Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, engine, and fuel system. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2022Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2022 Volvo XC90: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Engine off, key in hand0/3
Ask the seller not to warm the car up first0/1
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/2
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.
These years share the 2022's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2022 checks
Worth adding to your 2022 checks
Worth adding to your 2022 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2022 Volvo XC90. 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 | 23–25 mpg |
| 2.0L 4-cylPlug-in hybrid | AWD | 530 mi range |
NHTSA complaints for the 2022 Volvo XC90, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
Sudden power loss is the most serious pattern. Propulsion Service Required messages and check engine lights come first. Then the car drops into turtle mode at highway speed, vibrates, slows to a crawl, or shuts down, leaving families stranded in traffic. Some owners report repeat dealer visits. Other reports describe the center screen freezing, or the screen, gauges, and climate going black while driving. Smaller groups of complaints cover an unexpected self-lock, a remote start by an unknown app, an overheating wireless charger, a charging connector frozen in cold weather, and a wait for recall parts.
Power drops on the highway after an engine propulsion system error or a check engine light. The car either limits speed or goes into turtle mode and then quits. Drivers report being stuck below 45 mph on a 70 mph interstate, and others report being stranded at night with children aboard. This creates a real risk of being hit by faster traffic. Complaints describe the failure coming back several times and the car going to the dealer repeatedly without a lasting fix.
Two serious failures show up here. In one, fuel pours from under the car on the highway after a bump, and no dashboard warning appears. That creates a clear fire risk. In the other, a propulsion error shuts the car off while driving, and it cannot be shifted to neutral or pushed out of traffic. Complaints describe being stranded on a blind corner with cars passing inches away. A software update was offered for the shutdown, but the complaint doubts it fixes the problem.
Excerpts from complaints XC90 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
The vehicle is equipped with wireless phone charger. I was charging my phone and could not lift it off the charger with my bare hand. According to the dealership test, their test started at 80 degrees Fahrenheit and tested after 10 minutes at 102 degrees Fahrenheit. The dealership stated that the charger is operating as designed. The phone was too hut to handle and could have caused an accident.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2023
The vehicle is equipped with Park Assist Camera. It automatically activated when reverse gear is engaged. The camera is angled is a way where display screen on front dash shows about half inch of the license plate. According to the dealership, the camera could not be adjusted and it is operation according to factory specs. This is safety issue as it distract the driver.
Filed with NHTSA, November 2023
Driving on the highway, check engine light came on followed by turtle mode and subsequent engine failure. Stranding driver with three small children on the highway. This has occurred several times, again stranding driver and three small children in the middle of nowhere at night having to await a tow truck and find a ride to hotel. Currently in service center for the fourth time with no apparent solution found. Volvo is not helping remedy the solution.
Filed with NHTSA, October 2023
While on my commute to work I received an “engine propulsion system” error message. While traveling on a busy interstate with a speed limit of 70 mph I received a second error stating “reduced engine performance, max speed reduced” I was unable to accelerate above 45 mph which seems incredibly unsafe.
Filed with NHTSA, September 2022
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2022 ranks fourth for owner complaints among 9 XC90 years, close to the average of the others. Newer years have had less time to collect complaints, so compare like with like.
Redesigns and mid-cycle updates change what can go wrong.
The 2022 is the seventh model year of the XC90's second generation (2016 on).
It includes the 2020 update.
What changed for 2020
Recall repairs are free at any Volvo dealer, but the seller may never have had them done. Check each campaign number against the VIN.
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020-2021 S90, 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60, XC90, and 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.
Risk: A short circuit in a high-voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high-voltage battery module as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the software to monitor the battery. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 28, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10312.
Volvo 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.
Risk: An improperly tightened seat belt buckle may not restrain an occupant as intended, increasing their risk of injury during a crash.
Fix: Dealers 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.
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2022 V60CC, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. During steering gear assembly, double screws may have been assembled on top of each other, which can cause a screw to fall into the gearbox housing.
Risk: A screw inside the gearbox housing can cause the steering wheel to lock up and increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 1, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10213.
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2022-2023 S60, V60, S90L, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An electronic control module (ECM) software error may prevent the combustion engine from starting, causing a loss of drive power.
Risk: The vehicle may lose drive power as the high voltage battery is depleted, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the ECM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 8, 2022. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10198.
Cars shoppers compare with the Volvo XC90, with their own 2022 checklists.
2022 owner complaints, side by side
