Problem Lookup › Volvo › XC90 › 2017
Car problem report
2017 Volvo XC90 problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2017 Volvo XC90 has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated November 2, 2026.
- 0safety recalls
- 81owner complaints
- 3crash reports
- 8fire reports
- 17%fail the UK MOT
81 complaints, against an average of 39 for the other 13 Volvo XC90 model years.
Every Volvo XC90 model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2017 Volvo XC90?
The components named most often in the 81 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2017 Volvo XC90 owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 81 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
- Why does my 2017 Volvo XC90 overheat?5 owners · 6.2%
- Why does my 2017 Volvo XC90 stall, lose power or shut off while driving?4 owners · 4.9%
- Why is the air conditioning not blowing cold in my 2017 Volvo XC90?4 owners · 4.9%
- Have any 2017 Volvo XC90 vehicles caught fire?4 owners · 4.9%
- Why is the check engine light on in my 2017 Volvo XC90?3 owners · 3.7%
- Why does my 2017 Volvo XC90 idle rough, misfire or hesitate?3 owners · 3.7%
- Why does water leak into my 2017 Volvo XC90?3 owners · 3.7%
- Why does my 2017 Volvo XC90 smell of burning or smoke?3 owners · 3.7%
Fault codes 2017 Volvo XC90 owners mention
Diagnostic trouble codes owners wrote in their complaints. Open a code to see what it meant on other cars and whether a recall names it.
Has the 2017 Volvo XC90 been recalled?
NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2017 Volvo XC90 as of November 2, 2026. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN before you rely on this.
Is the 2017 Volvo XC90 recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSAFront seat belts
Risk: On affected vehicles the front left seat bolts may not have been torqued according to specification which could reduce the occupant protection in an impact.
Fix: Re-torque front seat bolts.
UK DVSAThe anchorage bolts for the second-row seat belts and seat belt buckles may not have been correctly secured.The anchorage bolts for the second-row seat belts and seat belt buckles may not have been correctly secured. In a worst-case scenario this may not provide sufficient protection in the event of a collision.
Risk: The anchorage bolts for the second-row seat belts and seat belt buckles may not have been correctly secured. In a worst-case scenario this may not provide sufficient protection in the event of a collision
Fix: Inspect and re-install.
UK DVSAThe engine's plastic inlet manifold may melt and deform
Risk: The engines plastic inlet manifold may melt and deform
Fix: Update vehicles with improved soot reducing software cleaning of TMAP and EMAP. Fit additional hoses where necessary.
UK DVSAAn engine cooling system hose may break
Risk: An engine cooling system hose may break and could cause a coolant leak.
Fix: Replace the hose on affected vehicles.
UK DVSAPossible software issue in the vehicle connectivity module (vcm)
Risk: There may be a software issue in the Vehicle Connectivity Module.
Fix: Upgrade software in the Vehicle Connectivity Module.
UK DVSARear passenger seat belt pre tensioner may not be to specification
Risk: The pre-tensioner in the driver's side third row passenger seat belt may not have been produced according to the correct specification In the event of a collision the pre tensioner and seat belt will still operate as intended but a very small part could enter the passenger compartment. As a temporary measure until the seat belt has been replaced it is recommended that the seat belt is not used.
Fix: On affected vehicles replace the seat belt.
UK DVSARetaining bolt for inflatable curtain may be broken
Risk: The retaining bolts used to assemble the Inflatable Curtain may be broken and offer less protection in the event of an incident.
Fix: On affected vehicles replace all retaining bolts.
UK DVSAOne or more airbags may fail to deploy in the event of a collision
Risk: It has been identified by the manufacturer that the air-bag initiator does not meet specification. This can therefore result in the initiator not functioning correctly which can lead to none deployment of the air-bag. Should a collision occur then there is an increased risk of injury to the occupants of the vehicle.
Fix: Recall all affected vehicles to replace the air-bags with a new quality assured component.
UK DVSASeatbelt may separate from the buckle
Risk: It has been identified there is a possibility the front seatbelt buckle stud may not have been punched correctly during production. This may result in a separation between the buckle and seatbelt bracket if the vehicle is involved in a collision.
Fix: Recall all affected vehicles to inspect the seatbelt buckle and if required to replace the seatbelt buckle.
EU Safety GateThe nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions are above the regulatory limits.Excessive NOx emissions pose a risk to the environment.
