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Luxury SUVs continue to grow in popularity, with the 2020 Volvo XC90 at the top of the charts. The automaker claims that this is “the SUV with first-class comfort and world-class safety.” However, current owners are taking to the internet to complain about the steering, service brakes, electrical system and suspension.
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NHTSA Complaints for the 2020 Volvo XC90
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes | |
| Engine | |
| Power Train | |
| Steering | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | |
| Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Structure:body | |
| Suspension |
Problems with the Steering
Having control over the vehicle is priority number one. With the XC90, customers are struggling to perform this essential task.
Here is one example from an Edmunds review. “If having precise control of your car is important to you, look elsewhere. It is sleek and aesthetically pleasing sure, but does that matter in a bad storm? Top heavy and loose handling in my opinion.”
When looking through the manufacturer communications, there are no bulletins related to the steering problems. Instead, the automaker would rather customers think that it’s only with their vehicle alone, even though complaints prove otherwise. There’s no question that the XC90 looks good and might even provide plenty of comforts, but it’s hard to compete for “world-class safety” when owners have to wrestle the steering wheel to stay on the road.
Problems with the Brakes
Another basic concept is the ability to brake when the vehicle must stop. Yet again, customers are unhappy with Volvo.
Here’s another Edmunds review. “Just two weeks in one of the tires where popped so I had that fixed. Less than a week later the brakes need to be replaced. I wish I can go back to my Nissan Rogue.”
Sadly, there is a recall that has to do with the forward collision avoidance system. NHTSA Campaign Number 20V144000 states that more than 120,000 vehicles are equipped with a software and hardware incompatibility that causes the AEB system to miss obstacles and refuse to engage. If this happens, the chance of an accident is much higher. Once again, how can a vehicle claim to be at the top of safety when the basic stopping systems don’t prevent accidents? Hey, at least owners can experience that “first-class comfort” right before the accident.
Problems with the Electrical System
Moving onto the electrical system, there seem to be just as many defects as with the other components.
Here is one more Edmunds review. “The entertainment center SUCKS during real world driving. You really need to set things before you leave or pull over – very dangerous. The menus are still confusing a month in and finding things remains a mystery.”
However, the electrical system complaints go beyond just convenience features. Even the automaker talks about high voltage battery repairs within Service Bulletin #TJ3429510-2019-0. Whether the battery is failing and owners can’t get to work or the entertainment system fails to provide the comforts needed, it’s difficult to justify the expensive price tag on the XC90. At this point, it might be better to save some money and buy a jalopy instead.
Problems with the Suspension
One final look at the XC90 shows some major issues with the suspension system. When combining this defective system with the steering concerns, it becomes even more difficult to control this luxury SUV.
Just look at this NHTSA complaint. “Purchased a new 2020 XC90 T6 Inscription with the air suspension. From the first time pulling into our driveway, there was a distinct, muffled, aggressive ‘thump’ in the front and rear end. The sound is independently from the front or rear suspension, depending on which is going over a bump. This occurs consistently when in slow speeds and going over an abrupt bump, such as a speed bump or an aggressive cut out in a driveway which is made for water run off. Once the suspension compresses, the thump occurs on decompression (rebound). I took it into the original dealer. A 2019 XC90 T8 Momentum (with air suspension) was given as a loaner. As expected, the loaner vehicle made the exact same thump sound from the front and rear suspension over the exact same bumps. The dealer could not replicate the sound on my car. I provided them with [service bulletins]. No response yet as to the problem or correction.”
As this customer has been left in the dark, Volvo continues to remain quiet about problems. Apparently, the company feels that enough has been said already to contradict its stance on producing a safe vehicle. At this point, the XC90 has become a very expensive lawn ornament as it sits waiting for constant repairs.
