CarRecallWatchThe 2016 Volvo XC90 has 8 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 197 complaints with NHTSA, including 5 crashes, 10 fires, 8 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Engine (86 reports).
2016 Volvo XC90 recalls
Loose Rear Seat Belt Buckle May Not Restrain Riders
Some Volvo XC90 SUVs from model years 2015 through 2022 may have second-row seat belt buckle and lower belt anchor bolts that were not tightened properly.
Front Seat May Move Back and Trap Rear Passenger
Liquid or condensation on the rear seat control display can cause the front passenger seat to move back as far as it will go.
Coolant Hose Can Crack and Leak, Creating a Fire Risk
A coolant bleeder hose on the engine can crack after long exposure to heat and humidity, causing a coolant leak.
Front Passenger Seat Belt Buckle May Separate
The front passenger seat belt buckle attaching stud can loosen, allowing the buckle to separate from its seat belt bracket.
Water Leak Could Affect Airbag Deployment in a Crash
Certain Volvo vehicles may have an air conditioning drain hose that was installed incorrectly at the factory.
Sunroof may close unexpectedly, risking occupant injury
The sunroof switch on the overhead console may not be recessed enough to prevent it from being pressed by accident.
Side curtain airbags may not fully inflate in third row
Certain 2016 model year vehicles built between late January and early July 2015 have third row side curtain airbags that may not fully inflate.
Side Airbag May Fail to Deploy in a Crash
Some front seats may have had the wiring for the side impact protection system routed incorrectly during manufacturing.
Most common 2016 Volvo XC90 problems
Problem areas named in the 197 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Engine | 86 |
| Electrical System | 56 |
| Unknown Or Other | 36 |
| Structure | 23 |
| Service Brakes | 14 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 12 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 11 |
| Power Train | 10 |
| Air Bags | 8 |
| Steering | 7 |
What owners report
I discovered an engine coolant leak from a crack near the end of the Plastic Coolant Bypass Pipe (part #31368673/32382362) after noticing coolant puddling on my garage floor. There are numerous comments with pictures on-line about how common this part fails on this model Volvo. What's also interesting is that the "pipe" fails in exactly the same location (on top and near the end). Seems to me if this is a known defect and the part is not performing with reasonable reliability, Volvo should provide an allowance to car owners when the part fails.
Piston rings inside the engine failed due to a known oil consumption issue with this model vehicle. The engine failed while the car was driving 85 mph and consequently slowed down to 15mph on the highway, leaving the owner of the car stranded alone on the highway. Volvo has a known fix for this issue and there was a class action lawsuit for it, but since it was settled, there was no recall. This is, in fact, a dangerous issue that is preventable. Additionally, the sunroof drains also leak. Water frequently leaks down the A-pillar directly onto the Central Electronic Module (CEM) causing unsafe electrical issues and potential engine failure. This was a known issue on other models, but it is
The AC evaporator has a leak. I am reporting as this is a well known issue on the Volvo's, especially the 2016 XC90 which has a large amount of issues that cause issues of safety and undue amount of financial burden on owners who operate the vehicle in normal conditions. I have been told by the dealer after they repaired a another issue of the engine (8 times this vehcile has been in for repair on engine issues that are due to a block issue) the ac evaporator is well known by Volvo to be poorly designed and manufatcurered where they last under ten years. I have asked dealers and mechainc shops who see dozens a week of these repairs needed. The avergae cost I have been quote is $4000 for rep
My 2016 Volvo XC90 suddenly lost power while I was driving, requiring me to pull over and have the vehicle towed. This is a documented safety issue associated with a known piston ring defect in 2013-2016 Volvo vehicles equipped with 2.0L and 2.5L engines, which was the subject of a federal class action lawsuit ([XXX] et al. v. Volvo Car USA, LLC, Case No. XXX, filed XXX. No there we NO warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. I purchased this vehicle as a second owner from Carvana [XXX] â one month after the class action was filed. I was never notified of the defect, the litigation, or any service campaign or extended warranty coverage associated with
The eRAD (Electric Rear Axle Drive) on my 2016 Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV failed completely. The warning light appeared approximately 11/3/2025, within one week of purchasing the vehicle at 88,000 miles. The failure was confirmed by a Volvo dealership. The eRAD is the component that powers the rear electric motor and provides AWD and hybrid function â its failure results in complete loss of rear wheel drive and hybrid system operation. Safety risk includes unexpected loss of AWD traction control in adverse weather conditions. This is a known systemic defect acknowledged in Volvoâs own Technical Journals (TJ33358). I contacted Volvo Cars USA customer service to invoke the SULEV emissions warranty
2016 Volvo XC90 questions
Does the 2016 Volvo XC90 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls for the 2016 Volvo XC90: Loose Rear Seat Belt Buckle May Not Restrain Riders; Front Seat May Move Back and Trap Rear Passenger; Coolant Hose Can Crack and Leak, Creating a Fire Risk; Front Passenger Seat Belt Buckle May Separate; Water Leak Could Affect Airbag Deployment in a Crash. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volvo XC90?
Based on 197 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine (86), Electrical System (56), Unknown Or Other (36).
How do I check if a recall on my 2016 Volvo XC90 has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.