VOLVO XC90 · model year

2011 VOLVO XC90

30 NHTSA complaints, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2011VOLVOXC90 carries 30 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 1 fire, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2011 XC90 is engine with 5 filings, followed by electrical system (5) and engine and engine cooling (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 28 investigation files overlapping the 2011 XC90. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

30
Complaints
0
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

30 filings

Crashes Reported

0 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING2
POWER TRAIN2
SERVICE BRAKES2
STEERING2
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES1
STRUCTURE:BODY1
WHEELS1
SUSPENSION1
AIR BAGS1
SEATS1

Recalls (1)

11V28600018/05/2011

STEERING

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 XC90 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 29, 2010, THROUGH AUGUST 16, 2010. THE POWER STEERING FLUID MAY LEAK FROM THE OIL PIPE CONNECTION AT THE STEERING GEAR VALVE HOUSING.

Recent Complaints

20260205ENGINE

The catillatic converter exploded as we started the vehicle .was a very loud explosion..no fire but lots of smoke.

20220224ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 128,000

20220217ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

20220217SERVICE BRAKES

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

20220217EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

20210420FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 COMPLETELY MELTED AWAY. MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS EFFECTED AND REQUIRE REPLACEMENT PLUS SMOKE/FIRE/WATER REMEDIATION. PER MECHANIC REPAIRS EXCEED VALUE OF VEHICLE. TOTAL LOSS.

Mileage: 94,000

20201215SEAT BELTS

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.

Mileage: 127,200

20200224AIR BAGS

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 TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

20200224SEATS

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 TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

20200224UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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 TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

20190610SUSPENSION

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 !

20180723WHEELS

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

Mileage: 142,000

20171110STEERING

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....

Mileage: 100,000

20170718ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 OFF. THIS CONSTANT ELECTRONIC SEARCHING DRAINS A NEW AND FULLY CHARGED BATTERY WITHIN TWO TO THREE DAYS. THIS HAS LEFT MANY VEHICLE OWNERS STRANDED AND HAS COST OWNERS THOUSANDS IN UNNECESSARY REPAIRS, BATTERY REPLACEMENTS AND TOWING CHARGES. (THIS FREQUENTLY OCCURS TO VOLVO OWNERS LEAVING THEIR VEHICLES AT AIRPORT PARKING FOR A FEW DAYS.) VOLVO HAS BEEN SLOW TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM AND HAS BEE

Mileage: 77,010

20170306ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 A DRIVER OR FAMILY WHO MIGHT DRIVE INTO A DANGEROUS SITUATION OR AT THE VERY LEAST HARM THE ENGINE THROUGH OVERHEATING. THE LOSS OF THE ALTERNATOR SHOULD SEND A WARNING TO THE DRIVER THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND TO STOP AT THE EARLIEST SAFE PLACE AND SEEK ASSISTANCE.

Mileage: 98,000

20170306ENGINE

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 A DRIVER OR FAMILY WHO MIGHT DRIVE INTO A DANGEROUS SITUATION OR AT THE VERY LEAST HARM THE ENGINE THROUGH OVERHEATING. THE LOSS OF THE ALTERNATOR SHOULD SEND A WARNING TO THE DRIVER THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND TO STOP AT THE EARLIEST SAFE PLACE AND SEEK ASSISTANCE.

Mileage: 98,000

20170306STEERING

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 A DRIVER OR FAMILY WHO MIGHT DRIVE INTO A DANGEROUS SITUATION OR AT THE VERY LEAST HARM THE ENGINE THROUGH OVERHEATING. THE LOSS OF THE ALTERNATOR SHOULD SEND A WARNING TO THE DRIVER THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS ENGINE MALFUNCTION AND TO STOP AT THE EARLIEST SAFE PLACE AND SEEK ASSISTANCE.

Mileage: 98,000

20160309ENGINE

THE PROBLEM IS EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V579000 MY CAR STALLED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS TRANSMISSION WENT INTO PROTECTION MODE. IT STARTED FINE AGAIN WITH NO ISSUES AND SINCE THEN RUNNING FINE AND I PUT CLOSE TO 800 MILES. HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT INCLUDE XC90 IN THE LIST OF CARS AFFECTED FOR MODEL YEAR 2011. DEALER SIMPLY SUGGESTED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ($ 6681) AND VOLVO DENIED ANY HELP. I CALLED THE DEALER REGARDING UPGRADING SOFTWARE ON THE MODULES AND THEY SUGGESTED IT WOULD COST FEW HUNDRES TO DO IT.

Mileage: 133,400

20141226ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE BATTERY IN THE VEHICLE FAILS DUE TO A DRAIN IN THE POWER SYSTEMS BECAUSE OF A FAILURE IN SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ,THIS FAULT IS KNOWN TO VOLVO AND THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR .IF THE CAR IS NOT DRIVEN EVERY DAY THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS SEARCH FOR BLUE TOOTH PHONE SIGNALS AND SATELLITE RADIO SIGNALS CAUSING A DRAIN ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS ENOUGH TO KILL THE BATTERY ON A DAILY BASIS. VOLVO SAYS THEY HAVE A REPAIR FOR THIS AND SAY THAT I MUST PAY. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT TO VOLVO THEY SHOULD REPAIR THIS. *TR

Mileage: 63,035

20130611STRUCTURE:BODY

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

Mileage: 23,540

Compare 2011VOLVOXC90 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2011 VOLVO XC90 have?
The 2011 VOLVO XC90 has 30 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2011 VOLVO XC90?
The 2011 VOLVO XC90 received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2011 VOLVO XC90?
Yes, the 2011 VOLVO XC90 has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is STEERING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 VOLVO XC90?
The most-complained component for the 2011 VOLVO XC90 is ENGINE with 5 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ELECTRICAL SYSTEM and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
Is the 2011 VOLVO XC90 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2011 VOLVO XC90 has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.