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Electrical systemPart report

2017 Volvo XC90 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
19about this part
Share
23%of 81 total for the year
Median mileage
25,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the electrical system of the 2017 Volvo XC90, 23% of the 81 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 25,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.

Example complaints

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

“While driving with two young children in car, Volvo hood started to smoke. No warning lights or signals went off. We pulled over, turned engine off, removed kids from the car, and within a few minutes, the entire hood of the car was in flames. The car was completely destroyed, even though firefighters extinguished the fire. We have no information as to the cause of the fire - engine, electrical, etc - but the car only had 18,000 miles on it. Volvo had already replaced the rotors twice in two years - highly unusual - but otherwise we had no reason to suspect a problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #11141828, filed 2018-10, 19,000 miles

“The Park Neutral Position (PNP) switch malfunctions. Yes Not a huge safety issue if you are parked in your driveway and cannot start the car. But if you are driving and the if you have the engine auto start/stop engaged the car will unexpectedly not restart and you have to play with the gear shifter to get it started to move out of an intersection or out of the way of traffic! This has happened several times with my wife and myself. I have not had it confirmed by a dealer or service center No No”

NHTSA complaint #11616395, filed 2024-09

“I am reporting multiple critical component failures on my 2017 Volvo XC90, which I believe represent potential design or manufacturing defects related to vehicle safety and reliability. At approximately 93,000 miles, my Volvo XC90 experienced a battery failure, thermostat failure, which did not resolve the vehicle's engine issues. Subsequently, the dealership diagnosed a failed Engine Control Module (ECM), requiring complete replacement at a cost of over $5,000. The ECM is a critical motherboard component responsible for engine control and vehicle safety operations. …”

NHTSA complaint #11658368, filed 2025-05

“For 5 months now, there has been leaking from the rear side of the intellisafe module located by the middle top of the windshield. I have taken the care to the dealership in multiple locations, they have not found the root cause. I have paid for multiple replacements of the rubber trim and cleaning of interior parts. The water leaks directly over the head unit, and I fear that might cause damage such as a electrical fire or replacement of parts that might become very costly. It happens while still in park and while driving.”

NHTSA complaint #11398899, filed 2021-03

“While driving in hybrid mode while both the gasoline and electric motor are running or shifting back and forth, occasionally the electric motor will come on with a sharp, sometimes loud, metallic “bang”. The sound and feel appears to be coming from the rear. The last two times it happened, the car lunged forward on its own without additional pressure on the accelerator, and once over the past week it lunged forward near an intersection when lifting off the accelerator pedal and engaging the brake. The lunge almost caused me to rear end the car in front of me which I was not very close to. …”

NHTSA complaint #11460563, filed 2022-04

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025724%
20241746%
20231024%
20221445%
20211333%
20201132%
20191126%
20181529%
20171923%
20165628%
2013218%
2011526%
2009343%
2008828%
20071437%
20061630%
20055123%
200415834%
20031819%

Other parts of the 2017 Volvo XC90

Engine
25 complaints
Other or unknown
23 complaints
Brakes
8 complaints
Body and structure
7 complaints
Fuel system
6 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
5 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
5 complaints
Vehicle speed control
5 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
4 complaints
Air bags
3 complaints
Steering
3 complaints
Suspension
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2017 Volvo XC90

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.

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