Is the 2016 Volvo XC90 reliable?

The 2016 Volvo XC90 has 304 complaints filed with NHTSA (6.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: avoid. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2016 Volvo XC90?

Top problems: ENGINE (85 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (56 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (37 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2016 Volvo XC90?

Yes, there are 8 recall(s): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW, SEAT BELTS:CRITICAL FASTENERS. Contact any Volvo dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Volvo XC90?

The 2016 Volvo XC90 gets 23 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2087. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2016 Volvo XC90?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2016 Volvo XC90 is approximately $1,971/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2016 Volvo XC90

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Avoid This Year

Quick Summary

The 2016 Volvo XC90 has 304 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 6.6x the segment average of 46. The most common issue is engine problems (28% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2016 volvo xc90. while driving at approximately 70 mph, the check engine warning indicator illuminated and the engine stalled. the vehicle was not able to restart. the vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of . There are 8 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 15 fire reports filed.

15 fire reports 10 crash reports 9 injuries

304

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

6.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

85 complaints

28%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF
• I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC IN ECO DRIVE MODE WITH THE AUTO START/STOP FUNCTION ENABLED. THE AUTO STOP KICKED IN AND STOPPED MY ENGINE, BUT WHEN I WENT TO PRESS ON THE GAS PEDAL, THE AUTO START DID NOT RESTART MY ENGINE AND THE GAS PEDAL WAS UNRESPONSIVE. NO ALERTS OR WARNINGS
• AROUND 10.30 AM ON SUNDAY, 26TH JUNE 2016, I WAS DRIVING ON I-95 (NEAR STAMFORD CT) WITH MY FAMILY WHEN THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER, SLOWED DOWN DRAMATICALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF I-95 AND STARTED TO CRAWL AT 10 MILES/HOUR. WE WERE IN DANGER OF BEING HIT BY A NUMBER OF VEHICLES WHILE I NEGOTIATED TO EXIT

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 7 fire reports💥 1 crashes

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF ”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2016 Volvo XC90

Based on 154 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 12K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 10K mi · 37 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 20K mi · 34 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 30K mi · 14 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 3K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BODY/STRUCTURE

In line with typicalmedian 30K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

In line with typicalmedian 5K mi · 10 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (8)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS17/04/2019

Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2016 XC90 vehicles. Exposure to heat and humidity may cause the engine coolant bleeder hose to crack, resulting in a coolant leak.

Risk: If the coolant leak goes unnoticed, coolant may accumulate in the catalytic converter heat shield insulation and catch fire when the vehicle is stationary, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Volvo Cars will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine side coolant bleeder hose, free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R29936.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2016 Volvo XC90

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,087

Per month

$174

Per mile

17.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,401/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$1,920/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2016 Volvo XC90

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,971

Full coverage / month

$164

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1971

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Volvo XC90 Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

40K mi

T5/T6/T8 all use 4-cylinder engines. T8 plug-in hybrids: battery cooling system serviced with engine coolant.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Volvo New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

12 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

Corrosion unlimited miles for 12 years

These are the terms for a new Volvo. If you're buying a used 2016 XC90, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Volvo dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 304 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: CAR WAS HAVING ISSUES WITH SPEEDOMETER SCREEN AND CENTER CONSOLE SCREENS. SCREEN WOULD BLANK OUT WHEN NAVIGATION SYSTEM WAS IN USE AND VEHICLE WAS MOVING. THIS WOULD HAPPEN TWICE AND SYSTEM WOULD NORMALIZE. SEVERAL WEEKS AGO THIS HAPPENED AND MY HUSBAND AND I SMELLED A WEIRD ODOR AND THEN SMOKE BEGA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WITH NO CAR WITHIN 200 YARDS IN FRONT OF VEHICLE, NO OBJECT ON THE ROAD, AND NO COLLISION WAS IMMINENT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY AND SPONTANEOUSLY SLOWED DOWN TO ALMOST 5 MPH FROM ABOUT 60 MPH FOR NO REASON. THE SEAT BELTS PRETENSIONED, THE GAS PEDAL DROPPED OUT FRO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BODY/STRUCTURE: WHILE DRIVING ON A CITY STREET I PUT THE CAR IN ECO MODE. THE CAR WAS MOVING AT THE TIME. I NOTICED THAT THE CAR SEEMED TO BE DRIVING LOUDLY. AS I TURNED LEFT, I SAW THE CAR WAS IN MANUAL MODE AND WAS IN FIRST GEAR. SO I TOOK MY FOOT OFF OF THE BRAKE TO SLOW DOWN THE CAR AND TRY TO PUT IT INTO DRIV
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 8 recalls have been completed — free at any Volvo dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)