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Model-year record

2018 Volvo V90
Image: Wikimedia Commons contributor · See source file

2018 Volvo V90

See the complaints, recalls, crash rating, and fuel economy in the public record. Then check the mileage and history of the car you found.

This page shows records, not a buy or avoid call.

The same model year can include a well-kept car and a neglected one. Use these records to plan what to check. Use the specific-car check when you know the mileage.

Complaints filed

10

Reports to NHTSA, 2018

Safety recalls

1

NHTSA campaigns on record

NHTSA crash test

Not rated

Overall NCAP rating

Combined MPG

25.5

EPA estimate

Known issues

Electrical System issues lead owner complaints (30% of 10 reports), followed by exterior lighting (20%).

Electrical System30% · 3 reports
Exterior Lighting20% · 2 reports
Unknown Or Other20% · 2 reports
Air Bags10% · 1 report
Structure10% · 1 report
Vehicle Speed Control10% · 1 report

Share of all 10 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11669600, ODI 11669331, ODI 11651761.

Individual complaint reports(10)

Showing the 10 most recent reports
Electrical SystemJun 2025 · ODI 11669600Details +

Rear light malfunction alert. Intermittent. Seems to happen when humidity is high.

Reported
Jun 2025
Incident date
May 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11669600 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemJun 2025 · ODI 11669331Details +

During the rainy season, moisture found its way inside the right passenger real tail light, causing a “brake malfunction” error on the dash and deactivating the passenger rear brake light. After the moisture dries, the light comes back on but is intermittent. The light continues to malfunction during rainfall. This is a huge safety concern as there is no way to reset the system to turn on the brake light, unless the moisture dries.

Reported
Jun 2025
Incident date
Jan 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11669331 at NHTSA →
StructureApr 2025 · ODI 11655459 · 1 injuriesDetails +

Automatic tailgate door, which was open for loading, randomly came down and struck me in the head. Door did not retract on contact but continued downward. No one was in vehicle. Neither keyfob or button were touched. I'm on blood thinners, this was a dangerous head injury. Could be extremely dangerous for children. This is second time this happened, but previously the door didnt hit me, I jumped back. This time, I was leaning in to load items. Again, I was just placing items in back. I was alone. Purse was in cart. There was no way any button on car or fob was pushed to close door. It closed on its own. Very dangerous!

Reported
Apr 2025
Incident date
Apr 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
1 injuries
Open ODI 11655459 at NHTSA →
Electrical SystemMar 2025 · ODI 11651761Details +

When it rains, I receive a warning that the rear position lights are failed. The left tail light stops working and I'm without a signal and brake lamp. This issue resolved its self when it's had time to dry, usually within two to three days.

Reported
Mar 2025
Incident date
Feb 2025
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11651761 at NHTSA →
Exterior LightingDec 2024 · ODI 11632304Details +

A medium rain caused water to enter the rear taillights and short out, causing malfunctions for both sides. The forums and Facebooks are littered with these post. It’s not off but when. It’s a poor design and safety hazard that is costing to repair.

Reported
Dec 2024
Incident date
Dec 2024
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11632304 at NHTSA →
Exterior LightingNov 2024 · ODI 11628012Details +

Rear Position Light Malfunction on my 2018 Volvo V90 CC. The winter finally came yesterday and it rained the whole night. After I started the car in the following morning and drove for around 2 minutes, the warning popped up. I found out the rear position light of the whole left side doesn’t work, included the position light on the tailgate. But so far, every light works well except the position light. I tried to restarted the car, the warning didn’t pop up and the left position light worked for a while like 1 minute, then the warning came out again and the position light was back to off. So right now it’s so risky to drive at night or on bad weathers because other cars follows me can only see one side of the position light, makes them hard to see my whole rear part. I may need to take the car to the dealer soon.

Reported
Nov 2024
Incident date
Nov 2024
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11628012 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherJul 2024 · ODI 11599915 · 1 injuriesDetails +

1. When my tailgate is open on multiple (more than 8?9? 10 times out of nowhere it will start to come down without my prompting It has hit me on my shoulder multiple times and I jump out of the way while it continues to shut. Most recently, it came down quick and hit my head. Luckily I got out of the way. Yet it wasn't fast enough because this time the tailgate hit it hard giving me a headache and then bothered my neck later. I have gone to Volvo and they say nothing is wrong with it. They say that is the feature of swinging you foot under the bumper and I know that. I didn't do that though. I never let my grand-kids sit in the back "tailgating after skiing" because of the potential danger of it coming down. It doesn't get triggered to stop or go up but rather continues its descent. Super dangerous. Perhaps it needs a new sensor? Many times I think I should sell this car and see about something safer. Which is a wild idea considering Volvo is supposed to be quite safe. I had an old model xc70 wagon LOVED it. The tailgate was wide and perfect for sitting with the tailgate up after a hard day of skiing. I have never been able to do this with is newer design that has a tailgate which is unpredictable. Please advise. Thank you. 2. The blind spot on the drivers side hasn't worked. On the passenger's side it works fine. When asked approximate dates? well multiple times-frequently but I will say the most recent was July 3, 2024 for the tailgate I was the only hurt. Monday July 8th, 2024 I will see a chiropractor for my neck. As for the faulty blind spot warning? That happens most days, everyday. Thankfully I am a defensive driver and have yet to have an accident as a result of that.

