The 2018 Volvo XC90 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 20,621 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 66 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 20, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEAT BELTS23V8270002023-12-072,911 affected
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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM21V2730002021-04-21162 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
The rear passenger may become trapped by the front seat without the ability to cancel the seat's movement, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improperly. As a result,…
Consequence
If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
Remedy
Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The air conditioning evaporator core has been widely known to freeze and crack on 2016-2021 models of the xc90 which sends toxic refrigerant smell thru the vents. This is a big safety hazard and should be recalled. Volvo knows about this but only does a goodwill repair to loyal customers who…”
“I am reporting a serious safety concern involving a 2018 volvo xc90 t8 phev. On [xxx], at approximately [xxx] ct, the vehicle experienced a sudden multi-system safety and actual brake failure while in a parking-lot/low-speed setting near [xxx} in austin, texas. The vehicle displayed multiple…”
“I am reporting a serious safety concern involving a 2018 volvo xc90 t8 phev. On [xxx], at approximately [xxx] ct, the vehicle experienced a sudden multi-system safety and actual brake failure while in a parking-lot/low-speed setting near [xxx} in austin, texas. The vehicle displayed multiple…”
“I am reporting a serious safety concern involving a 2018 volvo xc90 t8 phev. On [xxx], at approximately [xxx] ct, the vehicle experienced a sudden multi-system safety and actual brake failure while in a parking-lot/low-speed setting near [xxx} in austin, texas. The vehicle displayed multiple…”
“Vin: [xxx] •make/model/year: 2018 volvo xc90 •mileage at time of each incident (58,385 / 58,480 / 68,261) •approximate dates of each incident vehicle has experienced recurring brake system failures. First, a seized rear brake caliper (sept 2025) requiring caliper/rotor/pad replacement. Four…”
“At approximately 6:30 pm, after normal driving and parking at a local park, our family was unloading children from the vehicle. One child was standing next to the vehicle while we removed a younger child from the rear seat. The child suddenly screamed and stated that he had burned himself. We…”
“My 2018 volvo xc90 t8 plug-in hybrid experienced a catastrophic, premature component failure of the electric rear axle drive (erad) propulsion system while driving. The erad unit suffered a total failure of internal bearings and sensors, completely disabling the electric rear wheel propulsion…”
“My 2018 volvo xc90 t8 plug-in hybrid experienced a catastrophic, premature component failure of the electric rear axle drive (erad) propulsion system while driving. The erad unit suffered a total failure of internal bearings and sensors, completely disabling the electric rear wheel propulsion…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationDP22005 Opened 2023-01-27 · closed 2023-08-07
Pedestrian alert sounds
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2018 Volvo XC90 as of
July 20, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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