RoadVitals

2013 Volvo XC90 Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

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.
11
Latest Mar 21, 2019
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
7
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

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 Volvo XC90, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

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

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Airbags325.0%
  • Body & structure216.7%
  • Electrical216.7%
  • Engine216.7%
  • Other / unspecified18.3%
  • Fuel system18.3%
  • Driver assistance18.3%

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

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

MY VEHICLE'S AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. MY DASH MESSAGE IS: PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF SERVICE URGENT. I TOOK IT TO KOONS VOLVO OF OWINGS MILLS, INC TO BE SERVICED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY WEIGHT SENSOR HAS STOPPED WORKING AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT TELL ME WHY IT WOULD HAVE STOPPED WORKING. HE JUST SAID IT COULD JUST HAPPEN. I ASKED THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WHAT DOES IT DO AND HE SAID THAT IT WEIGHS PASSENGERS FOR THE CORRECT PRESSURE OF THE AIRBAG IN CASE IT IS DEPLOYED. HE ALSO SAID THAT MY COMPLETE AIRBAG SYSTEM WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT IT WHICH MEANS THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AS WELL AS THE SIDE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THE COST OF THIS REPAIR IS $2,249 WHICH IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE. THIS APPEARS TO BE MORE OF A DEFECT AND NOT WEAR AND TEAR. VOLVO ADVERTISES IT'S SAFETY FEATURES WHICH ATTRACTED ME TO PURCHASE ONE. THEY DON'T TELL YOU THAT THE SAFETY FEATURES MAY NOT WORK WHEN YOU NEED THEM. I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER SERVICE STATION IN ALEXANDRIA, VA THAT THIS IS A COMMON REPAIR THAT HE PERFORMS ON VOLVOS. I SAW THE AIRBAG LIGHT ONE MORNING WHEN I TURNED ON THE CAR AFTER IT HAD BEEN SITTING OVERNIGHT. NO ONE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT WAS NOT THERE THE NIGHT BEFORE.

NHTSA ID 11190590 · filed Mar 21, 2019

I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS CAR THE OTHER OWNER WAS IN THE FAMILY AND THE AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED. A COUPLE MONTHS AGO THE SRS AIRBAG SERVICE URGENT LIGHT CAME ON AND WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THEY SAID THAT THE AIRBAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BEING THAT THIS IS SUCH A CRUCIAL COMPONENT THAT SHOULD BE WORKING IF IT HAS NEVER BEEN USED I WANTED TO ALERT NHTSA AND SEE IF IT WERE A MORE WIDESPREAD CONCERN. I APPRECIATE YOU LOOKING INTO THIS. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND THAT IS THE REASON FOR MY CONCERN.

NHTSA ID 11152289 · filed Nov 18, 2018

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS DRIVING DOWN AN OLD HIGHWAY AT 45MPH. THE DRIVER'S DOOR OPENED WHILE IN MOTION WHILE THE DOOR WAS CLOSED AND LOCKED. THE DOOR DID NOT FLY OPEN, I THINK LOCKING MECHANISM HELPED KEEP THE DOOR FROM SWINGING OUT. THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE RUSH OF AIR COMING THROUGH MY DOOR AND THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON SAYING DRIVER'S DOOR WAS OPEN. I WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK AND PULL MY DOOR BACK INTO THE CLOSED POSITION WHILE IN MOTION.

NHTSA ID 11063755 · filed Jan 19, 2018

HAVING BOUGHT A 2013 VOLVO XC90 WITH 36K MILES ON IT, I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY 2 WEEKS LATER WHEN I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN. I QUICKLY PULLED OVER THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO GET OUT AS THE SMOKE WAS INCREASING. WITHIN 4-5 MINUTES, THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. IT WAS COMPLETELY GUTTED AND DESTROYED. VOLVO DECLINED TO ACCEPT BLAME AND SAID THAT THE CAUSE OF FIRE CANNOT BE DETERMINED. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE SAFEST CAR AND I WAS SURPRISED AT THEIR CALLOUS ATTITUDE. THE DEALER FROM SUMMIT NJ WAS FAR MORE PROFESSIONAL. THE HIGHWAY IT HAPPENED ON WAS RT. 295 NEAR PRINCETON NJ. I HOPE OTHERS CAN LEARN FROM THIS DEBACLE AND GET SOME HELP IF THERE IS A FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM WITH 2013 XC90. THEY DID HAVE A RECALL FOR THE 2010 XC90 FOR THE SAME REASON. I FEEL THE CAUSE WAS EITHER AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT OR A PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ID 11006405 · filed Jul 19, 2017

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE ANTI SKID SERVICE IS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE WARNING LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF PERIODICIALLY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I SOMETIMES LOSE THE DASH LIGHTS, BLINKERS AND THE FUEL DOOR UNLOCKS. THE ISSUE IS NOT HAPPENING CONSISTENTLY IT HAPPENS WHEN THE WEATHER GETS BAD. EVERYTHING JUST GOES OUT. ITS STATIONARY AT THE BECAUSE I HAVE NO LIGHTS OR ONE LIGHT WONT GO OFF.

