2011 Volvo XC90 Problems & Owner Complaints

Electrical System 5 1 fire

“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 COMPL…”
NHTSA complaint #11413129, 2021 · fire

“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 complaint #11452346, 2022

“THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN SEVERAL VOLVO CAR MODELS SINCE 2008. THERE IS CURRENTLY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN PLACE DUE TO THIS DEFECT. THE DEFECT INVOLVES THE VOLVO XM/SIRIUS RADIO SYSTEM INSTALLED IN MANY VOLVO MODELS AND RESULTING BATTERY DRAIN, BATTERY REPLACEMENT COSTS, VOLVO FIRMWARE UPGRADE COSTS AND THE ADDITIONAL INABILITY TO PASS CALIFORNIA SMOG TESTS. THE PROBLEM: WHEN AN AFFECTED VOLVO VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE AN ACTIVE SUBSCRIPTION TO XM/SIRIUS RADIO, THE INTEGRATED VOLVO RADIO SYSTEM CONTINUALLY AND CONSTANTLY CHECKS FOR XM/SIRIUS ACCOUNT REACTIVATION, EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED…”
NHTSA complaint #11006229, 2017

Engine 5 2 injury

“The catillatic converter exploded as we started the vehicle .was a very loud explosion..no fire but lots of smoke.”
NHTSA complaint #11716016, 2026 · 2 injury(ies)

“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 complaint #11453927, 2022

“RECENTLY WE LOST THE SERPENTINE BELT WITHOUT KNOWING IT. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR COMPUTER MESSAGE CALLED OUR ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT WE WERE RUNNING ON BATTERY. THE ONLY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM WAS THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. WE DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE TO A VOLVO REPAIR FACILITY AND LEARNED WE LOST THE SERPENTINE BELT, THUS THE ALTERNATOR, WATER PUMP,POWER STEERING AND AIR CONDITIONER WERE INOPERATIVE. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE COMPUTER CONTROLS EVERYTHING AND WOULD NOT ISSUE A WARNING UNTIL THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND/OR THE BATTERY WAS CLOSE TO FAILING. THIS IS A RECIPE FOR DISASTER FOR…”
NHTSA complaint #10958736, 2017

Power Train 3

“FROM THE BEGINNING THIS VEHICLE HAS DELAYED ACCELERATION, VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WHEN PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF ON-COMING TRAFFIC, OR MAKING LEFT HAND TURN WITH ON-COMING TRAFFIC. BRAKES MAKE LOUD CRACKING POPPING SOUND WHEN BRAKING AND TURNING THE WHEEL, DO NOT FEEL SAFE WITH IT MAKING SUCH AWFUL SOUNDS. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10472427, 2011

“SHORTLY AFTER WE PURCHASED OUR 2011 VOLVO XC90 BRAND NEW WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A LAGS IN ACCELERATION. WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR WOULD ROLL VERY SLOWLY UNLESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS COMPLETELY FLOORED. WE WAITED UNTIL OUR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE WAS DUE TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT, AND WE WERE TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE CIRCUMSTANCE. THEY TOLD US THEY WOULD UPDATE THE CAR'S COMPUTER WHICH SEEMED TO WORK BRIEFLY, BUT SHORTLY AFTER THE LAGGING BEGAN AGAIN. IT EVENTUALLY BECAME MORE AND MORE COMMON AND NOW IT IS HAPPENING MANY TIMES A WEEK. AFTER OBSERVING THESE LAGS IN ACCELERATI…”
NHTSA complaint #10428725, 2011

“I FIRST EXPERIENCED THE DELAY IN RE-ACCELERATION ONE MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP @ A STOP SIGN, I STEPPED ON THE GAS TO TAKE A TURN AND THE CAR HESITATED AT A VERY SLOW PACE TO TAKE OFF. I CHALKED IT UP AS THE CAR BEING COLD EARLY IN THE MORNING. IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN PERIODICALLY UNTIL ONE DAY IT HAPPENED AS I WAS STOPPED AT A BUSY INTERSECTION WAITING TO TURN LEFT. WHEN THE INTERSECTION WAS CLEARED OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC FROM A REASONABLE DISTANCE I PRESSED THE GAS TO GO AND THE CAR LITERALLY DRAGGED IN SLOW MOTION INTO THE INTERSECTION. THE ACCELERATION WAS S…”
NHTSA complaint #10425590, 2011

Engine And Engine Cooling 2

“SHORTLY AFTER WE PURCHASED OUR 2011 VOLVO XC90 BRAND NEW WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A LAGS IN ACCELERATION. WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR WOULD ROLL VERY SLOWLY UNLESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS COMPLETELY FLOORED. WE WAITED UNTIL OUR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE WAS DUE TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT, AND WE WERE TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY COULD NOT RECREATE THE CIRCUMSTANCE. THEY TOLD US THEY WOULD UPDATE THE CAR'S COMPUTER WHICH SEEMED TO WORK BRIEFLY, BUT SHORTLY AFTER THE LAGGING BEGAN AGAIN. IT EVENTUALLY BECAME MORE AND MORE COMMON AND NOW IT IS HAPPENING MANY TIMES A WEEK. AFTER OBSERVING THESE LAGS IN ACCELERATI…”
NHTSA complaint #10428725, 2011

