Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2007 Volvo XC90Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 38 owner complaints for the 2007 Volvo XC90. Most complaints involve electrical system (14) and power train (5). The EPA rates it 15–18 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
15–18mpg
EPA · 5 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Nov 2010
Owner complaints
38
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$4,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Equipment: navigational system(global positioning system)

Free remedy

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.

EquipmentReported Nov 8, 2010NHTSA 10V566000

Visibility: defroster

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, THE CLIMATE CONTROL MODULE (CCM) MAY RECEIVE A 'SHUT-DOWN SIGNAL' FROM THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) AFTER IGNITION KEY INSERTION. IF THIS CONDITION OCCURS, THE CLIMATE CONTROL FUNCTIONS WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE (INCLUDING THE DEFROSTER) DURING THAT DRIVING CYCLE.

VisibilityReported Dec 12, 2007NHTSA 07V563000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

38 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jul 2007 – Feb 2026
  1. Electrical system14
  2. Power train5
  3. Steering4
  4. Engine4
  5. Fuel/propulsion system3
  6. Suspension3
  7. Exterior lighting3
  8. Electronic stability control (esc)2
  9. Service brakes2

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 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200396
2004462
2005223
200653
200738
200829
20097
201012
201119
20123
201311
20144
2016197
201781
201852
201942
202034
202117
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
5
Injuries reported
0
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

Electrical system

14 reports4 fires
“While driving the vehicle under normal conditions, a sudden electrical fire occurred, requiring immediate evacuation. The vehicle was pulled over safely and the driver exited before the fire escalated. The fire department responded and the vehicle was declared a total loss due to fire damage. The failure is believed to have originated from an electrical short involving the climate control/defroster system. The affected wiring and components were destroyed by the fire and are not available for inspection. The day prior to the fire, the fuse controlling both the climate control system and the instrument cluster blew twice when the defroster was activated. The fuse was replaced, and the defroster was not used again. At the time of the fire, the defroster systems was not operating. There were no warning lights or alerts immediately prior to the fire. The fire occurred while the vehicle was in motion, creating a serious safety risk to the occupant and surrounding traffic. The incident has not been reproduced or inspected by a dealer. The vehicle was inspected by the fire department. No manufacturer inspection has occurred.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 2, 2026Electrical system, Unknown or other, Visibility/wiperFire reportedODI 11715108

Power train

5 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING FORWARD. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF FIVE YEARS BUT NO CAUSE FOR FAILURE WAS FOUND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000. UPDATED 09/10/13*LJ”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 8, 2013Power trainODI 10534206

Steering

4 reports
“ON OR ABOUT FEBRUARY 06, 2019, OUR 2007 VOLVO XC-90 EXPERIENCED A STEERING LOCK FAILURE. THAT IS THE LOCK COULD NOT ADVANCE TO THE START POSITION AND CONSEQUENTLY LOCKED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE LOCK WOULD NOT ADVANCE. CONSEQUENTLY PERFORMED THE FOLLOWING: A) CONSULTED VOLVO OWNER'S MANUAL. THE MANUAL WAS SILENT ON THIS. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED NOSE FIRST IN OUR GARAGE, AGAIN CONSULTED THE VOLVO OWNER'S MANUAL TO FIND OUT HOW TO MANUALLY GET THE VOLVO OUT OF PARK. VOLVO'S MANUAL WAS SILENT ON THIS. B)CONTACTED NORTH TOWN VOLVO DEALER FOR ADVICE. RESPONSE WAS TO GET THE VEHICLE IN BY TOWING. NO ADVICE AS TO HOW TO DISENGAGE THE VOLVO'S PARK FEATURE. C)CONTACTED VOLVO'S ON LINE CHAT SERVICE AND RECEIVED THE SAME RESPONSE. NO HELP! GET THE CAR TOWED IN! D)CONTACTED IN COLLISION AND AUTO REPAIR. THEY SUGGESTED A 2006 YOU TUBE VIDEO SHOWING HOW TO DISENGAGE THE PARK FUNCTION. THIS WORKED AND THE VOLVO 2007 XC-90 WAS TOWED TO IN COLLISION AND AUTO REPAIR. IT TOOK THREE WEEKS TO REPAIR THE LOCK FOR THE PARTS HAD TO COME FROM GERMANY. PICTURES OF THE FAILED LOCK ASSEMBLY ARE ENCLOSED. AFTER THE LOCK REPAIR, IN COLLISION PERFORMED THE FOLLOWING:…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 7, 2019Steering, Electrical systemODI 11194414
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

5 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.5L 5-cyl turbo · 3.2L 6-cyl · 4.4L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S5) · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or 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 FWD
Auto (S5), 5 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
152118$4,400494
XC90 AWD
Auto (S5), 5 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152017$4,700523
XC90 AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
142017$4,700523
XC90 FWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
152117$4,700523
XC90 AWD
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131915$5,300592
  • XC90 FWD
    Auto (S5), 5 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    15 city · 21 hwy · $4,400/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • XC90 AWD
    Auto (S5), 5 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    15 city · 20 hwy · $4,700/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • XC90 AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $4,700/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • XC90 FWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $4,700/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • XC90 AWD
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.4 L
    13 city · 19 hwy · $5,300/yr
    15
    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
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2007 Volvo XC90 as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 2143
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

2007 XC90 questions

How many recalls does the 2007 Volvo XC90 have?

2 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2007 Volvo XC90 problems?

Owners filed 38 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (14), power train (5), steering (4). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2007 Volvo XC90 get?

The EPA rates the 2007 Volvo XC90 at 15–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026