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BrakesPart report

2021 Volvo XC90 Brakes Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
18%of 40 total for the year
Median mileage
40,250miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the brakes of the 2021 Volvo XC90, 18% of the 40 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,250 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

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.

“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

“My Xc90 is shuttering at interstate speeds as well as below. When I purchased, they had to machine the rotors and said they balanced the front tires. It did not help much. The brakes shake less. I'm sure the entire rotors are warped. All this with 12k miles on the vehicle.”

NHTSA complaint #11486819, filed 2022-09

“While driving, I experienced a sudden loss of braking assist with no warning. The brake pedal became extremely hard to press, accompanied by a hissing/air sound. Despite applying full pressure, the vehicle did not slow as expected and continued moving. At one point, after stopping, the vehicle began to move forward again while my foot remained firmly on the brake. The issue occurred immediately upon or shortly after starting the vehicle, with no prior warning indicators. This created a serious safety hazard.”

NHTSA complaint #11732913, filed 2026-04

“The brakes did not work when the automatic emergency braking turned on. When I pressed the brakes all the way down, the brakes didn’t respond because it was still in automatic mode. I was able to swerve into the next lane to not hit the vehicle in front of me. The automatic emergency braking also turned on when I was reversing from a parked location when there was a vehicle waiting to park behind me and my vehicle stoped and didn’t come off of brake/park mode. I had to turn my vehicle on and off again to get it to move again. I have taken my vehicle in twice for shaking. …”

NHTSA complaint #11613402, filed 2024-09

“The infotainment system has locked up and has shut completely off while driving. When it shuts down (screen goes black) or glitches, the car actually loses power. Luckily it powered right back on but it was scary and could happen again and be much worse. The screen/ infotainment system has had this issue for awhile. We’ve even told Volvo of Tulsa about it when it was in for service but they said they couldn’t do anything about it because they couldn’t reproduce the issue. We have also had the brakes and rotors replaced twice at the dealership because they seem to be lemons or faulty. …”

NHTSA complaint #11532602, filed 2023-07

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2025414%
2024514%
2023512%
202213%
2021718%
2020412%
2019614%
20181223%
2017810%
2016158%
2011211%
201018%
2009229%
200827%
2007513%
200636%
200531%
2004194%
200378%

Other parts of the 2021 Volvo XC90

Electrical system
13 complaints
Engine
8 complaints
Other or unknown
8 complaints
Fuel system
5 complaints
Forward collision avoidance
3 complaints
Seat belts
3 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
3 complaints
Back-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaints
Steering
2 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaints
Air bags
1 complaints
Exterior lighting
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2021 Volvo XC90

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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