Research · Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD · 4 NHTSA variants

2016 Volvo XC90Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 197 owner complaints for the 2016 Volvo XC90. Most complaints involve engine (86) and electrical system (56). The EPA rates it 22–25 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 5 stars overall.

Combined MPG
22–25mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
5of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
8campaigns
Latest Dec 2023
Owner complaints
197
Top: engine
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Seat belts: critical fasteners

Free remedy

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.

Seat beltsReported Dec 7, 2023NHTSA 23V827000

Electrical system: software

Free remedy

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2016-2020 XC90 Excellence vehicles. Liquid or condensation on the rear seat control display may cause the front passenger seat to move back as far as possible.

Electrical systemReported Apr 21, 2021NHTSA 21V273000

Engine and engine cooling: hoses

Free remedy

Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2016 XC90 vehicles. Exposure to heat and humidity may cause the engine coolant bleeder hose to crack, resulting in a coolant leak.

Engine and engine coolingReported Apr 17, 2019NHTSA 19V308000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 29, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

197 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2015 – Aug 2026
  1. Engine86
  2. Electrical system56
  3. Structure23
  4. Service brakes14
  5. Fuel/propulsion system12
  6. Vehicle speed control11
  7. Power train10
  8. Air bags8
  9. Steering7

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
5
Fires reported
10
Injuries reported
8
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

Engine

86 reports1 crash7 fires
“I discovered an engine coolant leak from a crack near the end of the Plastic Coolant Bypass Pipe (part #31368673/32382362) after noticing coolant puddling on my garage floor. There are numerous comments with pictures on-line about how common this part fails on this model Volvo. What's also interesting is that the "pipe" fails in exactly the same location (on top and near the end). Seems to me if this is a known defect and the part is not performing with reasonable reliability, Volvo should provide an allowance to car owners when the part fails.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 17, 2026EngineODI 11757537

Electrical system

56 reports3 crashes2 fires
“SRS warning light and was told that is is due to a faulty misassembled wiring in the seat harness. Possibility of the airbags not deploying correctly in case of a crash. The dealer has confirmed that it is the seat harness that needs to be replaced. Due to the Month/Year of the vehicle it does not fall under the original recall which was only for vehicles that were manufactured between Jan/May 2015.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 26, 2025Electrical system, Air bagsODI 11683113

Structure

23 reports2 crashes
“I am filing a safety complaint regarding a failed rear door latch actuator in my 2016 Volvo XC90. This is a known issue among Volvo owners, yet there appears to be no recall or corrective action. The defect causes the door latch actuator to seize, rendering the affected rear door completely inoperable from both the inside and outside. This means passengers seated in the rear are unable to open the door to exit the vehicle. This is an extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening hazard. In the event of an emergency—such as a fire, collision, or submersion—rear seat passengers would be trapped inside the vehicle with no way to escape. This failure compromises basic vehicle safety standards, as all doors should be fully functional to allow for emergency egress. I strongly urge the NHTSA to investigate this recurring defect in Volvo vehicles and require Volvo to address it promptly before it results in serious injury or death.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 12, 2025StructureODI 11680108
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 29, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD, Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo supercharged plug-in hybrid · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · 2.0L 4-cyl turbo supercharged
Transmissions
Automatic (S8)
Drive
All-Wheel Drive · Front-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
EV range
350 mi (EPA)

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 AWD PHEV
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, Sup Charg · All-Wheel Drive
242725$3,200241
XC90 FWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
222624$3,300373
XC90 AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
222523$3,450384
XC90 AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, Sup Charg · All-Wheel Drive
202522$3,600397
  • XC90 AWD PHEV
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, Sup Charg
    24 city · 27 hwy · $3,200/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • XC90 FWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 26 hwy · $3,300/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • XC90 AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    22 city · 25 hwy · $3,450/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • XC90 AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, Sup Charg
    20 city · 25 hwy · $3,600/yr
    22
    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

5 tested variants
Overall rating
5/ 5
5 of 5
Volvo XC90 T6 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%
Overall
— / 5
Volvo XC90 T6 SUV FWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
Not rated
Rollover risk
0.0%
Overall
5 / 5
Volvo XC90 T8 SUV AWD
Frontal crash
5 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
15.9%
Overall
5 / 5
Volvo XC90 T5 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 10908Vehicle 10907Vehicle 10909
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

2016 XC90 questions

How many recalls does the 2016 Volvo XC90 have?

8 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 2016 Volvo XC90 problems?

Owners filed 197 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine (86), electrical system (56), structure (23). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2016 Volvo XC90 get?

The EPA rates the 2016 Volvo XC90 at 22–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2016 Volvo XC90?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2016 Volvo XC90 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 29, 2026