Last updated: 2026-10-10

RELIABILITY SCORE: 69/100 (GOOD)

2019 Volvo S90 Reliability Report

The 2019 Volvo S90 has good reliability and no owner complaints on file, but it has four recalls, so confirm each one was completed.

Full Breakdown Compare Models

Recalls

Complaints

Complaint Rate

0per 10,000 sold

Est. Repair Cost

$976

Annual Fuel Cost

$2,550–$2,750

Detailed Score Breakdown

Complaint Severity70/100

Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume

Repair Costs50/100

Independent repair cost ratings

Recall Impact71/100

Recall count weighted by severity

Issue Diversity100/100

Breadth of reported problem categories

The Verdict

Consider

Good standing with no owner complaints on file, but four recalls, double the count for the 2018 and 2020 model years.

Generation & Refresh (US)

Post-Redesign (Year 3)

2019 is year 3 of the First generation (SPA).

Redesigned for the 2017 model year.
Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
A refresh arrives in 2020.
1st generation S90 (US).

What this means for buyers

Well into the generation cycle — most design and manufacturing issues should be resolved by now.

2017: First generation (SPA) Launch

Generation start — new platform.

2019: This Model Year

2019 is year 3 of the First generation (SPA).

2020: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

2023: Mid-Cycle Refresh

Updated features and styling tweaks.

Should You Buy the 2019 Volvo S90?

Buy it with some confidence, as long as the recall work is done. Reliability for this S90 is good, close to average among 2019 sedans, and among the stronger of the nine scored S90 model years. The 2018 rates about the same. The 2020 also rates good but comes in worse than this year.

Owners have filed no complaints on this model year, so there are no everyday symptoms or failure mileages to report. The recalls are the main thing to know. There are four, covering forward collision avoidance, the electrical system, the fuel system and the seats. The data does not say how any of them show up on the road, so treat each one as an open question until you see proof it was fixed.

Ask the seller for paperwork showing every recall was completed, and run the VIN through federal recall records. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly upkeep for the S90 at $976 across the model. If the car you find has gaps in its recall history, the 2018 is a reasonable alternative.

Compared to the 2020 Volvo S90, which scored 3 points lower. See also the 2018 Volvo S90 for an earlier comparison.

Pros

+Acceptable reliability score
+Below-average complaint rate for Sedan
+Well-established generation

Cons

−Frequent unscheduled repairs
−Moderate recall count

Compare 2019 Volvo S90 With

2019 BMW 5 Series

Reliability: 62/100

Good

2019 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Reliability: 54/100

Mixed

2019 Tesla Model S

Reliability: 48/100

Mixed

Common Problem Categories

Safety

LOW RISK

4 manufacturer recalls issued

Recall Overview

recalls on record

A moderate 4 recalls are on file for the 2019 Volvo S90. Each one points to a specific safety or compliance issue identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA — check the list below before buying.

NHTSA.gov →

Complaint Breakdown

per 10,000 sold

Segment avg: 19.1

LowAvgHigh

Very Low

Safety Incidents

Crashes

Fires

Injuries

Deaths

Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.

2019 Volvo S90 Recall Details

4 recalls have been issued for the 2019 Volvo S90. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.

20V1440002020-03-12

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE

Volvo Cars USA LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2019-2020 S60, V60, V60 Cross Country, S90L, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC40, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. Due to a software/hardware incompatibility, the Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB) system may not detect obstacles and engage as intended.

Consequence

If the automatic emergency braking system does not engage as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the Active Safety Domain Master (ASDM) software, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R29998.

21V4140002021-06-02

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2020 V90, XC60, S60, V60, V60CC, S90, V90CC, S90L, and XC90 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump can blow a fuse and fail.

Consequence

Failure of the low-pressure fuel pump can cause a stall, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 2, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10100.

19V2200002019-03-20

SEATS

Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2018-2019 XC60 and S90 vehicles. The driver and passenger front seat rail rear flange nuts may not have been installed during assembly.

Consequence

If the nuts are missing, in the event of a crash, the front seat structure and position may be affected, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat rails for missing flange nuts, installing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R19931.

VIN History Report

Buying a used 2019 Volvo S90? Check its history first

Every 2019 Volvo S90 has a different past. A VIN check reveals hidden accidents, title problems, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls that reliability scores can't show you.

Accidents
Open Recalls
Title History
Odometer Rollback

2019 Volvo S90 NHTSA Safety Ratings

Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)

Gas Powertrain

Rollover risk: 0.0%

Safety Technologies

Dynamic Head Restraints (Not Available)Head Restraint (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Advanced Belt Feature (Standard)Adjustable Upper Belt Anchorage (Driver, Front Passenger)Seat Belt Reminder System (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Frontal Air Bag (Driver, Front Passenger)Curtain (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)Pelvis torso (Driver, Front Passenger)Knee (Driver)Additional Air Bags (Not Available)Meets Side Air Bag Out-of-Position Requirements (Yes)LATCH Locations (Rear Seat)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) (Standard)Safety Power Windows (Anti-Pinch) locations (Driver, Front Passenger, Rear Seat)

View full safety data on NHTSA.gov →

Volvo S90Repair Costs & Maintenance

Maintenance Rating

2.5

Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.

Est. Annual Maintenance

$976

Repair Frequency

0.8

unscheduled repair visits per year

Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.

MPG & Annual Running Costs

Gas

25–27 MPG

Running cost: $3,550–$3,750/yr

Fuel + repair

21–23 city / 31–35 hwy MPG

Plug-in Hybrid

29 MPG

Running cost: $3,400/yr

Fuel + repair

26 city / 33 hwy MPG

Running cost includes EPA fuel-cost estimate and independent repair-cost data (repair cost estimated at model level). Excludes routine maintenance, depreciation, and insurance. Data as of 2019 EPA label cycle.

Gas trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
S90 FWD 2.0L 4-cyl	Front-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S8)	23	35	27	$2,550
S90 AWD 2.0L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S8)	22	31	26	$2,650
S90 AWD 2.0L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S8)	21	31	25	$2,750

Plug-in Hybrid trims

Trim	Drive	Trans.	City	Hwy	Comb	Fuel Cost
S90 AWD PHEV 2.0L 4-cyl	All-Wheel Drive	Automatic (S8)	26	33	29	$2,400

Best & Worst Volvo S90 Years

Best Volvo S90 Years to Buy

Based on reliability index score

Top Pick

Good

2021

2Recalls

0Complaints

Good

2019

(Current Model)

4Recalls

0Complaints

Good

2018

2Recalls

12Complaints

Volvo S90 Years to Avoid

No Volvo S90 years are statistical outliers in our data.

Scores stay between 65 and 75 across 9 scored model years.

See full Volvo S90 years-to-avoid analysis

Volvo S90 Reliability Score Trend

Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.

Volvo S90 reliability scores by year
Year	Score	Rating
2018	67/100	Good
2019	69/100	Good
2020	66/100	Good
2021	71/100	Good
2022	65/100	Good
2023	65/100	Good
2024	66/100	Good
2025	69/100	Good
2026	75/100	Good

Volvo S90 Reliability Compared to Other Years

Reliability scores compared across model years
Year	Score	vs Prior Year	Rating	Recalls	Complaints
2026	75/100	+6	Good	0	0
2025	69/100	+3	Good	4	0
2024	66/100	+1	Good	2	1
2023	65/100	0	Good	3	2
2022	65/100	-6	Good	3	1
2021	71/100	+5	Good	2	0
2020	66/100	-3	Good	2	2
2019(selected)	69/100	+2	Good	4	0
2018	67/100	—	Good	2	12

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 2019 Volvo S90 reliable?

Yes, its reliability standing is good. It sits close to average against other 2019 sedans and ranks among the stronger of the nine scored S90 years. Owners have filed no complaints on it. The four recalls are the main caution, so verify they were completed.

What are the most common problems with the 2019 Volvo S90?

No owner complaints are on file, so there is no common owner-reported problem. The known issues come from recalls, which touch forward collision avoidance, the electrical system, the fuel system and the seats. The data does not describe the symptoms.

How many recalls does the 2019 Volvo S90 have?

Federal records list four recalls. They cover forward collision avoidance, the electrical system (listed twice), the fuel system and the seats. That is more than the 2018 and the 2020, which each have two. Check the VIN to see which remain open.

How much does it cost to maintain a Volvo S90?

Independent repair-cost data estimates about $976 a year for the S90. That figure covers the model as a whole, not only the 2019 year, so your cost will depend on the condition and service history of the car you buy.

Is the 2019 Volvo S90 better than the 2018 or 2020?

It is close. The 2018 rates about the same, with 12 complaints and two recalls. The 2020 also rates good but comes in worse than the 2019, with two complaints and two recalls. The 2019 has no complaints but the most recalls of the three.

Don’t buy a 2019 Volvo S90 without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.

Look Up a VIN →

How we score the 2019 Volvo S90

Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2019 Volvo S90 does best on how many systems draw complaints (100/100) and worst on repair costs (50/100). 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.

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