Verdict
2010 Volvo XC90: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2010 Volvo XC90 — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Fewer reported complaints than most SUV.
Owners filed 12 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 88% of 2010 SUVs. Fuel/Propulsion System leads the reports (17%). 3 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2010 SUVs, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
12
Reports to NHTSA, 2010
Safety recalls
3
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
17
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Fewer complaints than 88% of 2010 SUVs
The bar is this car's percentile among 2010 SUVs by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Fuel/Propulsion System issues lead owner complaints (17% of 12 reports), followed by steering (17%).
+ 2 more component categories with fewer reports.
Share of all 12 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11256965, ODI 11144238.
Recalls(3)
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.
EquipmentAug 2010 · 10V566000Details +Close −
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Risk: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
Fuel System · 10V147000Details +Close −
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 XC90 VEHICLES. A LEAK MAY DEVELOP IN THE FUEL LINE BETWEEN THE LINE AND A CONNECTOR.
Risk: FUEL ODOR MAY BE DETECTED. A FUEL LEAK IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAN LEAD TO A FIRE AT THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE DATE CODE PRINTED ON THE FUEL LINE AND REPLACE THE FUEL PRESSURE LINE IF IT FALLS WITHIN THE RECALLED RANGE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Steering · 11V286000Details +Close −
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010-2011 XC90 VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JANUARY 29, 2010, THROUGH AUGUST 16, 2010. THE POWER STEERING FLUID MAY LEAK FROM THE OIL PIPE CONNECTION AT THE STEERING GEAR VALVE HOUSING.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER STEERING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OIL PIPES ON THE POWER STEERING RACK FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS SCHEDULED TO BEGIN DURING JUNE 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
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
2010 Volvo XC90 4-DR. w/SAB NHTSA source
- Overall
- Not rated
- Frontal
- Not rated
- Side
- Not rated
- Rollover
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XC90 FWD | 3.2L 6-cyl | Front-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 15 | 22 | 18 |
| XC90 AWD | 3.2L 6-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 15 | 21 | 17 |
| XC90 AWD | 4.4L 8-cyl | All-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S6) | 13 | 19 | 15 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2010 Volvo XC90: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2010 Volvo XC90?
Owners filed 12 NHTSA complaints about the 2010 Volvo XC90 — fewer complaints than 88% of comparable 2010 SUVs, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2010 Volvo XC90?
The most-reported problem areas are Fuel/Propulsion System (17% of complaints) and steering (17%).
How many recalls does the 2010 Volvo XC90 have?
3 recalls have been issued that affect the 2010 Volvo XC90, covering components such as equipment. 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 2010 Volvo XC90 get?
The EPA rates the 2010 Volvo XC90 between 15 and 18 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.