Last updated: 2026-10-10

Volvo XC90

Volvo XC90 Years to Avoid

9 scored model years (2018–2026) · model average 72/100

No model year is one to avoid. What changes from year to year is the recall count and how many owners complain, with 2023 and 2020 rating lowest. The 2024 is the year to buy.

Verdict

Avoid
No outlier years
Buy
2024 73/100
Model average
72/100
See best year ↓See all years ranked ↓

What Are Common Volvo XC90 Problems?

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

58 complaints

Most reported in 2022, 2024, 2023

2022: Sudden power loss is the most serious pattern.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

26 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2018, 2025

2019: Air conditioning fails because the evaporator leaks, which is the most common problem in this group.

SERVICE BRAKES

23 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2023, 2020

2019: Braking power disappears suddenly with no warning lights when the brake booster fails.

BACK OVER PREVENTION

14 complaints

Most reported in 2023, 2025, 2024

2023: The rear camera shows "camera temporarily unavailable" after the car is shifted into reverse.

POWER TRAIN

12 complaints

Most reported in 2024, 2018, 2023

2024: The car can roll after the driver presses the P button.

ENGINE

9 complaints

Most reported in 2019, 2018, 2022

2019: Oil burns away and cylinders misfire because the valve rings do not seal, according to dealer diagnoses.

Best Volvo XC90 Year to Buy Instead

73
GoodReliability score: 73 out of 100, rated Good

2024 Volvo XC90

The 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.

Score: 73/100 (Good)3 recalls26 complaints
View full 2024reliability report →
VIN History Report

Found a Safe Year? Check the Specific Car

Even the 2024 Volvo XC90 has 3 recalls on file. A VIN check confirms the recall work on the exact car and shows its accident, title, and service history.

No VIN? Just hit “Check VIN” to look one up.

  • Accidents
  • Open Recalls
  • Title History
  • Odometer Rollback

All Volvo XC90 Years by Generation

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Volvo XC90 years should I avoid?
None. Every year rates good, and none falls well below the model's own average. The 2023 and 2020 rate lowest, so check their recall work and electrical history closely before buying either one.
Which Volvo XC90 years have transmission problems?
Complaints describe water reaching the transmission module, which then fails on the highway with engine surging and a locked gear lever. That pattern appears in the electrical complaints across the model, not for one year. Check the windshield and sunroof seals on any used example.
Is the 2023 Volvo XC90 a bad year?
No, though it is one of the two lowest-rated years. It has six recalls and 39 owner complaints. Electrical faults lead, followed by rear camera and reverse braking problems. The 2024 has fewer recalls and a lower complaint rate.
Is the 2020 Volvo XC90 worth buying?
It can be, with checks. The 2020 carries seven recalls, the most of any year, so confirm that all recall work is done. Complaints center on the electrical system and service brakes. Its complaint rate is lower than 2023, but 2024 is the safer buy.
Should I buy a 2025 or 2026 Volvo XC90 instead of a 2024?
The 2024 is the better-supported choice. The 2025 rates among the highest, but it has had less time to collect complaints. The 2026 has only two complaints because it is very new, which says little about long-term reliability.

How we score every Volvo XC90 model year

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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