Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Volvo V90, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2021 Volvo V90 failed the safety check 0.96% of the time — 2% more often than the average 2021 passenger car (0.95%). Median odometer at inspection: 26,551 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2021
12,481 new Volvo V90 cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2021; the largest markets were Sweden (5,490), Germany (2,001), Norway (905).
- Average mass
- 1,998 kg
- Average CO₂
- 120 g/km (WLTP)
- Average power
- 168 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Diesel 55% · Petrol/electric 36% · Petrol 9.2%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
Real-world fuel consumption
10,001 Volvo V90 cars first registered in Europe in 2021 report their fuel use through the on-board meter. Diesel hybrid versions use 6.6 l/100 km on the road against 6.1 in the WLTP test (+9%).
| Fuel | Cars | On the road | WLTP | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol hybrid | 588 | 8.4 | 7.4 | +14% |
| Diesel | 220 | 7.6 | 6.0 | +26% |
| Diesel hybrid | 5,429 | 6.6 | 6.1 | +9% |
| Plug-in hybrid | 3,764 | 6.5 | 2.1 | +216% |
Litres per 100 km from the cars' own fuel meters (OBFCM), collected in 2024; the year is the year of first registration. All years together · European Environment Agency · CC BY 4.0
Engines
The most common engines in 2021 Volvo V90 cars on Dutch roads are the 2.0 hybrid (186 kW, 249 hp), 2.0 hybrid (145 kW, 194 hp) and 2.0 hybrid (223 kW, 299 hp), out of 5 versions with at least 20 cars.
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 2.0 hybrid | 186 kW 249 hp | 323 |
| 2.0 hybrid | 145 kW 194 hp | 219 |
| 2.0 hybrid | 223 kW 299 hp | 155 |
| 2.0 hybrid | 184 kW 247 hp | 65 |
| 2.0 petrol | 140 kW 188 hp | 23 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
834 first registered in 2021 are on Dutch roads; 50% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €71,748.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde172
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld41
- Band beschadigd39
- Band onvoldoende profiel30
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm24
- Mechanische delen van het remsysteem vertonen slijtage9
- Ruitenwisserinstallatie geeft onvoldoende zicht9
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm7
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
1,217 cars built in 2021 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 14 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
In Finland
794 of these cars first registered in 2021 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 111,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
6 2021 cars are on the New Zealand register; 17% arrived as used imports, 83% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 2021 Volvo V90.
| 2021540 1 Sept 2021 | Seats And Restraints Issue: On certain vehicles, the passenger seat belt assemblies may contain defective automatic locking retractors (ALR). As a result, the seat belts may not p… |
| 2021003 7 Jan 2021 | Airbag Issue: On certain vehicles, the screws that attach the control unit for the supplemental restraint system (SRS) may not have been properly tightened. As a res… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 XC40, XC 40 Recharge, V60CC, V90, V90CC, XC90, and 2021-2022 V60, XC60, S60 vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Volvo Cars USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 Volvo V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. The Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) control unit may not have been properly attached to the car body and may detach during a crash.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Volvo told its dealers about the 2021 Volvo V90: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11009818 | This is a Technical Journal: White patch defect in paint when removed rapgard. Expose vehicle to outside daylight for 48hrs. |
| 11009817 | This is a Technical Journal: DIM message about parking brake. Manually order and download software part number 32429456 |
| 11009803 | This is a Technical Journal: Outer rear view mirror intermittently not folding. May required replacing terminals. |
| 11009511 | This is a Technical Journal: Alleged issues with Intellisafe functionality. Inform the customer of the functions and limitations |
| 11009496 | This is a Technical Journal: Difficulty clearing SODx DTCs. put the car in usage mode "Driving" and continue the erasing process |
| 11007932 | This is a Technical Journal: Improved 12V battery test in VIDA. Improved 12V battery test in VIDA |
| 11007926 | This is a Technical Journal: DIM message about parking brake. Manually order and download software part number 32429456 |
| 11007925 | Information about valid Software partnumbers to order and download Software for "PDS" Pre-Delivery Service |
| 11006576 | This is a Technical Journal: SPA/CMA - 12V Battery Testing / Maintenance Guide. After capturing a NEW VIDA readout, conduct the steps in VIDA. |
| 11006564 | This is a Technical Journal: SENSUS - IHU Software Improvement (Voice Control). software is available in VIDA beginning 2024 week 21. |
| 11006562 | This is a Technical Journal: SPA/CMA - 12V Battery Testing / Maintenance Guide. After capturing a NEW VIDA readout, conduct the steps in VIDA. |
| 11006560 | This is a Technical Journal: DIM message about parking brake. Download the available total upgrade software. |
| 11006557 | This is a Technical Journal: SPA/CMA - 12V Battery Testing / Maintenance Guide. After capturing a NEW VIDA readout, conduct the steps in VIDA. |
| 11006554 | This is a Technical Journal: Improved 12V battery test in VIDA. Improved 12V battery test in VIDA |
| 10254406 | This is a Technical Journal: Check Engine Light in DIM (BCM2 P25A268 / U003700). Download software. |
| 10254399 | This is a Technical Journal: Vibration/shudder while braking. Replace front brake pads |
| 10252722 | This is a Technical Journal: SPA/CMA - 12V Battery Testing / Maintenance Guide. After capturing a NEW VIDA readout, conduct the steps in VIDA. |
| 10252682 | This is a Technical Journal: SPA/CMA - 12V Battery Testing / Maintenance Guide. After capturing a NEW VIDA readout, conduct the steps in VIDA. |
| 10251606 | This is a Technical Journal: SPA/CMA - 12V Battery Testing / Maintenance Guide. After capturing a NEW VIDA readout, conduct the steps in VIDA. |
| 10251147 | This is a Technical Journal: VIDA Main battery diagnostic - Prompted to charge battery a second time. Use had held tester. |
| 10249396 | Creaking noise from right engine pad |
| 10249393 | OHC replaced too often due to CEM U134187,download software prior replacement |
| 10249387 | PHEV Intermittent Start of the Combustion Engine in Hybrid or Pure Mode |
| 10249386 | PHEV Intermittent Start of the Combustion Engine in Hybrid or Pure Mode |
| 10249385 | WPC (Wireless Phone Charger) charging information |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)