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

2019 Volvo XC90Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 42 owner complaints for the 2019 Volvo XC90. Most complaints involve electrical system (11) and engine (10). 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
6campaigns
Latest Dec 2023
Owner complaints
42
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,100est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 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

Steering

Free remedy

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2022 V60CC, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. During steering gear assembly, double screws may have been assembled on top of each other, which can cause a screw to fall into the gearbox housing.

SteeringReported Jan 5, 2023NHTSA 23V001000

Electrical system: fuses and circuit breakers

Free remedy

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2020 V90, XC60, S60, V60, V60CC, S90, V90CC, S90L, and XC90 vehicles. The low-pressure fuel pump can blow a fuse and fail.

Electrical systemReported Jun 2, 2021NHTSA 21V414000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

42 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2019 – Sep 2026
  1. Electrical system11
  2. Engine10
  3. Visibility5
  4. Service brakes4
  5. Structure4
  6. Power train3
  7. Air bags3
  8. Back over prevention2
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic2

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
202116
Crashes reported
2
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
8
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

11 reports1 crash1 fire
“The suspension module failed due to water accumulation on floorboards. Suspect other electronics may be at risk. Water ingress cause by a combination of what dealer said was a worn out sunroof gasket and two of four drains that became plugged. Further examination from dealer found the plugged drains were crimped from when the vehicle was manufactured. The dealer blamed the excessive water ingress was further allowed by a failed sunroof seal. The vehicle has always been serviced by the dealer and problem areas like that were either not inspected or not reported. The seal appears as good as the day we purchased vehicle from dealer. It seems it needs a more expert eye to detect how it fails. The result was standing water in the floor boards and body cavities, which then caused the suspension module to fail. The entire interior had to be disassembled to verify there was no further electrical damage. The dashboard and other interior pieces needed to be removed to replace or correct the drains. This appears to be a common problem with this model although no service advisories seem to have been issued. Total estimated damage is about $5200. Vehicle has only 60K miles.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 9, 2026Suspension, Electrical systemODI 11736779

Engine

10 reports1 crash2 fires
“Coming from a cold start in hybrid or pure mode the ERAD disengages causing the vehicle to slow down, hesitate and buck until the gas engine can engage to recover acceleration.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 26, 2026Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11767107

Visibility

5 reports
“The contact owns a 2019 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and or while the vehicle was parked, the A/C unit became inoperable, and the defogger failed to clear the front windshield. The contact stated that the A/C was shifted to the MAX setting to operate as needed to defrost the windshield with an abnormal odor blowing through the vents. The vehicle was taken a dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the front evaporator core needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 10, 2026VisibilityODI 11749584
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 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
490 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 Nov 11, 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$3,100216
XC90 FWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$3,200365
XC90 AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo · All-Wheel Drive
202723$3,350391
XC90 AWD
Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, Sup Charg · All-Wheel Drive
192622$3,500402
  • XC90 AWD PHEV
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, Sup Charg
    24 city · 27 hwy · $3,100/yr
    25
    mpg comb.
  • XC90 FWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • XC90 AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo
    20 city · 27 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • XC90 AWD
    Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo, Sup Charg
    19 city · 26 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
Overall rating
—/ 5
Not rated
Volvo XC90 T5 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 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%
Overall
5 / 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 / 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%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 13178Vehicle 13177Vehicle 13179
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

2019 XC90 questions

How many recalls does the 2019 Volvo XC90 have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 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 2019 Volvo XC90 problems?

Owners filed 42 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (11), engine (10), visibility (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Volvo XC90 get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Volvo XC90 at 22–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

How safe is the 2019 Volvo XC90?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 Volvo XC90 5 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026