“I FIRST EXPERIENCED THE DELAY IN RE-ACCELERATION ONE MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP @ A STOP SIGN, I STEPPED ON THE GAS TO TAKE A TURN AND THE CAR HESITATED AT A VERY SLOW PACE TO TAKE OFF. I CHALKED IT UP AS THE CAR BEING COLD EARLY IN THE MORNING. IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN PERIODICALLY UNTIL ONE DAY IT HAPPENED AS I WAS STOPPED AT A BUSY INTERSECTION WAITING TO TURN LEFT. WHEN THE INTERSECTION WAS CLEARED OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC FROM A REASONABLE DISTANCE I PRESSED THE GAS TO GO AND THE CAR LITERALLY DRAGGED IN SLOW MOTION INTO THE INTERSECTION. THE ACCELERATION WAS S…”
NHTSA complaint #10425590, 2011

Seat Belts 2

“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 complaint #11383598, 2020

“2011 VOLVO XC90. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS SEAT BELT AUDIO SYSTEM DEFECT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, THE SEAT BELT REMINDER CONSISTED OF AN AUDIBLE SIGNAL, AN INDICATOR LIGHT ABOVE THE REAR VIEW MIRROR, AND A SYMBOL ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL THAT WOULD ALERT THE DRIVER AND FRONT SEAT PASSENGER IF THEIR SEAT BELTS WERE NOT FASTENED. HOWEVER, THE AUDIBLE SIGNAL ONLY OCCURRED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FIRST STARTED, WHICH WAS VIRTUALLY INAUDIBLE AND DID NOT OCCUR THEREAFTER EVEN IF THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER DISCONNECTED THEIR SEAT BELTS DURING THE DRIVE. THE INDICATOR ON T…”
NHTSA complaint #10456237, 2012

Service Brakes 2

“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 complaint #11452346, 2022

“FROM THE BEGINNING THIS VEHICLE HAS DELAYED ACCELERATION, VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WHEN PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF ON-COMING TRAFFIC, OR MAKING LEFT HAND TURN WITH ON-COMING TRAFFIC. BRAKES MAKE LOUD CRACKING POPPING SOUND WHEN BRAKING AND TURNING THE WHEEL, DO NOT FEEL SAFE WITH IT MAKING SUCH AWFUL SOUNDS. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10472427, 2011

Steering 2

“RECENTLY WE LOST THE SERPENTINE BELT WITHOUT KNOWING IT. NO WARNING LIGHTS OR COMPUTER MESSAGE CALLED OUR ATTENTION TO THE FACT THAT WE WERE RUNNING ON BATTERY. THE ONLY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM WAS THE LOSS OF POWER STEERING. WE DROVE A SHORT DISTANCE TO A VOLVO REPAIR FACILITY AND LEARNED WE LOST THE SERPENTINE BELT, THUS THE ALTERNATOR, WATER PUMP,POWER STEERING AND AIR CONDITIONER WERE INOPERATIVE. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THE COMPUTER CONTROLS EVERYTHING AND WOULD NOT ISSUE A WARNING UNTIL THE ENGINE OVERHEATED AND/OR THE BATTERY WAS CLOSE TO FAILING. THIS IS A RECIPE FOR DISASTER FOR…”
NHTSA complaint #10958736, 2017

“WHINING NOISE IN STEERING..... I CHECKED AND LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID IN 2015... ALSO IN 2016, AND NOW AGAIN IN 2017... I ADDED FLUID EACH TIME....”
NHTSA complaint #11045205, 2015

Air Bags 1

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11311027, 2018

Exterior Lighting 1

“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 complaint #11452346, 2022

Fuel System 1

“I FIRST EXPERIENCED THE DELAY IN RE-ACCELERATION ONE MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP @ A STOP SIGN, I STEPPED ON THE GAS TO TAKE A TURN AND THE CAR HESITATED AT A VERY SLOW PACE TO TAKE OFF. I CHALKED IT UP AS THE CAR BEING COLD EARLY IN THE MORNING. IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN PERIODICALLY UNTIL ONE DAY IT HAPPENED AS I WAS STOPPED AT A BUSY INTERSECTION WAITING TO TURN LEFT. WHEN THE INTERSECTION WAS CLEARED OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC FROM A REASONABLE DISTANCE I PRESSED THE GAS TO GO AND THE CAR LITERALLY DRAGGED IN SLOW MOTION INTO THE INTERSECTION. THE ACCELERATION WAS S…”
NHTSA complaint #10425590, 2011

Seats 1

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11311027, 2018

Structure 1

“TAILGATE STRUT MOUNTING BOLT BECAME DETACHED FROM CAR BODY AS I OPENED THE TAIL GATE.THE TAILGATE STARTED TO FALL CLOSED BUT I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT BEFORE IT HIT ME. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10519356, 2013

Suspension 1

“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 complaint #11218833, 2019

Unknown Or Other 1

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11311027, 2018

Vehicle Speed Control 1

“I FIRST EXPERIENCED THE DELAY IN RE-ACCELERATION ONE MORNING ON MY WAY TO WORK. AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP @ A STOP SIGN, I STEPPED ON THE GAS TO TAKE A TURN AND THE CAR HESITATED AT A VERY SLOW PACE TO TAKE OFF. I CHALKED IT UP AS THE CAR BEING COLD EARLY IN THE MORNING. IT CONTINUED TO HAPPEN PERIODICALLY UNTIL ONE DAY IT HAPPENED AS I WAS STOPPED AT A BUSY INTERSECTION WAITING TO TURN LEFT. WHEN THE INTERSECTION WAS CLEARED OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC FROM A REASONABLE DISTANCE I PRESSED THE GAS TO GO AND THE CAR LITERALLY DRAGGED IN SLOW MOTION INTO THE INTERSECTION. THE ACCELERATION WAS S…”
NHTSA complaint #10425590, 2011

Wheels 1

“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 complaint #11112991, 2018