2021 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 2021 Volvo Xc90 problems

The 2021 Volvo XC90 has been reported to have several common problems by its owners. These issues span across various categories, including brakes, electrical systems, engine, seat belts/air bags, steering, fuel system, drivetrain, and wheels/hubs. Here, we will delve into the details of these problems based on the search results.

Forward Collision Avoidance Problems: A number of Volvo XC90 owners have reported problems with the forward collision avoidance system. One owner complained that the electric parking brake engaged violently at highway speeds, resulting in abrupt stops in moving traffic. Volvo has acknowledged the problem and has recalled XC90s in the past for similar braking issues. The company blamed the problem on a software-hardware incompatibility glitch, which may cause the automatic braking system to malfunction.

Backup Camera Display and Radio Problems: The electrical system for the backup camera has caused problems for the 2021 XC90. Owners have reported blurry and distorted images on the backup camera display, which can create a visibility hazard for the driver. Additionally, many owners have experienced radio problems, such as loud popping sounds from the speakers, loss of sound from various portions of the vehicle, and static electricity prior to the pops. Volvo has issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TJ 32044.4.0) to dealers for XC90 radio and electrical problems, suggesting that a software update will fix the issues.

Brake Problems: Apart from the forward collision avoidance problem, owners of the 2021 XC90 have experienced braking issues. Some have reported shaking and shuttering at interstate speeds, while others have experienced problems with the electric parking brake engaging violently at highway speeds, causing abrupt stops in moving traffic. These issues may be related to warped rotors or faulty modules responsible for switching between electric and fuel modes.

Other Issues: While not as prevalent, other problems reported by owners include steering issues, fuel system problems, drivetrain problems, and wheels/hubs problems. These issues may range from difficulty in turning the steering wheel to fuel smell inside the vehicle, vibrations while driving, and wheel balance problems.

In conclusion, the 2021 Volvo XC90 has been reported to have various problems, with the most common ones affecting the brakes, electrical systems, and engine. While Volvo has acknowledged some of these issues and has taken steps to address them, it is essential for potential buyers to be aware of these problems and consider them when making a purchasing decision.

How reliable is the Volvo XC90 2021?

The 2021 Volvo XC90 has a predicted reliability score of 70 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.

Does Volvo XC90 have issues?

Used Volvo XC90: the owners' view

Several owners praised the XC90 for its dependable performance, noting few issues within the first years of ownership. However, others reported recurring problems, including faulty warning lights, electronic glitches and drivetrain malfunctions.

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).

Is Volvo XC90 high maintenance?

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

How reliable is the Volvo XC90 2021?

What is the most common problem of Volvo XC90?

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.

Is Volvo XC90 high maintenance?

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

2021 Volvo Xc90 complaints

The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2021 Volvo Xc90.

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

2021 Volvo Xc90 recalls

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 5 recalls for different components of the 2021 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.

2023-01-05

Manufacturer: Volvo Car USA, LLC
Components: STEERING
Summary: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2022 V60CC, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. During steering gear assembly, double screws may have been assembled on top of each other, which can cause a screw to fall into the gearbox housing.
Consequence: A screw inside the gearbox housing can cause the steering wheel to lock up and increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 1, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10213.

2021-09-15

Manufacturer: Volvo Car USA, LLC
Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Summary: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 S90L, 2020-2021 XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.
Consequence: Separation of the rotor and shaft may cause a reduction in braking assistance and a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hydraulic unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10120.

2021-09-01

Manufacturer: Volvo Car USA, LLC
Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
Summary: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 XC40, XC 40 Recharge, V60CC, V90, V90CC, XC90, and 2021-2022 V60, XC60, S60 vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10111.

2021-01-07

Manufacturer: Volvo Car USA, LLC
Components: AIR BAGS
Summary: Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 Volvo V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. The Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) control unit may not have been properly attached to the car body and may detach during a crash.
Consequence: A detached SRS control unit can decrease the performance of occupant protection systems such as air bags, seat belts, and high voltage battery disconnect, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Remedy: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the SRS control unit mounting screws, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10068.

