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2016 Volvo XC90: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2016 Volvo XC90, most recently filed December 2023. Owners have filed 197 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Recalls 8campaigns 3 air bag · 2 seat belt · 1 electrical Source: NHTSA Complaints 197filed Owner reports, 2011–2021 shown Source: NHTSA ODI Fuel economy 25mpg combined $2,612/yr at this week's prices Source: EPA · EIA Specs 2 L 4-cyl· 8-speed automatic 4 engine and transmission configurations Source: NHTSA vPIC
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Recalls (8)

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns for the 2016 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 2016 Volvo XC90. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 23V827000 Filed Dec 7, 2023

Second-Row Seat Belt Buckle Not Tightened Properly

Seat belts · critical fasteners
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
78.3% repairedof 2,911 vehicles
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 23V827000
Listed for 2016 Volvo XC90. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 21V273000 Filed Apr 21, 2021

Front Seat Movement May Trap Rear Passenger

Electrical system · software
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
92% repairedof 162 vehicles
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 21V273000
Listed for 2016 Volvo XC90. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 19V308000 Filed Apr 17, 2019

Fire Risk from Leaking Coolant Hose

Engine and engine cooling · cooling system · hoses/lines/piping/fittings
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
91.3% repairedof 34,006 vehicles
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 19V308000
Listed for 2016 Volvo XC90. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V798000 Filed Nov 2, 2016

Seat Belt Buckle may Separate/FMVSS 210, 209

Seat belts · front · buckle assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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."
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
95.6% repairedof 74,027 vehicles
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 16V798000
Listed for 2016 Volvo XC90. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V690000 Filed Sep 26, 2016

A/C Water Drain may Affect Air Bag Deployment

Air bags
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
96.6% repairedof 43,766 vehicles
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 16V690000
Listed for 2016 Volvo XC90. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 16V268000 Filed May 4, 2016

Sunroof may Fully Close Unintentionally

Visibility · sun/moon roof assembly
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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."
Consequence
If the switch is unintentionally pressed and the sunroof panel closes, there is an increased risk of occupant injury.
Remedy
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.
97.2% repairedof 30,214 vehicles
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 16V268000
Listed for 2016 Volvo XC90. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V497000 Filed Aug 6, 2015

Inflatable Curtain Air Bag May Improperly Deploy

Air bags · side/window
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
Underinflated air bags may not fully protect third row occupants, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy
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.
96.7% repairedof 3,911 vehicles
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 15V497000
Listed for 2016 Volvo XC90. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 15V342000 Filed Jun 3, 2015

Seat Air Bag Wiring Harness Routed Incorrectly

Air bags · side/window
Official NHTSA text
Summary
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.
Consequence
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.
Remedy
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.
92.6% repairedof 584 vehicles
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 15V342000

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.

Which XC90 years had the most recalls?Best & worst years →Every recall for the Volvo XC90All model years →Where is the VIN on my car?VIN location guide →

Owner complaints (197)

197 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine is mentioned most often.

5involved a crash
10involved a fire
8injuries 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 2016 Volvo XC90, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 197.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2016 compares with other XC90 years

Best and worst XC90 years →
19 3 11 4 197 79 51 42 32 37
2011201220132014201620172018201920202021
This year (2016)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 25 mpg combined

25
mpg combined
24
city
27
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,300
CO₂ tailpipe
241 g/mi
EPA class
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle

What it costs you to run

$2,612per year
$218per month
600gallons a year

Miles ÷ 25 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

2016 Volvo XC90 configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive24 / 27 / 25$3,300241
2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automaticFront-Wheel Drive22 / 26 / 24$3,400373
2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive22 / 25 / 23$3,550384
2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automaticAll-Wheel Drive20 / 25 / 22$3,750397

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 2016 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

Which XC90 years drew the fewest complaints?Best & worst years →2017 Volvo XC90 report79 complaints · 7 campaigns →2014 Volvo XC90 report4 complaints · 0 campaigns →Have a VIN? Decode itVIN decoder →

2016 Volvo XC90 FAQ

How many recalls does the 2016 Volvo XC90 have?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaigns: 23V827000 (seat belt), 21V273000 (electrical), 19V308000 (engine), 16V798000 (seat belt), 16V690000 (air bag), 16V268000 (visibility), 15V497000 (air bag), 15V342000 (air bag). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2016 Volvo XC90 problems?

Owners filed 197 complaints with NHTSA. Engine (86), Electrical system (56), Unknown or other (36) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2016 Volvo XC90 get?

EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automatic version at 24 city, 27 highway and 25 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

How does the 2016 XC90 compare with other years?

Among the 2011–2021 Volvo XC90 model years at least five years old, the 2012 drew the fewest complaints (3) and the 2016 the most (197). The 2016 drew 197. 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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