Volvo XC90 problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 11 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2013 Volvo XC90? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
- airbags — 3 owner reports · tends to show around 102,067 mi · ~$1,100 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: airbags is flagged severe on this model , showing up around 102,067 mi. Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — no active recalls on this model right now, but confirm none were opened after this car was built.
Verdict for buyers: 8.8/10 model. The priciest documented failure is airbags (~$1,100) — get the seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
See the full pre-purchase inspection checklist →Ask anything about your 2013 Volvo XC90
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
Top trouble spots 1 category with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
I am the second owner of this car the other owner was in the family and the airbags have never been deployed. A couple months ago the SRS airbag service urgent light came on and we took it to the dealership to have it looked at. They said that the airbags needed to be…
The anti skid service is not functioning. The warning light keeps coming on and off periodicially. When this happens, I sometimes lose the dash lights, blinkers and the fuel door unlocks. The issue is not happening consistently it happens when the weather gets bad. Everything…
Having bought a 2013 Volvo xc90 with 36k miles on it, I was driving on a highway 2 weeks later when I saw smoke coming out of the engine. The engine stalled and shut down. I quickly pulled over the car and was able to get out as the smoke was increasing. Within 4-5 minutes, the…
The anti skid service is not functioning. The warning light keeps coming on and off periodicially. When this happens, I sometimes lose the dash lights, blinkers and the fuel door unlocks. The issue is not happening consistently. Sometimes it won't happen for months and…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2013 Volvo XC90 reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.8 out of 10 based on 11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2013 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.
Should you avoid the 2013 Volvo XC90?
On the NHTSA data, the 2013 Volvo XC90 does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2013 Volvo XC90?
Inspect the airbags first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 3 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 102,067 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2013 Volvo XC90 a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 11 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is airbags. Typical failure occurs around 102,067 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2013 Volvo XC90?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 3 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 102,067 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 102,067 miles. 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 2013 Volvo XC90?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 11 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, 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 are not always better value.