Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD

2023 Volvo XC90 B5Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 41 owner complaints for the 2023 Volvo XC90 B5. Most complaints involve back over prevention (12) and electrical system (11). The EPA rates it 25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
25mpg
EPA · 1 version
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
41
Top: back over prevention
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2023 Volvo XC90 B5 as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

41 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2023 – Oct 2026
  1. Back over prevention12
  2. Electrical system11
  3. Forward collision avoidance6
  4. Fuel/propulsion system5
  5. Service brakes4
  6. Steering3
  7. Power train3
  8. Vehicle speed control2
  9. Seat belts2

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each XC90 B5 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
202341
202437
202529
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Back over prevention

12 reports
“We lease this car from Volvo and are the first and only owners of the vehicle. No history of collision or accidents. The vehicle has a rear backup camera. The camera system also allows the option to select a 360-degree, top down "birds-eye" view of the entire vehicle. The backup camera turns on automatically when the car is shifted into reverse and originally provided a normal view directly behind the vehicle that extended at least a car length or more. At some point, we noticed that the rear backup camera view changed and was angled sharply down to the ground, including a partial view of our rear license plate and back bumper. The view now extends less than 7 feet behind the vehicle, angled down from the height of the camera (40-inches) so we can only see inches above the ground just a few feet behind the car. We can no longer see approaching vehicles, pedestrians, or any obstacles. The service technicians suggested this change in camera angle resulted from a routine system software update that was automatically downloaded to the vehicle. I don't know exactly when that occurred. On June 27, 2025 we received a safety recall notice from Volvo - Recall R10320 -…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 6, 2025Visibility/wiper, Back over preventionODI 11697931

Electrical system

11 reports
“WHAT COMPONENT OR SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, AND IS IT AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION? The Pilot Assist / Adaptive Cruise Control system becomes physically stuck, causing sudden unintended acceleration. Additionally, the central vehicle electrical system/wiring harness is experiencing a verified spontaneous failure. The vehicle is currently located in Hendersonville, North Carolina, and is fully available for federal inspection upon request. HOW WAS YOUR SAFETY OR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS PUT AT RISK? My life and the safety of everyone on the road was placed in immediate, catastrophic danger. On multiple occasions, the vehicle took total control away from me, overrode my inputs, and independently accelerated to 100 miles per hour on the highway. This maximum-throttle acceleration severely compromised my ability to slow down, brake, or control the vehicle. As a professional therapist and professor, surviving these multiple near-death events has caused me severe psychological trauma and a profound fear of driving. HAS THE PROBLEM BEEN REPRODUCED OR CONFIRMED BY A DEALER? Yes, a dealer has officially replicated and confirmed part of the underlying electrical failure. The vehicle…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 10, 2026Steering, Electrical system, Vehicle speed controlODI 11770326

Forward collision avoidance

6 reports
“I 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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 22, 2025Lane departure, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11706558
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

1 version rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo hybrid
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
XC90 B5 AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
222825$3,200358
  • XC90 B5 AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 28 hwy · $3,200/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 29, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Volvo XC90 B5 SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
17.9%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 18691
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2023 XC90 B5 questions

How many recalls does the 2023 Volvo XC90 B5 have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Oct 29, 2026.

What are the most common 2023 Volvo XC90 B5 problems?

Owners filed 41 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are back over prevention (12), electrical system (11), forward collision avoidance (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2023 Volvo XC90 B5 get?

The EPA rates the 2023 Volvo XC90 B5 at 25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (1 version rated).

How safe is the 2023 Volvo XC90 B5?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2023 Volvo XC90 B5 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026