Negative 2021 Volvo Xc90 car reviews

Ezra Turcotte 2025-09-12

Our NEW Volvo XC 90 has been in for service 5 times since purchased. So far everything has been an electrical problem...AC won’t turn on, screen goes blank, blinkers out, brights won’t work, mirrors won’t adjust, phone calls out and rings and you can’t cut it off, AC won’t turn on...worth mentioning twice when you live in Texas. Twice, these things have gone wrong right before a road trip, being the main reason we bought it. My list is extensive. Very inconvenient! They do resolve the problem each time but this is not what we expected with a luxury brand new vehicle. We contacted Volvo USA but they are unwilling to help in anyway. This is our fourth Volvo, never before have we experienced such issues. Customer service??
Ben Wilderman 2025-08-26

I really appreciate the spaciousness and comfort of the ride, and I was pleasantly surprised by the good handling and acceleration of this big car. However, I have had some issues with the car's reliability. After just a few months of ownership, the all-electric miles per full charge decreased, and I had to replace the fuel cells twice within a year. Unfortunately, the hybrid engine failed too soon and the vehicle has been in the shop for over a month. Although I wanted to like this Volvo and overlook the touch screen's functionality in favor of the smooth ride, the frequent breakdowns have been a major issue for me. Overall, I cannot recommend this Volvo hybrid.
Bennie Gorczany 2025-08-18

As a loyal Toyota driver, I was excited to try out my first luxury car. However, I've had a few issues with it in the first year of ownership. Despite the great fuel efficiency and comfortable ride, I've had to take it to the shop four times already. My previous Toyotas only needed standard maintenance, so this has been a bit frustrating. The first time I took it in, there was a shuddering jolt that happened multiple times, but no one could find anything wrong. After a few more incidents, I demanded that they keep it until it was fixed. They eventually found that it needed an O ring rebuild kit for the rear differential. While it worked great for a while, I've had a few more issues since then, including the airbag light going off and a terrible shutter and lunge. I've had to tow it to Volvo, but they couldn't find anything wrong at first. They eventually discovered that it needed a major upgrade. Despite these issues, I still want to love this car, especially since I spent $70k on it. I even bought the extended warranty because I know how expensive it can be to work on Volvos. However, I am a bit worried about what will happen when the car is out of warranty, since I never had to update my Toyotas.
Narciso Runte 2025-05-19

After experiencing two months of ownership, one of which was spent in the shop for repairs due to a faulty module responsible for switching between electric and fuel, I must say that I am disappointed. As someone who has owned 12 Volvos in my lifetime, I expected this car to be the crown jewel, but unfortunately, it has proven to be unreliable. Despite the nearly $80K price tag, the car sputters and only occasionally works as it should. I cannot recommend this car to others.
Woodrow Hermiston 2024-10-08

Since being owned by Chinese investors, some people feel that the quality of Volvo cars has decreased while profits have increased. Some believe that the XC-90 does not have the same level of safety and quality as earlier models produced under Ford. It has been reported that starting in 2022, all XC-90's will be assembled in South Carolina. We are currently exploring alternative options to replace our 2020 model in 2022.

Positive 2021 Volvo Xc90 car reviews

Reyes Lehner 2025-11-12

The SUV looks and feels great. It drives very nicely and the interior is gorgeous, especially the R-Design. However, there are some features that I was surprised to find missing in the Xc90. For instance, remote start on the key fob is not available as a standard feature, which is a shame. Although you can start it via the phone, it is not as convenient. Additionally, the warning light for low tire pressure is not as helpful as having the actual tire pressure displayed, which can help you make safer decisions. While the pilot assist and technology are not as user-friendly as those in the VW Atlas or our Jeep, we still like the Xc90 a lot. However, we are glad that we leased it instead of buying it. If we had to choose again, we would probably go for the Atlas SEL Premium or maybe the MDX, which are more usable and almost as good to drive. Although the interior materials may not be as luxurious, the $20k savings would certainly be worth it.
Parker Lang 2025-11-10

