Last updated: 2026-10-10
2023 Volvo XC90 Reliability Report
The 2023 Volvo XC90 has good reliability, but screen, rear camera and reverse-braking faults run through its owner complaints.
Recalls
6
Complaints
39
Complaint Rate
9.8per 10,000 sold
Est. Repair Cost
$851
Annual Fuel Cost
$2,550–$3,150
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
The weakest scored XC90 year, with screen blackouts, rear camera dropouts and six recalls, though its overall standing is still good.
Top Issues to Watch
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (8)
- BACK OVER PREVENTION (5)
- SERVICE BRAKES (4)
Generation & Refresh (US)
2023 received a 2023 update update for the Second generation (2015).
- Changes: Base Momentum replaced with Core and Plus models; R Design and Inscription replaced with Plus and Ultimate models.
- Year 8 in this generation (2016–present).
- 2nd generation XC90 (US).
What this means for buyers
Refresh years bring updates but can also introduce new issues. Check early recall data before buying.
2016: Second generation (2015) Launch
Generation start — new platform.
2020: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
2023: This Model Year (Refresh)
2023 received a 2023 update update for the Second generation (2015).
2025: Mid-Cycle Refresh
Updated features and styling tweaks.
Should You Buy the 2023 Volvo XC90?
Reliability is good for this year and close to average among 2023 SUVs. Within the XC90 line, though, it is the weakest of the scored model years. The 2022 rates about the same, and the 2024 rates better. It earns 5 of 5 federal crash-test stars. Independent repair-cost data puts yearly repairs at $851, against $807 for the class.
The trouble centers on screens and cameras. The center screen goes black or restarts while driving, and the camera, navigation, audio and climate controls drop out with it. The rear camera can show "camera temporarily unavailable" after the car is shifted into reverse, and owners say software updates have not stopped it. Automatic reverse braking can slam on near low curbs or garage walls. Some owners say the Park button does not engage and the SUV rolls forward. Two complaints involved injuries. Federal recall records list six recalls, including back over prevention, seat belts, service brakes and the electrical system.
Ask for proof that every recall was completed. On a test drive, check the screen, rear camera and Park button. The 2024 is worth comparing, since it rates better.
Compared to the 2024 Volvo XC90, which scored 3 points higher. See also the 2022 Volvo XC90 for an earlier comparison.
Pros
- +Acceptable reliability score
- +Low major repair risk (11%)
- +Below-average complaint rate for SUV
Cons
- −Above-average recall count
- −ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Center screen goes black or restarts on its own while driving (8 complaints)
- −BACK OVER PREVENTION: Rear camera shows "camera temporarily unavailable" after the car is shifted... (5 complaints)
Compare 2023 Volvo XC90 With
2023 Mercedes-Benz GLE
Reliability: 70/100
2023 BMW X5
Reliability: 65/100
2023 Audi Q7
Reliability: 66/100
2023 Lexus RX
Reliability: 85/100
2023 Acura MDX
Reliability: 79/100
Common Problem Categories
Safety
LOW RISK- 6 manufacturer recalls issued
Other
HIGH RISK- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (8)
- BACK OVER PREVENTION (5)
Recall Overview
6
recalls on record
The 2023 Volvo XC90 has 6 recalls on record, which is above average. A high count can flag multiple component concerns, though it also shows the manufacturer is actively addressing known issues.
NHTSA.gov →Complaint Breakdown
9.8
per 10,000 soldSegment avg: 11.3
Safety Incidents
0
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths
NHTSA 5/5 Stars
Data sourced from NHTSA complaint filings and manufacturer recall notices. Complaint narratives are owner-reported.
2023 Volvo XC90 Recall Details
6 recalls have been issued for the 2023 Volvo XC90. All recall repairs are performed free of charge at authorized dealerships.