Reported
Jul 2024
Incident date
Jul 2024
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
1 injuries
Open ODI 11599915 at NHTSA →
Vehicle Speed ControlFeb 2024 · ODI 11570569Details +

In the past two years, my car has had 3 wheel sensors fail. When a wheel sensor fails while driving, things can get dangerous. When this happens, the following systems immediately fail in a chain reaction of events: ABS system, ESC Control, tire pressure monitoring, and loss of power. It’s dangerous when it happens on the road because the brakes are not working and the accelerator won’t accelerate. I have to pull off the road immediately to get out of the way of traffic. This is the 3rd time it’s happened and I’ve only driven the car 9k miles since I bought it. That’s a very high fail rate for a seemingly important piece. The 3rd incident also triggered a “transmission service required” message. This car only has 37,600 miles on it. I rarely drive it. This should not be happening unless Volvo is using defective parts.

Reported
Feb 2024
Incident date
Feb 2024
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11570569 at NHTSA →
Air BagsJan 2023 · ODI 11503788 · crash · 1 injuriesDetails +

I was hit head on mostly drivers side. Car totaled. I went by ambulance to hospital. Air bags did not deploy. Contacted Vovlo. They seem indifferent

Reported
Jan 2023
Incident date
Jan 2023
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
Crash 1 injuries
Open ODI 11503788 at NHTSA →
Unknown Or OtherFeb 2020 · ODI 11306651Details +

SENSUS NAVIGATION MAP GETS OVERPLAYED WITH A BLANK "WINDOW" EFFECTIVELY COVERING THE MAP, THE SYSTEM FREEZES SO NO NAVIGATION OR SENSUS RELATED INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE TO THE DRIVER. THE RECOVERY PROCESS SEEMS TO BE, STOP CAR, OPEN/CLOSE DOORS, WAIT 5-20 MINUTES, OPEN/CLOSE DOORS, RESTART CAR AND HOPEFULLY MOVE ON. THE CAR HAS BEEN TO DEALER 8+ TIMES FOR VARIOUS ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR. VOLVO NORTH AMERICA HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN AT LEAST THE LAST 3 ATTEMPTS. VOLVO NA, COMPLETELY NON-RESPONSIVE. PROBLEM USED TO BE INFREQUENT, NOW IT IS MUCH MORE REGULAR. THE CAR DID NOT GO 24 HOURS AFTER THE SYSTEM WAS REPLACED WITHOUT FAILURE. THE PROBLEM IS A SAFETY ISSUE AS YOU LOOSE NAVIGATION ASSISTANCE AT RANDOM INTERVALS SUCH AS TO OUT TO A NEW LOCATION DOWNTOWN OR ON A 3 HOUR HIGHWAY TRIP (3X) WITH LIMITED ACCESS TO PULL OVER. MANUFACTURER SEEMS UNABLE TO EITHER DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR. OTHER SYSTEM FEATURES AND CAR CONTROLS UNAVAILABLE WHILE SCREEN IN "LOCKED" UP. PROBLEM DATES BACK TO AT LEAST SUMMER 2019, PERHAPS EARLIER.

Reported
Feb 2020
Incident date
Feb 2020
Mileage
Not provided
Outcome flags
None reported
Open ODI 11306651 at NHTSA →

Recalls(1)

Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.

Electrical System · 18V800000Details +

Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improperly. As a result, the GPS will not provide location information to emergency personnel in the event of an emergency.

Risk: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.

Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.

Open full NHTSA recall record →

A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.

Investigations

0 NHTSA investigations on record

No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.

Crash-test ratings

No NHTSA crash test is on record for this year. Some vehicles and model years were not tested or do not have a published NCAP result.

Fuel economy by trim

TrimEngineDrivetrainCityHwyCombined
V90 FWD2.0L 4-cylFront-Wheel Drive243427
V90 CC AWD2.0L 4-cylAll-Wheel Drive233126
V90 CC AWD2.0L 4-cylAll-Wheel Drive222925
V90 AWD2.0L 4-cylAll-Wheel Drive223125

EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.

Before you buy

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Compare the year-by-year record

Open another year for its own evidence-gated decision. TireKick does not crown a best year from raw complaint totals.

2018 Volvo V90: frequently asked

What does the complaint record show for the 2018 Volvo V90?

Owners filed 10 NHTSA complaints about the 2018 Volvo V90. This is raw owner-reported complaint volume with no production or exposure normalization, so it is not a reliability score or a best/worst-year ranking.

What are the most common problems on the 2018 Volvo V90?

The most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (30% of complaints) and exterior lighting (20%).

How many recalls does the 2018 Volvo V90 have?

1 recall has been issued that affect the 2018 Volvo V90, covering components such as electrical system. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.

What gas mileage does the 2018 Volvo V90 get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Volvo V90 between 25 and 27 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.