CSR

Volvo · NHTSA safety record

2020 Volvo XC90

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 32 safety complaints about the 2020 Volvo XC90 with the US government. Of those, 2 describe a crash, 2 mention a fire and no death is recorded. 7 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the electrical system, named in 9 complaints, 28% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 25,000 miles, the median across the 5 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers April 2020 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

32 complaints on file

32

Complaints

2

Describe a crash

2

Mention fire

0

People injured

0

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

Complaints more than doubled year on year: 12 in the twelve months to 2026-Q2, against 6 in the twelve before.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9 · 28%
ENGINE 7 · 22%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 6 · 19%
SERVICE BRAKES 4 · 13%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 4 · 13%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 3 · 9%
POWER TRAIN 3 · 9%
STRUCTURE 3 · 9%
AIR BAGS 2 · 6%
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES 2 · 6%
WHEELS 2 · 6%
BACK OVER PREVENTION 1 · 3%
0 4 8

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 32.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2026 at 12.

16 12 8 4
20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2020 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2020 Volvo XC90. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

7 on file

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

25V179000 · March 24, 2025

The defect
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020-2021 S90, 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60, XC90, and 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.
The risk
A short circuit in a high-voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high-voltage battery module as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the software to monitor the battery. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 28, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10312.

Volvo Car USA, LLC · up to 7,483 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

23V827000 · December 7, 2023

The defect
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2015-2024 XC90 vehicles. The second-row seat belt buckle and lower belt anchor bolts may not be tightened properly.
The risk
An improperly tightened seat belt buckle may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing their risk of injury during a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will inspect and tighten the second-row seat belt buckle anchorage bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 19, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10259.

Volvo Car USA, LLC · up to 2,911 vehicles across all model years covered

STEERING

23V001000 · January 5, 2023

The defect
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2022 V60CC, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. During steering gear assembly, double screws may have been assembled on top of each other, which can cause a screw to fall into the gearbox housing.
The risk
A screw inside the gearbox housing can cause the steering wheel to lock up and increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 1, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10213.

Volvo Car USA, LLC · up to 74 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

21V716000 · September 15, 2021

The defect
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 S90L, 2020-2021 XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.
The risk
Separation of the rotor and shaft may cause a reduction in braking assistance and a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the hydraulic unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10120.

Volvo Car USA, LLC · up to 9 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

21V414000 · June 2, 2021

The defect
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2020 V90, XC60, S60, V60, V60CC, S90, V90CC, S90L, and XC90 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump can blow a fuse and fail.
The risk
Failure of the low-pressure fuel pump can cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 2, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10100.

Volvo Car USA, LLC · up to 85,550 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

21V273000 · April 21, 2021

The defect
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2016-2020 XC90 Excellence vehicles. Liquid or condensation on the rear seat control display may cause the front passenger seat to move back as far as possible.
The risk
The rear passenger may become trapped by the front seat without the ability to cancel the seat's movement, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will update the rear seat control display software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10093.

Volvo Car USA, LLC · up to 162 vehicles across all model years covered

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING

20V144000 · March 12, 2020

The defect
Volvo Cars USA LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2019-2020 S60, V60, V60 Cross Country, S90L, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC40, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. Due to a software/hardware incompatibility, the Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB) system may not detect obstacles and engage as intended.
The risk
If the automatic emergency braking system does not engage as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the Active Safety Domain Master (ASDM) software, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R29998.

Volvo Car USA LLC · up to 121,605 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations

1 on file

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Pedestrian alert sounds

DP22005

Closed defect petition · opened January 27, 2023 · closed August 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000

the electrical system

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ENGINE

fire

I was driving the speed limit on the highway in my Volvo 2020 XC90 which was less than one year old. The vehicle lost acceleration power and then an engine performance light came on, then a check engine light. I pulled over immediately and my car engine caught fire under the hood. The entire front of vehicle was engulfed in flames within minutes. There were approximately 11k miles on the car and it had never been maintenanced or worked on in any way that would have caused an engine fire. It was clearly a fuel line fire and Volvo did not properly investigate. My insurance company said it was a fuel line fire but could not get information from the black box because it was destroyed. This car

NHTSA complaint 11432078, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

fire

I was driving when a turtle popped up on my dashboard I pulled over to Google what that meant and popped the hood cause I seen a little smoke within 3 sec the car busted in flames I ran back and grab my daughter out the back seat we were almost locked in due to the car melting the wire and flames started coming inside the car

