Last updated: 2026-10-10
Volvo Reliability Ratings — Every Model Ranked
All five Volvo models rate good for reliability, and the brand lands close to average against other brands on the site. The XC60 leads the lineup. The XC40 trails, and it sits behind most compact SUVs even with a good standing. The spread between best and worst is narrow, so the model year often matters as much as the model.
The same problems show up across the lineup. Electrical trouble is the biggest. Owners describe engines that shut off at a stop and will not restart, often after auto stop/start engages. Water that gets past the windshield drain, seal or sunroof can damage wiring and modules. Brake pads and rotors wear out early, and rearview cameras drop out in reverse. Before buying, ask for brake and water-damage repair history, and test the camera and stop/start system on a drive.
Volvo Best Year Score Comparison
Each bar shows the best single model year score for that Volvo model. Longer bars indicate higher peak reliability.
Volvo Model Rankings
Scores below are averaged across all tracked model years. The “Best Year” column shows the highest-scoring model year that has been on the road for at least two years, where available.
| # | Vehicle | Best Year | Score | Rating | Recalls | Complaints / 10k | Maint. Rating | Est. Repair Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Volvo XC60 | 2021 | 74/100 | Good | 42 | 9.5 | 4 | $746/yr |
| 2 | Volvo S60 | 2024 | 72/100 | Good | 23 | 8.7 | 3.5 | $750/yr |
| 3 | Volvo XC90 | 2024 | 72/100 | Good | 39 | 7.6 | 3.5 | $851/yr |
| 4 | Volvo S90 | 2021 | 68/100 | Good | 22 | 6.9 | 2.5 | $976/yr |
| 5 | Volvo XC40 | 2020 | 61/100 | Good | 15 | 320000.0 | 3 |
Volvo Models
Volvo XC60
2nd gen (2018–2023), facelifted 2021, 2025
Used XC60 buyers get a compact luxury SUV that rates good for reliability, with yearly repair costs below the class average. The 2021 model year is the pick, while 2022 draws the most complaints.
Volvo S60
3rd gen (2019–2024)
Used S60 sedans rate good for reliability and sit close to average among sedans. The 2024 model year is the pick, while 2022 and 2023 rate lowest.
Volvo XC90
2nd gen (2016–present), facelifted 2020, 2023, 2025
Used XC90s rate good for reliability and sit close to the average for SUVs. Electrical trouble is the main concern, from glitching center screens to water leaks that can reach the transmission module and fail on the highway.
Volvo S90
1st gen (2017–present), facelifted 2020, 2023
Reliability is good for this full-size sedan, and it sits close to average among sedans. Most model years look alike, and 2021 is the pick.
Volvo XC40
2nd gen (2024–2024)
Electrical shutdowns and a rearview camera that drops out in reverse hurt the 2021 and 2023, and the XC40 trails most compact SUVs on the site despite a good standing. The 2020 is the year to favor, with few owner complaints and one recall.
Common Volvo Problems
Top complaint categories across all Volvo models, based on owner-reported issues to NHTSA.
Volvo by Category
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the most reliable Volvo model?
- The XC60 ranks as the most reliable Volvo on the site, with a good reliability rating. Independent repair-cost data puts it at about $746 a year. The 2021 model year is the best one to buy. It is also the model with the most owner complaints, at 242.
- Which Volvo model is the least reliable?
- The XC40 ranks last among Volvo models, though its standing is still good. It trails most compact SUVs. Electrical shutdowns and camera dropouts hurt the 2021 and 2023 years. The 2020 is the year to favor. Owners also report driver-assist systems that brake hard with nothing ahead.
- Are Volvo cars expensive to repair?
- Repair costs vary by model. Independent data shows about $746 a year for the XC60, $750 for the S60, $851 for the XC90 and $976 for the S90. The XC60 comes in below the compact SUV class average. No yearly cost is listed for the XC40.
- What problems do Volvo owners report most?
- Electrical problems lead, with 180 complaints across all five models. Owners describe the engine stalling at a stop and refusing to restart. Others report water leaking in and damaging wiring, which triggers airbag warnings, gear selector errors and shifting problems. Some failures return after dealer repairs.
- Do Volvo brakes wear out quickly?
- Many owners say yes. Service brakes draw 62 complaints across the lineup. Pads and rotors often need replacing around 25,000 miles, rear ones most often, and rotors can warp while pads still look good. Dealers disagree on whether this is normal wear. No crashes or injuries are reported.
Compare Volvo vs Other Makes
Volvo vs Acura
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs Audi
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs BMW
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs Buick
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs Cadillac
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs Chevrolet
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs Dodge
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs Ford
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs GMC
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs Genesis
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs Honda
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs Hyundai
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs Infiniti
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs Jeep
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs Kia
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs Land Rover
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs Lexus
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs Lincoln
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs Mazda
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs Mercedes-Benz
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs Mitsubishi
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs Nissan
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs Porsche
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs Rivian
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs Subaru
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs Tesla
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs Toyota
Compare reliability →
Volvo vs Volkswagen
Compare reliability →
Most Reliable Used Sedans
View rankings →
Most Reliable Used SUVs
View rankings →
Best Volvo Years
View rankings →
How we score Volvo models
Scores weight complaint severity at 35%, repair costs at 30%, recall impact at 20%, and the spread of complaints across systems at 15%, with complaint counts adjusted for US sales. Read the full methodology.
See incorrect data? Report an issue