2016 Volvo XC90 Powertrain (other) Problems

The eRAD (Electric Rear Axle Drive) on my 2016 Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV failed completely. The warning light appeared approximately 11/3/2025, within one week of purchasing the vehicle at 88,000 miles. The failure was confirmed by a Volvo dealership. The eRAD is the component that powers the rear electric motor and provides AWD and hybrid function — its failure results in complete loss of rear wheel drive and hybrid system operation. Safety risk includes unexpected loss of AWD traction control in adverse weather conditions. This is a known systemic defect acknowledged in Volvo’s own Technical Journals (TJ33358). I contacted Volvo Cars USA customer service to invoke the SULEV emissions warranty and they were unable to locate my claim or explain the warranty coverage. Volvo has not addressed this through a recall despite this being a widespread known failure mode affecting XC90 T8 models. The vehicle is available for inspection.

NHTSA ID

11737317

Incident

Dec 3, 2025

On September 30, 2025, a 2016 Volvo XC90 T6 experienced sudden engine failure while driving westbound on I-75 (Alligator Alley) at highway speed. The vehicle abruptly went into reduced power mode (“turtle mode”) without warning. This forced the driver to stop on the roadside, creating a serious safety hazard in fast-moving traffic. Component/system that failed: Engine / Power Train. An independent repair facility performed diagnostics on October 6, 2025, including a compression test. Results confirmed that one cylinder had lost compression due to a failed cylinder head. The mechanic attributed this to excessive oil consumption from defective piston rings, a condition documented in Volvo technical bulletins. Inspection: The vehicle was inspected by an independent service center. Photos and test results are available for inspection upon request. The manufacturer was contacted and denied assistance, citing mileage, despite known oil consumption defects in this engine family. Safety risk: The sudden loss of power at highway speed put the driver and other motorists at risk of collision. With no advance warning, the driver was left stranded on a dangerous stretch of interstate. Reproduction: The failure has been confirmed through diagnostic testing and inspection by the independent service center. Manufacturer/police/insurance inspection: The manufacturer has been notified, but no inspection by Volvo has occurred to date. No police or insurance inspection was performed. Warning messages or lamps: Prior to the breakdown, no warning lamps or messages indicated impending failure. The first and only symptom was the sudden loss of power on the highway. Incident cause assessment: Based on mechanic’s findings, the underlying cause is piston ring/oil consumption defect leading to cylinder head failure. This defect is widely reported in Volvo vehicles with this engine and represents a safety-related condition.

NHTSA ID

11694587

Incident

Sep 30, 2025

Known supercharger leak on 2016 Volvo XC90 at 60,000 miles. Numerous reports of the same failure. Dealer and Volvo declined goodwill repair. Potential safety/fire issue if oil leakage worsens

NHTSA ID

11685940

Incident

Sep 9, 2025

The vehicle exhibits excessive oil consumption due to defective oil control rings, as highlighted by Quality Bulletin P10186. Additionally, the sunroof leaks, as noted in Technical Journal 31272 and TJ 35503.3.0, and there are further issues with the windshield wiper/turn signal system, the parking brake system, and the steering wheel module. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The excessive oil consumption and related engine issues can lead to engine damage and potential failure while driving, posing a serious safety risk. The sunroof leakage could impair visibility and cause electrical failures. The persistent dashboard warning messages and system malfunctions further distract and endanger the driver and others on the road. Yes, the problem has been reproduced and confirmed by various dealers and independent service centers, as indicated by numerous customer cases, court rulings, and a class-action lawsuit. Yes, the vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturer and documented in various technical journals and bulletins. There is no specific mention of inspection by police or insurance representatives. Yes, there were several warning lamps and messages, including the low oil light, Check Engine light, and messages related to the parking brake and windshield wiper/turn signal system. Symptoms such as slow acceleration, loss of power, higher tailpipe emissions, and a foul odor from the exhaust were also observed. These issues appeared shortly after acquiring the vehicle and persisted despite multiple repair attempts. The incident is primarily caused by engineering flaws and faulty materials, particularly the defective oil control rings leading to excessive oil consumption. Despite engine replacements, the problem persisted, indicating a fundamental design flaw. The sunroof leakage and other system malfunctions further suggest widespread safety and durability issues in the vehicle, rendering it unsafe to operate.

NHTSA ID

11592531

Incident

Feb 15, 2023

The attached file outlines details - 1.After a recent car wash at a Shell Service Station…..April 5,2021, upon starting the vehicle – the computerized dashboard displayed erratic and incomplete information. It attempted to indicate multiple system failures – eg brakes, suspension, and others too garbled to understand. The entire driver’s console and information center display which were designed to show all of the vehicle operating modes and driver information were compromised and not functioning correctly. The Start/Stop Switch would no longer shut the engine down. I could not get the vehicle to shift out of Park. I found myself quite concerned about a highly computerized vehicle now running with no apparent operator control. I could not be certain whether the engine was being cooled properly from its electrical fans because the cabin was becoming uncomfortably hot. None of the environmental controls worked. Even the electric windows were affected. There were no engine safety indicators of any kind visible working to ensure electrical, engine oil pressure, coolant temperature….none of the other operator information systems were working properly and the engine still could not be shut down. I found myself uncomfortable getting out of the vehicle since it has so many self-driving, collision avoidance steering and braking functions that could be affected. I did not want to risk being run over by my own car. Nor, could I allow the vehicle to move, possibly on its own…so I sat in it for about 3 hours sweating while waiting for a Volvo Tow Service to arrive. The Tow operator was somehow able to get the gear shift to move and was able to back the vehicle out to the street and onto his truck. He was also unable to shut the engine down and towed it to the Neillo Volvo Dealership about 3.5 miles away, here in Sacramento CA. I had deep concerns about safety with this vehicle being towed with the engine still running. All of the instrumentation remained unusable. The consumer stated after the sunroof clogged d

