Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2018 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 ↗Second-Row Seat Belt Buckle Not Tightened Properly
- 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.
Front Seat Movement May Trap Rear Passenger
- 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.
No GPS Location in the Event of a Crash
- Summary
- 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, the GPS will not provide location information to emergency personnel in the event of an emergency.
- 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.
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 (51)
51 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 51 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 15 | 29.4% |
| Service brakes | 12 | 23.5% |
| Unknown or other | 9 | 17.6% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 11.8% |
| Engine | 5 | 9.8% |
| Power train | 5 | 9.8% |
| Structure | 4 | 7.8% |
| Visibility/wiper | 4 | 7.8% |
| Forward collision avoidance | 3 | 5.9% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 3.9% |
How 2018 compares with other XC90 years
Best and worst XC90 years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 11 | 0 |
| 2014 | 4 | 0 |
| 2016 | 197 | 8 |
| 2017 | 79 | 7 |
| 2018 | 51 | 3 |
| 2019 | 42 | 6 |
| 2020 | 32 | 7 |
| 2021 | 37 | 6 |
| 2022 | 29 | 4 |
| 2023 | 40 | 6 |
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 27 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,050
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 187 g/mi
- EPA class
- Standard Sport Utility Vehicle
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 27 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
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 26 / 30 / 27 | $3,050 | 187 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 29 / 25 | $3,300 | 353 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 22 / 28 / 24 | $3,400 | 365 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automatic | All-Wheel Drive | 20 / 27 / 23 | $3,550 | 394 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2018 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.
Where to next
2018 Volvo XC90 FAQ
How many recalls does the 2018 Volvo XC90 have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 23V827000 (seat belt), 21V273000 (electrical), 18V800000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2018 Volvo XC90 problems?
Owners filed 51 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (15), Service brakes (12), Unknown or other (9) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2018 Volvo XC90 get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 8-speed automatic version at 26 city, 30 highway and 27 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2018 XC90 compare with other years?
Among the 2013–2021 Volvo XC90 model years at least five years old, the 2014 drew the fewest complaints (4) and the 2016 the most (197). The 2018 drew 51. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
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.