Skip to content
Volvo XC90Model year report

2021 Volvo XC90 Problems

Compared with other Volvo XC90 years

Typical for this model

61/100 1.3× a typical year · 50 = typical

Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2019

Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated

Complaints
40filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
21,000miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
6campaigns on record
Trend
RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
5 / 5stars overall, 4 rated versions
EPA fuel economy
25 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 30 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2021 Volvo XC90 (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 2021 Volvo XC90. The part named most often is electrical system, with 13 complaints (33% of the total), followed by engine (8) and other or unknown (8). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 67% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 21,000 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns and 219 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the traction battery and 71 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 8 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 8 Volvo XC90 model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 61 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (2), Air bags (1), Exterior lighting (1), Hybrid propulsion system (1), Seats (1), Body and structure (1), Tires (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “*with the bowers & wilkins sound system* twice within 1400 miles, there was a loud pop sound from the speakers followed by no sound from any portion of the vehicle. The pop sounded like a window or the sunroof shattered. All sound was lost: sensus feedback, turn signals, parking sensors, phone, etc. The only thing that worked was the bass. After the car was parked and off, and re-started, everything worked as normal. Oddly, there was the feeling of static electricity just prior to each pop. These pops were caught on dash cam for proof. There was static heard in the dash cam video too. …”

NHTSA complaint #11388231, filed 2021-01, 700 miles

Engine: “My 2021 Volvo XC90 Recharge has experienced multiple hybrid system failures under Volvo's factory 8-year/100,000-mile hybrid warranty, with fewer than 45,000 miles on the odometer. The high-voltage battery modules have failed multiple times, directly related to recall R10312 (NHTSA 25V-179), which identifies a supplier process deviation in LG battery modules creating a risk of internal short circuit and thermal runaway — an acknowledged fire risk. Critically, my vehicle has suffered two actual battery module failures, not preemptive recall replacements. …”

NHTSA complaint #11722681, filed 2026-03

Other or unknown: “The aluminum trim on the center console of my 2022 Volvo xc90 has started peeling. The exposed edges are sharp and cut my fingers whenever I move my hands near the console. This issue is very common among this model and presents a serious safety hazard during normal vehicle use.”

NHTSA complaint #11713277, filed 2026-01

Brakes: “Electric parking brake engaging violently at highway speeds at least. 3 times. Resulting in abrupt stop in moveing traffic! Dealer in no hurry to repair suggesting bring back when they are able! Am notifying Volvo, dealer , they will assume all liability for injury or death for this defect and lack of concern in repairing ( told a software problem , but also told caused damage to other components due to violent and abrupt stops! Very uncomfortable especially since repair mgr is so arrogant!”

NHTSA complaint #11389044, filed 2021-01, 2,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

67% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 700 and 60,000 miles.

50%0–100%10–2517%25–5017%50–7517%75–1000%100–1500%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 21,000 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.

202020212022202320242025202621
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2021 Volvo XC90. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
XC90 T5 · SUV AWD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 17.9% risk
XC90 T5 · SUV FWD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 19.1% risk
XC90 T6 · SUV AWD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 17.9% risk
XC90 T8 · SUV AWD★★★★★5 / 5554 · 15.9% risk

Driver aids listed by NHTSA for the 2021 model year: forward collision warning standard, lane departure warning not available, automatic emergency braking standard.

Neighbouring years: 2020: same overall rating; 2022: same overall rating. A redesign between years can change both the car and the test.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2021 Volvo XC90 version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving); plug-in hybrid figures are for gasoline-only (hybrid mode) driving, so no annual cost is shown.

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
XC90 AWD2.0L 4-cyl8-speed automatic202823$3,550
XC90 AWD2.0L 4-cyl8-speed automatic192822$3,750
XC90 FWD2.0L 4-cyl8-speed automatic213025$3,300
XC90 AWD PHEV2.0L 4-cyl · plug-in hybrid8-speed automatic262827 gas only—

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2021 Volvo XC90 → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 219 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 219 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volvo XC90

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2025294,5002526Too new to compareToo new
20243718,7503524Too new to compareToo new
20234117,000652579 · MoreToo new
20223111,200452550 · TypicalRising
20214021,000652561 · TypicalRising
20203425,000752548 · TypicalRising
20194250,000652423 · FewerRising
20185216,718352542 · TypicalRising
20178120,000752479 · MoreRising
201619720,0008524100 · MoreRising
20131147,4760—19—Not enough data
20111994,0001—18—Falling
20101297,5003—18—Not enough data
2009776,0001—17—Not enough data
20082952,0003—160 · FewerFalling
20073875,0002—18Not compared (before 2008)Rising
20065385,0003—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling
200522385,7556—18Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200446286,0006—19Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20039374,6505—18Not compared (before 2008)Falling

All Volvo XC90 model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2021 Volvo XC90 have?

NHTSA recorded 40 consumer complaints for the 2021 Volvo XC90 as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2021 Volvo XC90 is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 13 complaints (33% of the total), followed by engine with 8.

Has the 2021 Volvo XC90 been recalled?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

How did the 2021 Volvo XC90 do in NHTSA crash tests?

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings give the 2021 Volvo XC90 5 out of 5 stars overall, across 4 rated versions (body style and drive). Ratings from different model years are only comparable when the vehicle was not redesigned in between.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Volvo XC90 get?

The EPA rates the 2021 Volvo XC90 (XC90 FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 21 city and 30 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,300 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2021 Volvo XC90 reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 21,000 miles and the middle half falls between 700 and 60,000 miles; 67% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.