Skip to content
Volvo XC90Model year report

2011 Volvo XC90 Problems

Complaints
19filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
94,000miles, 13 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—no overall rating published
EPA fuel economy
18 mpgcombined, 3.2L 6-cyl FWD · 16 city / 22 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2011 Volvo XC90 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2011 Volvo XC90. The part named most often is electrical system, with 5 complaints (26% of the total), followed by engine (5) and transmission and drivetrain (3). 13 of the complaints include a mileage, and 31% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 94,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 a fire, 2 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 221 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 69 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 6 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.

Also reported: Other or unknown (1), Seats (1), Body and structure (1), Suspension (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Electrical 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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10958736, filed 2017-03, 98,000 miles

Engine: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10845870, filed 2016-03, 133,400 miles

Transmission and drivetrain: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10428725, filed 2011-10, 1,500 miles

Brakes: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10472427, filed 2012-08, 5 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

31% of the 13 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 23,540 and 127,200 miles.

23%0–108%10–250%25–508%50–7523%75–10038%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (13 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 94,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2012201420173201920212026
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 2011 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 · SUV AWDnot rated———4 · 17.9% risk
XC90 · SUV FWDnot rated———4 · 19.1% risk

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

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2011 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 automatic162218$3,700
XC90 AWD4.4L 8-cyl6-speed automatic142116$4,200
XC90 FWD3.2L 6-cyl6-speed automatic162218$3,700

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 2011 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. 221 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 221 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 2011 Volvo XC90 have?

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2011 Volvo XC90 as of Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2011 Volvo XC90 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 5 complaints (26% of the total), followed by engine with 5.

Has the 2011 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 2011 Volvo XC90 get?

The EPA rates the 2011 Volvo XC90 (XC90 FWD, 3.2L 6-cyl) at 18 mpg combined, 16 city and 22 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2011 Volvo XC90 reported?

Among the 13 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 94,000 miles and the middle half falls between 23,540 and 127,200 miles; 31% 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.