VehicleVerdict

2016 Volvo XC90 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 307 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.9 times the median XC90 year — the 2016 model ranks #2 of 23 XC90 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 14 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 86 reports (28% of the total).

307

NHTSA complaints

8

Recalls

1

Investigations

11

Crash-involved

15

Fires reported

14

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2016 compare to other XC90 years?

See all XC90 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2016 Volvo XC90 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine8628%
Electrical System6321%
Other3511%
Body & Structure237%
Brakes155%
Fuel System134%
Speed Control114%
Driver Assistance114%
Transmission103%
Airbags83%
Steering72%
Visibility & Wipers62%
Latches & Locks62%
Seat Belts52%
Seats41%
Lighting21%
Suspension10%
Tires & Wheels10%

Does the 2016 Volvo XC90 have recalls?

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

23V827000Seat BeltsDecember 7, 2023 · 2,911 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

An improperly tightened seat belt buckle may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing their risk of injury during a crash.

Remedy

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.

21V273000Electrical SystemApril 21, 2021 · 162 units

Defect

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2016-2020 XC90 Excellence vehicles. Liquid or condensation on the rear seat control display may cause the front passenger seat to move back as far as possible.

Consequence

The rear passenger may become trapped by the front seat without the ability to cancel the seat's movement, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will update the rear seat control display software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10093.

19V308000EngineApril 17, 2019 · 34,006 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

If the coolant leak goes unnoticed, coolant may accumulate in the catalytic converter heat shield insulation and catch fire when the vehicle is stationary, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Volvo Cars will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine side coolant bleeder hose, free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R29936.

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.

16V268000Visibility & WipersMay 4, 2016 · 30,214 units

Defect

Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 XC90 vehicles manufactured January 27, 2015, to April 23, 2016. The sunroofs on the affected vehicles have a switch on the overhead console that may not be adequately recessed to prevent the switch from being unintentionally pressed. When pressed, the sunroof may fully close. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."

Consequence

If the switch is unintentionally pressed and the sunroof panel closes, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.

Remedy

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software upgrade that disables the auto-close function, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552 or by visiting http://Volvo.custhelp.com. Volvo's number for this recall is R89702.

15V497000AirbagsAugust 6, 2015 · 3,911 units

Defect

Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo XC90 vehicles manufactured January 27, 2015, to July 10, 2015. The third row seating side curtain air bags may not fully inflate.

Consequence

Underinflated air bags may not fully protect third row occupants, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will modify the D-pillar interior panels to allow full inflation of the third row airbags, free of charge. The recall began on September 21, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo Customer Care at 1-800-458-1552.

15V342000AirbagsJune 3, 2015 · 584 units

Defect

Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo XC90 vehicles manufactured January 27, 2015, to May 19, 2015. The affected vehicles have front seats whose wiring harness for the Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) may have been routed incorrectly.

Consequence

If the wiring harness is routed incorrectly, the wiring may be damaged, disabling the front seat side impact air bag, and increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front seat side impact air bag.

Remedy

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the routing of the SIPS wiring, correcting the routing and installing a protective sleeve as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89571.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

Previous issues with brakes, suspension, leaking sunroof, electrical and gauges. Vehicle became disabled due to defect with coolant system, smoke from engine compartment, towed to Monterery Volvo (dealership/service center identified issues with coolant leak present turbo & cooling Plastic pipe.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 30, 2023 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE IN PARK ASSIST MODE, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED IN REVERSE INDEPENDENTLY AND BACKED INTO A TREE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT'S…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · October 12, 2019 · crash

Previous issues with brakes, suspension, leaking sunroof, electrical and gauges. Vehicle became disabled due to defect with coolant system, smoke from engine compartment, towed to Monterery Volvo (dealership/service center identified issues with coolant leak present turbo & cooling Plastic pipe.…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · June 30, 2023 · fire

WHILE THE CAR WAS RUNNING IN MY GARAGE AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR CLOSED, I BELIEVE I PUT IT IN REVERSE THEN WENT TO OPEN THE FRONT DOOR TO SEE IF MY DAUGHTER WAS TIGHTENED IN HER CAR SEAT, THE CAR DIDN'T MOVE. I AM NOT SURE IF I PUT IT BACK IN PARK BUT AFTER I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, IT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · July 28, 2016 · crash

WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET I PUT THE CAR IN ECO MODE. THE CAR WAS MOVING AT THE TIME. I NOTICED THAT THE CAR SEEMED TO BE DRIVING LOUDLY. AS I TURNED LEFT, I SAW THE CAR WAS IN MANUAL MODE AND WAS IN FIRST GEAR. SO I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR AND TRY TO PUT IT INTO…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · February 23, 2016 · crash

2016 Volvo XC90 — common questions

Is the 2016 Volvo XC90 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 307 complaints put the 2016 model at #2 of 23 XC90 years. It is one of the XC90 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2016 XC90 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (86 complaints), electrical system (63 complaints), other (35 complaints).

Does the 2016 Volvo XC90 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns affecting the 2016 Volvo XC90. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2016 Volvo XC90 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volvo XC90 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the XC90 years to avoid are 2004, 2016, 2005, 2003, 2017. The cleanest record among XC90 years belongs to 2015.

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.