Is the 2017 Volvo XC90 reliable?

The 2017 Volvo XC90 has 114 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.5x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2017 Volvo XC90?

Top problems: ENGINE (24 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (22 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (16 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2017 Volvo XC90?

Yes, there are 7 recall(s): ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE, EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER, SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, 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 2017 Volvo XC90?

The 2017 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 2017 Volvo XC90?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2017 Volvo XC90 is approximately $2,143/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.

2017 Volvo XC90

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2017 Volvo XC90 has 114 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.5x the segment average of 46. The most common issue is engine problems (21% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2017 volvo xc90. the contact stated that the vehicle came equipped with a remote start application for the cellular telephone. the telephone would indicate that the remote start failed, yet the vehicle's engine would be running when the garage door was opened. the manufacturer. There are 7 recalls issued for this model year. ⚠️ 13 fire reports filed.

13 fire reports 3 crash reports 7 injuries

114

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.5x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

24 complaints

21%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH A REMOTE START APPLICATION FOR THE CELLULAR TELEPHONE. THE TELEPHONE WOULD INDICATE THAT THE REMOTE START FAILED, YET THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE WOULD BE RUNNING WHEN THE GARAGE DOOR WAS OPENED. THE MANUFACTURER
• SOME MY16/17 XC90 OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ON SWEDESPEED ONLINE FORUM THAT THEIR COOLANT HOSE BROKE: HTTP://FORUMS.SWEDESPEED.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?514873-ENGINE-COOLANT-PROBLEM FOR SOME CUSTOMER THE COOLANT HOSE BREAKS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. IF THE COOLANT HOSE BREAKS, COOLANT LEAKS QUICKLY A
• NEW VEHICLE (LESS THAN 19000 MILES) - VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY - IN A PARKING LOT, IGNITION OFF. APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MINUTES LATER, FIRE IGNITED IN ENGINE BAY, RAPIDLY SPREADING TO THE WHOLE CAR... ENTIRE CARE BURNED TO SHELL.

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

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH A REMOTE START APPLICATION FOR THE CELLULAR TELEPHONE. THE TELEPHONE WOULD INDICATE THAT THE REMOTE START FAILED, YET THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE WOULD BE RUNNING WHEN THE GARAGE DOOR WAS OPENED. THE MANUFACTURER”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2017 Volvo XC90

Based on 52 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 19K 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+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 20K mi · 12 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 20K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

OTHER

In line with typicalmedian 18K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

In line with typicalmedian 17K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRICAL

In line with typicalmedian 19K mi · 5 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 (7)

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE21/04/2021

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2016-2020 XC90 Excellence vehicles. Liquid or condensation on the rear seat control display may cause the front passenger seat to move back as far as possible.

Risk: The rear passenger may become trapped by the front seat without the ability to cancel the seat's movement, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will update the rear seat control display software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 14, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10093.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2017 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 2017 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

$2,143

Full coverage / month

$179

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+28%

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 age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$2143

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 2017 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

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

BODY/STRUCTURE(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 114 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH A REMOTE START APPLICATION FOR THE CELLULAR TELEPHONE. THE TELEPHONE WOULD INDICATE THAT THE REMOTE START FAILED, YET THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE WOULD BE RUNNING WHEN THE GARAGE DOOR WAS OPENED. THE MANUFACTURER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: I WAS USING THE PARALLEL PARK ASSIST AND THE CAR SLAMMED INTO THE CURB DAMAGING THE RIMS. THE DEALER INSISTS THAT THERE IS NO MALFUNCTION. THE CURB WAS OF THE PERFECT HEIGHT AND IT WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE PILOT ASSIST AND LANE ASSIST SYSTEMS ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD ERRONEOUSLY CHANGE LANES AND/OR CHANGE DIRECTIONS. ON OCCASION, THE FEATURES WOULD ERRONEOUSLY SHUT OFF FOR NO REASON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: ON 7 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY AND AGGRESSIVELY BRAKED ON ITS OWN. THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM SENSED THAT I WAS ABOUT TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IN FRONT OF ME. THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE ON THIS MODEL. IT WAS A MIRACLE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 7 recalls have been completed — free at any Volvo dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)