2021 Volvo Xc90: what breaks, and at what mileage
What breaks on the 2021 Volvo Xc90
On the 2021 Volvo Xc90, the failure owners report most often is infotainment screen failure, with 6 reports on file. Across every failure mode on this year, half the dated reports were filed before 2,000 miles. Overall it scores 78 out of 100, severe risk for a 2021.
Severe risk for a 2021 — 60th riskiest of the 231 2021 vehicles we can rate. 58 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork.
What breaks on the 2021 Volvo Xc90
Owners have reported 28 named failure modes on the 2021 Volvo Xc90, and the three most-reported carry 28% of everything filed, which is an unusually even spread for one model year.
Infotainment screen failure leads with 6 reports and about 3.4 per 1,000 vehicles.
Software fault or failed update follows with 5 reports, median 80,000 miles.
Other engine problem follows with 5 reports, median 110,000 miles.
By system, the reports fall mostly into engine (9), infotainment (7) and brakes (6).
At what mileage it happens
Too few of the reports on this year carry an odometer reading to describe the timing: 7 of them do. The mileages quoted elsewhere on this page come from the modes that have enough of them.
Tick median reported mileage Solid middle half of reports Faint 10th to 90th percentile Colour how bad the failure is when it happens
Showing the 12 most-reported failure modes of 28. The full list is in the table below.
How reports accumulate
Every report with an odometer reading, cumulative, from 0 to 200,000 miles. A curve that climbs early is a car with early problems, whatever its total.
- Line share of reports filed by that mileage
Severity, and what it costs
Across the named modes, 7 mention a crash and 1 an injury. Those are the words owners used in their own complaints, and NHTSA does not verify them, but they are the closest thing in this data to a measure of what a failure actually did.
The average severity weight across every report on this year is 3.76, where a stalled engine or a failed airbag weighs many times more than a rattling trim panel, and a figure this high means the reports are dominated by failures with safety consequences rather than annoyances. The weighting is set out in full on the methodology page.
What the top failures cost to put right, as editorial estimates for an independent US shop rather than figures from NHTSA: infotainment screen failure at $400–$2,600, software fault or failed update at $0–$600, other engine problem at $300–$4,000 and other powertrain problem at $400–$4,500. Dealer labour, a seized bolt or a part that is no longer made can push any of these past the top of its range.
22% of the reports on this year sit in the engine, transmission, drivetrain or cooling systems — the four where a repair bill is usually four figures.
Every reported failure mode
| Failure mode | System | Reports | With reading | 25th | Median | 75th | Per 1,000 | Typical repair | Severity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infotainment screen failure | infotainment | 6 | 0 | — | — | — | 3.4 | $400–$2,600 | Low |
| Software fault or failed update | software | 5 | 1 | — | 79k | — | 2.9 | $0–$600 | Moderate |
| Other engine problem | engine | 5 | 1 | — | 108k | — | 2.9 | $300–$4,000 | High |
| Other powertrain problem | transmission | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.7 | $400–$4,500 | High |
| Other brake problem | brakes | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.7 | $300–$1,800 | High |
| No-start or intermittent start failure | engine | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.1 | $200–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Wiring harness or short circuit | electrical | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.1 | $400–$3,500 | High |
| Parking brake failure | brakes | 2 | 2 | — | 2k | — | 1.1 | $250–$1,300 | Moderate |
| Airbag failed to deploy in a crash | airbag | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.1 | $1,000–$5,000 | Critical |
| Parking sensor failure | adas | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.1 | $180–$900 | Low |
| Sunroof failure or glass breakage | body | 2 | 2 | — | 20k | — | 1.1 | $700–$4,500 | High |
| Other electrical problem | electrical | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.1 | $250–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Other steering problem | steering | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.1 | $350–$2,400 | High |
| Other wheel or tire problem | wheels | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.1 | $200–$1,500 | High |
| Other driver assistance problem | adas | 2 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.1 | $250–$1,800 | High |
| Excessive oil consumption | engine | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $900–$6,500 | High |
| Misfire or rough idle | engine | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $250–$1,600 | Moderate |
| Torque converter failure | transmission | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $1,100–$3,200 | High |
| Fuel pump failure | fuel | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $600–$2,600 | High |
| Backup camera failure | infotainment | 1 | 1 | — | 200 | — | 0.6 | $250–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Loss of braking | brakes | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $400–$3,000 | Critical |
| Seat belt or retractor failure | airbag | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $200–$900 | High |
| Loss of power steering | steering | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $600–$2,800 | Critical |
| Headlight failure or clouding | lighting | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $150–$1,800 | Moderate |
| Other fuel system problem | fuel | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $300–$2,200 | High |
| Other lighting problem | lighting | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $120–$1,200 | Moderate |
| Other visibility problem | glass | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $150–$1,400 | Moderate |
| Other body or interior problem | body | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 0.6 | $200–$2,000 | Moderate |
| Unclassified problem | other | 3 | 0 | — | — | — | 1.7 | — | Moderate |
Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound. Repair costs are typical independent-shop ranges for the failure, not figures from these reports.
How often, against how many were built
Scaled by an estimate of how many of these cars exist, the 2021 Volvo Xc90 draws about 33 per 1,000 vehicles, which puts it in the 97th percentile of complaint rates among 2021 vehicles we can rate.
That denominator is the weakest number on the page and it is fair to say so plainly. Rate per 1,000 uses a fleet-size estimate derived from recall paperwork for this exact model year. It is a lower bound.
