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Volvo XC90 buyers guide Gen 2 (2015-2024) Avoid buying a broken XC90 (XC90 reliability D5/T6/T8)
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- Published on Mar 11, 2026
- Volvo XC90 2015-2024 Buyers guide for T5, T6, T8, D4, D5, B5, B6, Recharge models. Avoid buying a cheap unreliable Volvo XC90 and find the Volvo XC90 that can go off-road and on-road without common faults and problems. Avoid the mistake of buying a cheap Volvo XC90 with outstanding recalls or damage. This buyer's guide covers the 2015 XC90, 2016 XC90, 2017 XC90, 2018 XC90, 2019.XC90, 2020 XC90, 2021 XC90, 2022 XC90, 2023 XC90, and 2024 XC90 model year including facelifts and refresh models in all trims from Inscription and R-Design, as well as the Sport and SE Nav models. Owners and buyers looking for a guide on what to look out for may find our guide useful and if you are considering a second-generation Volvo XC90 as the ultra-safe competitor to Range Rover or Porsche Cayenne. The D5 engine will be popular with European buyers but the T8 PHEV has grown in popularity. The T6 will be a popular model for the USA.
The common problems discussed in our buyer's guide to the XC90 include navigation and software problems, sunroof leaks, and brake wear as well as failed door locks.
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I appreciate the work poured into this vid. Thank you!
Really appreciate comments like this, it makes the hard work worth it 👍
My daughter just gave hers back to Carnax after 30 days. Ending revving and would not stop. Their mechanic said many engine faults don’t 2:05 dont drive. Car max took it back . Said it would be $10,000 to fix and they weren’t going to fix it. They paid for her rental, mechanic, towing. Treated her well
What model and year? Thanks
What year??
Original owner of 2018 XC90 T6 Inscription, with 80K miles, had some issues mostly fixed by software. Had an 02 sensor that failed recently but fixed under warranty. The original rear brakes did wear under 18k miles. Replaced with new Volvo brakes and they lasted longer. Brake vibration issues can be solved with pad break-in process, look up on Internet for instructions. No leaks from sunroof or windows. So far it's been very good and would buy another Volvo. It's a very good looking vehicle inside and out.
Been waiting for this for some time. Thanks.
I hope it lived up to expectation 😁
Same here. I was looking at a 2017 XC90 T8 but I think I will pass on it now. Thank you for the vid.
These suffer badly from a blown power pipe between the turbos,,, it's not welded, it's push fitted into the flange,, and will fail and cost u a ton of money,,,, if u have one, get the modified upgraded pipe with a collar,,, do it now before urs fails,,,,,, thank me later
2021 B5 100.000km, first set of brakes at 40%, water pump leaked at 30,000km, everything else works flawlessly
Don’t forget the sunroof leak
2017 XC90 D5 diesel (140,000 km) - had to swap out the EGR pipe as it was cracked and getting slight exhaust gas fumes into the cabin(known issue). Two bolts at the back of the engine block were a nightmare to get out. Dealer wanted to drop the engine for access. DIY job with a few bloody knuckles!
I know many pepole here in Sweden with d4/5 Volvos they ser great, ofc they have problems byt overall less than german or american i would say
The ERAD mentioned at ruclips.net/video/8y1O67aOc0A/video.html is not the battery pack, it's the rear axle drive unit
Just found your site. I bought a new MY18 D5 Inscription pro in 2017 and have had the following issue. Yr 1 - balancing shaft bearing replaced. Issue with air suspension not working properly. Yr 3 - c 30k powerpulse pipe replaced. Yr 5 - leaking shock absorber. Yr 6 - c80k powerpulse pipe replaced and total turbo failure requiring new turbos (Volvo provided 1 years extended warranty as compensation). Yr 7 - c91k knock from engine with diagnosis being a new engine required (currently awaiting warranty company approval). I have always purchased an extended warranty as I have been wary of reliability issues. Brake pads seem to last about 35k on front and £27k on rear. I replaced the cam belt at 88k as advised and always had a service plan for annual services. I am going to trade it in as soon as it’s fixed as I can’t trust not having large repair bills after warranty runs out, or the inconvenience they cause. I will probably buy another Volvo, possibly the XC40;as I don’t need a big car now. How this helps your research.
Good timing in finding the channel, the XC40 buyers guide is in final edit 👍
Great summary, thank you. Bought a first year XC90 Inscription, had to be replaced after about a year. Mainly electronics issues, but major. Replacement, a ‘17 has been fine overall and it’s the longest I’ve ever run a vehicle, so clearly I’m happy with it. Issues:
Brakes - horrendous, had to be replaced after less than 10k miles but all under warranty. I had an extended warranty to 120k miles which I’ve just passed. It does seem that finally Volvo fixed wherever the issues was as I haven’t had any issues maybe for the last 20k miles.
