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EnginePart report

2016 Volvo XC90 Engine Problems

Complaints
86about this part
Share
44%of 197 total for the year
Median mileage
16,250miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 86 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Volvo XC90, 44% of the 197 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 16,250 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 7 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“The start-stop function malfunctioned on my vehicle at a busy stop light/intersection. My wife and I felt we needed to push the car to side to keep from getting hit, despite flashers on. We had it towed to a Volvo dealer who was very helpful. They had car fixed next day. Said the computers or sensors not communicating. I asked Volvo if they were fixing all cars. They said moly said my car was now okay”

NHTSA complaint #11317984, filed 2020-03, 44,000 miles

“I purchased a 2016 XC90 in july15. Shortly after the purchase, I started to notice issues with the brakes and various other issues. I have taken the car into service 14 times since purchase with on a few for regular maintenance. Brake pads and both front and rear roters have been replaced, but the brake issue has not been resolved. I still frequently but randomly hear clicking sounds near to the brake paddle. I am mostly concerned that it happens when I am driving high speed while trying to slow down. …”

NHTSA complaint #11112753, filed 2018-07, 2,500 miles

“2016 XC90, engine is decelerating on street road going from 40-45 miles per hour, to 10 miles per hour suddenly and quickly. With closure of back door where there is no lock button to hit by accident, car is locking all doors by itself when closing the passenger door. I am aware of babies being locked in the cars due to this fault in system and my pet was locked in due to the locks locking on their own when I closed passenger door which does not have a lock button I could have hit by accident. …”

NHTSA complaint #10945403, filed 2017-01, 300 miles

“During driving on a local road at approx. 45 MPH, the electronic dashboard disappeared (so you have no visibility to speed, fuel, warnings), the car rapidly decelerated to 10 MPH and wouldn't go any faster and all non-steering controls (radio, AC, navigation, etc.) froze. It has remained that way since even after power cycling. Apparently this can be temporarily fixed by disconnecting the 2 batteries. But it can happen again with no warning. This happened to me and has happened to others I know.”

NHTSA complaint #10916434, filed 2016-10, 13,500 miles

“While the car was running in my garage and the front driver side door closed, I believe I put it in reverse then went to open the front door to see if my daughter was tightened in her car seat, the car didn't move. I am not sure if I put it back in park but after I took my foot off the brake, it didn't move. After a few seconds and my feet and body completely out of the car, it started to go back and almost ran me over. Luckily I jumped back in the Volvo truck and the door crashed into the garage. …”

NHTSA complaint #10893136, filed 2016-08, 2,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202513%
2024411%
202312%
2022619%
2021820%
2020721%
20191024%
2018510%
20172531%
20168644%
2013218%
2011526%
201018%
2009114%
2008621%
2007411%
2006611%
20052913%
2004286%
200322%

Other parts of the 2016 Volvo XC90

Electrical system
56 complaints
Other or unknown
36 complaints
Body and structure
23 complaints
Brakes
15 complaints
Fuel system
13 complaints
Vehicle speed control
11 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
10 complaints
Air bags
8 complaints
Steering
7 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
6 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaints
Electronic stability control
5 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2016 Volvo XC90

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology