Last updated: 2026-10-10
2021 Volvo S90 Reliability Report
The 2021 Volvo S90 has good reliability and no owner complaints, but two recalls cover its electrical system and hydraulic brakes.
Recalls
2
Complaints
0
Complaint Rate
0per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$976
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,750
Detailed Score Breakdown
Component-weighted complaints normalized by sales volume
Independent repair cost ratings
Recall count weighted by severity
Breadth of reported problem categories
The Verdict
Rated stronger than its 2020 and 2022 neighbors, with no owner complaints and two recalls for electrical and brake hydraulic parts.
Generation & Refresh (US)
2021 is 1 year after the first facelift refresh.
- Year 5 in the First generation (SPA) (2017–present).
- Well-established in its generation — most early issues should be resolved.
- 1st generation S90 (US).
What this means for buyers
Post-refresh years tend to be among the most refined — updates have been applied and early kinks worked out.
2017: First generation (SPA) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2020: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
2021: This Model Year
2021 is 1 year after the first facelift refresh.
2023: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
Should You Buy the 2021 Volvo S90?
Good reliability puts this S90 among the stronger of the nine scored model years. Against other 2021 sedans it lands close to average. Both neighbors rate a step worse. The 2020 has 2 owner complaints and 2 recalls, and the 2022 has 1 complaint and 3 recalls. This year has no owner complaints on file.
With no complaints, the data shows no symptom pattern to describe, so there is no owner-reported failure to warn you about. The recalls are the open question. Federal records list two, one in the electrical system and one in the hydraulic service brakes. The records here do not say what the faults were or whether the car can be driven until they are fixed. Brakes are a safety system, so confirm that repair first.
Before you buy, run the VIN through federal recall records and get proof that both recalls were completed. Ask for service history that shows any brake or electrical work. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs for the S90 at about $976 across the model.
Compared to the 2022 Volvo S90, which scored 6 points lower. See also the 2020 Volvo S90 for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +Low recall count
- +Below-average complaint rate for Sedan
- +Well-established generation
Cons
- −Frequent unscheduled repairs
Compare 2021 Volvo S90 With
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 2 manufacturer recalls issued
Recall Overview
2
recalls on record
The 2021 Volvo S90 carries 2 recalls — a low count. Authorized dealers repair any open recall free of charge, regardless of warranty status.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
0
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 16.7
Safety Incidents
0
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
0
Deaths
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2021 Volvo S90 Recall Details
2 recalls have been issued for the 2021 Volvo S90. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020-2021 S90, 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60, XC90, and 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.
Consequence
A short circuit in a high-voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high-voltage battery module as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the software to monitor the battery. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 28, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10312.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 S90L, 2020-2021 XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.
Consequence
Separation of the rotor and shaft may cause a reduction in braking assistance and a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the hydraulic unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10120.
Buying a used 2021 Volvo S90? Check its history first
Every 2021 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
2021 Volvo S90 NHTSA Safety Ratings
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas Powertrain
Rollover risk: 0.0%
Safety Technologies
Volvo S90Repair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
2.5Maintenance rating: 2.5 out of 5Based 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 MPG
Running cost: $3,750/yr
Fuel + repair
21 city / 32 hwy MPG
Plug-in Hybrid
30 MPG
Running cost: $3,300/yr
Fuel + repair
28 city / 31 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 2021 EPA label cycle.
Gas trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| S90 AWD 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 21 | 32 | 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) | 28 | 31 | 30 | $2,300 |
Best & Worst Volvo S90 Years
Best Volvo S90 Years to Buy
Based on reliability index score2021
(Current Model)
2019
2018
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.
Volvo S90 Reliability Score Trend
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| 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
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2021 Volvo S90 reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volvo S90?
Does the 2021 Volvo S90 have brake problems?
How many recalls does the 2021 Volvo S90 have?
Is the 2021 Volvo S90 better than the 2020 or 2022?
Don’t buy a 2021 Volvo S90 without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2021 Volvo S90
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2021 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.
Get notified when new recalls or reliability data is added for the Volvo S90.
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