Independent · Not affiliated with NHTSA or any automaker MethodologyData sourcesData refreshed Oct 6, 2026

2011 Volvo XC90: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2011 Volvo XC90, most recently filed May 2011. Owners have filed 19 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2011 Volvo XC90. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗

Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.

Check on NHTSA ↗
Listed for 2011 Volvo XC90. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 11V286000 Filed May 18, 2011

POWER STEERING

Steering
Official NHTSA text
Summary
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 XC90 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 29, 2010, THROUGH AUGUST 16, 2010. THE POWER STEERING FLUID MAY LEAK FROM THE OIL PIPE CONNECTION AT THE STEERING GEAR VALVE HOUSING.
Consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OIL PIPES ON THE POWER STEERING RACK FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Repair progress not yet reported350 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA or ask a dealer to check campaign 11V286000

PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.

Owner complaints (19)

19 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.

0involved a crash
1involved a fire
2injuries reported
0deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Volvo XC90, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 19.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2011 compares with other XC90 years

Best and worst XC90 years →
2007200820092010201120122013201420162017
This year (2011)Other yearsStill collecting reports

Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 18 mpg combined

18
mpg combined
16
city
22
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,700
CO₂ tailpipe
494 g/mi
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle -

What it costs you to run

$3,628per year
$302per month
833gallons a year

Miles ÷ 18 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.

EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.

Specs by configuration

2011 Volvo XC90 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
3.2 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 18$3,700494
3.2 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 18$3,700494
4.4 L 8-cyl · 6-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive14 / 21 / 16$4,200555

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2011 XC90 for sale?

Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.

All XC90 years

Where to next

2011 Volvo XC90 FAQ

How many recalls does the 2011 Volvo XC90 have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 11V286000 (steering). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2011 Volvo XC90 problems?

Owners filed 19 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (5), Engine (5), Power train (3) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2011 Volvo XC90 get?

EPA rates the 3.2 L 6-cyl · 6-speed automatic version at 16 city, 22 highway and 18 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2011 XC90 compare with other years?

Among the 2007–2017 Volvo XC90 model years at least five years old, the 2012 drew the fewest complaints (3) and the 2016 the most (197). The 2011 drew 19. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

Processing

  • Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
  • Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.

Limitations

  • Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
  • Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
  • Recent model years are still collecting reports.

Review

Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.

Changelog

  • 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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