Owners have filed 39 complaints with NHTSA about this car, most about the electrical, backup camera, and brakes. The 9 checks below target those problems, in the order you would do them at the car.
2023Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/9 checked
2023 Volvo XC90: inspection sheet
Before you go, or before you touch the car0/3
Engine off, key in hand0/1
At least 20 minutes, with some highway0/5
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 2023's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
Worth adding to your 2023 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2023 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-cylHybrid | AWD | 25 mpg |
| 2.0L 4-cylPlug-in hybrid | AWD | 530 mi range |
NHTSA complaints for the 2023 Volvo XC90, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
The center screen goes black or restarts on its own while driving. When it does, the camera, navigation, audio, Bluetooth and climate controls drop out with it. Turn signals and hazard flashers work only some of the time. Some cars fail to detect the key fob, and in some cases the tailgate opens repeatedly with the alarm sounding. On Recharge plug-in models, the charging connector can stay locked in the port. Backup camera failures continue after software updates and even a camera replacement. Dealers usually blame software, and repeated updates often leave the problem in place.
The rear camera shows "camera temporarily unavailable" after the car is shifted into reverse. This often happens after the car has been parked for hours, and the outage lasts from 30 seconds to several minutes. Owners say software updates have not stopped it. Automatic reverse braking slams on hard and without warning near low curbs, bushes or garage walls, and the brakes stay locked until the driver shifts to park and back. Some cars also lose all sound at random, including safety warnings and turn-signal clicks. With no camera and no warning tones, the risk of backing into something goes up.
The Park button does not always engage, even with a firm foot on the brake. The SUV can roll forward when the driver releases the pedal believing it is in park. Reports also describe a brake failure warning while driving with the brakes not working, which a dealer linked to a remote software update. In reverse, the brake pedal can stiffen and make a loud noise when pressed. Several of these reports tie the brake problems to the same screen, camera and reverse-braking faults seen elsewhere. Unwanted rolling and lost braking both carry real crash risk.
A reduced engine performance warning puts the car into a limp mode that owners call "turtle mode." It caps speed while driving, and the engine responds to the gas only at lower speeds. The check engine light comes back every few weeks. Dealers reset the system and point to software but find no clear cause, so the problem keeps returning. Losing power at speed in traffic is a safety concern.
The driver's door opens or will not stay latched while the SUV is moving, with no warning chime or alert. Reports describe the door swinging fully open at parking-lot speed and staying ajar with a loud noise inside the cabin. One case dates to about 6,000 miles. Repairs range from replacing door wiring and hinges to fixing an unnamed part, and in one case the dealer found no cause. A door opening while the car is moving puts the driver and anyone nearby at risk.
The rear camera freezes, starts late or briefly blacks out after the car is shifted into reverse. It happens most often right after the car is unlocked and put straight into reverse. In other cases the camera angle shifts sharply downward, so the view shows the bumper and plate and only a few feet of ground behind the car. Repair shops call the freezing normal or say they cannot reproduce it. A frozen or shortened camera view makes backing up riskier.
Despite the heading, these reports are not about steering. One describes a car that lost all power, would not start and would not come out of park. The dealer traced it to an internal fault in the high-voltage battery that required opening the battery. Service backlogs and parts waits pushed that repair out about 6 weeks. The other report covers navigation problems on rural back roads, where the map system performs poorly. The dealer could not reproduce it after several visits.
Excerpts from complaints XC90 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Constant malfunction of Infortainment center. Turn indicators do not always work. Lately braking error messages. Volvo said it needs software updates. That has been done multiple times. This time it lasted several days and was completely black. You cannot see any information. No radio, no Bluetooth, no GPS, no data on car systems. Car has had problems for almost 2 years and excuse is always the software.
Filed with NHTSA, January 2025
The Emergency Flashers on occasion and randomly malfunctions with the red triangle button flashing but the green arrows intermittently blink on the dash screen and the ticking sound also intermittently working. I have a video clip of the issue but can’t upload on this webpage.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2025
**CURRENT RECAL FIX DID NOT FIX MY ISSUE** Often when starting vehicle after hours of parking and entering reverse to back out of parking spot, camera will show "camera temporarily unavailable" and is not usable for a time (30seconds up to several minutes). We have software version 3.5.24 in-which the recall should have already been fixed as per the letter we received. The issue is not resolved and persists.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2025
Rear view camera sometimes does not display on the infotainment screen even though the car is in Reverse. The display message is “Camera is temporarily unavailable”. I have yet to receive a recall notice. This issues makes backing up very dangerous!
Filed with NHTSA, June 2025
While driving a warning sign came on indicating break failure. The breaks were not working at all. Car was able to be slowed down to a stop. It was towed to a dealership who stated there was a remote software update done that causes break failure
Filed with NHTSA, January 2025
Check engine light comes on every few weeks. Dealer inspects, resets, and says software issues. Now engine performance lights and "turtle mode" has come on twice throttling my speed while driving. Again no known cause and just resetting. Currently in a loaner vehicle while they research.
Filed with NHTSA, June 2024
Third instance of reduced engine performance warning system taking over the car, which results in the "turtle mode" coming on and throttling vehicle speeds. The car does not respond to gas except at lower speeds. Then the Check Engine light also came on.
Filed with NHTSA, July 2024
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2023 ranks second for owner complaints among 9 XC90 years, about 1.6 times 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 2023 is the eighth model year of the XC90's second generation (2016 on).
It is also the first year of a mid-cycle update.
What changed for 2023
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 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2024 C40BEV, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40, and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2026. Owners may contact Volvo Car’s customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10333. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 16, 2026. This recall replaces previous NHTSA recall number 25V282. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 25V282 will need to have the new remedy performed.
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility.".
Risk: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10320.
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 2023 S60, V60CC, XC60, XC90, XC40, and C40 vehicles. A diagnostic trouble code (DTC) may be falsely detected for the emergency call system (e-call) and display "e-Call Service Required" in the driver information module (DIM).
Risk: The false warning message could prevent the detection of an actual e-call system failure, which could delay an emergency response during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will update the telematics and connectivity antenna module (TCAM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10225.
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023 S60, V60, V60CC, V90CC, XC60, XC90, XC40, and C40 vehicles. A diagnostic error in the Brake Control Module 2 (BCM2) may cause a loss of Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and traction control.
Risk: A reduction in brake support functions can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Volvo will release an over-the-air (OTA) BCM2 software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 15, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10217.
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 2023 checklists.
2023 owner complaints, side by side