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2024 C40BEV, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40, and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence
A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2026. Owners may contact Volvo Car’s customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10333. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 16, 2026. This recall replaces previous NHTSA recall number 25V282. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 25V282 will need to have the new remedy performed.
BACK OVER PREVENTION
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Consequence
A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10320.
SEAT BELTS
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.
Buying a used 2023 Volvo XC90? Check its history first
Electrical system problems lead owner complaints about the 2023 Volvo XC90, and 6 recalls were issued for it. A VIN check shows whether this car's recall work was done, plus accident, title, and odometer history.
- Accidents
- Open Recalls
- Title History
- Odometer Rollback
2023 Volvo XC90 NHTSA Safety Ratings
Overall Safety Rating
Crash Test Results by Configuration (expand)
Gas / PHEV Powertrain
Rollover risk: 17.9%
Safety Technologies
Volvo XC90Repair Costs & Maintenance
Maintenance Rating
3.5Maintenance rating: 3.5 out of 5Based on NHTSA complaint patterns, recall severity, and publicly available cost benchmarks.
Est. Annual Maintenance
$851
vs $807 avg for luxury midsize SUVs
vs $652 avg for all vehicles
Repair Frequency
0.6
unscheduled repair visits per year
Severe Repair Probability
11%
chance of a major repair
Annual Cost Comparison
Category-level averages derived from publicly available industry reports (AAA, CarMD). Model-level estimates produced by Auto Reliability Index.
MPG & Annual Running Costs
Plug-in Hybrid
22–27 MPG
Running cost: $3,400–$4,000/yr
Fuel + repair
20–26 city / 26–28 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 2023 EPA label cycle.
Plug-in Hybrid trims
| Trim | Drive | Trans. | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XC90 T8 AWD Recharge 2.0L 4-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S8) | 26 | 27 | 27 | $2,550 |
Used Buying Checklist
Key things to inspect or verify before purchasing a 2023 Volvo XC90.
Shift into reverse several times, including right after unlocking, and confirm the rear camera loads without freezing or showing "temporarily unavailable."
Back slowly toward a curb or bushes and note whether automatic reverse braking slams on without warning.
With your foot on the brake, press Park repeatedly and confirm it engages every time before releasing the pedal.
On a long test drive, watch for the center screen blacking out or restarting and for turn signals blinking silently.
Drive at parking-lot speed and confirm the driver's door stays latched with no rattle or noise.
Ask for service records showing check engine lights, reduced engine performance warnings, or repeated software updates.
On Recharge models, plug in a charger and confirm the connector unlocks and releases from the port.
Compare the odometer reading against service records and a vehicle history report for mileage discrepancies.
2023 Volvo XC90 Common Problems by Component
39 owner complaints grouped by vehicle system.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
8 complaintsThe center screen goes black or restarts on its own while driving. When it does, the camera, navigation, audio, Bluetooth and climate controls drop out with it. Turn signals and hazard flashers work only some of the time. Some cars fail to detect the key fob, and in some cases the tailgate opens repeatedly with the alarm sounding. On Recharge plug-in models, the charging connector can stay locked in the port. Backup camera failures continue after software updates and even a camera replacement. Dealers usually blame software, and repeated updates often leave the problem in place.
BACK OVER PREVENTION
5 complaintsThe rear camera shows "camera temporarily unavailable" after the car is shifted into reverse. This often happens after the car has been parked for hours, and the outage lasts from 30 seconds to several minutes. Owners say software updates have not stopped it. Automatic reverse braking slams on hard and without warning near low curbs, bushes or garage walls, and the brakes stay locked until the driver shifts to park and back. Some cars also lose all sound at random, including safety warnings and turn-signal clicks. With no camera and no warning tones, the risk of backing into something goes up.