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Complaint Data
| Category | Engine, Power Train, Steering |
| Date | Mar 09, 2023 |
| State | GA |
| Description | The vehicle shudders randomly when taking off from a stopped position around 18mph. The vehicle shudders randomly when slowing down to make a right turn. The vehicle shudders when driving at higher speeds. It's not a violent shudder, but those riding in the vehicle feel it as well. The safety concern is two fold in that there is a fear of losing control at an inopportune time. Secondly, the constant shuddering over time is going to result in damaging other part of the vehicle, particularly the engine, that will present a safety hazard while driving. The vehicle was purchased used(certified). The dealer replaced collapsed engine mounts on left and right side and considered it resolved. Forman at dealer stated it is common with xc90's to have engine shudder as if this should be accepted. Because the engine shudder is happening at higher speeds now, we're going to return to dealer, but I do not expect a solution. I've seen others report similar issues with shuddering on volvo forums and I haven't seen 1 solution that worked. This is a problem in a lot of xc90's. The attached documents also contain some attempted fixes to correct a drifting issue. |
| Category | Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control, Service Brakes |
| Date | Sep 07, 2022 |
| State | CA |
| Description | The issue started a few months ago. The brake sensor light on the dash turned on and stayed on. We took it to the dealer and they said that they will not fix it because they can see coffee stains on the sensor. Basically they have brake sensors right under the center console where people drink coffee and the brake sensors are exposed so this can happen to any customer. Now they want to charge us 1600 dollars even though the suv is about 2 years old and under full warranty. They want to screw their customers and don't care about their safety. This is the brake system of the car and now it's having issues with the adaptive cruise control inwhich the system turns off while in use. We are concerned about our safty and don't know what to do. |
| Category | Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal |
| Date | May 10, 2022 |
| State | IL |
| Description | The contact owns a 2020 volvo xc90. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle experienced unintended acceleration while the brake pedal was depressed, causing the vehicle to crash into a parked vehicle. The contact's wife did not sustain any injuries, and no medical attention was received. A police report was filed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000. |
| Category | Service Brakes |
| Date | Mar 07, 2022 |
| State | CT |
| Description | I need new rear brakes and rotors at 26,296. I have leased cars for the past twenty plus years and never had to replace brakes/rotors after a year and a half. |
| Category | Engine, Fuel/propulsion System, Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Sep 08, 2021 |
| State | NV |
| Description | I was driving the speed limit on the highway in my volvo 2020 xc90 which was less than one year old. The vehicle lost acceleration power and then an engine performance light came on, then a check engine light. I pulled over immediately and my car engine caught fire under the hood. The entire front of vehicle was engulfed in flames within minutes. There were approximately 11k miles on the car and it had never been maintenanced or worked on in any way that would have caused an engine fire. It was clearly a fuel line fire and volvo did not properly investigate. My insurance company said it was a fuel line fire but could not get information from the black box because it was destroyed. This car is incredibly unsafe and should be recalled. I have multiple videos and case files concerning this "thermal event". Volvo recalled this car in europe because of this issue and says there are none in the usa. |
| Category | Structure:body |
| Date | Apr 24, 2021 |
| State | FL |
| Description | The spoiler cover over the third brake light came off on I-95 in the middle of the freeway for unknown reasons. |
| Category | Suspension |
| Date | Jun 19, 2020 |
| State | AZ |
| Description | Purchased a new 2020 xc90 t6 inscription with the air suspension. From the first time pulling into our driveway, there was a distinct, muffled, aggressive "thump" in the front and rear end. The sound is independently from the front or rear suspension, depending on which is going over a bump. This occurs consistently when in slow speeds and going over an abrupt bump, such as a speed bump or an aggressive cut out in a driveway which is made for water run off. Once the suspension compresses, the thump occurs on decompression (rebound). I took it into the original dealer (volvo of tucson). A 2019 xc90 t8 momentum (with air suspension) was given as a loaner. As expected, the loaner vehicle made the exact same thump sound from the front and rear suspension over the exact same bumps. The dealer could not replicate the sound on my car. I provided them with nhtsa id #'s: 10148803 and 10128173 (volvo bulletin #'s: tj32978 and tj3303. 1. 1). No response yet as to the problem or correction. *tr |
| Category | Service Brakes |
| Date | Apr 28, 2020 |
| State | FL |
| Description | On february 5, 2020 I was involved in a minor fender bender which resulted when I drove off alight and the car in front of me did not take off and I hit it in the rear at a very low rate of speed. The auto brake did not engage. I was no more than one and a half car lengths behind and the car was moving at one to two miles per hour. When I hit the rear of the car in front of me the air bags deployed which caused me to have a slight concussion and certainly scared me. There was little if no physical damage to the vehicle. I contacted volvo customer care a few days after advising that auto brake system did not engage and the airbag deployed. The report was taken. I was advised that there were no prior reports of this issue. Volvo repair was not willing to acknowledge my concern and would not confirm that prior to the repair there-would be a repair. Candidly they were not going to do anything except accept insurance check and fix it. I now have received a recall notice for this exact issue which I had reported. I advised then I was afraid of the car because I was afraid the airbag would deploy unnecessarily again. How do I address the fact that I will not use this car any longer. |
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About the Author:
Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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