With the existing model dating back to 2016, it comes as no surprise that the 2021 Volvo XC90 has just 5 consumer complaints registered against its name for this year by the NHTSA. That said, the acclaimed king of safety does seem a bit unsorted in that regard as the automaker has issued 3 separate recalls in suspicion of faulty onboard passenger safety systems for this model year. However, the overall status does seem much better than competing SUVs like the Audi Q7, the BMW X5, and the Mercedes-Benz GLS Class. But that doesn’t ensure you complete immunity from complaints as owners have brought up a handful of issues from long-term use that prospective buyers should watch out for, which shall be discussed in this section. So, the question is, should you buy one for a base price of $49,000?
2021 Volvo XC90 User Complaints and Problems
Mechanical Complaints
- Engine- Random “check engine lights” and “service now” warnings have been pretty common issues with the 2021 XC90. The most common cause of these issues is errors with the emission control system dues to faulty tailpipe sensor readings or clogged catalytic converters.
- Service brakes- The ABS and ESC warning lights constantly remain illuminated even though there is no issue with the physical braking hardware or assist. The issue was later diagnosed to be a faulty ABS module, which may prevent the anti-locks from working in case of an emergency braking. This issue, which was inherent to some batches of ABS units, had to be replaced under a recall (ID-21V716000).
Electric System complaints
- Infotainment- Though the system has been in operation since the 2016 model year, owners still come across software glitches on the system. Occasional freezing, rebooting, crackling sounds from audio speakers, and failing to respond to touch are the most common issues reported by owners. Though multiple software and UI updates were made available, some users still come across occasional hiccups.
Structural Complaints
- Roof- SUVs equipped with panoramic sunroofs are prone to water leaks with the mileage. The sunroof draining system failure has been quite common and owners find water in the passenger footwell as well as the trunk floor. Replacing the rubber drain hoses and seals does solve this issue.
Safety Complaints
- Airbags- Owners complain about the Airbag lights on the 2021 XC90 intermittently coming on. Though this issue was initially dismissed by the dealer in the absence of any error codes, later it was found to be a faulty SRS module, which was inspected and repaired under a recall (ID-21V001000).
2021 Volvo XC90 Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
15th September 2021 |
21V716000 |
Rotor and shaft may separate causing loss of ABS. |
An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system which may cause the loss of ABS and ESC, increasing the risk of a crash. |
The dealers will replace the hydraulic unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 22, 2021. |
|
2 |
1st September 2021 |
21V682000 |
Seat Belt locking retractor malfunction. |
The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly, which can increase the risk of injury in the event of a crash. |
Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on October 13, 2021. |
|
3 |
7th January 2021 |
21V001000 |
The SRS unit can detach. |
The SRS control unit may not have been properly attached to the car body and may detach during a crash, decreasing the performance of occupant protection systems in the event of a crash and increasing the risk of injury. |
The dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the SRS control unit mounting screws, free of charge. The recall began on February 12, 2021. |
Should you buy a used 2021 Volvo XC90?
Even though the Volvo XC90 has been one midsize SUV that has been rated high in everyone’s books, the sales figures haven’t always been that exciting. What’s also surprising is that the XC90, despite all its positive attributes and a low number of registered complaints, comes rated as one of the lowest when it comes to reliability and overall customer satisfaction. We are not against this SUV by any means here, but in the end, it is not our short test drives that decide what a vehicle actually is, but in fact, it is the long-term review of actual owners that should be counted on, for which, this premium midsize SUV ranks just average. The XC90 is still unmatched when it comes to safety, but when putting down your money on one, make sure that you have someone who knows their way around these SUVs just to be sure that you don’t end up in trouble later.