Measures: Type of economic operator to whom the measure(s) were ordered: Other; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe second row seat belt buckle may have not been tightened to the correct torque.As a result, the seat belt may not provide sufficient protection for the second row passengers in the event of an accident, increasing the risk of injury.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Distributor; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 07/12/2023
EU Safety GateWhen liquid/droplets are present on the rear seat control display, there´s a risk that the signal to the display is maintained and…When liquid/droplets are present on the rear seat control display, there´s a risk that the signal to the display is maintained and perceived by the system as a “constant” touch. As a result, the front seat could be inadvertently moved until its end position, increasing the risk of injury.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Distributor; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: 29/04/2021
EU Safety GateDue to an excessive build-up of carbon deposits in the intake system, the plastic engine intake manifold may melt and deform.As a result, a localized engine bay fire may occur.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Distributor; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateA software problem has been detected in the communication module of the emergency call system.As a consequence, incorrect location information might be sent to the emergency services in the event of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateFaulty crimping of the micro-gas generator for the seat belt tensioner in the third row of seats means that, in the event of deployment of…Faulty crimping of the micro-gas generator for the seat belt tensioner in the third row of seats means that, in the event of deployment of the seat belt tensioner, parts of the gas generator could detach causing injuries to the occupants of the car.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe bolts that secure the inflatable curtain airbags in place may break, possibly resulting in the inflatable curtain airbag deploying…The bolts that secure the inflatable curtain airbags in place may break, possibly resulting in the inflatable curtain airbag deploying improperly in the event of a crash.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Distributor; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe front passenger seat belt buckle can be incorrectly fastened, with the consequence that the buckle can separate from the seat belt…The front passenger seat belt buckle can be incorrectly fastened, with the consequence that the buckle can separate from the seat belt clasp in the event of an accident.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateDue to a problem with the airbag inflators, the airbags may fail to deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the…Years estimatedDue to a problem with the airbag inflators, the airbags may fail to deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of injury to the occupants.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Distributor; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2017 Volvo XC90 fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2017, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2017 Volvo XC90 owners report?
12 of the 81 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
Vehicle has exhibited lagging and stalling while driving in "Pure" (electric-only) mode since approximately April 2026, at approximately 85,000 miles, accompanied by an illuminated check engine light. This has occurred repeatedly at red lights, intersections, stop signs, and in stop-and-go traffic, creating a risk of sudden loss of propulsion in live traffic situations, including at intersections where an unexpected stall could result in a collision. The dealership (Volvo Cars of Fort Washington) has diagnosed this as originating from multiple hybrid drivetrain components over several repair…
2017 Volvo XC90 manufacturing defect where panoramic sunroof drainage network fails under normal rain, pooling water directly in the floorboard channels over safety module networks and wire harnesses.Water infiltration caused a catastrophic short-circuit of the floorboard-mounted amplifier while driving. This forced the audio system to emit an un-modulated, maximum-volume electronic blast through the cabin, causing severe driver distraction and documented temporary acute acoustic trauma/ear injuries to myself and my young child.Progressive electronic oxidation from ongoing water intrusion has…
2017 Volvo XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid, approximately 81,000 miles, experienced intermittent hesitation/loss of propulsion when accelerating. When acceleration is requested, the vehicle can hesitate before power is delivered, creating a serious safety concern when entering, merging into, or crossing traffic because expected acceleration is not immediately available. Diagnostic testing identified faults in the IEM/ERAD system, including P286D00, Clutch A Engagement Time Performance/Too Slow, and P0A1B62, Drive Motor A Control Module, Algorithm Based Failure. The vehicle is currently being evaluated…
Spark plugs, fuel injectors, cylinders and cylinder walls, pistons, oxygen sensor. Our safety was put at risk because the vehicles "reduced performance" was triggered and it affected the acceleration of the vehicle. The Volvo dealership was able to reproduce the issue because of the engine misfires.The only alert we received was the day prior our engine needed a liter of oil. We topped off the oil and that alert went away. The day we had the reduced performance we were alerted of that at the time on the highway. It's a little turtle icon. We were not able to accelerate efficiently and it was…
The contact's daughter owns a 2017 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while her son-in-law was driving at an undisclosed speed, the brake pedal was firmly depressed, but the vehicle failed to stop immediately. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined that the vacuum hose had detached and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 85,000.
To whom it may concern. Our 2017 XC90 unexpectedly, spantaneously, and catastrophically caught fire under the hood and was a total loss 5 minutes after parking it on April 19, 2026. There were no leaks or other signs of mechanical issues. The vehicle had all regular maintenance completed at the Byers Volvo Service Department in Columbus, OH. It had no open recalls. It was always parked overnight in a garage. The Fire Inspector noted a possible vehicle manufacturing defect as the cause of the fire, however the vehicle was too heavily damaged to be definitive. We do have video of the entire…
The contact owns a 2017 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the rear passenger’s side door suddenly unlocked and opened. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, and the door was forcefully closed. The failure had occurred more than once while diving at various speeds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while there was a passenger seated in the rear passenger’s side seat. The door was only securely closed by force. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer had not inspected or diagnosed the…
On thanksgiving day i drove to train station in the morning, and had no issue. After work i got in the car started to drive, i was going 25-35 miles per hour in the maplewood township, and i wanted to slow down just in case i dont see any kid or person at dark. I almost had no brake! I was so scared and i pushed th brake pedal so hard, i was very dangerous for the society at this moment. I just wish i was not on the highway going higher speed, or there were no people around! I really cannot trust this car anymore, i could have hit something!!!
The contact owns a 2017 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that after a rainstorm, there was water leaking from the rearview mirror, which leaked into the vehicle, causing the electrical system to fail. There was an abnormal sound of water swishing around inside the vehicle. The on-call warning and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with a cracked sunroof cassette leak. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 147,000.