Software glitches but all moderns have the same. Reboot generally remedies and of course updates every oil/change (@5k ) and service.
Leaks - slight - dealer agreed to clear sunroof drains at every visit. Forums indicate this has been an issue for many. Mine seemed to be at rear of car so no damage done.
Mileage - I’ve averaged overall maybe 22mpg ( US gallons ) which is ok but only slightly better than the Range Rovers I had previously - maybe 19 with those. But that was with a V8 so I’m a bit disappointed as the Volvo engine isn’t as smooth and sounds frankly horrible.
Other than that, I’ve loved the vehicle and my local dealership experience has been exemplary. Order is in for another one - a ‘26, but note we’ve discovered the vehicle doesn’t have fog lights which seems like a fairly significant oversight. Explanation from corporate wasn’t satisfactory. Also, and it seems I’m in the minority here, they no longer offer a heated windshield, a feature I love. I don’t need a heads-up display but I note that Range Rover offers both so that’s another disappointment. I should add that I didn’t have any major issues with my previous two Range Rovers either, which seems contrary to most people’s experiences and impressions!!!!
I love the Volvo so much, I came across a Volvo XC90 Inscription 2016 Model for sale in Singapore, Prestige used car dealer. The Price is $10,800, now due to different Car Review which are all negative i am left very confused. This is the only review which is genuine i think. Every car has issues. I have a ford explorer centennial edition its 23 years old i have never had issues with it , just normal issues like breaks, wheel bearing hub . So advise me on this one.
From everything I have found to read, the best model is the 2020 year, T5. Everyone says T6 models are problematic in every year.
I have 2018 XC90 T6. Since the purchase in January 2019, I hade several issues and some of them mentioned in the video. Yet, non of them was repaired by recalls (Location: middle east).
- The first issue was a glitch in the instrument panel (screen) at around 30k km, They replaced it via warranty
- Another issue is the quick warn of the breaks ( every 30k km). Still exists
- Air conditioning evaporator at 100k km. Replaced via extended warranty
- At 135k km, Both sides front axles. One replaced via extended warranty and I payed for the other
Bottom line, after 5 years and around 135k km, I still like the vehicle. I have driven it in mountains, sand dunes, beaches (got stuck several times), long trips (over 3000 km) and water channels.
Should have opened with the last paragraph
Common issue with ERAD £7000 fix
I bought a 2017 xc90 t8 r design with 55k. It has 110k now and has been a nightmare for the last year. It’s been at the dealer several times for check engine lights. They’ve replaced every o2 sensor a couple times each, the oil trap twice, the catalytic converter, the throttle body. It’s currently back at the dealer for misfires across all cylinders. So far they’ve done all this work under warranty. It has a bunch of electrical gremlins I don’t want to deal with. I’ve never had as many issues with a car before. When I get it back I’m trading it in.
I’m in the market for a 2021-2024 XC90 inscription model. I have a 2017 XC60 R design T6 model that’s been wonderful since New. I now have 112,777 miles and it’s been dealership maintained. I like the larger XC90. I’m just concerned with some of the brake issues and leaking water issues.
AC repair. $4,500 at the dealership. Entire dash comes out. Good luck with that one.
yes, Volvo is not a good buy anymore
@imnotusingmyrealname4566 My wife's 2019 XC90 we bought new, losing freon. Dealer diagnosed leak in evaporator. $3000. Rockauto sells evaporator for
$95. I'm buying freon at $9 a can and adding every couple of months. Secondary battery bad, just out of warranty $1000. at 2 years, sun roof glass cracked. $1500. Now engine revs after warm up with check engine light. Got to go to dealer 150 miles away ( yeah, I knew better than to buy a foreign car with no local service, but my wife loved it) because no local mechanic will touch it. The thing is fun to drive, but a money pit, and with 2 more years of car payments.
What year? How many miles?
Not true. I had it done on my now 2018 XC90 bout 2 yrs ago. Price was $1,400 or so, and yes, the dash was removed.
I did the same, but my Volvo was 8 years old and it was the only repair ever done. Now it’s 10 years old and my teens drive it
Is it just me or is a "clean and minimalist" cabin more a cold and sterile space? I also don't like these empty cabins of EVs with no center console. I want my car to be a comfy space that hugs when where I can feel soothed with lots of cubbies for storage, and a mechanical transmission selector or manual. Also buttons are not only safer and easier to use but they also make the cabin look more featured and filled.