NHTSA ID

11417805

Incident

Apr 5, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN PARK ASSIST MODE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN REVERSE INDEPENDENTLY AND BACKED INTO A TREE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND DROVE THE VEHICLE TO SMOTHERS EUROPEAN VOLVO CARS 2881 CORBY AVE, SANTA ROSA, CA 95407 TO BE INSPECTED. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. A CORPORATE REPRESENTATIVE WAS THEN SENT TO THE DEALER AND DETERMINED THAT NO SAFETY ERROR HAD OCCURRED ON THE VEHICLE. THEY DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT TO BE HUMAN ERROR. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE WITH THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 45,000. BF *TR

NHTSA ID

11302280

Incident

Oct 12, 2019

Mileage

45,000 mi

THE SUV HAS HAD LOTS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE HAS STOPPED WITHOUT WARNING NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE IN MOTION. IT EVEN STOPPED ONE TIME ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER IN AN INSTANCE AND FEW TIMES WE HAVE HAD TO TOW THE VEHICLE TO OUR HOUSE AND TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. EVEN THOUGH THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURED OVER AND OVER (WHICH THE DEALERSHIP HAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE PISTONS MISFIRING), THE DEALERSHIP CAN NOT SEEM TO REPAIR THE ISSUE. WE HAVE ASKED DEALERSHIP/VOLVO TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE AS IT IS NOT DRIVEABLE AT ALL. EVERYTIME WE GET THE VEHICLE RETURNED AFTER THE REPAIR FROM THE DEALERSHIP, BETWEEN 100-300 MILES THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN AND MAKES THE SUV NOT DRIVEABLE. WE HAVE COMPLAINED NUMEROUS TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP TO NO AVAIL. THE SERVICE MANAGER HAS CONFIDED IN US THAT THIS ISSUE HAS OCCURED ON ALMOST ALL THE VOLVO XC90 FROM 2016 AND ONWARDS.

NHTSA ID

11067047

Incident

Feb 1, 2017

Mileage

25,000 mi

THE DASHBOARD INSTRUMENT PANEL SUDDENLY WENT BLANK ON A CITY STREET AND THE CAR COULD NOT ACCELERATE MORE THAN ABOUT 5-10 MILES PER HOUR. IT'S FRIGHTENING TO IMAGING WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF THIS OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY. VOLVO'S TOWING COMPANY PUT REAR WHEELS ON GROUND AND DAMAGE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM DURING TOWING. AFTER STAYED AT DEALERSHIP FOR A MONTH BUT WITHIN 48 HOURS AFTER PICKUP, A WARNING MESSAGE "ALL WHEEL DRIVE SERVICE REQUIRED" POPPED UP.

NHTSA ID

10910994

Incident

Aug 27, 2016

Mileage

2,900 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT @35MPH ON A BUSY CITY STREET THE CAR DECELERATED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING AND THE DRIVERS INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT OUT, GIVING ME, THE DRIVER A BLANK SCREEN. CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND SLOWED TO ABOUT 5MPH. NO PREVIOUS INDICATION OF THIS HAPPENING. SPOKE WITH 2 VOLVO SERVICE DEPARTMENTS AND BOTH PROVIDERS STATED THIS HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER CARS BEFORE. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY DEFECT ESPECIALLY ON A BRAND NEW CAR. WHAT IF I HAD BEEN ON A FREEWAY GOING 70MPH AND THE CAR DECELERATES ALL OF A SUDDEN? VERY CONCERNED THAT MY CHILDREN AND I WILL DIE IN A CRASH GETTING REAR ENDED ON THE FREEWAY IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

10903842

Incident

Sep 4, 2016

Mileage

2,000 mi

AROUND 10.30 AM ON SUNDAY, 26TH JUNE 2016, I WAS DRIVING ON I-95 (NEAR STAMFORD CT) WITH MY FAMILY WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER, SLOWED DOWN DRAMATICALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF I-95 AND STARTED TO CRAWL AT 10 MILES/HOUR. WE WERE IN DANGER OF BEING HIT BY A NUMBER OF VEHICLES WHILE I NEGOTIATED TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY ON EXIT 9 AND PULLED OVER INTO A SIDE STREET. THE INSTRUMENTATION PANEL OF THE CAR HAD BLANKED OUT. THE CAR COULD ONLY CRAWL AT ABOUT 10 MILES/HOUR. IT WOULD NOT SHIFT TO HIGHER GEAR EVEN IN MANUAL MODE. I CALLED THE VOLVO ON CALL AND THEY ADVISED ME TO SWITCH OFF THE CAR, EXIT THE CAR AND THEN RE START THE CAR AFTER FIVE MINUTES. I DID THAT AND THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTED. I SOME HOW DROVE THE CAR TO THE NEAREST VOLVO DEALERSHIP (STAMFORD VOLVO) WHICH WAS CLOSED ON SUNDAY. DROPPED THE CAR OFF IN THE LOT, RENTED A CAR AND DROVE 200 MILES BACK TO BOSTON.

NHTSA ID

10876773

Incident

Jun 26, 2016

Mileage

5,000 mi