The working figure is 1,740 vehicles. If the true number is twice that, every rate on this page is half what it says; the ranking against other 2021 vehicles, which is what the risk score uses, is far more robust than the rate itself.
Recalls on the 2021 model year
NHTSA has issued 6 recall campaigns covering the 2021 Volvo Xc90, affecting an estimated 3,016 vehicles. A recall is a different kind of evidence from a complaint: it is the regulator and the manufacturer agreeing that something has to be fixed, and the fix is free for as long as the car exists.
The campaigns cover electrical system:software, seat belts:critical fasteners, steering and service brakes, hydraulic. Whether the work was actually done on the car in front of you is a question only the VIN can answer, and the manufacturer or NHTSA will answer it free.
Recalls also distort complaint counts. Publicity about a campaign reminds owners that complaining is possible, so reports for a recalled component often spike after the recall rather than before it.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
7,483 vehicles 2025-03-24- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- A short circuit in a high-voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.
- 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.
SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS
2,911 vehicles 2023-12-07- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- An improperly tightened seat belt buckle may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing their risk of injury during a crash.
- 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.
STEERING
74 vehicles 2023-01-05- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- A screw inside the gearbox housing can cause the steering wheel to lock up and increase the risk of a crash.
- 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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
9 vehicles 2021-09-15- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- Separation of the rotor and shaft may cause a reduction in braking assistance and a loss of the Antilock Brake System (ABS) and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
SEAT BELTS
19,149 vehicles 2021-09-01- Defect
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 XC40, XC 40 Recharge, V60CC, V90, V90CC, XC90, and 2021-2022 V60, XC60, S60 vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Consequence
- An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10111.
AIR BAGS
2,883 vehicles 2021-01-07- Defect
- Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 Volvo V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. The Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) control unit may not have been properly attached to the car body and may detach during a crash.
- Consequence
- A detached SRS control unit can decrease the performance of occupant protection systems such as air bags, seat belts, and high voltage battery disconnect, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy
- Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the SRS control unit mounting screws, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10068.
Recall work is free at a franchised dealer regardless of the car's age. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls before assuming it was done.
How it ranks in the 2021 field
The score at the top of the page, placed among its peers. The zones are the same thresholds the scorer applies, read out of the scorer itself, so the picture and the band word cannot disagree.
Scores are ranked within the model year, never across years, because an older car has had longer to accumulate reports.
- Left fewer and less serious reports
- Right more, or worse
- Marker this vehicle
How 2021 compares with the other years
Severe risk for a 2021 — 60th riskiest of the 231 2021 vehicles we can rate. Every score on this site is a rank inside its own model year, which is what makes a 2004 and a 2019 comparable at all.
Across the 18 model years of this car that carry enough reports to score, 2006 comes out best at 64 and 2018 worst at 82, with 2021 itself at 78.
If the model year is negotiable, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2008, 2005, 2003, 2004, 2025, 2019, 2022, 2024, 2020 and 2023 score lower than 2021 by a margin worth acting on. Same body, same engines, different luck — usually a supplier change or a mid-cycle fix, which the complaint data can show but never explain.
Within the 2021–2025 generation specifically, 2025 is the strongest year at 71 and 2021 the weakest at 78.
Scores compare each year against other cars of the same model year, so a low number on an older car is a real result and not an artefact of age.
Shorter is better. Years with too few reports to score are shown without a bar rather than as a zero, because no data is not good news.
Within the 2021-2025 generation, 2025 Volvo Xc90 scores best at 71 and 2021 Volvo Xc90 worst at 78.
The limits of complaint data
58 owner reports; fleet size estimated from this year's own recall paperwork. Every count on this page is therefore a floor: it is the number of owners who went to the trouble of filing with a federal agency, which is a small and self-selected fraction of the owners who had the fault.
Of those 58 reports, 7 carried an odometer reading, so the mileages here describe 12% of the sample rather than all of it. Owners also round: readings pile up on multiples of ten thousand, which is why this site publishes "about 90,000 miles" and not "91,438".
Named failure modes come from matching phrases in the complaint text, so a badly worded complaint can land in the wrong bucket. The effect washes out across hundreds of reports and does not wash out across five.
And nothing here predicts what one car will do. These are other people's complaints, filed years apart, on cars maintained by strangers. Read the page as a map of where this model year has previously gone wrong, then have the specific car in front of you inspected.
Questions this page answers
What are the most common problems with the 2021 Volvo Xc90?
The most-reported failures are infotainment screen failure (6 reports), software fault or failed update (5 reports, median 80,000 miles) and other engine problem (5 reports, median 110,000 miles). Counts come from owner complaints filed with NHTSA, which are voluntary, so they show what owners bothered to report rather than every fault that occurred.
Is the 2021 Volvo Xc90 reliable?
It scores 78 out of 100 on our risk index, which is severe — 60th riskiest of the 231 2021 vehicles we can rate. The score is a comparison against other 2021 vehicles, not a prediction about any individual car, and it is built from complaint rates, severity and how early failures appear.
Which year of the Volvo Xc90 is best?
Within the 2021–2025 generation, 2025 scores best at 71 out of 100 and 2021 worst at 78. Same body, same engines, different luck.
Where this comes from. Every figure above is computed from NHTSA owner complaints and recall records for this exact make, model and year. Complaints are voluntary and self-selected, so treat counts as a floor. The methodology page writes out each formula, and the same numbers are available as JSON.
What breaks at my mileage Compare with another car
Source Owner complaints and recall records published by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, model years 1996–2027 Figures rebuilt Published by AtWhatMileage How every figure is computed