2018 Volvo XC90 Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 10%of 52 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 2,800miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Volvo XC90, 10% of the 52 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,800 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Sometimes when the start stop system is activated at a stop and you start back off the vehicle accelerates forward without depressing the accelerator. On 3 occasions it caused me to almost run into things. I reported it to Volvo and they said the system is fine.”
NHTSA complaint #11161200, filed 2018-12, 2,800 miles“My car completely locked up on the road and came to a screeching stop. This car is known for having the ERAD completely fail and it could have caused it to have a serious accident. It has also caused my car to plummet in value losing over 30k in just 3 years. Now my repairs cost nearly what it’s worth and aren’t guaranteed to actually fix it. It’s terrible. I’m so upside down n my loan due to this issue that they dealerships refuse to help on. The dealership acknowledges it is a design flaw but yet they won’t help. I have an email stating that it is a design flaw”
NHTSA complaint #11691437, filed 2025-10“The vehicle first experienced a safety-critical malfunction while driving on the highway on August 11, 2026, producing in-vehicle warnings reading Transmission Acceleration Performance Reduced and Gear Lever Locked, along with broader electrical system symptoms, requiring the 2018 Volvo XC90 to be towed to Volvo Cars Brooklyn on August 11, 2026. At that time, dampness was discovered under the driver’s floor mat, leading to the discovery of a sunroof leak and resulting water intrusion. The dealership represented the vehicle as fully repaired and safe to drive. …”
NHTSA complaint #11759206, filed 2026-08“On 8/20/2025, my 2018 Volvo XC90 T8 suffered catastrophic failure of the Electric Rear Axle Drive (ERAD). The vehicle suddenly developed a loud whining noise from the rear and became undriveable. This ERAD had previously been replaced under warranty at Boston Volvo Cars. On 10/28/2025, Queens Volvo inspected the vehicle and confirmed the failure was caused by improper prior service. Their technician documented that the ERAD housing was likely not properly torqued, which led to transmission fluid leaking over time, sludge buildup, and internal damage to gears and motor. …”
NHTSA complaint #11688273, filed 2025-09Related service bulletins
- 11033734May 7, 2026This is a Technical Journal: Intermittent knocking noise during acceleration. If the sound corresponds to attached sound file, change front drive shafts to the below part numbers.
- 11011743Nov 8, 2024This is a Technical Journal: ERAD (Electric Rear Axle Drive) Bearing Noise. Bearing kit replacement.
- 10252719Mar 14, 2024This is a Technical Journal: ERAD (Electric Rear Axle Drive) Bearing Noise. Bearing kit replacement.
- 10249190Jan 4, 2024This is a Technical Journal: Transmission Shifts From D or R to P Immediately After Starting. This symptom can occur if the driver changes the position of the gear shifter from P…
- 10244098Sep 8, 2023ERAD (Electric Rear Axle Drive) Bearing Noise
- 10241679Jul 17, 2023Bearing Noise.
- 10241669Jul 14, 2023Noise Fault Tracing.
- 10186182Dec 19, 2020This is a Technical Journal: *This journal is re-written in its entirety. The ERAD (Electrical Rear Axle Drive) consists of two main parts, a transmission and an electrical…
- 10182499Oct 27, 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…
- 10178518Jul 14, 2020This is a Technical Journal: Replacement of ERAD components. Follow instruction for the replacement of the ERAD.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 5 | 13% |
| 2023 | 3 | 7% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 3 | 7% |
| 2020 | 3 | 9% |
| 2019 | 3 | 7% |
| 2018 | 5 | 10% |
| 2017 | 5 | 6% |
| 2016 | 10 | 5% |
| 2011 | 3 | 16% |
| 2008 | 4 | 14% |
| 2007 | 5 | 13% |
| 2006 | 3 | 6% |
| 2005 | 62 | 28% |
| 2004 | 145 | 31% |
| 2003 | 49 | 53% |
Other parts of the 2018 Volvo XC90
15 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsFuel system
6 complaintsEngine
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 31, 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