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ProblemsByVin File / 2011-VOLVO-XC90
2011 · Volvo

Volvo XC90 problems

1 safety recall. 19 owner complaints. We mapped every trouble spot before you sign the papers.

0 5 10
Reliability score
8.4 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate

Top trouble spots 2 categories with 3+ complaints

engine
6 reports · avg $3,100
severe
electrical
4 reports · avg $850
severe
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2011 XC90?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2011 XC90 · electrical
THE BATTERY IN THE VEHICLE FAILS DUE TO A DRAIN IN THE POWER SYSTEMS BECAUSE OF A FAILURE IN SOFTWARE SYSTEMS ,THIS FAULT IS KNOWN TO VOLVO AND THEY REFUSE TO REPAIR .IF THE CAR IS NOT DRIVEN EVERY DAY THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS SEARCH FOR BLUE TOOTH PHONE SIGNALS AND SATELLITE…
12/26/2014 · NHTSA ODI #10668277.0
2011 XC90 · seatbelts
DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT FULLY RETRACT AFTER EVERY RELEASE. IT WILL BE LOOSE UNTIL YOU GUIDE IT UP TO THE HOLE. IT IS KIND OF OKAY FOR NOW BUT I HAVE NO DOUBT THIS ISSUE COULD GET WORSE. I AM ALSO ALMOST CERTAIN THIS IS SIMILAR TO RECALL #R10029 THAT AFFECTS OUR 2011 XC60. THE…
12/15/2020 · NHTSA ODI #11383598.0
2011 XC90 · steering
WHINING NOISE IN STEERING..... I CHECKED AND LEAKING POWER STEERING FLUID IN 2015... ALSO IN 2016, AND NOW AGAIN IN 2017... I ADDED FLUID EACH TIME....
11/10/2017 · NHTSA ODI #11045205.0
2011 XC90 · engine
SHORTLY AFTER WE PURCHASED OUR 2011 VOLVO XC90 BRAND NEW WE HAVE EXPERIENCED A LAGS IN ACCELERATION. WHEN ACCELERATING THE CAR WOULD ROLL VERY SLOWLY UNLESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS COMPLETELY FLOORED. WE WAITED UNTIL OUR ROUTINE OIL CHANGE WAS DUE TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT, AND…
10/04/2011 · NHTSA ODI #10428725.0

Estimate your repair exposure

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Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 11V286000 18/05/2011

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 XC90 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 29, 2010, THROUGH AUGUST 16, 2010

THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OIL PIPES ON THE POWER STEERING RACK FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Common questions

Is the 2011 Volvo XC90 reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.4 out of 10 based on 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2011 Volvo XC90 is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

What's the most common problem on the 2011 Volvo XC90?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is engine, with 6 complaints filed. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The engine is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $3,100 at an independent shop. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Volvo XC90 has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2011 Volvo XC90?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 19 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $3,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans aren't always better value.

Related vehicles

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 21 hours ago. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Volvo. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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