2021 Volvo XC90 Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 20%of 40 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine of the 2021 Volvo XC90, 20% of the 40 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“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“Unintentional acceleration.First, I was in line at car wash proceeding slowly ahead as directed in line. Foot on accelerator lightly moving, when car surged rapidly hitting back end of Tesla about 6-8 ft ahead (2/26/26 12:30pm) Impact strong enough to push Tesla into truck hitch damaging it front of it as well. Applied brake, but impact was too rapid. Second incident with my Volvo was a month later(3/22/26 about 10:30 am) and my husband was driving. . Made right turn on green light and started to accelerate when it revived and surged forward until applied brake. Dealer could not replicate. …”
NHTSA complaint #11728623, filed 2026-04“Vehicle is lurching on slow acceleration in Hybrid Mode. For example, lurching occurs when pulling away from a stop sign, pulling out into traffic, pulling into a parking spot. Issue started beginning of January 2023. In February Fields Volvo Service diagnosed issue as a software problem (Code IEM-P287100) and that Volvo hasn't written the software yet. Fields Volvo Service said software update should be available in Quarter 2. Advised that I do not drive my car in Hybrid Mode. I own a hybrid vehicle that I have been told not to drive in Hybrid. …”
NHTSA complaint #11511411, filed 2023-03“On two separate occasions, while driving car on highway at high speed, the car has gone into a special shutdown mode, where a turtle icon lights up on the dash and the car begins to shut itself down rapidly, limiting maximum speed of vehicle to 35mph. There is no warning or advanced alert. Suddenly the car reduces speed and feels like it is dead, and the systems begin to alert you that they are going into a reduced function mode. This was extremely scary thing to happen at highway speeds with flowing traffic. I had to crawl to side of rose at very low speeds. I could have been injured. …”
NHTSA complaint #11511651, filed 2023-03“The ERAD (Electric Rear Axle Drive) transmission on my 2021 XC90 T8 Recharge has suffered an internal failure at approximately 112,550 miles. The vehicle makes loud grinding and slamming noises from the rear drivetrain and locks up when attempting to drive, making the vehicle completely undrivable. The dealership (Volvo Cars Gilbert, AZ) diagnosed the ERAD clutch as slamming and suspects internal gears are missing teeth. A software update was attempted but did not resolve the mechanical failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11717923, filed 2026-02Related service bulletins
- 11032678Apr 23, 2026This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test. Perform the test. Follow service procedure Description and Service sections updated to clarify…
- 11025563Oct 10, 2025This is a Technical Journal: CEL with DTC ECM P001100, P001200, P001400, P001500. For MY 23-26 vehicles with engine code L1, an improved software is released in version 3.5.14…
- 11021935Jul 24, 2025This is a Technical Journal: CEL with DTC ECM P001100, P001200, P001400, P001500. For MY 23-26 vehicles with engine code L1, an improved software is released in version 3.5.14…
- 11020558Jun 19, 2025This is a Technical Journal: CEL with DTC ECM P001100, P001200, P001400, P001500. For MY 23-26 vehicles with engine code L1, an improved software is released in version 3.5.14…
- 11020534May 17, 2025This is a Technical Journal: CEL with DTC ECM P001100, P001200, P001400, P001500. For MY 23-26 vehicles with engine code L1, an improved software is released in version 3.5.14…
- 11020523May 1, 2025This is a Technical Journal: CEL with DTC ECM P001100, P001200, P001400, P001500. For MY 23-26 vehicles with engine code L1, an improved software is released in version 3.5.14…
- 11009819Oct 25, 2024This is a Technical Journal: Engine, "Low Oil" message during break-in period. This is normal during engine break in period.
- 10234790Feb 2, 2023PHEV Intermittent Start of the Combustion Engine in Hybrid
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 3% |
| 2024 | 4 | 11% |
| 2023 | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 | 6 | 19% |
| 2021 | 8 | 20% |
| 2020 | 7 | 21% |
| 2019 | 10 | 24% |
| 2018 | 5 | 10% |
| 2017 | 25 | 31% |
| 2016 | 86 | 44% |
| 2013 | 2 | 18% |
| 2011 | 5 | 26% |
| 2010 | 1 | 8% |
| 2009 | 1 | 14% |
| 2008 | 6 | 21% |
| 2007 | 4 | 11% |
| 2006 | 6 | 11% |
| 2005 | 29 | 13% |
| 2004 | 28 | 6% |
| 2003 | 2 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2021 Volvo XC90
13 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsFuel system
5 complaintsForward collision avoidance
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsExterior 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 27, 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