I absolutely love my 2022 XC90 Recharge! The quiet ride is amazing, and the stiffer feel is just what I was looking for. Even with 21The newer version, called extended range, can go 30 miles in PURE mode which would be better for me, but that's just how it goes. Everything else is still perfect, just like when I bought it. The dealer even did an oil change at 10k with no cost. I absolutely love driving it, especially in the snow. All the tech works and it has exceeded all my expectations. Although I would get higher overall mpg if I didn't take lots of long trips, that has nothing to do with the vehicle. An update: At 20k, the SUV still has no issues or problems. I will be going to the dealer next week for the 20k service. In summary, I am looking forward to my next Volvo. This one performs exactly as advertised. Another update at 2 years old with 32000 miles - No issues, runs just like new.
Deondre Quigley 2025-11-01

In June 2020, I upgraded my 2018 XC60 to a 2020 XC90. I have found Volvos to be very reliable, safe, and quiet. I have never had any issues with my Volvo, except for a cracked windshield due to a flying rock on I-95. I considered many mid-size luxury SUVs on the market, but it was important to me that the vehicle had a sophisticated look. I find logos that light up and exhausts that make fake and pop sounds to be juvenile. I also prefer restrained styling both inside and out, which is why I found the German and Japanese options hard to stomach. Unfortunately, Range Rover has a reputation for poor reliability. I am a firm believer in Volvo for Life!
Francis Moore 2025-10-10

The 2020 XC90 is a great SUV that handles like a high-performance vehicle. It offers a Dynamic driving option that provides an extra boost in start and stop traffic and when tackling curvy hilly roads. The car hugs the road nicely with no swaying, and I managed to attain 28.5 mpg on long trips in the Eco setting! With 35k on the odometer, I have had no mechanical or other issues. I simply love this car!! Lastly, the computer console is easy to navigate, even for a non-technical person like myself.
Marco Zemlak 2025-09-27

This car is not only comfortable, but also beautiful, spacious, and modern. It is packed with so much technology that I am still learning about. The team at White Plains Volvo were incredibly helpful in getting me started and were great to work with. It has ALL the safety features you could imagine and more, including Lane Keep Assist, Blind Spot Monitor, Pilot Assist, 360 View Camera (if you want it), HUD (Heads Up Display, which I don’t have), Remote Start and climate control directly from your Volvo phone app, Apple Car Play, Android Auto, Volvo apps such as weather, Glympse (I think), Google Search, Spotify, Pandora, Navigation, WiFi with AT&T, Sirius XM Radio, Digital Driver Information Display, Parking Sensors, and more. I leased the Momentum, which is not the most expensive option, and it even includes Complimentary Factory Scheduled Maintenance. This covers the first three services (10,000 miles, 20,000 miles and 30,000 miles) at no charge. Overall, I absolutely love my Volvo and only have minor concerns about reliability. Plus, I paid approximately $51,000 after the rebates and discounts, which is a great deal. :)

Additional sources

More sources of information about 2021 Volvo Xc90 problems:

Should I buy 2021 XC90 T6?? | SwedeSpeed - Volvo Performance ...

https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/should-i-buy-2021-xc90-t6.665992/

Apr 24, 2023 ... List of all repairs and mechanical issues: -Rear passenger door was repainted and the outer skin replaced. -Start stop system had a couple of ...

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 ... Hey Everyone,. I am looking at purchasing a used Volvo XC90, and wanted to know if there are any common issues with the SUV?

2021 Volvo XC90 Problems | Kelley Blue Book

https://www.kbb.com/volvo/xc90/2021/common-problems/

How reliable is the 2021 Volvo XC90? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.

Considering a used 2021 Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge - reliability ...

https://www.reddit.com/r/VolvoXC90/comments/16rv68w/considering_a_used_2021_volvo_xc90_t8_recharge/

Sep 25, 2023 ... It runs like a "typical" hybrid in that the regen is always working so it will charge the battery when you brake (or slow down in B-mode). You ...