VehicleVerdict

2017 Volvo XC90 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 114 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.2 times the median XC90 year — the 2017 model ranks #5 of 23 XC90 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 12 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (24), other (22), and electrical system (16), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

114

NHTSA complaints

7

Recalls

1

Investigations

5

Crash-involved

14

Fires reported

12

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2017 compare to other XC90 years?

See all XC90 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2017 Volvo XC90 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine2421%
Other2219%
Electrical System1614%
Brakes87%
Body & Structure76%
Driver Assistance65%
Latches & Locks54%
Fuel System44%
Airbags33%
Speed Control33%
Suspension33%
Transmission33%
Lighting22%
Visibility & Wipers22%
Seat Belts22%
Tires & Wheels22%
Steering22%

Does the 2017 Volvo XC90 have recalls?

7 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.

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.

17V370000Seat BeltsJune 8, 2017 · 1,305 units

Defect

Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017 XC90 vehicles. The Micro Gas Generator (MGG), a subcomponent part used within the right hand side seat belt retractor for the third row seats, may detach after the seatbelt retractor pretensioner is deployed.

Consequence

Although, the seat belt will operate as intended in the event of a crash, if the MGG detaches, it may be a projectile within the vehicle cabin, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will replace the third row passenger's side seatbelt retractor, free of charge. The recall began August 4, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89716.

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.

While on the highway, the system reported that engine coolant was low and to pull over safely. I pulled into a parking lot and within a couple of minutes the engine burst into flames. The local fire department responded and extinguished the fire. The car is totaled.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 8, 2025 · fire

THE VEHICLE HAS A AUTOMATIC PARK OUT FUNCTION THAT FAILED AND HIT CAR BEHIND ME WITH NO TIME FOR REACTION. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. VOLVO REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE. THIS PARK OUT FUNCTION SHOULD BE DISABLED UNTIL THEY HAVE A SOLUTION THAT PREVENTS THE CAR FROM HITTING OTHER OBJECTS.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · August 23, 2017 · crash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2017 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO SEIZE AND THE ELECTRONIC GAUGES TO SHUT OFF. THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND CRASHED INTO A POND. THE FRONT END WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED AND THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · November 1, 2018 · crash

THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM WAS ENGAGED, I WAS DRIVING DURING A RAIN STORM AT NIGHT AT 45 MPH, AND THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE ALARM WENT OFF WITHOUT ANYTHING IN FRONT OF MY CAR, THEN THE BRAKES SLAMMED ON BY THEMSELVES AND THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD TO SWERVE ONTO THE SHOULDER TO AVOID HITTING ME IN THE…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Brakes · April 2, 2019

NEW VEHICLE (LESS THAN 19000 MILES) - VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY - IN A PARKING LOT, IGNITION OFF. APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MINUTES LATER, FIRE IGNITED IN ENGINE BAY, RAPIDLY SPREADING TO THE WHOLE CAR... ENTIRE CARE BURNED TO SHELL.

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · January 23, 2018 · fire

2017 Volvo XC90 — common questions

Is the 2017 Volvo XC90 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 114 complaints put the 2017 model at #5 of 23 XC90 years. It is one of the XC90 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2017 XC90 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (24 complaints), other (22 complaints), electrical system (16 complaints).

Does the 2017 Volvo XC90 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns affecting the 2017 Volvo XC90. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2017 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.