Yeah agreed, the trend of interiors that are blank apart from a screen and a steering wheel always remind me of a basic car rather than a luxury/high spec car 👍
@themilesdriven there is one carmaker going in the opposite direction, it's Mazda. Mazda has made it clear they want to achieve optimal human machine interface and they designed their infotainment and climate control accordingly, buttons, dials, and a controller similiar to older BMW idrive for the information while in motion
@themilesdriven and speaking of, how about a buyers guide of a Mazda?
Yes when I worked at Mazda our quarterly training always emphasised driver engagement and tactile functionality. It's why the Mazda 2 has a touchscreen and a control wheel, the touch screen operates when stopped, so you can quickly enter in details to navigation, then above (either 5 or 10mph) the touchscreen won't operate, and control is now done through the little wheel by the armrest, much safer as you can make small changes like switch route with two turns of the control wheel and not take your eyes off the road. It reminded me of something Saab would do. 😅
I've done the Mazda MX-5 previously 👍
@themilesdriven thanks for that insight, it seems Mazda has aspirations to become the ultimate driving machine while BMW wants to turn their cars into nightclubs
2021 T8 plug in hybrid.
My breaks squeak on breaking when in traffic and break from slow speed. Talked to a dealer they said that breaks has been overheated at some point, judging by coloration of break discs.
Strange. As I am not really a racing driver. So!
These are beautiful cars or an excellent interior. However, if you ask me, The engine is very finicky and additionally, these things chew through brakes and tires like nothing I have ever seen before. Get ready to change all brakes and tires and I’m even talking rotors every 20,000 miles at minimum
I have 2018 T6 Inscription. I like it a lot, BUT: at 70k miles: needs new shocks, supercharged replaced, AC compressor replaced twice, chrome peeling on door handles… and the Auto AC is sooo annoying! 😂
Yikes 😬
That's actually a good run for OEM shocks...70k miles on original factory shocks exceeds what you'll get on most family SUVs. You must remember these barges weigh nearly 2.5T and they get thrown around corners, jerked about in caparks, and generally the inertia and gravitational forces placed upon a vehicles suspension and handling equipment under braking (especially sudden braking) gets pretty extreme.
If it makes you feel better, my 2023 Hyundai Santa Fe Highlander diesel just had to have the rear shocks replaced under warranty (after battling the dealer and Hyundai Aus)....at just 26,000km. 😅
Now THAT car is the biggest POS we've ever owned. And it's a top of the range Hyundai/Kia group car, which up to now we've had 4 (Kia's) of which NONE had issues. Safe to say we'll not be buying another Hyundai
They say get the post 2017 model is that true? I have 2008 super happy but looking to get the “new look” one as they are georgeous but are they as reliable as my old
Tank!!?? D5 any good or better keep
My one with 250k and no issues literally!! 😅
I valuable video
The worst car purchase I have ever made. Volvo won't stand by there cars. It has been in the shop 16 times over the past 2 years 10,000 out of my pocket. Volvo just says sorry! Don't buy a Volvo
What model do you have, what issues did you have,
I would rather choose Volvo xc90 than Range Rover sport, I think we all know why
? Why?
@ztotheu2974 life is too short for spending it on fixing something that is never fixed, or wasting money on something that comes with ' engine light on" from a factory
@ztotheu2974😂 Range always breaks down always 😅
Interested to know why you would go with the T6 and not the T5??
It’s been a while since I made this one, but from memory there were more T6’s sold as new units, making the supply higher on the used market and depressing prices slightly meaning there wasn’t much between T5 and T6 for most markets. Overall performance comes into it as well as specification and the T6 offered more value when you look at what you get for your money 👍
Looking at older Gen 2 XC90 to replace our current family car. Is the Power Pulse system worth it and does it make much difference?
I have a 2017 XC60 Power Pulse. Goes like stink in Dynamic mode. Gives me 38mpg average daily use. Approx 40+ mpg on a long motorway run in Eco mode. Enjoyable so far after nearly 2 years ownership. Good luck. 👍🏻 Beware very costly ERAD failures on PHEV models.
Is the 2024 xc90 t8 ultimate awd a good buy? I am about to pull the trigger on one
Well, how did it go? I'm thinking the same
I did purchase the xc90 T8 in vapour grey ultimate dark edition (I like it a lot because it has aluminum inside on the doors etc etc instead of wood) on late November and has been really great,is been really low cost on fuel and it has plenty of powe with 462hp instead of 455 and I don't know why but since I am in Mexico I think certain models come differently from other countries,,I did a lot of research before the purchase and notice that since 2022 models and above don't have the supercharge turbo that some of old Volvo owners had problems with,they now come with only a normal turbo and the extra power that the superchargers used to have on old ones is now power by increasing the power on the electric rear motor I definitely recommend the XC90 from 2022 models and above,we dint want to wait for the refresh xc90 because we got an exelent deal on a 2024.