The Park Neutral Position (PNP) switch malfunctions. Yes Not a huge safety issue if you are parked in your driveway and cannot start the car. But if you are driving and the if you have the engine auto start/stop engaged the car will unexpectedly not restart and you have to play with the gear shifter to get it started to move out of an intersection or out of the way of traffic! This has happened several times with my wife and myself. I have not had it confirmed by a dealer or service center No No
The 2017 Volvo xc90 hybrid regularly experiences these two issues when it is below freezing in Montana: 1) doors do not catch in the latch so they do not close and/or will fly open when turning. This occurs every time the temperature is below zero. 2) when below zero temperature occurs,
"Volvo On Call Service Required" message shows up on the dash suddenly every 3-5 minutes, and the black message box itself is close to, and bigger than, the speedometer reading. It makes it difficult to monitor and maintain speed without distraction. At the same time, every 3-5 minutes, top of the center screen completely flashes with "message stored to Car Status app" to draw driver attention and causes a major distraction while driving.
2017 Volvo XC90: questions owners ask
Is the 2017 Volvo XC90 reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 81 complaints with NHTSA about the 2017 Volvo XC90; the most common categories were engine (24, 29.6%), electrical system (20, 24.7%), service brakes (8, 9.9%). There are no safety recalls listed for this model year. 3 complaints mention a crash, 8 mention a fire, 11 injuries were reported.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Volvo XC90?
Across 81 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are engine (29.6% of complaints), electrical system (24.7% of complaints), service brakes (9.9% of complaints), structure (8.6% of complaints), fuel/propulsion system (7.4% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2017 Volvo XC90 have any recalls?
As of November 2026, NHTSA lists no safety recalls for the 2017 Volvo XC90. Recalls can be issued at any time, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2017 Volvo XC90 overheat?
5 of the 81 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2017 Volvo XC90 (6.2%) describe the engine overheating or coolant loss. One owner wrote: "Coolant bleed hose broke causing vehicle to overheat. Part is made of plastic and not durable for long-term use. 2016 year was recalled, but not on the 2017 model." (NHTSA complaint 11420986, June 2021). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2017 Volvo XC90 stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
4 of the 81 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2017 Volvo XC90 (4.9%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "Tl* the contact owns a 2017 volvo xc90. while the contact's wife was making a left turn, the vehicle stalled and hesitated to drive." (NHTSA complaint 11279889, November 2019). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is the air conditioning not blowing cold in my 2017 Volvo XC90?
4 of the 81 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2017 Volvo XC90 (4.9%) describe the air conditioning not cooling or failing. One owner wrote: "The A/C evaporator core in my 2017 Volvo XC90 failed prematurely, cracking and leaking refrigerant. This is a well-known problem among XC90 owners from model years 2016–2020." (NHTSA complaint 11687093, September 2025). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Have any 2017 Volvo XC90 vehicles caught fire?
4 of the 81 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2017 Volvo XC90 (4.9%) describe the car catching fire or melting wiring. One owner wrote: "To whom it may concern. Our 2017 XC90 unexpectedly, spantaneously, and catastrophically caught fire under the hood and was a total loss 5 minutes after parking it on April 19, 2026. There were no leaks or other signs of mechanical issues." (NHTSA complaint 11734076, April 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why is the check engine light on in my 2017 Volvo XC90?
3 of the 81 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2017 Volvo XC90 (3.7%) describe the check engine light coming on. One owner wrote: "Vehicle has exhibited lagging and stalling while driving in "Pure" (electric-only) mode since approximately April 2026, at approximately 85,000 miles, accompanied by an illuminated check engine light." (NHTSA complaint 11766534, September 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2017 Volvo XC90 idle rough, misfire or hesitate?
3 of the 81 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2017 Volvo XC90 (3.7%) describe rough idling, misfires or hesitation when accelerating. One owner wrote: "Spark plugs, fuel injectors, cylinders and cylinder walls, pistons, oxygen sensor. Our safety was put at risk because the vehicles "reduced performance" was triggered and it affected the acceleration of the vehicle." (NHTSA complaint 11749713, July 2026). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does water leak into my 2017 Volvo XC90?
3 of the 81 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2017 Volvo XC90 (3.7%) describe water leaks into the cabin, sunroof or trunk. One owner wrote: "For 5 months now, there has been leaking from the rear side of the intellisafe module located by the middle top of the windshield. i have taken the care to the dealership in multiple locations, they have not found the root cause." (NHTSA complaint 11398899, March 2021). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2017 Volvo XC90 smell of burning or smoke?
3 of the 81 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2017 Volvo XC90 (3.7%) describe a burning smell or smoke. One owner wrote: "On Saturday, April 22, 2023, I was driving when I noticed the vehicle had issues when driving/accelerating on the local roads. The car had delay in accelerating and/or had trouble with power when driving." (NHTSA complaint 11519852, May 2023). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own XC90
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved November 2, 2026. Model year 2017 only; combines NHTSA's entries for XC90 T5, XC90 T6, XC90 T8 and XC90H. How these reports are made.