Model year guide

2021 Volvo XC90

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2021 Volvo XC90 is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.

2021 Volvo XC90 — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2021 Volvo XC90 at a glance

Safety recalls6
Combined24 mpg

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2021 Volvo XC90 recalls 6

Seat Belts:front:retractor NHTSA Campaign #21V682000 · 01/09/2021

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…

Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10111.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip NHTSA Campaign #21V716000 · 15/09/2021

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 S90L, 2020-2021 XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.

Fix: Dealers will replace the hydraulic unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10120.

Air Bags NHTSA Campaign #21V001000 · 07/01/2021

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.

Fix: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, as necessary, tighten the SRS control unit mounting screws, free of charge. The recall began February 12, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10068.

Steering NHTSA Campaign #23V001000 · 05/01/2023

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2019-2022 V60CC, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. During steering gear assembly, double screws may have been assembled on top of each other, which can cause a screw to fall into the gearbox housing.

Fix: Dealers will replace the steering gear, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 1, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10213.

Seat Belts:critical Fasteners NHTSA Campaign #23V827000 · 07/12/2023

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2015-2024 XC90 vehicles. The second-row seat belt buckle and lower belt anchor bolts may not be tightened properly.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and tighten the second-row seat belt buckle anchorage bolts, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 19, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10259.

Electrical System:software NHTSA Campaign #25V179000 · 24/03/2025

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2020-2021 S90, 2020-2022 S60, V60, XC60, XC90, and 2022 V90 plug-in hybrid vehicles. The high-voltage battery may experience a short circuit within the battery module when the battery is fully charged and the vehicle is parked.

Fix: Owners are advised not to charge their vehicles until the remedy has been completed. Dealers will inspect and replace the high-voltage battery module as necessary. In addition, dealers will update the software to monitor the battery. All repairs will be performed free of charge. Owner notificat…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2021 Volvo XC90 MPG & running costs

Combined24 mpg
City22 mpg
Highway29 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,150

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2021 Volvo XC90 costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$15,750
Fuel only$15,750
Per mile$0.21

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2021 Volvo XC90 trims & engines on record

Trims
Momentum · Inscription
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 316 hp · 2.0L 4-cyl 250 hp

2021 Volvo XC90 vehicles on record

Other Volvo XC90 model years

2021 Volvo XC90 — frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Volvo XC90 have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 2021 Volvo XC90. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What gas mileage does the 2021 Volvo XC90 get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2021 Volvo XC90 at about 24 mpg combined (22 city / 29 highway).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.