RoadVitals

2011 Volvo XC90

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.
19
Latest Feb 5, 2026
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 May 18, 2011
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
2 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 19 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Volvo XC90, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and brakes categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 221 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

  • Engine724.1%
  • Electrical517.2%
  • Brakes26.9%
  • Powertrain (other)26.9%
  • Seat belts26.9%
  • Steering26.9%
  • Other / unspecified13.4%
  • Suspension13.4%

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
11V286000

STEERING

May 18, 2011
350 units potentially affected
The defect: VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 XC90 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 29, 2010, THROUGH AUGUST 16, 2010. THE POWER STEERING FLUID MAY LEAK FROM THE OIL PIPE CONNECTION AT THE STEERING GEAR VALVE HOUSING.
The risk: THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OIL PIPES ON THE POWER STEERING RACK FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.Manufacturer number R242View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 19
Engine
Filed Feb 5, 2026
2 injuries reported

The catillatic converter exploded as we started the vehicle .was a very loud explosion..no fire but lots of smoke.

NHTSA ID
11716016
Incident
Feb 4, 2026
Engine
Filed Feb 24, 2022

The contact owns a 2011 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that the check engine warning lights was illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to a local dealer. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and suggested that the vehicle be taken to a dealer to be diagnosed. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

NHTSA ID
11453927
Incident
Feb 24, 2022
Mileage
128,000 mi
BrakesElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Feb 17, 2022

Electrical, Brake lights suddenly stopped working on both sides at once. I checked the fuse only to be told a relay may be the issue. The location of said relay is vague and not serviceable by owner. Risk of rear end collision. Of following traffic

NHTSA ID
11452346
Incident
Feb 17, 2022
Electrical
Filed Apr 20, 2021
Fire reported

94,000 MILES 2011 VOLVO XC90 PURCHASED 4 MONTHS AGO. VEHICLE WAS PARKED STATIONARY IN DRIVEWAY. IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WATER INTRUDED THE FRONT PASSENGER CABIN AND DASHBOARD OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH A SUNROOF DRAINAGEDEFECT IN THIS YEAR AND MODEL OF VOLVO XC90. SIX INCHES OF WATER POOLED IN THE FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR AND PERMEATED THE DASH CAUSING THE CEM TO SHORT AND START AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE FILLED WITH THICK SMOKE FROM THE ELECTRICAL FIRE AND THE CAR ALARM BEGAN TO GO OFF. THE ELECTRICAL FIRE BEGAN IN THE DRIVER COMPARTMENT HOUSING THE CEM. THE CEM WIRES WERE COMPLETELY MELTED AWAY. MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS EFFECTED AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT PLUS SMOKE/FIRE/WATER REMEDIATION. PER MECHANIC REPAIRS EXCEED VALUE OF VEHICLE. TOTAL LOSS.

NHTSA ID
11413129
Incident
Jan 25, 2021
Mileage
94,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Dec 15, 2020

DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT FULLY RETRACT AFTER EVERY RELEASE. IT WILL BE LOOSE UNTIL YOU GUIDE IT UP TO THE HOLE. IT IS KIND OF OKAY FOR NOW BUT I HAVE NO DOUBT THIS ISSUE COULD GET WORSE. I AM ALSO ALMOST CERTAIN THIS IS SIMILAR TO RECALL #R10029 THAT AFFECTS OUR 2011 XC60. THE PART MUST BE WORN. IT STILL RETRACTS AROUND PEOPLE BUT IF IT GETS WORSE, IT COULD BE FATAL DOWN THE LINE IF IT DOES NOT RETRACT PROPERLY WITH A SMALLER DRIVER. PASSENGER BELT IS FINE. RIGID AND FIRM AS PICTURES SHOW UNLIKE THE DRIVER SIDE.

NHTSA ID
11383598
Incident
Dec 10, 2020
Mileage
127,200 mi
AirbagsInterior & seats
Filed Feb 24, 2020

THE BUILT-IN CHILD SAFETY SEAT IN THE MIDDLE CRACKED AFTER THE FIRST TIME I OPENED IT SO I CAN'T PUT IT BACK DOWN AND DON'T KNOW IF IT AFFECTS THE CHILD AIRBAG. I ASKED VOLVO ABOUT IT AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD BE $500 JUST TO SIMPLY LOOK AT IT BEFORE DECIDING WHETHER TO FIX IT OR IF COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. THIS ISN'T SAFE AND I NOW HAVE A CHILD SEAT I CAN'T USE AND A SEAT I CAN'T PUT DOWN. THIS ISN'T THE FIRST OF COMPLAINTS I HAVE SEEN ABOUT THIS AND AM WORRIED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY CHILDREN AKA SONS. MY VIN IS: [XXX] AND IT'S A 2011 VOLVO XC90. THANKS, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
11311027
Incident
Jul 8, 2018
Suspension
Filed Jun 10, 2019

SPRING BROKE ON FRONT STRUT AND SLICED INTO THE INNER SIDEWALL OF TIRE CAUSING THE TIRE TO BLOWOUT. VEHICLE HAS BEING DRIVEN ON A DIRT LANE WHEN THIS HAPPENED (10 MPH). IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED ON A MAIN ROAD, THE VOLVO XC90 WOULD HAVE BEEN OUT-OF-CONTROL !

NHTSA ID
11218833
Incident
Jun 2, 2019
Other / unspecified
Filed Jul 23, 2018

SPARE WHEEL WINCH CABLE SEPARATED FROM WHEEL HUB RETAINER HOOK. THE HOOK DEVICE IS HELD IN PLACE BY A COMPRESSION RING OVER THE CABLE. COMPRESSION FAILED CAUSING SEPARATION AND DROPPING SPARE WHEEL ON ROADWAY WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. SPARE WHEEL BECAME A 30 LBS UNCONTROLLED PROJECTILE/HAZARD TO OTHER MOTORISTS. NO RUST OR CORROSION DETECTED, SEE PICTURES

NHTSA ID
11112991
Incident
Jul 22, 2018
Mileage
142,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

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

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

19245

This is a Technical Journal. Vehicle type and platform identification.

8501

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

This is a Technical Journal: Remote connection, BOMGAR application. Before joining a remote session:
 •Connect a suitable battery maintainer/charger and verify that the battery voltage indicated in VIDA is between 12.5V and 14.9V.
 •Connect to the vehicle over a wired connection using a VOE (Volvo OBD to Ethernet) adapter and perform a NEW vehicle readout.

S10303

Volvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has decided to launch Service Action S10303 on certain model year 2025 EX90 vehicles.
 Volvo Car Investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob.
 As a result, there is a possibility that the customer’s key fob is not paired to the vehicle.
 The corrective action is to download SP Software.
 S10303 affects 151 vehicles in the U.S and 5 in Canada.

S10303

Volvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has decided to launch Service Action S10303 on certain model year 2025 EX90 vehicles.
 Volvo Car Investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob.
 As a result, there is a possibility that the customer’s key fob is not paired to the vehicle.
 The corrective action is to download SP Software.
 S10303 affects 151 vehicles in the U.S and 5 in Canada.

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 XC90 by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2025272058.9
2024343061.2
2023396055.7
2022294155.3
2021326167.9
2020297172.3
2019386174.0
2018473166.2
2017757171.9
20161968164.1
2015010—
2014400—
2013110034.3
2012300—
2011Viewing191045.9
2010123039.1
2009710—
2008293050.0
2007382052.2
2006533054.3
20052236454.2
20044626354.9
2003935047.0

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.