Only 2 owner complaints are on file with NHTSA for this car, so this sheet is short. Problems reported on other XC90 years with the same design are listed below the checklist.
2026Tick items off on your phone at the car, or print it. Ticks stay on this device.
0/5 checked
2026 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 highway0/1
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.
Few owners have reported problems with this year yet. These years share the 2026's design and most of its parts, so their problems are the ones to look for on this car too.
Worth adding to your 2026 checks
Worth adding to your 2026 checks
Worth adding to your 2026 checks
EPA figures for each version of the 2026 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 | 24 mpg |
| 2.0L 4-cylPlug-in hybrid | AWD | 530 mi range |
NHTSA complaints for the 2026 Volvo XC90, grouped by the part owners named. Open a row to read what goes wrong.
The backup camera shows no picture when the car is shifted into reverse, and in some cases every camera goes dark at once. The screen can display a message saying the camera view is temporarily unavailable. These failures appear in the first weeks of ownership on new cars. Turning the car off for a few minutes and restarting it brings the image back in some cases. In others, repeated hard resets do not help. Without a camera image, the driver loses a key aid for seeing people or objects behind the car, which raises the risk of a backing crash.
Excerpts from complaints XC90 owners filed with NHTSA, as written. Listen for the same symptoms on your test drive.
Within 4 weeks of a brand new Volvo XC90 T8 PHEV, the backup camera would not display picture when put in reverse gear potentially leading to a fatal crash. This was fixed by switching off the vehicle for five minutes and back on. This was a known recall with XC90 2021-2025 models with campaign number 25V282000. This appears to be a persistent issue in the 2026 model year as well.
Filed with NHTSA, March 2026
I turned on my brand new 2026 Volvo XC 90 and none of the cameras worked. I hard reset it three times and it still didn’t work. The message on the screen said “Camera view is temporarily unavailable. Press home button to close.” This is the second issue with the vehicle. First was apple car play, now, it’s the camera system.
Filed with NHTSA, February 2026
Complaints for this year next to the average for the other model years, area by area.
The 2026 has the fewest owner complaints of the 9 XC90 years we cover, well under 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 2026 is the 11th model year of the XC90's second generation (2016 on).
It includes the 2025 update.
What changed for 2025
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 2026 Volvo XC90MHEV, XC60MHEV, V90CCMHEV, and V60CCMHEV vehicles. The torsion bar in the front seat belt retractors may have been damaged during production.
Risk: A damaged retractor may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: Dealers will replace both front seat belt retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 17, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10340. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning September 17, 2025.
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023 Volvo C40 BEV, 2025 EC40, 2023-2024 XC40 BEV, 2020-2026 XC90 PHEV, 2022-2026 XC60 PHEV, 2023-2025 S60 PHEV, 2024-2025 V60 PHEV, and 2025-2026 EX40 and 2025 S90 PHEV vehicles. In certain driving scenarios while coasting down a hill and using "B" mode or "One Pedal Drive," the vehicle may lose brake function.
Risk: A loss of brake function increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised not to use "B" Mode (for plug-in hybrid vehicles) or "One Pedal Drive" (for pure electric vehicles) until the repair has been completed. The brake module software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10329.
Cars shoppers compare with the Volvo XC90, with their own 2026 checklists.
2026 owner complaints, side by side
