Skip to content
Volvo XC90Model year report

2009 Volvo XC90 Problems

Complaints
7filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
76,000miles, 5 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
17 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl FWD · 14 city / 20 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Volvo XC90 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2009 Volvo XC90. The part named most often is electrical system, with 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by brakes (2) and engine (1). 5 of the complaints include a mileage, and 20% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 76,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 215 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the navigational system(global positioning system) and 69 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Brakes complaints overlap with 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Electrical system: “During switching off ignition a warning light was visible, on turning on ignition again multiple faults registered on the instrument cluster.no issues prior to this fault occurred. …”

NHTSA complaint #10583662, filed 2014-04, 58,640 miles

Brakes: “I have installed a SprintDrive installed in my Volvo. Since the installation, I have had several safety and security issues occur that stop once the device is removed. The following issues have occurred: 1) Whilst driving on the Muskogee Turnpike, the cruising control system would disengage. This occurred at least three times during the drive. On the third time, the cruising control system disengaged and the braking system engaged causing the vehicle to go from 85 mph to 45 mph. 2) I was driving on C-470. The transmission system would not transition between the gears automatically. …”

NHTSA complaint #11435895, filed 2021-10

Mileage when problems were reported

20% of the 5 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 58,640 and 94,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–2520%25–5020%50–7540%75–10020%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (5 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 76,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

2012201420152201720212023
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Volvo XC90. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
XC90 · sedan FWD/AWDnot rated5 / 5——4 · 17.9% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2009 model year: forward collision warning optional, lane departure warning optional, automatic emergency braking not available.

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2009 Volvo XC90 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
XC90 AWD3.2L 6-cyl6-speed automatic142016$4,200
XC90 AWD4.4L 8-cyl6-speed automatic131915$4,450
XC90 FWD3.2L 6-cyl6-speed automatic142017$3,950

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2009 Volvo XC90 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 215 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 215 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volvo XC90

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2025294,5002526Too new to compareToo new
20243718,7503524Too new to compareToo new
20234117,000652579 · MoreToo new
20223111,200452550 · TypicalRising
20214021,000652561 · TypicalRising
20203425,000752548 · TypicalRising
20194250,000652423 · FewerRising
20185216,718352542 · TypicalRising
20178120,000752479 · MoreRising
201619720,0008524100 · MoreRising
20131147,4760—19—Not enough data
20111994,0001—18—Falling
20101297,5003—18—Not enough data
2009776,0001—17—Not enough data
20082952,0003—160 · FewerFalling
20073875,0002—18Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20065385,0003—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200522385,7556—18Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200446286,0006—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20039374,6505—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Volvo XC90 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Volvo XC90 have?

NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2009 Volvo XC90 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Volvo XC90 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by brakes with 2.

Has the 2009 Volvo XC90 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Volvo XC90 get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Volvo XC90 (XC90 FWD, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 17 mpg combined, 14 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,950 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Volvo XC90 reported?

Among the 5 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 76,000 miles and the middle half falls between 58,640 and 94,000 miles; 20% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.