Volvo XC90 engine problems, 2016–2027
160 of the 582 complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Volvo XC90 2016–2027 name the engine (NHTSA’s “Engine” heading — the engine and its cooling system). The loudest years: 2016 (89), 2017 (25), 2019 (11). Filed under the same heading across these years: 2 recall campaigns. Every figure is a linked federal record; none is a failure rate, none a repair cost, and none a verdict on one car.
Volvo XC90 engine problems by model year
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsOne row per model year on file, newest first. A year marked in depth has its own page: the complaints, the owners’ words and every document under this heading for that year.
| Model year | Complaints naming the engine | Share of the year’s | Typically at | On file under the heading | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 0 | — | — | 1 TSB | the year → |
| 2026 | 3 | 43% | — | 27 TSBs | the year → |
| 2025 | 0 | — | — | 58 TSBs | the year → |
| 2024 | 4 | 11% | — | 57 TSBs | the year → |
| 2023 | 0 | — | — | 52 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2022 | 7 | 24% | — | 27 TSBs · 1 recall | the year → |
| 2021 | 8 | 21% | — | 43 TSBs | the year → |
| 2020 | 7 | 22% | — | 44 TSBs | the year → |
| 2019 | 11 | 26% | — | 72 TSBs | the year → |
| 2018 | 6 | 12% | — | 102 TSBs | the year → |
| 2017 | 25 | 31% | 20k | 86 TSBs | the year → |
| 2016 in depth | 89 | 45% | 20k | 111 TSBs · 1 recall | the record → |
Two things the counts carry that are not the car: how many of each year were sold, and how long each has been on the road — an older year out-counts a newer one before anything is wrong with it. The share column is the honest comparison across years: what part of that year’s complaints named the engine. Nothing here is a rate.
When the engine complaints were filed, and at what mileage
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled per calendar year, every model year together: 2015: 2 · 2016: 9 · 2017: 4 · 2018: 9 · 2019: 11 · 2020: 4 · 2021: 7 · 2022: 17 · 2023: 22 · 2024: 26 · 2025: 19 · 2026: 30
Across the model years, half of the 54 owners who gave an odometer reading reported the engine problem between 4,000 and 79,000 miles. A median of reports, not the life of a part.
In owners’ own words
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseFiled with NHTSA by the people who own these cars, about the engine, from the model years with the most to say. Quoted as written, with anything identifying removed; unverified reports — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
Following recall service by dealership against NHTSA recall 19v308 the vehicle caught fire. The vehicle was picked up from the dealership and driven directly home, ~16 miles. At mile ~2 burning rubber was smelled while driving on the highway. At mile ~10 some smoke was seen when stopped at a traffic light.
Very loud squealing noise started from engine bay while stopped at a light accompanied by a yellow check engine light. Noise would disappear under acceleration but return again off throttle.
Recently our 2017 XC90 experienced a significant coolant system leak via a part that was part of a recall campaign for the prior year model (2016 XC-90). The exact same part (a coolant bleeder hose - part #32249907) failed in our vehicle in a similar manner as the prior year component.
The contact owns a 2017 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an unknown speed, she noticed smoke from the engine compartment. The vehicle spontaneously caught fire. The coolant warning light was illuminated a minute prior to the failure. There were no reported injuries or air bag deployments.
Coming from a cold start in hybrid or pure mode the ERAD disengages causing the vehicle to slow down, hesitate and buck until the gas engine can engage to recover acceleration
What is on file about the engine, across the years
Source: NHTSA recalls, investigations and manufacturer communicationsRecall campaigns filed under this heading, any model year
- 22V793000 HighOct 20, 2022 · 15,674 vehicles
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2022-2023 S60, V60, S90L, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An electronic control module (ECM) software error may prevent the combustion engine from starting, causing a loss of drive power.
- 19V308000 CriticalApr 17, 2019 · 34,006 vehicles
- Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2016 XC90 vehicles. Exposure to heat and humidity may cause the engine coolant bleeder hose to crack, resulting in a coolant leak.
Other systems with a record on the Volvo XC90
Source: the same filesEvery system, every model year: Volvo XC90 problems by year →
Common questions
Source: NHTSA complaint database, recalls and manufacturer communicationsWhich Volvo XC90 years have the most engine complaints?
2016, 89; 2017, 25; 2019, 11. Raw counts, and an older year has had longer to collect them; by share of each year's own complaints the loudest is the 2016 (45%).
Is there a recall for the engine on the Volvo XC90?
Yes — 2 campaigns are filed under this heading across these model years: 22V793000 (2023), 19V308000 (2016). A recall is matched by VIN, and applies to specific years; check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
When do engine problems show up on the Volvo XC90?
Owners who gave an odometer reading reported it at a median of 19,000 miles across the model years; half of them between 4,000 and 79,000. That is when reports cluster, not the life of a part.
What does NHTSA's "Engine" heading cover?
The engine and its cooling system. Owners choose the heading when they file, so it says which area of the vehicle the complaint is about, not which part failed.