2020 Volvo XC90: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 29 owner complaints on record; most reports concern electrical system.
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Mar 2025
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 29 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The rear a/c evaporator coil has failed, leaking UV dyed green oil into the main battery pan. The a/c vents in the car in the driver and middle rows are now blowing hot air. This is a very commonly known problem with Volvo SPA XC90s from 2016-2021. It's incredibly expensive to repair($3500 +). There should be a recall to replace/repair this problem in these relatively new and expensive cars.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2026
“I was driving when a turtle popped up on my dashboard I pulled over to Google what that meant and popped the hood cause I seen a little smoke within 3 sec the car busted in flames I ran back and grab my daughter out the back seat we were almost locked in due to the car melting the wire and flames started coming inside the car”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2026
“The camera system when backing up becomes unavailable intermittently. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. System has been updated and restarted but it fails to fix the issue. When it happens it states camera unavailable and service required. Shutting off the vehicle and restarting multiple times sometimes corrects it. Automotive dealer said there is no issue with it. We have pictures of when it happens and the vehicle is available for inspection.”Owner report · Back Over Prevention · Nov 2025
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2020 Volvo XC90. The contact stated while attempting to open the rear passenger's side door from the inside or the outside of the vehicle, the door failed to open as intended, causing passengers to exit the rear driver's side door of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the door lock kit needed to be replaced. The door lock kit was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and filed a case. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000.”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Nov 2025
“The sunroof has leaked pouring water into the car. October 29, 2025 This is the second time this has occurred. First flood was January 3, 2023. Volvo covered the first repair done by a Volvo dealership. The current estimate to repair is $13,000 by the Volvo dealer. They have the car. The electronics have not been checked yet or are part of the estimate. It is unsafe to drive a car if the electronics may fail. I have filed a claim with Volvo and to date (42 days) there is no resolution. I cannot drive a car that fills with water when it rains. My daughter has a severe heart defect and cannot be in a car with mold and mildew.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2025
“The instrument panel just stopped working. Our safety and the safety of others was/is put at risk because you are unable to see how fast you are going in the car. It also doesn't let us know how much gas we have left in the gas tank so if the car just stalled out on a highway, it could cause a major safety issue. This is also where cruise control is run from. It's also the panel where any and all vehicle warnings would show up so if there's another issue in the car, we are unable to see it.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2025
“The contact owns a 2020 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that after plugging in the charger to the vehicle, the cable charger started blinking red. The contact had to jumpstart the vehicle to open the doors. The blinking red light on the cable charger had not stopped blinking. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18E086000 (EQUIPMENT); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Equipment · Jan 2025
“The instrument cluster display on my 2020 Volvo XC90 went completely out while driving my vehicle. This was a single point of failure and SAFETY ISSUE as it affected my speedometer, gas gauge, etc. I was driving without any functioning indicators on the highway when it went out. There was no advanced warning. The issue was fixed by my dealership and part replaced, invoice is attached. We have made multiple attempts to resolve this issue with Volvo Corporate, who has been non-responsive to the overall safety concern. Based on research Ford Motor Company (Part 573 Safety Recall Report 23V-506) faced a recall for their Escapes because of a similar safety issue.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2024
“The sunroof of the vehicle started leaking water after 4 years of ownership. Upon bringing it to Volvo dealer, I am quoted $2500-3000 to fix and check for faulty electrical or mold in carpeting. This is a safety issue as the water could damage critical electrical components. This is a 2020 vehicle, basic faulty sealing should be covered as recall or known issue that the consumer is not liable for.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2024
“The airbag system detected a fault and caused an automated vehicle warning message, which, with further dealer diagnosis, caused the driver seat belt to have a ground fault issue, preventing the normal, safe, and fully operating vehicle airbags. The cause and what must be replaced to rectify the problem are unknown. Volvo has poor customer support and satisfaction regarding avoidable repairs, along with various documented airbag failure incidents confirming a severe issue with its system components that require government oversight and correction through a recall to ensure the safety and reliability of the safety systems that protect lives.”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2024
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 S90L, 2020-2021 XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hydraulic unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10120.
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020-2021 S90, 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60, XC90, and 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.
Remedy: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high-voltage battery module as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the software to monitor the battery. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 28, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10312.
Volvo Cars USA LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2019-2020 S60, V60, V60 Cross Country, S90L, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC40, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. Due to a software/hardware incompatibility, the Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB) system may not detect obstacles and engage as intended.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the Active Safety Domain Master (ASDM) software, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R29998.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuse, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 2, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10100.
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 1, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10213.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2020 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact XC90 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2020 Volvo XC90 reliable?
NHTSA has 29 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2020 Volvo XC90. The most complained-about area is electrical system.
Does the 2020 Volvo XC90 have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.