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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2009 Volvo XC90Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 7 owner complaints for the 2009 Volvo XC90. Most complaints involve electrical system (3) and service brakes (2). The EPA rates it 15–17 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15–17mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Nov 2010
Owner complaints
7
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,800est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · 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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

7 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2012 – Jan 2023
  1. Electrical system3
  2. Service brakes2
  3. Fuel/propulsion system1
  4. Vehicle speed control1
  5. Wheels1
  6. Structure1
  7. Engine1
  8. Other / unknown1

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
0
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

3 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE REPAIRS THAT WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND A FUSE WAS REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE ECM MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 25, 2015Electrical systemODI 10690651

Service brakes

2 reports
“I have installed a SprintDrive installed in my Volvo. Since the installation, I have had several safety and security issues occur that stop once the device is removed. The following issues have occurred: 1) Whilst driving on the Muskogee Turnpike, the cruising control system would disengage. This occurred at least three times during the drive. On the third time, the cruising control system disengaged and the braking system engaged causing the vehicle to go from 85 mph to 45 mph. 2) I was driving on C-470. The transmission system would not transition between the gears automatically. The vehicle remained in a low gear until I removed the device. 3) I was driving on I-70 when all of the warning lights went and an alarm sounded. The message console read all system failure. The engine shut down. Once the device was removed, I was able to restart the vehicle.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 7, 2021Vehicle speed control, Unknown or other, Service brakesODI 11435895

Fuel/propulsion system

1 report
“A plastic Fuel Pressure Sensor bracket holder, part number: 30720139, found on Volvo V8 XC90 and S80 (2005-2011) can crack, resulting in a fuel leak within the engine compartment. See attached picture of 30720139, with highlight of plastic assembly. No replacement part is available from Volvo, since ~Dec 2021, per this link: https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/06-xc90-v8-fuel-pressure-sensor-mount-snapped.640161/post-7969481 However, an aftermarket solution is now recently available: https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/volvo-v8-fuel-pressure-sensor-bracket-replacement-billet-6061.656808/#post-7986238 https://www.ebay.com/itm/115630747349”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 17, 2023Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11502248
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
3.2L 6-cyl · 4.4L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular 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 28, 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 (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
142017$3,800523
XC90 AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
142016$4,000555
XC90 AWD
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131915$4,300592
  • XC90 FWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • XC90 AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $4,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • XC90 AWD
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.4 L
    13 city · 19 hwy · $4,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 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 2009 Volvo XC90 as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 5272
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

2009 XC90 questions

How many recalls does the 2009 Volvo XC90 have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 28, 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 2009 Volvo XC90 problems?

Owners filed 7 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (3), service brakes (2), fuel/propulsion system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2009 Volvo XC90 get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Volvo XC90 at 15–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026