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2018 Volvo XC90

Plug-in hybridGas
Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
B
Safety Signal
86 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns3
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA50
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA27 mpg
202720262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2018 Volvo XC90 is sold in the U.S. as a plug-in hybrid and gas midsize or large SUV with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the XC90 AWD PHEV, is EPA-rated at 27 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 50 complaints, most often about the electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombRangekWh/100miCharge (240V)Annual fuel*
XC90 AWD PHEVPlug-in hybridAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo + 34 and 65 kW 3-phase Sync.263027 (36 MPGe blended)19 mi electric503 h$2,850
XC90 FWDGasFWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo222925———$3,100
XC90 AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo222824———$3,250
XC90 AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo202723———$3,350

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 39383, 38808, 38839, 38810.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 Volvo XC90 is in the years where high-voltage electronics and module repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (3)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Seat Belts

R10259
2,911 vehicles
ProblemVolvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2015-2024 XC90 vehicles. The second-row seat belt buckle and lower belt anchor bolts may not be tightened properly.RiskAn improperly tightened seat belt buckle may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing their risk of injury during a crash.FixDealers will inspect and tighten the second-row seat belt buckle anchorage bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 19, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10259.
NHTSA campaign 23V827000reported Dec 7, 2023Volvo Car USA, LLC
○minor

Electrical System

R10093
162 vehicles
ProblemVolvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2016-2020 XC90 Excellence vehicles. Liquid or condensation on the rear seat control display may cause the front passenger seat to move back as far as possible.RiskThe rear passenger may become trapped by the front seat without the ability to cancel the seat's movement, increasing the risk of injury.FixVolvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will update the rear seat control display software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10093.
NHTSA campaign 21V273000reported Apr 21, 2021Volvo Car USA, LLC
○minor

Electrical System

R39917
17,548 vehicles
ProblemVolvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improperly. As a result, the GPS will not provide location information to emergency personnel in the event of an emergency.RiskIf the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.FixVolvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.
NHTSA campaign 18V800000reported Nov 13, 2018Volvo Car USA LLC

NHTSA defect investigations

Electrical System:Propulsion System — Pedestrian alert sounds closed

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matt

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · action DP22005

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
50complaints filed

2 involved a crash · 1 a fire · 3 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2017: 1 · 2018: 5 · 2019: 7 · 2020: 3 · 2021: 1 · 2023: 7 · 2024: 5 · 2025: 8 · 2026: 13

Most-cited components

Electrical System15
Service Brakes11
Unspecified9
Fuel/Propulsion System6
Engine5
Power Train5

What owners describe

“At random times the back doors will not open, from the inside or outside…hit all the unlock buttons and will NOT open. If this is not a massive safety issue, I don’t know what is…. If we get in a wreck and our car is on fire and we cannot instantly get ourselves or our children out quickly that’s a problem… i…”Jan 15, 2026 · Latches/Locks/Linkages · NHTSA owner report
“My car completely locked up on the road and came to a screeching stop. This car is known for having the ERAD completely fail and it could have caused it to have a serious accident. It has also caused my car to plummet in value losing over 30k in just 3 years. Now my repairs cost nearly what it’s worth and aren’t gu…”Oct 5, 2025 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report
“On 8/20/2025, my 2018 Volvo XC90 T8 suffered catastrophic failure of the Electric Rear Axle Drive (ERAD). The vehicle suddenly developed a loud whining noise from the rear and became undriveable. This ERAD had previously been replaced under warranty at Boston Volvo Cars. On 10/28/2025, Queens Volvo inspected the vehicl…”Sep 19, 2025 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆18%
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆18%
SUV AWD★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★☆16%
SUV FWDnot rated★★★★★★★★★★not rated—
SUV FWDnot rated★★★★★★★★★★not rated—

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program. Standard driver-assist: forward collision warning, lane departure warning.

Other XC90 model years

A

2027 Volvo XC90

0 recalls · 0 complaints

A

2026 Volvo XC90

1 recalls · 6 complaints

A

2025 Volvo XC90

3 recalls · 27 complaints

B

2024 Volvo XC90

4 recalls · 34 complaints

F

2023 Volvo XC90

7 recalls · 39 complaints

F

2022 Volvo XC90

5 recalls · 29 complaints

F

2021 Volvo XC90

7 recalls · 35 complaints

F

2020 Volvo XC90

9 recalls · 30 complaints

D

2019 Volvo XC90

6 recalls · 41 complaints

F

2017 Volvo XC90

7 recalls · 77 complaints

F

2016 Volvo XC90

8 recalls · 198 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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