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Electrical systemPart report

2018 Volvo XC90 Electrical system Problems

Complaints
15about this part
Share
29%of 52 total for the year
Median mileage
21,000miles
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Volvo XC90, 29% of the 52 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 21,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, 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.

“Brakes continously squeak. The dealer has inspected the break system twice and made one attempted repair. One week later the brakes are backing to squeaking. I have owned the vehicle less than 90 days, I've had issues with the brakes for more than half that time. The center display computer screens freezes constantly, but recently freezes and will not restart until after the car is stopped and restarted.”

NHTSA complaint #11056836, filed 2017-12, 3,400 miles

“I purchased my 2018 Volvo XC90 t6 awd (hereinafter, the '2018 XC90' or 'the vehicle') in october 2017, through lease agreement. Shortly thereafter, I noticed that the fuel efficiency of the vehicle was well below the epa rating and warranted range, based on representations by the dealer at, and prior to, the time of sale. I took the vehicle to the dealer's service department, so the issue could be investigated further. The dealer reported there was a software update that addressed the problem, and that it would no longer be an issue. …”

NHTSA complaint #11152941, filed 2018-11, 11,500 miles

“We have owned our XC90 since november 11, 2017. The brakes were squealing when braking in normal condition(s), no rain on road or water on brakes whether we were driving on city streets, highways or freeways. Volvo service technicians had to replace all 4 rotors and brake pads on 30 march 2018, just a little over 4 months of owning the vehicle. Four months later 8 august 2018, Volvo service technicians had to replace all 4 rotors again, but not the brake pads. There is nearly 25,000 miles on this car, which normally rotors aren't typically replaced up to 70,000 miles. …”

NHTSA complaint #11121658, filed 2018-08, 25,000 miles

“When the car is parked, I unlock the driver's door, the tailgate opens on it's own (possibly into traffic) then afterwards, every time when starting the car, a 12v battery charging fault stop safely error occurs twice. It seems to be ok to drive, but it is not clear as to whether the fault can cause a safety issue, as the message implies. So many of the systems in the car are electric. This is a reoccurring problem that has happened 4 times now, and Volvo has not been able to fix it.”

NHTSA complaint #11256252, filed 2019-09, 21,000 miles

“At first I was having issues with stop and start, replaced the battery then was told I wasted coffee in my center Console and it cause electrical issues and was told the repairs would be 3,400 in which collision issuance paid for. After the repairs my driver side seat belt would latch then the passenger side wouldn’t latch either so I currently don’t have working A/C or working seatbelts which is known problem for these vehicles.”

NHTSA complaint #11757883, filed 2026-08

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 2018 Volvo XC90

Brakes
12 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsForward collision avoidance
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 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