2018 Volvo XC90 problems & reliability
50 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Volvo XC90, alongside 3 safety recall campaigns. Last verified Sep 21, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several components.
3 complaints report injuries (3 injured).
Federal crash records (FARS 2020–2023): 2018 Volvo XC90 vehicles were involved in 9 fatal crashes with 2 occupant deaths. Involvement counts are not adjusted for how many are on the road and do not imply fault or a vehicle defect.
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System → | 15 | 30% |
| Service Brakes → | 11 | 22% |
| Unknown / Other | 9 | 18% |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 6 | 12% |
| Engine | 5 | 10% |
| Power Train | 5 | 10% |
| Structure | 4 | 8% |
| Visibility/wiper | 4 | 8% |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 3 | 6% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 4% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
All 18 reported components →Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“This submission supplements NHTSA Complaint #11759206, filed on August 24, 2026, regarding a 2018 Volvo XC90, in order to provide additional relevant information that came to light after the original filing. At the time of the first safety-critical malfunction (in-vehicle warnings including "Transmission Acceleration…”
Power Train · filed Aug 25, 2026
“The vehicle first experienced a safety-critical malfunction while driving on the highway on August 11, 2026, producing in-vehicle warnings reading "Transmission Acceleration Performance Reduced" and "Gear Lever Locked," along with broader electrical system symptoms, requiring the 2018 Volvo XC90 to be towed to Volvo…”
Power Train · filed Aug 24, 2026
“At first I was having issues with stop and start, replaced the battery then was told I wasted coffee in my center Console and it cause electrical issues and was told the repairs would be 3,400 in which collision issuance paid for. After the repairs my driver side seat belt would latch then the passenger side wouldn’t…”
Seat Belts · filed Aug 19, 2026
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Pedestrian alert sounds
Defect Petition DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000
Technical service bulletins
550 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2018 Volvo XC90. The 10 most recent:
This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 1 .jpg attachment - If remote control key is not detected by the car and shows message in DIM "Car key not found" or if functions such as lock/unlock are not working, please follow…
33031.6.0 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 23, 2026
This is a Technical Journal: Intermittent knocking noise during acceleration. If the sound corresponds to attached sound file, change front drive shafts to the below part numbers.
36496.10.0 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 7, 2026
This is a Technical Journal: Headlamp condensation inside lens - information/leak test. If the result is not ok (air leak), it is ok to replace the headlamp
34521.11.1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 7, 2026
This is a Technical Journal: Panoramic sunroof, sealing strip has a gap
35503.4.0 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 6, 2026
This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test. Perform the test. Follow service procedure Description and Service sections updated to clarify that vehicle reports are not…
35526.1.8 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 23, 2026
This is a TJ text only - The purpose of this TJ is to be a master reference list to easily identify any components that are on prior approval. This TJ will be regularily updated as items are added or removed from prior…
37809.1.1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 7, 2026
This is a Technical Journal: Headlamp condensation inside lens - information/leak test. If the result is not ok (air leak), it is ok to replace the headlamp
34521.10.0 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 21, 2026
This is a Technical Journal: If a vehicle with panorama roof shows symptom of a rattling noise when opening, follow the description under Service. If the analysis shows that the rattling noise comes from the roller…
33183.9.1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 7, 2026
This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 1 jpg and 1 mp4 file -- If there is a strange chafing or creaking noise when turning the steering wheel, follow the advice under Service.
35842 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 13, 2026
This is a TJ If detected during Pre-delivery inspection or if customer complaints of chipped/cracked/distorted screen/glass within 6 months in service we request more information, follow advise under "Service".
28874 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 8, 2026
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 2018 Volvo XC90 has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2018 Volvo XC90?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.