Used Volvo XC90 2015-present reliability

When viewing a used car, always follow our used car buying checklist.

The Volvo XC90 is a large car and many examples will have spent years tackling school runs, tight car parks and narrow urban streets, so inspect the bodywork and alloy wheels carefully for scuffs, scrapes and kerb damage. Inside, check the carpets and upholstery for stains or excessive wear, particularly on models with lighter-coloured interiors.

It’s also worth paying close attention to the seats. Make sure all seven seats fold, slide and latch properly, while on higher-spec models with electric adjustment, check that the motors operate smoothly and quietly. Faults with the seat mechanisms can be expensive to fix.

The XC90 is packed with technology, so take the time to test every major feature. Check the touchscreen, parking cameras, climate control, heated seats, keyless entry and driver assistance systems, and make sure no warning lights or error messages appear on the dashboard.

During the test drive, listen out for knocks or rattles from the suspension, especially over rough roads or speed bumps. Big, heavy SUVs put extra strain on suspension components, so it's important to listen out for these. Replacing items can be expensive.

Finally, inspect the tyres carefully for uneven wear, which can indicate poor wheel alignment or suspension problems. Replacement tyres for a large cars like the XC90 are expensive, so make sure there’s plenty of tread remaining.

Some owners of the earlier plug-in hybrid (PHEV) cars have reported a systemic issue with the ERAD device fitted to their cars. These often fail around the seven to nine-year mark, and the resultant replacement can cost thousands of pounds. It's worth having this part of the car thoroughly checked out before purchasing an older XC90 T8.

Potential engine fire

Volvo is presently in the process of recalling around 70,000 cars in the UK fitted with a 2.0-litre diesel engine, over potential engine fires. There isn't a fix at the moment, so owners are being told to pay attention to any unusual smells coming into the interior, if the engine warning light illuminates, or if the engine hesitates under acceleration. Read our news story on this for further information or contact Volvo directly on 01628 854 210.

Cracked fuel hose

There was a recall for 30,777 examples of XC90 because a fuel hose was found to be cracking up from the inside, which could lead to a fuel leak if not fixed. This applies to cars built between 11 April 2015 and 30 March 2016, and a Volvo dealer will be able to tell you if your car is affected or not.

Airbag might not deploy correctly in an accident

There have been three recalls for airbags that might not deploy correctly during a collision. This first is due to airbags that don't meet the required specification and were fitted to models produced between 29 August 2016 and 7 September 2016. The second is for the third-row curtain airbags and concerns that the surrounding interior trim prevents it from operating correctly – it applies to early XC90s built up to 10 July 2015. The last action is for the retaining bolt on the curtain airbag; it could break and reduce the level of protection the airbag can provide. This recall affects certain XC90s built between 21 November 2016 and 1 March 2017.

Software issue

A problem was found with the vehicle connectivity module (VCM), which sends location information to the emergency services after a collision. It applies to cars constructed between 4 May 2016 and 19 August 2016.

Seatbelt may separate from buckle

A small number of cars made between 16 February 2015 and 19 August 2016 had a problem with front seatbelt buckles that may not have been punched correctly during production. This could result in the buckle and seatbelt bracket separating during a collision.

Engine cooling hose may break

An engine coolant hose has been found to fail on a relatively small number of XC90 models built since the start of production and 26 May 2019, but your Volvo dealer will be able to tell you if your car is one of those affected.

Third-row seatbelt pretensioner

A pretensioner, which forms part of the seatbelt restraint system, has been found to be faulty on examples made between 21 November 2016 and 1 March 2017. It applies to the seatbelt fitted to the third row seat on the driver's side of the vehicle.

Braking issue

In March 2020 Volvo recalled nearly 750,000 vehicles worldwide amid concerns that their autonomous emergency braking (AEB) systems are faulty.

The fault - affecting 736,430 cars, 56,368 of which are in the UK - was identified by Danish motoring body FDM during a road test in late 2019. The emergency brake on a Volvo XC90 consistently failed, meaning that the car did not automatically apply the brakes as expected when driven towards a special test pillow that normally would engage the system. The affected cars are safe to use: the regular braking system in these cars is not affected by the AEB issue and has full functionality. It's worth checking that this recall has been applied to the vehicle you're looking at.

Click here for more information. Contact your local Volvo dealer if you believe your vehicle is involved in a recall.

Reliability is a bit mixed. In our most recent What Car? Reliability Survey, the XC90 finished in 10th place out of 14 seven-seaters, but with a decent score of 90.4%. That places it above the Audi Q7 and Land Rover Discovery, but below the Land Rover Defender and Skoda Kodiaq.

In our 2024 survey, the XC90 did better, finishing fifth out of 12 cars in the seven-seater class.

As a brand, Volvo ranked 21st out of 30 manufacturers with a score of 90.9%. That put it above Audi, Land Rover and Mercedes, but below BMW and Lexus. Check out the full list of manufacturers here.

Used Volvo XC90: the owners' view

In our latest reliability survey, owners said the Volvo XC90 offers a mixed bag when it comes to dependability and dealer service.

While many owners praise both petrol and diesel models for being generally robust, a noticeable trend of electrical faults and costly sensor issues emerged. Several owners reported frustrating warning lights on the dashboard that required multiple dealer visits to permanently fix.

When faults do occur, experience with the Volvo dealer network is highly variable. Some owners lauded their local dealerships for providing efficient, friendly repairs under warranty. However, others expressed dissatisfaction with expensive out-of-warranty repair costs and lengthy waiting times for parts. A few noted that technicians occasionally struggled to diagnose intermittent electronic noises and software glitches on the first attempt. Ultimately, while the XC90 remains a premium favourite, securing a good extended warranty is highly recommended.

If you would like to see the full reliability list, head to the What Car? Reliability Survey pages for more information