VehicleVerdict

2017 Volvo S90 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 8 complaints on file for the 2017 Volvo S90 — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 4 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

8

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2017 compare to other S90 years?

S90 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted38 complaints1997: 8 complaints1998: 38 complaints1999: 1 complaints2016: 0 complaints2017: 8 complaints2018: 23 complaints2019: 3 complaints2020: 5 complaints2021: 0 complaints2022: 1 complaints2023: 2 complaints2024: 2 complaints2025: 0 complaints
S90 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2017 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all S90 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Volvo S90 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Other450%
Fuel System113%
Body & Structure113%
Suspension113%
Transmission113%

Does the 2017 Volvo S90 have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

18V800000Electrical SystemNovember 13, 2018 · 17,548 units

Defect

Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improperly. As a result, the GPS will not provide location information to emergency personnel in the event of an emergency.

Consequence

If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.

Remedy

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.

17V104000AirbagsFebruary 16, 2017 · 10,476 units

Defect

Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017 XC90, S90, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The bolts that secure the Inflatable Curtain (IC) air bags in place may break, possibly resulting in the IC air bag deploying improperly in the event of a crash. As, such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."

Consequence

If the IC air bags do not deploy properly in the event of a crash, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.

Remedy

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 1, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89714.

16V798000Seat BeltsNovember 2, 2016 · 74,027 units

Defect

Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 XC90, S90, XC60, V60 Cross Country, V60, S60 Cross Country, S60, and S60 Inscription vehicles manufactured February 16, 2015, to August 22, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the front passenger seat belt buckle attaching stud may loosen, allowing the buckle to separate from the seat belt bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages" and number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."

Consequence

If the seat belt buckle separates from the bracket, the front seat passenger may not be adequately restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt buckle stud, replacing the seat belt buckle as needed, free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89708.

16V690000Climate Control (A/C & Heat)September 26, 2016 · 43,766 units

Defect

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Volvo XC90 and S90 vehicles manufactured April 15, 2015 through September 19, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning may leak into the passenger compartment due to a drain hose installation error during manufacturing.

Consequence

Significant water drainage into the passenger compartment may adversely affect air bag deployment in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.

Remedy

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air conditioning drain hose for proper installation, replacing the hose as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on November the 14, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this campaign is R89707.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“I LEASE A 2017 VOLVO S90 WITH AUTO-BRAKE AND START/STOP TECHNOLOGY. RECENTLY I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AND PUT THE VEHICLE IN DRIVE. I ROLLED FORWARD A FEW FEET AND REALIZED I NEEDED TO EXIT THE VEHICLE FOR SOMETHING. I BECAME DISTRACTED DUE TO AN ITEM ON MY DRIVERS SEAT AND SINCE THE VEHICLES ENGINE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · April 11, 2017 · crash

“I HAVE HAD AN UNRESOLVED ISSUE WITH A PERSISTENT VIBRATION THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE WHILE AT 50MPH OR HIGHER. THIS SEEMS TO BE A UNIVERSAL ISSUE WITH VOLVOS POST 2017 ACROSS MODELS. I HAVE ATTACHED A COPY OF MY EMAILS AND NON-RESPONSES FROM VOLVO DEALER REPS WHO HAVE CLAIMED IT IS NORMAL BEHAVIOR. I…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · February 20, 2021

“The door latches freeze at low temperatures (e.g. -10F) and I can not access the vehicle. This can be very dangerous in emergency situations (sick child that needs to go to the hospital, a dangerous person in a dark parking lot, extreme cold in a remote location etc.). Volvo does not have a fix and…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 10, 2022

“I could smell gasoline coming from the vents for several days. I opened the hood and found gasoline leaking from one of the hoses near the engine. I had the car towed to the volvo dealership and they found a leaking low pressure fuel sensor and replaced it.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · April 30, 2022

“Volvo re-engineered the front struts due to the ones they used to be defective/known to fail. This re-engineering requires both left and right struts to be what they call "upgraded" at the same time, because they changed the mounting brackets and no longer make the defective part. My safety is at…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · November 10, 2022

2017 Volvo S90 — common questions

Is the 2017 Volvo S90 reliable?

The record is thin — 8 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 4 recalls should be verified as completed.

Does the 2017 Volvo S90 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Volvo S90. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Volvo S90 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the S90 years to avoid are 1998. The cleanest record among S90 years belongs to 2025.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.