Last updated: 2026-10-10
Volvo XC90 Reliability by Year
Volvo XC90 reliability rates good, but electrical faults and fast brake wear are the issues to check before you buy a used one.
Volvo XC90 Reliability Overview
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. The 2024 is the year to buy. The 2023 and 2020 rate lowest, though no year is a clear one to avoid.
Current generation: 2nd gen (2016–present), facelifted 2020, 2023, 2025.
Best & Worst Volvo XC90 Years
Best Volvo XC90 Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreThe 2024 has three recalls and a lower complaint rate than 2023, which had six recalls. It also avoids the heavy recall load of 2020. It is not trouble free, since electrical complaints still include screens going black and audio dropping out. It has simply been on the road long enough to judge.
Volvo XC90 Years to Avoid
No Volvo XC90 years are statistical outliers in our data.
Scores stay between 70 and 74 across 9 scored model years.
Volvo XC90 Reliability Score Trend
Volvo XC90 reliability has remained consistent across model years, averaging 72/100.
Scores 0–100. Higher is better.
| Year | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2019 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2020 | 71/100 | Good |
| 2021 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2022 | 72/100 | Good |
| 2023 | 70/100 | Good |
| 2024 | 73/100 | Good |
| 2025 | 74/100 | Good |
| 2026 | 73/100 | Good |
Year-by-Year Reliability
2026 Volvo XC90
2 recalls · 2 complaints
Good standing with few complaints so far, all about dead backup cameras, plus two recalls covering seat belts and service brakes.
2025 Volvo XC90
3 recalls · 23 complaints
Ranks best of the nine scored XC90 years, yet owners report rear camera dropouts and screen blackouts within weeks of delivery.
2024 Volvo XC90
3 recalls · 26 complaints
Rates good and among the stronger XC90 years, with fewer complaints and recalls than 2023, though display blackouts and rolling after the P button are reported.
2023 Volvo XC90
6 recalls · 39 complaints
The weakest scored XC90 year, with screen blackouts, rear camera dropouts and six recalls, though its overall standing is still good.
2022 Volvo XC90
4 recalls · 27 complaints
Mid-pack among XC90 years, with more complaints than 2021 but fewer than 2023, and sudden power loss as the main worry.
2021 Volvo XC90
5 recalls · 17 complaints
Rated good and above average for 2021 SUVs, with 17 complaints and 5 recalls, led by blackout screens, power loss and steering faults.
2020 Volvo XC90
7 recalls · 24 complaints
Close to average among 2020 SUVs yet among the weaker XC90 years, with owners reporting brake pedal failure, dark gauge clusters and rear door latch faults.
2019 Volvo XC90
6 recalls · 31 complaints
Rates good and above its class, yet ranks among the weaker XC90 years, with electrical and brake complaints leading the list.
2018 Volvo XC90
3 recalls · 40 complaints
Middle of the pack among XC90 years, with good reliability but water leaks that trigger electrical faults and a few rear drive failures.
Found Your Volvo XC90? Check Its History
Electrical system (5) problems come up most in Volvo XC90 owner complaints, and 39 recalls cover the years we track. A VIN check shows whether the car you found had its recall work done, plus accident and title history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
Volvo XC90 Repair Costs
Reliability Rating
3.5/5
Annual Repair Cost
$851
Repair Frequency
0.6/yr
Major Repair Risk
11%
$44 above the luxury midsize SUVs average of $807/yr.
Ranked #8 of 14 among luxury midsize SUVs.
Volvo XC90 Years to Avoid
See which model years have the most problems
Most Reliable Volvo Models
Compare all Volvo models by reliability
Compare Volvo XC90 With Similar SUVs
The Volvo XC90 competes with other midsize suvs such as Mercedes-Benz GLE, BMW X5, and Audi Q7.
XC90 vs Mercedes-Benz GLE
8 years tracked · 410 complaints
XC90 vs BMW X5
9 years tracked · 647 complaints
XC90 vs Audi Q7
9 years tracked · 314 complaints
XC90 vs Lexus RX
9 years tracked · 729 complaints
XC90 vs Genesis GV80
2 years tracked · 34 complaints
Compare Volvo vs Mercedes-Benz→
More Volvo XC90 comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best year for a used Volvo XC90?
- The 2024 is the best pick. It has fewer recalls and a lower complaint rate than 2023, and it has been on the road long enough to show its record. The 2025 and 2026 show few complaints mostly because they have had less time to collect them.
- Is the Volvo XC90 reliable long term?
- Mostly yes, with one weak spot. Its standing is good and close to the average for SUVs. The electrical system is the problem area, with water leaks, frozen screens and battery charging faults coming up often. Brakes that wear out early are the other recurring complaint.
- What are the most common Volvo XC90 problems?
- The electrical system leads with 58 complaints, followed by service brakes with 23. Rear camera and reverse braking faults draw 14. Power train problems, including failure of the electric rear axle drive and lurching on engine restart, draw 12.
- How much does it cost to repair a Volvo XC90?
- Independent repair-cost data puts the estimated annual repair bill at $851. That is a bit above the $807 average for luxury midsize SUVs. Brake jobs can add to it, since some owners were quoted about $1,000 for new pads and rotors.
- Does the Volvo XC90 have rear camera problems?
- Yes. Owners report a "camera temporarily unavailable" message after shifting into reverse, often after the car sat for hours. Outages last from 30 seconds to several minutes, and software updates have not always stopped them. Automatic reverse braking can also slam on near low curbs or walls.
How we score the Volvo XC90
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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