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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11032678Apr 23, 2026This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test. Perform the test. Follow service procedure Description and Service sections updated to clarify…
- 11006558Jun 12, 2024This is a Technical Journal: High Temperature Message in DIM after Coolant Pump Replacement. Replace coolant pump
- 10186174Dec 2, 2020This is a technical Journal:If the vehicle has a click sound from the left engine pad, follow the advice under "Service". Make sure that the sound is coming from the engine pad…
- 10182708Oct 8, 2020This is a technical Journal:If the vehicle has a click sound from the left engine pad, follow the advice under "Service". Make sure that the sound is coming from the engine pad…
- 10177384Jun 6, 2020This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Prior Approval for VCM Replacement
- 10175250Apr 25, 2020This is a Technical Journal: Ping noise from exhaust when cooling down
- 10171688Jan 28, 2020This is a Technical Journal: 4 Cylinder VEP engine: Castrol Edge Professional V 0W-20 Synthetic oil.
- 10171678Jan 8, 2020This is a Technical Journal: In case of complaint of Noise, some "tools" have been created to help you to do a better and more precise fault tracing
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 3% |
| 2024 | 4 | 11% |
| 2023 | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 | 6 | 19% |
| 2021 | 8 | 20% |
| 2020 | 7 | 21% |
| 2019 | 10 | 24% |
| 2018 | 5 | 10% |
| 2017 | 25 | 31% |
| 2016 | 86 | 44% |
| 2013 | 2 | 18% |
| 2011 | 5 | 26% |
| 2010 | 1 | 8% |
| 2009 | 1 | 14% |
| 2008 | 6 | 21% |
| 2007 | 4 | 11% |
| 2006 | 6 | 11% |
| 2005 | 29 | 13% |
| 2004 | 28 | 6% |
| 2003 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2016 Volvo XC90
56 complaintsOther or unknown
36 complaintsBody and structure
23 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
10 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsElectronic 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