I have 2016 XC90 T8 PHEV and found that the Electric Rear Axle Drive [or ERAD for short] and Volvo wants £3,500 for this fix, has anyone else had this ?
Did you fix that issue? Mine has hybrid battery failure. Did you get that message as well? Does your drive with error on combustion engine only?
Same problem, still not fixed, car 3 yrs old, regret buying volvo !
@ does your hybrid kicks in or does not work as ERAD is faulty?
It kicks, volvo said me car is ready transmission of erad has been revised i tell you what when i get it back@TheKondicional
Did it get fixed?
2017 T6 Inscription in Canada, full trim. Currently has 140,000 kms / ~90k miles. $100k CAD sticker when new.
Rear brakes (and rotors) need to be done every 25 - 30k Kilometres. They aren't cheap. I had Volvo do the first few sets (all four corners) as the vehicle was under warranty for other potential issues, and I didn't want to have anyone other than Volvo work on the car. I think it set me back roughly $2,000 CAD each time. I've since replaced them on my own for much less, but having to replace brakes every other oil change is ridiculous.
LEAKY SUNROOF. Yup, I got that too. Cost me a few thousand in repairs. They did the seals twice and it still leaked. I gave up and a towel is used to cover my centre console every time I park my vehicle. Pretty sad breaking out the towel inside my $100,000 vehicle in hopes of limiting damage to the interior and electronics.
Start / Stop never worked properly. Had it in to Volvo service centre several times to check that, replaced the start/stop battery and multiple software updates, but no luck. It'll work a couple times after a really long highway drive. It's not the main battery either. Recommendations from Volvo was to put my car on a trickle charger when I park it over night. :-$
Before the warranty was up, I had probably 12 - 15k of work done. Steering rack replaced, steering column stock, O2 sensor resulted in a check engine light, dealer replaced the entire Catalytic Converter for that one, engine mounts cracked. There's definitely more that is slipping my mind.
Recently had to replace the rear tailgate struts. $800 in parts or roughly $2,000 CAD if you elect to get the repair done at Volvo. The struts don't wear out, the wires pull apart and break right at the base of the strut. Repairing the wires is impossible without disassembling the strut casing, which isn't possible. I tried soldering in some new wires, but due to the location, this isn't really possible. Replacement at $417 per strut plus tax is required.
There is a small battery in the VCM that operates the Volvo On Call system. When the battery dies you get a VOLVO ON CALL SERVICE REQUIRED message on the dash. I think Volvo quoted about $1,000 to replace the battery. The part from Volvo was $220 CAD. I bought a $20 replacement on Amazon and did it myself. But you need to pay Volvo a few hundred to do a software update to get the damn Service Message on the dash reset. UGH.
Nice looking vehicle. I do like it. But the service requirements are a bit much. I'm dreading having to do any service on the supercharger / turbo charger systems. The volvo tech told me that is a bill that you don't want!
Amazing review. Thanks very much for taking the time to write it
The Gen 2 Volvo XC90 is one of the most reliable vehicles on the planet. If you're an owner having issues, then you're one of those people who generally have bad luck or bad aura and probably have issues with things that others don't.
I agree with Joe - if your XC90's nav stops working, or your brakes wearing too quickly, before going to your mechanic, go to a witch doctor and get your aura fixed.
Volvo suck very expensive to repair. Jesus a water pump replaced is over $1200.00 and that’s a must for maintenance at 120,000 miles. Timing belt a must at 60,000 or 100,000 miles. Depends on model. Oil and filter well over $100.00 each time. Slipping transmission. Radios go out and much more. Google problems with Volvo Cheap
Plastic parts. Volvo doesn’t even come in the top ten. Get Toyota Lexus.
I didn't see anything too wrong with those things for the price. $100.0 for oil and filter change is too cheap for a luxury car already. Why do you still complain? Bmw $250.0, Range Rover $350.0 to change oil and filter and people still drive them. If it just needs to change water pumb at around 120,000 miles for $1,200. It still not bad. There are many luxury cars even worse than that with require to change this and that before 100k miles😢. For the repair that not too bad but decent price for a luxury car. But other problems, maybe it bad somehow or you just a little sensitive😅
Exactly,good point I agree
I am currently driving 2010 model Lexus rx450h & wanting to switch to xc90, the comment here make me feel like best to rethink again 😅