Model year

2021 Volvo XC90

NHTSA lists 6 recalls and 40 complaints for the 2021 Volvo XC90 (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 1 recall and 2 complaints under XC90H and XC90PHEV. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (12), ENGINE (8), SERVICE BRAKES (7). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA rated 4 variants 5 stars overall. EPA rates it 22–27 mpg combined and 58 kWh/100 mi depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,050–$3,750, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.

ABOUT THIS DATA

Recalls

25V179000 · Mar 24, 2025

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020-2021 S90, 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60, XC90, and 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.

23V827000 · Dec 7, 2023

SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2015-2024 XC90 vehicles. The second-row seat belt buckle and lower belt anchor bolts may not be tightened properly.

23V001000 · Jan 5, 2023

STEERING

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2022 V60CC, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. During steering gear assembly, double screws may have been assembled on top of each other, which can cause a screw to fall into the gearbox housing.

21V716000 · Sep 15, 2021

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP; SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 S90L, 2020-2021 XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.

21V682000 · Sep 1, 2021

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER:RETRACTOR; SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR; SEAT BELTS

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 XC40, XC 40 Recharge, V60CC, V90, V90CC, XC90, and 2021-2022 V60, XC60, S60 vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly.…

21V001000 · Jan 7, 2021

AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE; SEAT BELTS:PRETENSIONER; AIR BAGS

Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 Volvo V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. The Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) control unit may not have been properly attached to the car body and may detach during a crash.

Complaints

40 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 3, fire flag on 0, injury field 3, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.

  1. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12
  2. ENGINE8
  3. SERVICE BRAKES7
  4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER6
  5. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5
  6. POWER TRAIN3
  7. SEAT BELTS3
  8. Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness2
  9. FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING2
  10. STEERING2

Other NHTSA names

These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.

Other matched NHTSA names
Name Recalls Complaints
XC90H 0 1
XC90PHEV 1 1

Investigations

Investigations in the NHTSA file (1). "No close date" means the file has no close date. It is not a statement that the investigation is still active.
ActionSubjectOpenedClosed
DP22005Pedestrian alert sounds · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEMJan 27, 2023Aug 7, 2023

Safety ratings

NHTSA 5-star variants matched to this model year (4). Rollover possibility is the API's published figure, shown as recorded.
VariantOverallFrontSidePoleRolloverPhoto
T5 SUV AWD 5 5554 · possibility 0.179NHTSA photo
T5 SUV FWD 5 5554 · possibility 0.191NHTSA photo
T6 SUV AWD 5 5554 · possibility 0.179NHTSA photo
T8 SUV AWD 5 5554 · possibility 0.159NHTSA photo

Fuel economy

EPA configurations. Electric rows show MPGe in the combined column and kWh/100 mi separately. Annual fuel cost is EPA's published fuelCost08 figure.
ConfigurationFuelCityHwyCombkWh/100 miRangeAnnual fuel cost
XC90 FWD · 2L · Automatic (S8) · Front-Wheel DrivePremium Gasoline213025——$3,300
XC90 AWD · 2L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel DrivePremium Gasoline192822——$3,750
XC90 AWD · 2L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel DrivePremium Gasoline202823——$3,550
XC90 AWD PHEV · 2L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel DrivePremium Gasoline · Plug-in Hybrid26282758.0520$3,050

Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.

Check a vehicle

This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2021 Volvo XC90 at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.

All Volvo XC90 model years