What are the most common Volvo S90 problems?
According to Au7o's analysis of 2,050+ owner reports, the 2020 Volvo S90 has 15 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: S90L Automatic Emergency Braking Software Incompatibility (NHTSA Recall 20V144000), S90 Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Can Blow a Fuse and Quit (Safety Recall 21V414000), Recall 25V179000 — S90 Recharge High-Voltage Battery Short Circuit Fire Risk. Of these, 4 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
Is the Volvo S90 reliable?
The 2020 Volvo S90 has 15 known issues documented across 2,050+ owner reports. 4 issues are rated critical: S90L Automatic Emergency Braking Software Incompatibility (NHTSA Recall 20V144000) and S90 Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Can Blow a Fuse and Quit (Safety Recall 21V414000) and Recall 25V179000 — S90 Recharge High-Voltage Battery Short Circuit Fire Risk and Brake Pedal Pushrod Screw Joint Under-Torqued at Supplier, Pedal Can Detach From Brake Unit — Recall 24V788 / Volvo R10289. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
How much does it cost to fix common Volvo S90 problems?
Repair costs for known Volvo S90 issues range from $0 to $3,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
What is the 2019-2020 Volvo S90 S90L Automatic Emergency Braking Software Incompatibility (NHTSA Recall 20V144000)?
This recall applies to 2019-2020 S90L sedans (the long-wheelbase S90 build named in NHTSA's vehicle list). Volvo Cars USA determined that a software/hardware incompatibility can prevent the Automatic Emergency Brake system from detecting obstacles and engaging the way it is meant… Severity: high.
What is the 2019-2020 Volvo S90 S90 Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Can Blow a Fuse and Quit (Safety Recall 21V414000)?
If you drive a 2019 or 2020 S90, Volvo Car USA identified a defect in which the low-pressure fuel pump can blow a fuse and fail. Losing the low-pressure pump means the engine loses its fuel supply, and NHTSA's stated consequence is a stall - a risk because a stall in traffic can… Severity: high.
What is the 2020-2021 Volvo S90 Recall 25V179000 — S90 Recharge High-Voltage Battery Short Circuit Fire Risk?
Volvo Car USA recalled 2020-2021 S90 plug-in hybrid sedans under NHTSA campaign 25V179000 (Volvo reference R10312). On the affected S90 Recharge, the high-voltage battery may short circuit internally within a battery module when the battery has been charged to full and the car is… Severity: high.
What is the 2020 Volvo S90 Brake Pedal Pushrod Screw Joint Under-Torqued at Supplier, Pedal Can Detach From Brake Unit — Recall 24V788 / Volvo R10289?
A small batch (291 US vehicles) of 2020 S90 plug-in hybrids, together with 2020 S60/V60/XC60/XC90 hybrids built June 2 to November 11, 2019, received brake pedal assemblies whose pushrod screw joint — the link between the pedal and the hydraulic brake unit — was not torqued corre… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
What is the 2017-2023 Volvo S90 Sensus Infotainment System Lag, Crashes, and Black Screen?
The Sensus infotainment system in the S90 suffers from significant lag, screen freezes, and black screen episodes. Since the system controls climate, seat heating, navigation, and vehicle settings through the central touchscreen, a crash renders many vehicle functions inaccessibl… Repairs typically run $0-$2,000. Severity: medium.
What is the 2017-2024 Volvo S90 Rear Air Suspension Strut and Compressor Failure?
The S90 equipped with rear air suspension (standard on Inscription and optional on other trims) experiences air spring leaks and compressor failure, typically after 50,000-70,000 miles. The rear air springs develop cracks in the rubber bladder, causing slow leaks that worsen in c… Repairs typically run $600-$3,500. Severity: medium.
What is the 2017-2022 Volvo S90 T6 Twin-Charged Engine Coolant Crossover Pipe Leak?
The T6 twin-charged engine in the S90 has a coolant crossover pipe (also called the coolant bridge or manifold) that runs between the cylinder head and the turbocharger. This pipe develops leaks at the O-ring seals, causing coolant loss that can lead to overheating if not caught. Repairs typically run $300-$1,200. Severity: medium.
What is the 2017-2025 Volvo S90 Auxiliary Coolant Pump Leak?
The electric auxiliary coolant pump develops a leak or fails, affecting cabin heating performance and turbo/supercharger cooling on T6 models. The pump circulates coolant to the heater core and turbo when the engine is off or at idle. Repairs typically run $200-$600. Severity: medium.
What is the 2017-2020 Volvo S90 Rear Door Lock Actuator / Latch Fails Locked, Door Cannot Be Opened From Inside or Outside?
A recurring SPA complaint that also appears in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 S90 under Latches/Locks: a rear door (often the passenger side) suddenly will not open from either handle. Owners note the safety implication for rear passengers. Causes documented on forums are the elec… Repairs typically run $600-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 2017-2021 Volvo S90 'Parking Brake Service Required' Message From Chafed EPB Caliper Wiring or Module Software — Volvo TJ 32525 / TJ 34647?
S90 and V90 owners across 2017-2021 report a recurring 'Parking brake service required' warning, sometimes with the electric parking brake refusing to release or apply. Volvo has issued multiple bulletins: TJ 34647 (2019, revised through 2024) directs a software upgrade for the m… Repairs typically run $100-$900. Severity: medium.
What is the 2017-2025 Volvo S90 Pilot Assist and Adaptive Cruise Control Malfunction?
The Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving system and adaptive cruise control intermittently become unavailable, displaying error messages. Camera or radar sensor obstruction, calibration drift, or software bugs can trigger the issue. Heavy rain, snow, or direct sunlight may also c… Repairs typically run $0-$1,000. Severity: low.
What is the 2017-2020 Volvo S90 LED Headlamp Condensation Inside Lens, Leak Test Then Headlamp Replacement?
2017-2020 S90 owners report moisture fogging inside the LED headlamps, sometimes pooling at the lower edge, that does not clear after driving. Volvo's position, documented in a 2018 S90 Technical Journal, is that light condensation is normal but if it does not dissipate after a s… Repairs typically run $0-$2,500. Severity: low.
What is the 2017-2020 Volvo S90 TG-81SC 8-Speed Harsh P-R / R-D Engagement and 3-2 Downshift Clunk — Volvo TJ 32546 / TJ 35075?
The Aisin TG-81SC 8-speed in the T5 and T6 S90 (not the T8's hybrid version of the same box) is the subject of two Volvo Technical Journals: TJ 32546 'TG81-SC harsh shift P-R, R-D, N-D' (March/April 2017) and TJ 35075 'TG-81SC rough/hard shift in 3-2' (2020). Owners on Swedespeed… Repairs typically run $0-$250. Severity: low.
What is the 2017-2020 Volvo S90 Left Engine Mount (Engine Pad) Click on Throttle Tip-In/Off — Volvo TJ 33442?
A distinct click or clack from the front-left of the engine bay when accelerating from a stop, lifting off, or during gear changes. Volvo's TJ 33442 'Left engine pad click sound' (2018, revised through 2020) confirms the source is the upper left hydraulic engine pad itself and wa… Repairs typically run $100-$700. Severity: low.
What is the 2017-2020 Volvo S90 Steering Wheel Audio/Phone Switch Pad Stops Responding (SWM Buttons) — Volvo TJ 32033?
A widely reported SPA-platform fault on 2017-2020 S90s: the right-hand steering-wheel button cluster (volume, track, mute, voice, phone) goes dead, sometimes intermittently and often first on a single button, before the whole pad fails. Owners describe pressing hard near the conn… Repairs typically run $0-$900. Severity: low.