Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2016 Volvo XC90 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owned a 2016 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an unknown speed, white smoke began to emit from the vehicle as fellow motorists alerted her daughter that a fire had started underneath the vehicle. The contact's daughter immediately pulled over as all occupants exited the vehicle. The contact called the authorities as the vehicle was quickly incinerated by the fire. The contact stated that her youngest grandson suffered emotional distress as a result of the fire. No physical injuries were reported and a police report was filed(police report unavailable). The fire department extinguished the fire once they arrived. The vehicle was towed to an independent tow yard; the vehicle was deemed a total loss. The manufacturer had yet to be notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. The VIN was not available.
I own a 2016 XC90 that was regularly serviced by the Volvo dealer we bought the car from. My son and I were in my car on 08/02/2023 and we were at a stop light and something smelt a little off so my son put his window down to get fresh air. Then, we accelerated when the light turned green. Within 100 yds of accelerating my check engine light when on and simultaneously I lost acceleration. It was clear that something was wrong. I told my son we needed to unbuckle our seat belts and jump out of the car when I could get us safely stopped. We coasted into a parking lot where I found a safe spot to stop. While coasting I looked at my car screen to see if there was oil or other fluid that was low, but there was no indicator of a problem other than the check engine light that had just gone on at the same time as I lost the ability to accelerate. …
The contact owns a 2016 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the oil light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V308000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that an oil change was needed. The vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was taken to another local dealer, who informed the contact that the vehicle was consuming oil and informed the contact about an oil consumption test. The contact was informed that a spark plug had exploded in the engine. The engine was replaced. The contact noticed that water was entering inside the vehicle. There was water dripping on the entertainment center, and the pixels were half out. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the infotainment screen needed to be replaced. …
The contact owns a 2016 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced high oil consumption. After adding oil to the engine, the message "Oil Level Low" was display within three weeks. Additionally, while operating the vehicle the message "low engine function" had displayed and the vehicle would not properly accelerate and was jerking. The contact also discovered puddles of water inside the rear trunk of the vehicle with electrical wires and components submerged in the water. The vehicle had experienced various electrical failures with the back-up camera malfunctioning. In addition, there was mold inside the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were contacted regarding the failures. The failure mileage was 75,000. The VIN was not included.
The contact owns a 2016 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that after arriving at his workplace and parking the vehicle, he was alerted that the vehicle was smoking. The contact became aware that coolant was leaking from underneath the front of the vehicle and was puddling underneath the vehicle. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the coolant hose had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V308000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 15 MPH while depressing the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that a turtle warning symbol appeared on the instrument panel along with an "Engine System Reduced Performance" message displayed. The contact called the dealer and had the vehicle towed to the dealer location. After two days of diagnostic testing, the contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced due to engine failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.
The contact owns a 2016 Volvo XC90. The contact stated the vehicle was leaking and consuming engine oil. The contact checked and became aware that there was no oil in the engine. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who performed an oil consumption test and determined that the piston rings and engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.
About a month ago I received an Engine Coolant Low warning from the vehicle so the fluid was topped off. This past Friday, April 17th as I was driving home around midnight, I received an Engine Temperature is High, please pull over notice so I stopped the vehicle and had it towed home. Saturday evening, as the car was sitting in my driveway, the vehicle caught fire. The entire engine bay ignited and basically melted.
Previous issues with brakes, suspension, leaking sunroof, electrical and gauges. Vehicle became disabled due to defect with coolant system, smoke from engine compartment, towed to Monterery Volvo (dealership/service center identified issues with coolant leak present turbo & cooling Plastic pipe. Cruise control-Vacuum Pump: Found vacuum pump leaking oil. Estimated repair $5,414.38
The contact owns a 2016 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that she became aware the engine oil level was lower than needed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the contact was informed that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted or notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 79,000.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Hoses/lines/piping/fittings
Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2016 XC90 vehicles. Exposure to heat and humidity may cause the engine coolant bleeder hose to crack, resulting in a coolant leak.
Remedy: Volvo Cars will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine side coolant bleeder hose, free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552.
Engine complaints in other XC90 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2016 Volvo XC90?
NHTSA has 88 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2016 Volvo XC90, 45% of the model year's 197 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2016 Volvo XC90 engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 19V-308 (hoses/lines/piping/fittings, Apr 17, 2019). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2016 Volvo XC90 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 20,000 miles, and 56% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 7 fires and 0 injuries to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.