CarBrief

NHTSA has 51 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Volvo XC90, and electrical and brake issues lead the list[1][2][3]. Three recalls apply, and each one lists a free dealer fix[4][5][6].

51owner complaints[1]
3recalls[7]
23–25MPG combined (EPA)[8]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 51 complaints with NHTSA for this model year[1]. Two mention a crash, one a fire and three an injury. No deaths were reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part, so the groups below overlap.

Component group Complaints
Electrical system[2] 15
Brakes[3] 12
Unknown or other[9] 9
Engine[10] 6
Fuel/propulsion system[11] 6
Power train[12] 5
Visibility/wiper[13] 4
Structure[14] 4

Electrical system. The median mileage at failure for these complaints was 21,000. One of the 15 mentions a crash[2]. In the sample of complaints we read, owners describe water getting in from the roof or windshield area and then upsetting the electronics or the way the car drives. Others describe the car shutting off or losing power while driving or stopped[2].

Brakes. One crash and one injury appear in the 12 brake complaints[3]. In the sample we read, owners describe pads and rotors wearing out early and squealing. Others describe a hard brake pedal or a loss of braking, and a failed brake booster is named in some of those[3].

Fuel and engine. In the sample we read, owners describe a check engine light and a leaking fuel filler pipe that was replaced, sometimes more than once[11]. Some engine complaints describe the engine cutting out or losing power while driving[10].

The other groups have only a handful of complaints each, so we do not call any of them a pattern[12][13][14].

Recalls

NHTSA lists three recalls for this model year[7]. Each one lists a free fix at a dealer[4][5][6].

We cannot tell how many recalled cars were already repaired. Ask a dealer to check the VIN.

Fuel economy

EPA lists these ratings. All three gas listings use a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbo with an Automatic (S8) and premium fuel[8][15][16]. with an Automatic (S8) and premium fuel[8][15][16].

Version City / highway / combined Annual fuel cost
Front-wheel drive[8] 22 / 29 / 25 mpg $3,300
All-wheel drive[15] 20 / 27 / 23 mpg $3,550
All-wheel drive (second listing)[16] 22 / 28 / 24 mpg $3,400

The plug-in hybrid (AWD PHEV) is rated 27 MPGe combined with 380 miles of range[17]. EPA bases annual fuel cost on its current fuel price assumptions, not on prices when the car was new.

Engine and size

The 2.0L 4-cylinder engine is rated from 250 to 316 hp depending on the version[18]. The sizes below are Canadian-market specifications, so a US car can differ slightly. Length, width, height and wheelbase are the same for every variant listed: 195 in, 79 in, 70 in and 117 in[19][20][21][22].

Variant Curb weight
FWD T5[22] 4,336 lb
AWD T5[19] 4,475 lb
AWD T6[20] 4,632 lb
AWD T8 PHEV[21] 5,115 lb

How 2018 compares with other years

2003: 93 complaints, 5 recalls20032004: 462 complaints, 6 recalls2005: 223 complaints, 6 recalls20052006: 53 complaints, 3 recalls2007: 38 complaints, 2 recalls20072008: 29 complaints, 3 recalls2009: 7 complaints, 1 recalls20092010: 12 complaints, 3 recalls2011: 19 complaints, 1 recalls20112012: 3 complaints, 0 recalls2013: 11 complaints, 0 recalls20132014: 4 complaints, 0 recalls2016: 198 complaints, 8 recalls20162017: 81 complaints, 7 recalls2018: 51 complaints, 3 recalls5120182019: 42 complaints, 6 recalls2020: 34 complaints, 9 recalls20202021: 42 complaints, 7 recalls2022: 30 complaints, 5 recalls20222023: 41 complaints, 7 recalls2024: 36 complaints, 4 recalls20242025: 29 complaints, 3 recalls2026: 8 complaints, 1 recalls2026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each XC90 model year. The 2018 is highlighted[7].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
2003935
20044626
20052236
2006533
2007382
2008293
200971
2010123
2011191
201230
2013110
201440
20161988
2017817
2018513
2019426
2020349
2021427
2022305
2023417
2024364
2025293
202681

The 2018 model year has 51 complaints and 3 recalls[7]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so only compare years of the same model.

Should you buy a used 2018 XC90?

The 2018 year has fewer complaints and recalls than 2016 and 2017, though counts are not adjusted for sales[7]., and all three of its recalls list a free fix[7][4][5][6]. Electrical and brake complaints are the biggest groups, so ask for service records on both[2][3]. Check the VIN for open recalls, and ask about any water leaks around the roof and windshield. Pick the version with fuel costs in mind, since EPA estimates run from $3,300 to $3,550 a year for the gas versions[8][15]. This page cannot tell you about crash-test ratings or long-term reliability.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2018 Volvo XC90?
NHTSA lists 15 electrical and 12 brake complaints out of 51 total[1][2][3]. These are unverified owner reports.
Has the 2018 Volvo XC90 been recalled?
Yes. NHTSA lists three recalls: seat belt bolts (23V827), a rear seat display (21V273) and emergency GPS software (18V800). Each lists a free dealer fix[4][5][6].
What is the gas mileage of a 2018 Volvo XC90?
EPA rates the front-wheel drive version at 25 mpg combined and the all-wheel drive versions at 23 or 24 mpg combined[8][15][16]. The plug-in hybrid is rated 27 MPGe[17].
Is the 2018 XC90 a better year than 2016 or 2017?
It has fewer complaints and recalls than both: 51 and 3, against 198 and 8 for 2016 and 81 and 7 for 2017[7].
How much horsepower does the 2018 XC90 have?
EPA lists 250 to 316 hp for the 2.0L 4-cylinder, depending on the version[18].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 51 owner complaints on file for the 2018 Volvo XC90 (2 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 15 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 21,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 12 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. Recall 23V827, filed December 7, 2023: Seat Belts › Critical Fasteners. NHTSA recall database
  5. Recall 21V273, filed April 21, 2021: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 18V800, filed November 13, 2018: Electrical System › Software. NHTSA recall database
  7. Owner complaints and recalls for every Volvo XC90 model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  8. EPA rating for XC90 FWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 29 highway / 25 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,300. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  9. 9 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 6 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 6 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 5 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 4 complaints name the visibility/wiper component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. 4 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  15. EPA rating for XC90 AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 20 city / 27 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for XC90 AWD, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 28 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for XC90 AWD PHEV, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S8), Premium and Electricity: 27 MPGe combined, 380 miles of range. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. EPA Test Car List, 2018 Volvo XC90 with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 250 to 316 hp depending on version. www.epa.gov
  19. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, XC90 4DR SUV AWD T5: length 195 in, width 79 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 117 in, curb weight 4,475 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, XC90 4DR SUV AWD T6: length 195 in, width 79 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 117 in, curb weight 4,632 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, XC90 4DR SUV AWD T8 PHEV: length 195 in, width 79 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 117 in, curb weight 5,115 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, XC90 4DR SUV FWD T5: length 195 in, width 79 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 117 in, curb weight 4,336 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.