you're a hardcore audiophile. While the HUD option is okay, it's not visible with polarized sunglasses, which seems like a design flaw. The self-drive mode is cool, but I probably won't use it much, and the lane departure nudging can be a bit annoying, but I'm willing to give it time. The headlights are incredibly bright, and the iPad-like controls are easy to use and give the car a nice clean look. Overall, the XC 90 is a fantastic high-end crossover that I highly recommend test driving and checking out.
Bradley Franecki 2025-03-11

I've been driving the Volvo XC90 for three weeks now and my kids and I absolutely love it! I spent a while searching for a replacement for my Honda Odyssey and compared several models including the Acura MDX, Audi Q7, Mercedes GLE, and BMW X5. Ultimately, I decided on the XC90 and it has exceeded my expectations so far. Initially, I was considering the MDX due to my previous experience with Honda and its value, but I found the interior to be less luxurious than expected and with all the added options, it wasn't as much of a 'value' as I had hoped. I've never experienced 'buyer's remorse' with this car though. As I mentioned earlier, my kids love riding in it and I feel great driving it. The security features are excellent and were one of the main reasons I chose this car. The technology is also fantastic and the touch screen central display is simple, clean, and works perfectly. It may take some time to learn how to use it, but it's similar to using an iPad or iPhone. My car even comes with a 'red' key which is great for younger drivers as it has additional safety features like limiting the driving speed. The only thing that took a bit of time to figure out was the 'Homelink' button for the garage door opener. The instructions that came with the car weren't very helpful, so I went to the 'Homelink' website and downloaded the specific instructions for this car. It worked on the first try! I do wish that there was a separate sheet or instruction on how to program the 'Homelink' button as it's likely one of the first things people would want to do once they get the car home. Overall, I'm extremely happy and satisfied with my car.

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2017 Volvo Xc90 problems:

Considering XC90 T6, common issues / failures? | Page 2 ...

https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/considering-xc90-t6-common-issues-failures.642496/page-2

May 10, 2021 ... Stickygreen · 1. leaky sunroof (only issue that scares me - ours is good so far despite frequent drive-thru car wash use) · 2. Rattling/buzzing ...

Talk me out of buying a 2017 XC90 Inscription. : r/Volvo

https://www.reddit.com/r/Volvo/comments/dv1cwk/talk_me_out_of_buying_a_2017_xc90_inscription/

Nov 11, 2019 ... I've read up on the issues of sunroof leaks, census lag, the start-stop issues, and various gauge cluster malfunctions. Even with all that I ...

Common problems with the new XC90 | SwedeSpeed - Volvo ...

https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/common-problems-with-the-new-xc90.517713/

Dec 25, 2017 ... Right now, it is functional and less buggy. Good luck with your shopping. 2017 XC90 T8 Inscription (OSD).

Volvo XC90 - What Common Issues Are There? : r/Volvo

https://www.reddit.com/r/Volvo/comments/n9hc6q/volvo_xc90_what_common_issues_are_there/

May 10, 2021 ... Love the look, the ride, the cargo space. But I've had warning lights coming on and off for 3 years-particularly the airbag light & emissions.