2021 Volvo Xc90 Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2021 Volvo Xc90.

20202022
Complaints
51
per 10K Sold
13.2
US Sales
38,657
Crashes
7
Fires
0
Injuries
2
Fatalities
Recalls
6

Worst 2021 Volvo Xc90 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#18 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:700 mi
Crash-related:1
#26 complaints

Engine Problems

Crash-related:1
#36 complaints

Brakes

Avg mileage:40,250 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2021 Volvo Xc90.

Electrical Faults
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
700
Engine Problems
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
6
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
40,250
Fuel System
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Airbags
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Back Over Prevention: Warnings
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hybrid Propulsion System
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat-Related Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Hydraulic Brakes
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Structural Problems
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Tires:Sidewall
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Unintended Acceleration
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Sunroof/Moonroof
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2021 Volvo Xc90. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2021 Volvo Xc90

6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~32,509 vehicles.

25V179000Electrical System:propulsion System:traction Battery · Electrical System:software
~7,483 affected

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.

23V827000Seat Belts:critical Fasteners
~2,911 affected

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.

23V001000Steering
~74 affected

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2022 V60CC, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. During steering gear assembly, double screws may have been assembled on top of each other, which can cause a screw to fall into the gearbox housing.

21V716000Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip · Hydraulic Brakes
~9 affected

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.

21V682000Seat Belts:rear/other:retractor · Seat Belts:front:retractor · Seat Belts
~19,149 affected

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 XC40, XC 40 Recharge, V60CC, V90, V90CC, XC90, and 2021-2022 V60, XC60, S60 vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

21V001000Seat Belts:pretensioner · Airbags · Air Bags: Air Bag/restraint Control Module
~2,883 affected

Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 Volvo V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. The Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) control unit may not have been properly attached to the car body and may detach during a crash.

Other Volvo Xc90 Years

2021 Volvo Xc90 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2021 Volvo Xc90 reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2021 Volvo Xc90 has 51 NHTSA complaints, 7 crash-related, and 6 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 8 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2021 Volvo Xc90?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (8 complaints, avg 700 mi); Engine Problems (6 complaints); Brakes (6 complaints, avg 40,250 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2021 Volvo Xc90?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 17,650 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2021 Volvo Xc90?
NHTSA complaints for the 2021 Volvo Xc90 include 7 crash-related reports, 0 fire reports, 2 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2021 Volvo Xc90 have any recalls?
Yes — 6 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 32,509 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2021 Volvo Xc90?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Volvo Xc90 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

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