NHTSA ID 10924786 · filed Nov 7, 2016

THE ANTI SKID SERVICE IS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE WARNING LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF PERIODICIALLY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I SOMETIMES LOSE THE DASH LIGHTS, BLINKERS AND THE FUEL DOOR UNLOCKS. THE ISSUE IS NOT HAPPENING CONSISTENTLY. SOMETIMES IT WON'T HAPPEN FOR MONTHS AND THEN IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN MULTIPLE TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO VOLVO TWICE AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THIS ISSUE IS HAPPENING.

NHTSA ID 10861229 · filed Apr 25, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

HAVING BOUGHT A 2013 VOLVO XC90 WITH 36K MILES ON IT, I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY 2 WEEKS LATER WHEN I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN. I QUICKLY PULLED OVER THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO GET OUT AS THE SMOKE WAS INCREASING. WITHIN 4-5 MINUTES, THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. IT WAS COMPLETELY GUTTED AND DESTROYED. VOLVO DECLINED TO ACCEPT BLAME AND SAID THAT THE CAUSE OF FIRE CANNOT BE DETERMINED. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE SAFEST CAR AND I WAS SURPRISED AT THEIR CALLOUS ATTITUDE. THE DEALER FROM SUMMIT NJ WAS FAR MORE PROFESSIONAL. THE HIGHWAY IT HAPPENED ON WAS RT. 295 NEAR PRINCETON NJ. I HOPE OTHERS CAN LEARN FROM THIS DEBACLE AND GET SOME HELP IF THERE IS A FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM WITH 2013 XC90. THEY DID HAVE A RECALL FOR THE 2010 XC90 FOR THE SAME REASON. I FEEL THE CAUSE WAS EITHER AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT OR A PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ID 11006405 · filed Jul 19, 2017

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT STARTED TO STALL AND THEN THE ENGINE JUST CUT OFF. THIS HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH TRAFFIC IN BOTH DIRECTIONS LEAVING ME AND MY WIFE VULNERABLE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND IT WOULD NOT START, IT STARTED TO SMOKE AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE HAD TO BE CALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE VOLVO SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHICH TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY STARTER. THIS IS A FAIRLY NEW VEHICLE WITH NO DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ID 10502462 · filed Mar 12, 2013

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Other / unspecified

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

CONTINENTAL FACTORY EQUIPPED TIRES ARE WORN TO THE POINT OF NEED FOR REPLACEMENT AT 25,000 MILES. THIS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN BY A 65 YEAR OLD LADY AND IN MOST PART IN TOWN AT 45 MPH OR LESS. IT IS MAINTAINED BY THE SELLING VOLVO DEALER. TIRES ARE TMPS MONITORED AND PROPER INFLATION IS MAINTAINED. WITH NO SIDE TO SIDE DIFFERENCE IN TREAD WEAR IN BOTH FRONT AND REAR TIRE PLACEMENTS THERE IS NO REASON FOR PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. ONE OF THE FOUR TIRES HAVE A BUMP WHEN COLD THAT DISAPPEARS WHEN THE TIRES WARM UP. WHY ONLY ONE. I FEEL THAT CONTINENTAL TIRE COMPANY SHOULD ADJUST THE TIRES FOR PREMATURE TREAD WEAR....

NHTSA ID 10821489 · filed Jan 21, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

THE XC90 I JUST BOUGHT FROM A DEALER AS IS TWO DAYS AGO HAS SOME LEAKING OF FUEL. I SUSPECT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE FUEL PUMP. THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID NOT BRING THE CAR TO VOLVO DEALER TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. NOW I HAVE TO PAY THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPAIR IT.

NHTSA ID 10938673 · filed Dec 29, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

ANTI SKID WARNING LIGHTS ARE COMING UP

NHTSA ID 10897498 · filed Aug 21, 2016

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .