2018 Volvo S90: What to check before buying

Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical and brakes. The 8 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.

2018

Owner complaints: 12
Recalls: 2
Crashes reported: 0
Reliability: Good; 67/100 on Auto Reliability Index

Your inspection sheet

Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.

0/8 checked

Paperwork and questions

Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3

01Confirm the 2 recalls listed below show as completed for this VIN. A Volvo dealer can look them up for free.
02Ask a Volvo dealer whether the Vehicle Connectivity Module software has been updated.
03Check service records for repeated rotor replacements or repeat visits for brake noise.

Walk-around and cabin

Engine off, key in hand0/2

04Open every door, especially the rear doors, from both inside and outside to confirm each latch releases.
05With the car running, check the instrument cluster for a "Volvo on Call Service Required" warning.

Cold start, engine bay, and underside

Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1

06Press the fuel door and confirm it pops open every time.

Test drive

At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2

07Brake firmly from highway speed and feel for the steering wheel shaking.
08Brake gently at low speed with the windows down and listen for screeching.

These checks are specific to this model year. For tires, body panels, fluids, and the other basics every used car needs, use the general inspection guide.

Which S90 is it?

EPA figures for each version of the 2018 Volvo S90. Use them to confirm you are looking at the version that was advertised, and as a yardstick on the test drive.

Version	Drive	EPA rating
2.0L 4-cylGas	AWD, FWD	26–27 mpg
2.0L 4-cylPlug-in hybrid	AWD	410 mi range

The 2018 Volvo S90 was sold in two versions. Confirm which one this is from the window sticker, the engine cover, or the VIN report before you compare prices.
On the plug-in hybrid, watch for the car moving off on electric power at low speed and for any hybrid system warning on the dash.
Reset the trip computer at the start of the drive. A S90 that averages well under the EPA 26 mpg combined on a mixed route may have an engine or tire problem.

Why these checks: what owners reported

NHTSA complaints for the 2018 Volvo S90, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.

Electrical3No crashes
Doors sometimes refuse to open. In these 3 complaints, a rear door stops opening from both the inside and the outside, and no warning message appears. That could trap passengers or block rescuers after a crash. The fuel door can also stay shut at the pump. Locking and unlocking with the remote does not release it, so the only fix described is a dealer visit. A separate report describes a Vehicle Connectivity Module software error at about 75,000 miles. It lights the "Volvo on Call Service Required" warning and makes the telematics and driver support systems work improperly.
Brakes2No crashes
Pressing the brake pedal can make the steering wheel shake violently without warning. New rotors do not stop it for long. In one account the shake comes back every 8,000 to 10,000 miles, and warranty coverage for the repeat repair was denied. The other complaint describes a loud screech when braking at low speeds. It started by about 10,100 miles and continued after several dealer visits, and the owner never got a diagnosis. Neither of the 2 complaints reports a crash, but both describe dealer repairs that did not fix the problem.

In owners' own words

Excerpts from complaints S90 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.

Electrical

The rear door will not open from the inside or the outside. Apparently this is a door lock actuator issue experinced by many volvo owners. It is extremely dangerous not to be able to open a rear door in the case of an accident or other incident where you need to enter or exit the car. Dealer confirms that there is an issue with these. No warning message appears when inoperable.

Filed with NHTSA, February 2024

How the 2018 compares with other S90 years

Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.

The 2018 has the most owner complaints of the 5 S90 years we cover, about 8.0 times the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.

2018 Average of other years

Electrical30
Brakes20

Where the 2018 fits in the S90's history

Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.

The 2018 is the second model year of the S90's first generation (2017 on).

Volvo updated the S90 for 2020, so a 2018 does not have those changes.

What changed for 2020 (not on a 2018)

Taillights updated to have sequential LED indicators
Chrome garnish added to Inscription variants

Recalls to confirm (2)

Recall repairs are free at any Volvo dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.

19V220000SeatsMar 2019
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2018-2019 XC60 and S90 vehicles. The driver and passenger front seat rail rear flange nuts may not have been installed during assembly.
Risk: If the nuts are missing, in the event of a crash, the front seat structure and position may be affected, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat rails for missing flange nuts, installing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R19931.
18V800000ElectricalNov 2018
Volvo 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.
Risk: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
Fix: Volvo 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.

Also looking at these instead of a S90?

Cars shoppers compare with the Volvo S90, with their own 2018 checklists.

2018 owner complaints, side by side