VOLVO XC90 · model year

2013 VOLVO XC90

13 NHTSA complaints for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2013VOLVOXC90 carries 13 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 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 2013 XC90 is air bags with 3 filings, followed by engine (2) and electrical system (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.

NHTSA currently has 28 investigation files overlapping the 2013 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.

13
Complaints
0
Crashes
3
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

13 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
AIR BAGS3
ENGINE2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
STRUCTURE:BODY2
UNKNOWN OR OTHER1
WHEELS1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM1

Recent Complaints

20190321AIR BAGS

MY VEHICLE'S AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON. MY DASH MESSAGE IS: PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF SERVICE URGENT. I TOOK IT TO KOONS VOLVO OF OWINGS MILLS, INC TO BE SERVICED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE PASSENGER OCCUPANCY WEIGHT SENSOR HAS STOPPED WORKING AND NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT TELL ME WHY IT WOULD HAVE STOPPED WORKING. HE JUST SAID IT COULD JUST HAPPEN. I ASKED THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WHAT DOES IT DO AND HE SAID THAT IT WEIGHS PASSENGERS FOR THE CORRECT PRESSURE OF THE AIRBAG IN CASE IT IS DEPLOYED. HE ALSO SAID THAT MY COMPLETE AIRBAG SYSTEM WILL NOT WORK WITHOUT IT WHICH MEANS THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AS WELL AS THE SIDE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT. THE COST OF THIS REPAIR IS $2,249 WHICH IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE. THIS APPEARS TO BE MORE OF A DEFECT AND NOT WEAR AND TEAR. VOLVO ADVERTISES IT'S SAFETY FEATURES WHICH ATTRACTED ME TO PURCHASE ONE. THEY DON'T TELL YOU THAT THE SAFETY FEATURES MAY NOT WORK WHEN YOU NEED THEM. I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER SERVICE

Mileage: 139,700

20181118AIR BAGS

I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS CAR THE OTHER OWNER WAS IN THE FAMILY AND THE AIRBAGS HAVE NEVER BEEN DEPLOYED. A COUPLE MONTHS AGO THE SRS AIRBAG SERVICE URGENT LIGHT CAME ON AND WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. THEY SAID THAT THE AIRBAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BEING THAT THIS IS SUCH A CRUCIAL COMPONENT THAT SHOULD BE WORKING IF IT HAS NEVER BEEN USED I WANTED TO ALERT NHTSA AND SEE IF IT WERE A MORE WIDESPREAD CONCERN. I APPRECIATE YOU LOOKING INTO THIS. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE AIRBAG LIGHT AND THAT IS THE REASON FOR MY CONCERN.

Mileage: 130,000

20180119STRUCTURE:BODY

I WAS DRIVING DOWN AN OLD HIGHWAY AT 45MPH. THE DRIVER'S DOOR OPENED WHILE IN MOTION WHILE THE DOOR WAS CLOSED AND LOCKED. THE DOOR DID NOT FLY OPEN, I THINK LOCKING MECHANISM HELPED KEEP THE DOOR FROM SWINGING OUT. THERE WAS AN IMMEDIATE RUSH OF AIR COMING THROUGH MY DOOR AND THE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON SAYING DRIVER'S DOOR WAS OPEN. I WAS ABLE TO UNLOCK AND PULL MY DOOR BACK INTO THE CLOSED POSITION WHILE IN MOTION.

Mileage: 67,000

20170719FireAIR BAGS

HAVING BOUGHT A 2013 VOLVO XC90 WITH 36K MILES ON IT, I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY 2 WEEKS LATER WHEN I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN. I QUICKLY PULLED OVER THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO GET OUT AS THE SMOKE WAS INCREASING. WITHIN 4-5 MINUTES, THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. IT WAS COMPLETELY GUTTED AND DESTROYED. VOLVO DECLINED TO ACCEPT BLAME AND SAID THAT THE CAUSE OF FIRE CANNOT BE DETERMINED. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE SAFEST CAR AND I WAS SURPRISED AT THEIR CALLOUS ATTITUDE. THE DEALER FROM SUMMIT NJ WAS FAR MORE PROFESSIONAL. THE HIGHWAY IT HAPPENED ON WAS RT. 295 NEAR PRINCETON NJ. I HOPE OTHERS CAN LEARN FROM THIS DEBACLE AND GET SOME HELP IF THERE IS A FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM WITH 2013 XC90. THEY DID HAVE A RECALL FOR THE 2010 XC90 FOR THE SAME REASON. I FEEL THE CAUSE WAS EITHER AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT OR A PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION.

Mileage: 36,500

20170719FireSTRUCTURE:BODY

HAVING BOUGHT A 2013 VOLVO XC90 WITH 36K MILES ON IT, I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY 2 WEEKS LATER WHEN I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN. I QUICKLY PULLED OVER THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO GET OUT AS THE SMOKE WAS INCREASING. WITHIN 4-5 MINUTES, THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. IT WAS COMPLETELY GUTTED AND DESTROYED. VOLVO DECLINED TO ACCEPT BLAME AND SAID THAT THE CAUSE OF FIRE CANNOT BE DETERMINED. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE SAFEST CAR AND I WAS SURPRISED AT THEIR CALLOUS ATTITUDE. THE DEALER FROM SUMMIT NJ WAS FAR MORE PROFESSIONAL. THE HIGHWAY IT HAPPENED ON WAS RT. 295 NEAR PRINCETON NJ. I HOPE OTHERS CAN LEARN FROM THIS DEBACLE AND GET SOME HELP IF THERE IS A FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM WITH 2013 XC90. THEY DID HAVE A RECALL FOR THE 2010 XC90 FOR THE SAME REASON. I FEEL THE CAUSE WAS EITHER AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT OR A PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION.