NHTSA complaint 11735004. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

crash · 4,500 miles

ON FEBRUARY 5, 2020 I WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR FENDER BENDER WHICH RESULTED WHEN I DROVE OFF ALIGHT AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME DID NOT TAKE OFF AND I HIT IT IN THE REAR AT A VERY LOW RATE OF SPEED. THE AUTO BRAKE DID NOT ENGAGE. I WAS NO MORE THAN ONE AND A HALF CAR LENGTHS BEHIND AND THE CAR WAS MOVING AT ONE TO TWO MILES PER HOUR. WHEN I HIT THE REAR OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHICH CAUSED ME TO HAVE A SLIGHT CONCUSSION AND CERTAINLY SCARED ME. THERE WAS LITTLE IF NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. I CONTACTED VOLVO CUSTOMER CARE A FEW DAYS AFTER ADVISING THAT AUTO BRAKE SYSTEM DID NOT ENGAGE AND THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE REPORT WAS TAKEN. I WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WERE

NHTSA complaint 11322553, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

crash · 25,000 miles

The contact owns a 2020 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration while the brake pedal was depressed, causing the vehicle to crash into a parked vehicle. The contact's wife did not sustain any injuries, and no medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000.

NHTSA complaint 11464084. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2020 Volvo XC90 suffered a sudden catastrophic engine blowout, blinding exhaust smoke, and dropped to a 10 mph limp mode on the highway with zero prior dashboard warning lights or oil alerts. the vehicle lacks a manual dipstick, making the me entirely dependent on a digital safety warning system that failed. [XXX] Volvo has failed to give me any documents/ photos or proof of cost of repair for almost 60 days INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint 11765393. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS
The sunroof repeatedly leaks. when a rainstorm comes it is literally a waterfall through the from mirror unit, threatening the electric in the console, making the steering wheel wet and slippery, and creating dangerous visibility problems. This is clearly a very dangerous design problem, and my internet search suggests it's well known and affects almost everyone from this model year. the danger level while the water is leaking is 10/10

NHTSA complaint 11763885. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

WHEELS
my vehicle has experienced a potentially catastrophic steering failure while driving, Volvo's authorized service attempts have not corrected it, and I no longer consider the vehicle safe.

NHTSA complaint 11758241. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
My 2020 Volvo XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid has been out of service for 78+ days due to a hybrid battery defect covered under an active manufacturer warranty (Claim Type XXX, valid through XXX). The vehicle was towed to Volvo Cars Arrowhead (Glendale, AZ) on XXX after a hybrid battery failure. The dealer confirmed in writing on XXX that multiple hybrid components require replacement and that parts are on extended backorder, and that Volvo Cars USA had authorized a rental vehicle because a loaner could not be offered "for an indefinite period of time." On approximately XXX, my service advisor advised me by phone that more than 700 vehicles nationally are waiting on the same backordered part and

NHTSA complaint 11752094, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

POWER TRAIN
This is my daughters vehicle. She was driving home from work with my [XXX] and [XXX] grandchildren in the car. The car suddenly wouldn't drive at a safe speed and was chugging along. She almost got into an accident because she couldn't go faster than about 12 mph. She as finally able to pull over in a safe location and called AAA. My son in law met her and picked her and the children up. The vehicle was towed to VOLVO in Buffalo NY. The diagnosis was a known leak in the sunroof that causes the drains to become blocked. Water then runs down and burned out the ECR module that is located beneath the drivers side foot well. Volvo is aware of the problem and is currently checking all vehicles

NHTSA complaint 11743304, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The rear a/c evaporator coil has failed, leaking UV dyed green oil into the main battery pan. The a/c vents in the car in the driver and middle rows are now blowing hot air. This is a very commonly known problem with Volvo SPA XC90s from 2016-2021. It’s incredibly expensive to repair($3500 +). There should be a recall to replace/repair this problem in these relatively new and expensive cars.

NHTSA complaint 11737179. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Volvo XC90

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 29 2 —
2024 36 3 —
2023 40 6 —
2022 29 4 —
2021 37 6 —
2019 42 6 —
2018 50 3 —
2017 79 7 —
2016 197 8 —
2011 19 1 —
2010 12 3 —

Other 2020 Volvo models

XC60 22 XC40 12 S60 11 V60 8

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Volvo on this site — 71 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst