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

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!
Sven Dooley 2024-09-20

Hey there! I wanted to share my experience with you regarding my Volvo. Unfortunately, I had an issue with a coolant hose that suddenly broke without warning, which led to an engine block warp and the need for a whole new engine. I was quite surprised that a five-year-old hose could catastrophically fracture like that. It seems like there might be a problem with the hoses, and it's difficult to follow trends in engine temperature until the engine overheats. I was disappointed with the design and customer support, so I would caution against buying a Volvo. Thanks for listening!
Austyn Swaniawski 2024-09-18

The new Volvo caught our attention with its sleek design, advanced technology, and reputation for reliability. However, after a year of ownership, we have experienced some issues. Despite having to bring the car in for warranty repairs over a dozen times, the friendly color technician assured us that each issue was unique and not a common problem among new Volvos. While we recommend being cautious with the Geely generation of Volvos, we must note that Hendrick Volvo in Charleston, SC, is a flagship store with exceptional service. Overall, we suggest exploring other luxury brands unless you don't mind spending time in service department waiting rooms. Thank you for considering our experience.

Positive 2017 Volvo Xc90 car reviews

Terrell Sporer 2025-01-18

My wife and I purchased this car in February after owning four different luxury SUVs. We were tired of spending so much money on gas and wanted something that was both fuel-efficient and capable of handling off-road and snow conditions. We did extensive research before making our purchase and we are thrilled with our decision. The car's innovative design makes it feel like a $100,000 vehicle, even though it's only $60,000. We love the fuel economy, handling, and comfort of the car, as well as the Dynamic and Off Road driving modes which are incredibly helpful. While the ride can be a bit busy and harsh, it's a trade-off we're willing to make for the confidence we feel on backroads. The technology can be a bit overwhelming at times, but once you learn how to use it properly, it's a great feature. The only downside is the auto-stop-start feature, which can be a bit too aggressive at times. Overall, we're very happy with our purchase and would highly recommend this car to anyone looking for a fuel-efficient and capable vehicle.
Manley Yundt 2024-11-19

I've owned several SUVs, including BMW and Range Rover, but this one is by far my favorite. It's incredible what it can do, from pilot assist to voice commands and more. Plus, the second and third rows are incredibly spacious.
Norris Zieme 2024-10-26

We chose to lease this car because it has more leg room in the rear seat than most large SUVs in this price range. The technology is amazing! The autopilot system actually drives the car for you, controlling the gas, brake, and steering!
Milton Brakus 2024-09-19

When I first bought the car, the check engine light was on, which was a sign of problems to come. It took a couple of days to resolve initially, but unfortunately, it recurred several times, which meant I had to visit Volvo each time. Despite these issues, I have a love/hate relationship with this vehicle. The interior design and features are absolutely amazing! The mood lighting, sound system, comfortable seats, classy styling, touch screen, AUTO PILOT (which is a lifesaver in Southern California traffic - I'll never buy a car without this feature again), parallel parking assist, second row seat adjustment for larger/smaller passenger leg room and much more are all fantastic. Twice, my car auto-braked and likely saved me from an accident, so I'm grateful to Volvo for that. However, many other times, as I'm driving in a residential street, it dings loudly with an orange bar code, falsely alerting me and sometimes even breaking slightly, indicating that I'm going to hit a parked car that I'm nowhere near. It scares me each time it does this. When I took my car to the Costco car wash, my moon roof poured water into the second row of my car, which was quite frustrating. This fix (replacing the moonroof and making adjustments) took about a week. I've had multiple issues with the temperature control systems, both requiring extended visits (about a week each time) at the service shop, while they ordered parts and made repairs. My seat belts, seats or whatever squeaks as I'm driving down the road, which is like nails on a chalkboard. I've been in several times for this, and now I just give up. My quiet Volvo riding experience now has me twitching at the sounds. I have continuous issues pumping gas (they made a repair for a check engine light on a fuel-related issue, just not this issue) where the pump clicks off, and I cannot tell if my tank is full. I'm scared to keep pumping as gas will spill out, so I stop and fill up at another gas station or another occasion.Volvo offered to buy my car back and it has been a very smooth process. I am so pleased with the experience that I have decided to purchase a 2018 XC90 Plug-in Hybrid. I am hoping that any previous glitches have been resolved. Fingers crossed! Update, 1/8/18: I have been driving my new 2018 Volvo XC90 Plug-in Hybrid Inscription for several months now and have covered 3,400 miles without any issues. However, I did experience a problem with the thermostat which required a 3-5 day repair estimate. This was the same issue I had with my 2016 XC90 Plug-in Hybrid. It is important to be aware of the mechanic/computer problems that can occur with this car. My service advisor informed me that they haven't seen this issue on other 2018 models yet, as I am one of the first buyers of this model year in my location. Update: June 2018, 2018 XC90 - The suspension needed work at about 10,000 miles. Update: 7/11/18 2018 S90 Plug-in Hybrid - Our family also purchased a new 2018 S90 Plug-In Hybrid a few months ago. At approximately 4000 miles, the check engine light came on, indicating a problem with the temperature control system. Unfortunately, the car died again after the repair, requiring it to be towed to the local dealership. It took several weeks for all of these repairs while the very nice local service shop waited for return calls and updates from Sweden. With the time change, this is an extremely inefficient business model resulting in multiple day repairs (often weeks with the plug-in hybrids). We have now owned three of them, and all three have had problems with the temperature control systems.
Rusty Johns 2024-09-08

Comfy seats meet outstanding luxury. The clean design is really nice. This is a great car! The only thing that might be questionable is the maintenance costs down the road.

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.