2022 Volvo XC90 Problems and Top Complaints – Is Your Car A Lemon?

Updated on September 28th, 2023 Author: Brian Jones Reviewer: Sergei Lemberg

It’s difficult to find an SUV with all of the equipment, power and class that’s desired these days. However, the 2022 Volvo XC90 sets itself up as the leader. It is, says the automaker, their “most luxurious SUV” which has been exclusively redefined. But some customers are bitterly disappointed. Engine and fuel-related complaints tell a story of SUVs going into turtle mode and shutting down, while electrical problems are varied and random.

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NHTSA Complaints for the 2022 Volvo XC90

Most Common Problems with the 2022 Volvo XC90

Fuel/propulsion system problems top the list of complaints lodged with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) about the 2022 Volvo XC90. But half of these also implicate the engine. Several electrical system complaints are also linked to fuel/propulsion system problems.

Additionally, there are complaints about lane departure, vehicle speed control, child seats, and the wheels of the vehicle.

There are also 2 recalls on file. The first relates to a loss of drive power in various 2022-2023 Volvo vehicles, including the 2022 XC90. In total, 15,674 vehicles are affected. According to the recall notice, an electronic control module (ECM) software error may prevent the combustion engine from starting. This causes a loss of drive power because the high voltage battery becomes depleted – and it increases the risk of a crash. The remedy is a free ECM software update.

The more recent recall warns that the steering wheel of 74 vehicles may lock up. The problem is a screw inside the gearbox housing. This, of course, also increases the risk of a crash.

Fuel/Propulsion and Engine Problems

Common fuel and engine-related problems reported by 2022 XC90 owners involve the engine propulsion system and turtle mode. The latter indicates a limp mode when the SUV’s engine performance reduces. It can result in drivers being left stranded on the side of the road.

An owner from Idaho experienced turtle mode soon after getting a “Propulsion Service Required” message one week after picking up a new 2022 XC90. Three weeks later, he got a check engine light message and then another propulsion service error message. He had owned the SUV for only 3 months when, traveling 75 mph in the far left lane, the turtle mode light came on. The SUV lost power, there was no propulsion, and he was just able to get off the freeway. This time, the dealership kept the car for 40 days and replaced the BDU, AC compressor, and IGM.

He states that there are “similar accounts of turtle mode and power failure from other 2022 Volvo owners on speedswede.com. We are not driving our car. Someone is going to get run over by another vehicle if Volvo doesn’t address the problem.”

Other owners state that:

• After getting the engine propulsion system and reduced engine performance error messages, an owner from Kentucky said: “I was unable to accelerate above 45 mph, which seems incredibly unsafe.”
• Driving with children at night, an owner from California got a propulsion error message just before the SUV shut off on a blind corner. “Multiple cars were inches away from hitting me. This is a known issue with 2022 XC90 recharges.”
• When the vehicle went into turtle mode on the freeway, it “started vibrating, reduced speed to a crawl, and then shut down. My family and I were trapped in the vehicle on the center divider of the freeway.”

Electrical System Problems

While a couple of the problems listed as being electrical are combined with fuel issues, the others are quite different from one another.

An owner from Florida experienced a vehicle locking system malfunction. This resulted in a dog and the XC90 keys being locked inside. At the time, the vehicle was in Park, the engine was off, and the driver was out of the SUV for not even a minute while filling the gas tank. The temperature outside was 90 degrees and the dog was trapped for 30 minutes. Eventually, the fire department arrived and broke the rear passenger window. “Volvo USA refused to note the safety concern. They believe the vehicle operated as designed to self-lock if you forget.”

Another Florida owner discovered that his parked SUV had turned on remotely, on its own via an unknown app, and was idling in the garage. The manufacturer deactivated the app and told the owner to take the vehicle to a dealer for assistance.

Very cold weather in Illinois caused an electric charging connector to freeze. According to the NHTSA complaint, the electronic release was inoperable, and there was no other way to disconnect the charger from the vehicle. As a result, it was stuck – which seems to be a recurring problem with this vehicle in very cold weather.

What To Do If Your 2022 XC90 is a Lemon

If you have experienced recurring problems that affect your use or value of your 2022 Volvo XC90, there’s a chance that it might be a lemon. You won’t be on your own. Every year, automakers settle with thousands of lemon owners, paying cash or replacing their vehicles.

If you think you might be a lemon owner, contact Lemberg Law. We will assess your problems and advise you on a course of action. All you need to do is call our Helpline or fill out a contact form. It’s not going to cost you a cent because the law makes Volvo pay their lemon law legal costs.

About the Author:

Brian Jones spent more than 30 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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