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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2010 Volvo XC90Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 12 owner complaints for the 2010 Volvo XC90. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (3) and steering (2). The EPA rates it 15–18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15–18mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest May 2011
Owner complaints
12
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,550est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Steering

Free remedy

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 XC90 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 29, 2010, THROUGH AUGUST 16, 2010. THE POWER STEERING FLUID MAY LEAK FROM THE OIL PIPE CONNECTION AT THE STEERING GEAR VALVE HOUSING.

SteeringReported May 18, 2011NHTSA 11V286000

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

Fuel system

Free remedy

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 XC90 VEHICLES. A LEAK MAY DEVELOP IN THE FUEL LINE BETWEEN THE LINE AND A CONNECTOR.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Apr 16, 2010NHTSA 10V147000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

12 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2014 – Apr 2023
  1. Fuel/propulsion system3
  2. Steering2
  3. Structure2
  4. Tires2
  5. Fuel system, gasoline1
  6. Engine1
  7. Service brakes1
  8. Air bags1
  9. Visibility/wiper1

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
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

Fuel/propulsion system

3 reports
“ENGINE STALLED AND SHUT DOWN AT HIGHWAY SPEED OF APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. TWO CONSECUTIVE TANKFULS AT ABOUT 1/4 TANK OR 135 MILES TO EMPTY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. RESTARTED ENGINE AND LIMPED TO NEAREST GAS STATION. AFTER FILLUP ENGINE LIGHT CLEARED AND IT DROVE FINE UNTIL DOWN TO APPROX A QUARTER TANK AGAIN WHEN IT REOCCURRED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 16, 2020Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11299955

Steering

2 reports
“I WAS DRIVING MY WHEEL LOCKED I CANNOT TURN MY WHEEL”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 24, 2020SteeringODI 11360982

Structure

2 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DASHBOARD HAD DETERIORATED TO THE POINT WHERE IT WAS STRUCTURALLY UNSOUND AND BUCKLING IN THE AREA OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG COMPONENT. THE DEALER (VOLVO ESCONDIDO, 1938 AUTO PARK WAY, ESCONDIDO, CA 92029) WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY EXTREME HEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 11, 2018Air bags, StructureODI 11110733
All 2010 XC90 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 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 · 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 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 (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L · Front-Wheel Drive
152218$3,550494
XC90 AWD
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L · All-Wheel Drive
152117$3,800523
XC90 AWD
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.4 L · All-Wheel Drive
131915$4,300592
  • XC90 FWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    15 city · 22 hwy · $3,550/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • XC90 AWD
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,800/yr
    17
    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 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 2010 Volvo XC90 as of Oct 29, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 29, 2026Vehicle 5518
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

2010 XC90 questions

How many recalls does the 2010 Volvo XC90 have?

3 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 2010 Volvo XC90 problems?

Owners filed 12 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (3), steering (2), structure (2). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2010 Volvo XC90 get?

The EPA rates the 2010 Volvo XC90 at 15–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026