SERVICE BRAKES
4 complaintsThe Park button does not always engage, even with a firm foot on the brake. The SUV can roll forward when the driver releases the pedal believing it is in park. Reports also describe a brake failure warning while driving with the brakes not working, which a dealer linked to a remote software update. In reverse, the brake pedal can stiffen and make a loud noise when pressed. Several of these reports tie the brake problems to the same screen, camera and reverse-braking faults seen elsewhere. Unwanted rolling and lost braking both carry real crash risk.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER (3 complaints)
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 complaintsThe touchscreen blacks out while driving, and drivers have to pull over to reset it. At other times the screen stays on but sound cuts out, so the turn signals blink silently. Backup camera images lag, black out, or disappear when the driver touches another screen control such as the climate settings, and the camera view cannot be brought back. The push-button shifter does not always go into park, and the car can move forward once the brake is released. Dealers have not fixed the screen faults.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES (2 complaints)
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
2 complaintsThe driver's door opens or will not stay latched while the SUV is moving, with no warning chime or alert. Reports describe the door swinging fully open at parking-lot speed and staying ajar with a loud noise inside the cabin. One case dates to about 6,000 miles. Repairs range from replacing door wiring and hinges to fixing an unnamed part, and in one case the dealer found no cause. A door opening while the car is moving puts the driver and anyone nearby at risk.
VISIBILITY/WIPER (2 complaints)
VISIBILITY/WIPER
2 complaintsThe rear camera freezes, starts late or briefly blacks out after the car is shifted into reverse. It happens most often right after the car is unlocked and put straight into reverse. In other cases the camera angle shifts sharply downward, so the view shows the bumper and plate and only a few feet of ground behind the car. Repair shops call the freezing normal or say they cannot reproduce it. A frozen or shortened camera view makes backing up riskier.
POWER TRAIN (2 complaints)
POWER TRAIN
2 complaintsA reduced engine performance warning puts the car into a limp mode that owners call "turtle mode." It caps speed while driving, and the engine responds to the gas only at lower speeds. The check engine light comes back every few weeks. Dealers reset the system and point to software but find no clear cause, so the problem keeps returning. Losing power at speed in traffic is a safety concern.
STEERING (2 complaints)
STEERING
2 complaintsDespite the heading, these reports are not about steering. One describes a car that lost all power, would not start and would not come out of park. The dealer traced it to an internal fault in the high-voltage battery that required opening the battery. Service backlogs and parts waits pushed that repair out about 6 weeks. The other report covers navigation problems on rural back roads, where the map system performs poorly. The dealer could not reproduce it after several visits.
FUEL SYSTEM (1 complaints)
FUEL SYSTEM
1 complaintThe contact owns a 2023 Volvo XC90. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the low fuel warning light illuminated and the vehicle decelerated, lost motive power, and stalled. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. After several attempts to restart the vehicle, the dealer was able to restart the vehicle and stated that no failure was found. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 1,000. The VIN was not available.
LANE DEPARTURE (1 complaints)
LANE DEPARTURE
1 complaintI was driving on the internstate and my blind spot indicator came on and stayed on even though there were no cars in my blind spot. I needed to change lanes and tried to despite the blind spot indicator being on and the automatic collision avoidance system put me back into the lane I was in. I had to fight the vehicle to get over to be able to exit the interstate.
Best & Worst Volvo XC90 Years
Best Volvo XC90 Years to Buy
Based on reliability index scoreVolvo 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
Scores 0–100. Higher is better. Current year highlighted.
| 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 |
Volvo XC90 Reliability Compared to Other Years
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the 2023 Volvo XC90 reliable?
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Volvo XC90?
Does the 2023 Volvo XC90 have rear camera problems?
How many recalls does the 2023 Volvo XC90 have?
Is the 2023 Volvo XC90 expensive to repair?
Don’t buy a 2023 Volvo XC90 without checking its VIN first — hidden accidents, title issues, and open recalls could cost you thousands.
How we score the 2023 Volvo XC90
Of the four inputs behind this score, the 2023 Volvo XC90 does best on how many systems draw complaints (82/100) and worst on recall impact (65/100). 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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