Mileage: 36,500

20170719FireENGINE

HAVING BOUGHT A 2013 VOLVO XC90 WITH 36K MILES ON IT, I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY 2 WEEKS LATER WHEN I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE. THE ENGINE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN. I QUICKLY PULLED OVER THE CAR AND WAS ABLE TO GET OUT AS THE SMOKE WAS INCREASING. WITHIN 4-5 MINUTES, THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. IT WAS COMPLETELY GUTTED AND DESTROYED. VOLVO DECLINED TO ACCEPT BLAME AND SAID THAT THE CAUSE OF FIRE CANNOT BE DETERMINED. THIS IS SUPPOSED TO BE THE SAFEST CAR AND I WAS SURPRISED AT THEIR CALLOUS ATTITUDE. THE DEALER FROM SUMMIT NJ WAS FAR MORE PROFESSIONAL. THE HIGHWAY IT HAPPENED ON WAS RT. 295 NEAR PRINCETON NJ. I HOPE OTHERS CAN LEARN FROM THIS DEBACLE AND GET SOME HELP IF THERE IS A FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM WITH 2013 XC90. THEY DID HAVE A RECALL FOR THE 2010 XC90 FOR THE SAME REASON. I FEEL THE CAUSE WAS EITHER AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT OR A PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION.

Mileage: 36,500

20161229FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE XC90 I JUST BOUGHT FROM A DEALER AS IS TWO DAYS AGO HAS SOME LEAKING OF FUEL. I SUSPECT SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE FUEL PUMP. THE PREVIOUS OWNER DID NOT BRING THE CAR TO VOLVO DEALER TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. NOW I HAVE TO PAY THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPAIR IT.

Mileage: 110,000

20161107ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE ANTI SKID SERVICE IS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE WARNING LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF PERIODICIALLY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I SOMETIMES LOSE THE DASH LIGHTS, BLINKERS AND THE FUEL DOOR UNLOCKS. THE ISSUE IS NOT HAPPENING CONSISTENTLY IT HAPPENS WHEN THE WEATHER GETS BAD. EVERYTHING JUST GOES OUT. ITS STATIONARY AT THE BECAUSE I HAVE NO LIGHTS OR ONE LIGHT WONT GO OFF.

Mileage: 58,451

20160821ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

ANTI SKID WARNING LIGHTS ARE COMING UP

20160425ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE ANTI SKID SERVICE IS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE WARNING LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF PERIODICIALLY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, I SOMETIMES LOSE THE DASH LIGHTS, BLINKERS AND THE FUEL DOOR UNLOCKS. THE ISSUE IS NOT HAPPENING CONSISTENTLY. SOMETIMES IT WON'T HAPPEN FOR MONTHS AND THEN IT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN MULTIPLE TIMES. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO VOLVO TWICE AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THIS ISSUE IS HAPPENING.

Mileage: 31,000

20160121WHEELS

CONTINENTAL FACTORY EQUIPPED TIRES ARE WORN TO THE POINT OF NEED FOR REPLACEMENT AT 25,000 MILES. THIS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN BY A 65 YEAR OLD LADY AND IN MOST PART IN TOWN AT 45 MPH OR LESS. IT IS MAINTAINED BY THE SELLING VOLVO DEALER. TIRES ARE TMPS MONITORED AND PROPER INFLATION IS MAINTAINED. WITH NO SIDE TO SIDE DIFFERENCE IN TREAD WEAR IN BOTH FRONT AND REAR TIRE PLACEMENTS THERE IS NO REASON FOR PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. ONE OF THE FOUR TIRES HAVE A BUMP WHEN COLD THAT DISAPPEARS WHEN THE TIRES WARM UP. WHY ONLY ONE. I FEEL THAT CONTINENTAL TIRE COMPANY SHOULD ADJUST THE TIRES FOR PREMATURE TREAD WEAR....

Mileage: 25,000

20160111UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE ANTI SKID SERVICE IS NOT FUNCTIONING. THE WARNING LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF PERIODICIALLY.

Mileage: 28,000

20130312ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT STARTED TO STALL AND THEN THE ENGINE JUST CUT OFF. THIS HAPPENED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD WITH TRAFFIC IN BOTH DIRECTIONS LEAVING ME AND MY WIFE VULNERABLE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE ENGINE AND IT WOULD NOT START, IT STARTED TO SMOKE AFTER A FEW ATTEMPTS. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE HAD TO BE CALLED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE VOLVO SERVICE DEPARTMENT WHICH TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A FAULTY STARTER. THIS IS A FAIRLY NEW VEHICLE WITH NO DAMAGE. *TR

Mileage: 12,000

Compare 2013VOLVOXC90 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2013 VOLVO XC90 have?
The 2013 VOLVO XC90 has 13 NHTSA complaints, 0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2013 VOLVO XC90?
The 2013 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.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 VOLVO XC90?
The most-complained component for the 2013 VOLVO XC90 is AIR BAGS with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2013 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 2013 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.