RoadVitals

2018 Volvo V90CC

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
7
Latest Jun 25, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Nov 13, 2018
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Volvo V90CC, most frequently naming the body & structure, electrical and exterior lighting categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 417 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Body & structure330.0%
  • Electrical220.0%
  • Exterior lighting220.0%
  • Airbags110.0%
  • Brakes110.0%
  • Driver assistance110.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Nov 13, 2018
17,548 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
The 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.
Volvo Car USA LLCManufacturer number R39917View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

BrakesElectrical
Filed Jun 25, 2025

During the rainy season, moisture found its way inside the right passenger real tail light, causing a “brake malfunction” error on the dash and deactivating the passenger rear brake light. After the moisture dries, the light comes back on but is intermittent. The light continues to malfunction during rainfall. This is a huge safety concern as there is no way to reset the system to turn on the brake light, unless the moisture dries.

NHTSA ID
11669331
Incident
Jan 27, 2025
Body & structure
Filed Apr 18, 2025
1 injury reported

Automatic tailgate door, which was open for loading, randomly came down and struck me in the head. Door did not retract on contact but continued downward. No one was in vehicle. Neither keyfob or button were touched. I'm on blood thinners, this was a dangerous head injury. Could be extremely dangerous for children. This is second time this happened, but previously the door didnt hit me, I jumped back. This time, I was leaning in to load items. Again, I was just placing items in back. I was alone. Purse was in cart. There was no way any button on car or fob was pushed to close door. It closed on its own. Very dangerous!

NHTSA ID
11655459
Incident
Apr 18, 2025
Body & structureElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Mar 31, 2025

When it rains, I receive a warning that the rear position lights are failed. The left tail light stops working and I'm without a signal and brake lamp. This issue resolved its self when it's had time to dry, usually within two to three days.

NHTSA ID
11651761
Incident
Feb 27, 2025
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 30, 2024

Rear Position Light Malfunction on my 2018 Volvo V90 CC. The winter finally came yesterday and it rained the whole night. After I started the car in the following morning and drove for around 2 minutes, the warning popped up. I found out the rear position light of the whole left side doesn’t work, included the position light on the tailgate. But so far, every light works well except the position light. I tried to restarted the car, the warning didn’t pop up and the left position light worked for a while like 1 minute, then the warning came out again and the position light was back to off. So right now it’s so risky to drive at night or on bad weathers because other cars follows me can only see one side of the position light, makes them hard to see my whole rear part. I may need to take the car to the dealer soon.

NHTSA ID
11628012
Incident
Nov 28, 2024
Driver assistance
Filed Jul 8, 2024
1 injury reported

1. When my tailgate is open on multiple (more than 8?9? 10 times out of nowhere it will start to come down without my prompting It has hit me on my shoulder multiple times and I jump out of the way while it continues to shut. Most recently, it came down quick and hit my head. Luckily I got out of the way. Yet it wasn't fast enough because this time the tailgate hit it hard giving me a headache and then bothered my neck later. I have gone to Volvo and they say nothing is wrong with it. They say that is the feature of swinging you foot under the bumper and I know that. I didn't do that though. I never let my grand-kids sit in the back "tailgating after skiing" because of the potential danger of it coming down. It doesn't get triggered to stop or go up but rather continues its descent. Super dangerous. Perhaps it needs a new sensor? Many times I think I should sell this car and see about something safer. Which is a wild idea considering Volvo is supposed to be quite safe. I had an old model xc70 wagon LOVED it. The tailgate was wide and perfect for sitting with the tailgate up after a hard day of skiing. I have never been able to do this with is newer design that has a tailgate which is unpredictable. Please advise. Thank you. 2. The blind spot on the drivers side hasn't worked. On the passenger's side it works fine. When asked approximate dates? well multiple times-frequently but I will say the most recent was July 3, 2024 for the tailgate I was the only hurt. Monday July 8th, 2024 I will see a chiropractor for my neck. As for the faulty blind spot warning? That happens most days, everyday. Thankfully I am a defensive driver and have yet to have an accident as a result of that.

NHTSA ID
11599915
Incident
Jul 3, 2024
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Jan 26, 2023
Crash reported1 injury reported

I was hit head on mostly drivers side. Car totaled. I went by ambulance to hospital. Air bags did not deploy. Contacted Vovlo. They seem indifferent

NHTSA ID
11503788
Incident
Jan 16, 2023
Filed Feb 3, 2020

SENSUS NAVIGATION MAP GETS OVERPLAYED WITH A BLANK "WINDOW" EFFECTIVELY COVERING THE MAP, THE SYSTEM FREEZES SO NO NAVIGATION OR SENSUS RELATED INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TO THE DRIVER. THE RECOVERY PROCESS SEEMS TO BE, STOP CAR, OPEN/CLOSE DOORS, WAIT 5-20 MINUTES, OPEN/CLOSE DOORS, RESTART CAR AND HOPEFULLY MOVE ON. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO DEALER 8+ TIMES FOR VARIOUS ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR. VOLVO NORTH AMERICA HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN AT LEAST THE LAST 3 ATTEMPTS. VOLVO NA, COMPLETELY NON-RESPONSIVE. PROBLEM USED TO BE INFREQUENT, NOW IT IS MUCH MORE REGULAR. THE CAR DID NOT GO 24 HOURS AFTER THE SYSTEM WAS REPLACED WITHOUT FAILURE. THE PROBLEM IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS YOU LOOSE NAVIGATION ASSISTANCE AT RANDOM INTERVALS SUCH AS TO OUT TO A NEW LOCATION DOWNTOWN OR ON A 3 HOUR HIGHWAY TRIP (3X) WITH LIMITED ACCESS TO PULL OVER. MANUFACTURER SEEMS UNABLE TO EITHER DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR. OTHER SYSTEM FEATURES AND CAR CONTROLS UNAVAILABLE WHILE SCREEN IN "LOCKED" UP. PROBLEM DATES BACK TO AT LEAST SUMMER 2019, PERHAPS EARLIER.

NHTSA ID
11306651
Incident
Feb 1, 2020
Mileage
21,723 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

33031.6.0

This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 1 .jpg attachment - If remote control key is not detected by the car and shows message in DIM "Car key not found" or if functions such as lock/unlock are not working, please follow advice for detecting key

36496.10.0

POWER TRAIN

This is a Technical Journal: Intermittent knocking noise during acceleration. If the sound corresponds to attached sound file, change front drive shafts to the below part numbers.

34521.11.1

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

This is a Technical Journal: Headlamp condensation inside lens - information/leak test. If the result is not ok (air leak), it is ok to replace the headlamp

35503.4.0

STRUCTURE:BODY

This is a Technical Journal: Panoramic sunroof, sealing strip has a gap

35526.1.8

ENGINE

This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test. Perform the test. Follow service procedure
 Description and Service sections updated to clarify that vehicle reports are not required.

37809.1.1

This is a TJ text only - The purpose of this TJ is to be a master reference list to easily identify any components that are on prior approval. This TJ will be regularily updated as items are added or removed from prior approval.
 Current items under prior approval are listed in the "Service" section

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volvo V90CC by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025020
2024220
2023130
2022320
2021020
2020420
2019130
2018Viewing710
2017320

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.