KnownCarProblems2021 Volvo XC90 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 39 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Volvo XC90, most often about the electrical (31% of complaints). It is 10th of 22 XC90 model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2021 Volvo XC90 problems
Electrical
12 complaints · 31%Parts named most often: propulsion system.
The contact owns a 2021 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and depressing the accelerator or the brake pedal, the vehicle hesitated with the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that…
Engine
8 complaints · 21%Brakes
7 complaints · 18%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…
The contact owns a 2021 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and shifting to drive(d), the vehicle failed to respond unless the brake pedal had been released for 2-3 seconds. Additionally, the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and releasing the brake pedal to reverse out of the…
Other or unspecified
6 complaints · 15%Fuel system
5 complaints · 13%Driver assistance
3 complaints · 8%Parts named most often: automatic emergency braking, warnings.
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…
Transmission
3 complaints · 8%Seat belts
3 complaints · 8%
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2021 Volvo XC90 recalls
Electrical: traction battery
Risk: A short circuit in a high-voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high-voltage battery module as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the software to monitor the battery. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed may 28, 2025. Owners may contact volvo car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo car's number for this recall is r10312.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: critical fasteners
Risk: An improperly tightened seat belt buckle may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing their risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the second-row seat belt buckle anchorage bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed january 19, 2024. Owners may contact volvo car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo car's number for this recall is r10259.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering
Risk: A screw inside the gearbox housing can cause the steering wheel to lock up and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed march 1, 2023. Owners may contact volvo car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo car's number for this recall is r10213.
Full defect summary
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.
Brakes: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Risk: Separation of the rotor and shaft may cause a reduction in braking assistance and a loss of the antilock brake system (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC), increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the hydraulic unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed october 22, 2021. Owners may contact volvo car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo car's number for this recall is r10120.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: retractor
Risk: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed october 13, 2021. Owners may contact volvo car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo car's number for this recall is r10111.
Full defect summary
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard number 208, "occupant crash protection."
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module
Risk: A detached SRS control unit can decrease the performance of occupant protection systems such as air bags, seat belts, and high voltage battery disconnect, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Volvo car will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the SRS control unit mounting screws, free of charge. The recall began february 12, 2021. Owners may contact volvo car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo car's number for this recall is r10068.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Pedestrian alert sounds
Summary
Nhtsa received a petition on or about july 18, 2022, requesting that federal motor vehicle safety standard (fmvss) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the united states. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under odi number 11486072. Fmvss 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 kg or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after march 1, 2021.on january 27, 2023, NHTSA opened defect petition (dp) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt
Questions about the 2021 Volvo XC90
- What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volvo XC90?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (12 complaints); engine (8 complaints); brakes (7 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2021 Volvo XC90 have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 24, 2025 (electrical). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2021 a bad year for the Volvo XC90?
- It is 10th of 22 XC90 model years by number of complaints, with 39 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.