2016 Volvo XC90 recalls and problems

8 recalls and 197 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2016 Volvo XC90.

8
recalls
197
owner complaints
5
complaints mentioning a crash
10
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2016 Volvo XC90 recalls

Seat belts: critical fasteners

NHTSA campaign 23V827000 · reported December 7, 2023 · Volvo Car USA, LLC · 2,911 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
An improperly tightened seat belt buckle may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing their risk of injury during a crash.
The fix
Dealers will inspect and tighten the second-row seat belt buckle anchorage bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 19, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10259.

Electrical system: software

NHTSA campaign 21V273000 · reported April 21, 2021 · Volvo Car USA, LLC · 162 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
The rear passenger may become trapped by the front seat without the ability to cancel the seat's movement, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix
Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will update the rear seat control display software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10093.

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system, hoses/lines/piping/fittings

NHTSA campaign 19V308000 · reported April 17, 2019 · Volvo Car USA LLC · 34,006 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
If the coolant leak goes unnoticed, coolant may accumulate in the catalytic converter heat shield insulation and catch fire when the vehicle is stationary, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix
Volvo Cars will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine side coolant bleeder hose, free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R29936.

Seat belts: front, buckle assembly

NHTSA campaign 16V798000 · reported November 2, 2016 · Volvo Car USA LLC · 74,027 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 XC90, S90, XC60, V60 Cross Country, V60, S60 Cross Country, S60, and S60 Inscription vehicles manufactured February 16, 2015, to August 22, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the front passenger seat belt buckle attaching stud may loosen, allowing the buckle to separate from the seat belt bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages" and number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
The risk
If the seat belt buckle separates from the bracket, the front seat passenger may not be adequately restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt buckle stud, replacing the seat belt buckle as needed, free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89708.

Equipment: appliance, air conditioner · Air bags

NHTSA campaign 16V690000 · reported September 26, 2016 · Volvo Car USA LLC · 43,766 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Volvo XC90 and S90 vehicles manufactured April 15, 2015 through September 19, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning may leak into the passenger compartment due to a drain hose installation error during manufacturing.
The risk
Significant water drainage into the passenger compartment may adversely affect air bag deployment in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
The fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air conditioning drain hose for proper installation, replacing the hose as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on November the 14, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this campaign is R89707.

Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly

NHTSA campaign 16V268000 · reported May 4, 2016 · Volvo Car USA LLC · 30,214 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 XC90 vehicles manufactured January 27, 2015, to April 23, 2016. The sunroofs on the affected vehicles have a switch on the overhead console that may not be adequately recessed to prevent the switch from being unintentionally pressed. When pressed, the sunroof may fully close. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 118, "Power-Operated Window, Partition, and Roof Panel Systems."
The risk
If the switch is unintentionally pressed and the sunroof panel closes, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
The fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will perform a software upgrade that disables the auto-close function, free of charge. The recall began June 24, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552 or by visiting http://Volvo.custhelp.com. Volvo's number for this recall is R89702.

Air bags: side/window

NHTSA campaign 15V497000 · reported August 6, 2015 · Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC · 3,911 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo XC90 vehicles manufactured January 27, 2015, to July 10, 2015. The third row seating side curtain air bags may not fully inflate.
The risk
Underinflated air bags may not fully protect third row occupants, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will modify the D-pillar interior panels to allow full inflation of the third row airbags, free of charge. The recall began on September 21, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo Customer Care at 1-800-458-1552.

Air bags: side/window

NHTSA campaign 15V342000 · reported June 3, 2015 · Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC · 584 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016 Volvo XC90 vehicles manufactured January 27, 2015, to May 19, 2015. The affected vehicles have front seats whose wiring harness for the Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) may have been routed incorrectly.
The risk
If the wiring harness is routed incorrectly, the wiring may be damaged, disabling the front seat side impact air bag, and increasing the risk of injury to the seat occupant in the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the front seat side impact air bag.
The fix
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the routing of the SIPS wiring, correcting the routing and installing a protective sleeve as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on June 30, 2015. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89571.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Aug 17, 2026 · Engine

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…

Jul 17, 2026 · Engine

Piston rings inside the engine failed due to a known oil consumption issue with this model vehicle. The engine failed while the car was driving 85 mph and consequently slowed down to 15mph on the highway, leaving the owner of the car stranded alone on the highway. Volvo has a known fix for this issue and there was a…

Jul 8, 2026 · Unknown or other

The AC evaporator has a leak. I am reporting as this is a well known issue on the Volvo's, especially the 2016 XC90 which has a large amount of issues that cause issues of safety and undue amount of financial burden on owners who operate the vehicle in normal conditions. I have been told by the dealer after they…

Jun 26, 2026 · Fuel/propulsion system

My 2016 Volvo XC90 suddenly lost power while I was driving, requiring me to pull over and have the vehicle towed. This is a documented safety issue associated with a known piston ring defect in 2013-2016 Volvo vehicles equipped with 2.0L and 2.5L engines, which was the subject of a federal class action lawsuit ([…] et…

May 12, 2026 · Power train

The eRAD (Electric Rear Axle Drive) on my 2016 Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV failed completely. The warning light appeared approximately 11/3/2025, within one week of purchasing the vehicle at 88,000 miles. The failure was confirmed by a Volvo dealership. The eRAD is the component that powers the rear electric motor and provides…

XC90 model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2013 01101
2014 0400
2015 1000
2016 8197510
2017 78139
2018 35221
2019 64223

Across all years, the 2004 XC90 has the most complaints (462). All Volvo XC90 years →

Questions

Does the 2016 Volvo XC90 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2016 Volvo XC90, the most recent reported on December 7, 2023 (Seat belts: critical fasteners). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volvo XC90?
Owners have filed 197 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (86 complaints), followed by electrical system (56).
How many 2016 Volvo XC90 complaints mention a crash or fire?
5 of 197 complaints report a crash and 10 a fire; 8 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received August 17, 2026.