Brake complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 14% | 5,000 miles |
| 2024 | 4 | 11% | 37,000 miles |
| 2023 | 5 | 12% | 1,000 miles |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2021 | 7 | 18% | 79,000 miles |
| 2020 | 4 | 12% | 5,000 miles |
| 2019 | 6 | 14% | 50,000 miles |
| 2018 | 12 | 24% | 25,000 miles |
| 2017 | 8 | 10% | 23,000 miles |
| 2016 | 15 | 8% | 3,000 miles |
| 2011 | 2 | 11% | 0 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 8% | 95,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 29% | 59,000 miles |
| 2008 | 2 | 7% | 77,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 13% | 85,000 miles |
| 2006 | 3 | 6% | 85,000 miles |
| 2005 | 3 | 1% | 107,000 miles |
| 2004 | 19 | 4% | 105,000 miles |
| 2003 | 7 | 8% | 49,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2025 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving downhill at 15 MPH, while depressing the brake pedal, the vehicle would not come to a complete stop as intended. No warning light illuminated. The contact stated that he drove up a hill in order to come to a stop. The vehicle was towed to a local independent mechanic, where it was left for further diagnosis. The local dealer was not contacted. The air bags were deployed. No injuries were sustained, and no medical attention was sought. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was not repaired. In addition, the contact related to the failure to an NHTSA Campaign Number: 25V282000 (Back Over Prevention) that was repaired prior to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 5,000.
I was parallel parked. I put the vehicle in reverse to pull out. When I'd gone a few feet in reverse I baked and the brakes were HARD and failed to stop the car immediately. I nearly hit the car behind me. He/she honked at me, that's how close I was. It happened three times. I think in all three incidents I was going in reverse. I had the dealership look at the vehicle but they could not replicate the issue. So they claim that it is safe to drive!
The contact owns a 2024 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the contact about to exit the vehicle, the vehicle rolled forward unexpectedly and crashed into the vehicle in front. The contact stated that after striking that vehicle, the vehicle independently started reversing and struck a mailbox and some trees. The brake pedal was depressed; however, the vehicle failed to stop until the rear of the vehicle struck the second tree. The contact stated that none of the air bags deployed. The rear of the vehicle was damaged, and the driver's side rear wheel was tilted outwards at a 45-degree angle. The contact was taken to the ER and was treated for bruises and pain to the head. A Police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a Collision Repair center by the police, but was not yet inspected. The dealer was not contacted. …
While parking my vehicle in the garage, I pressed the P (park) button on my center console and proceeded to exit my vehicle. As I was exiting, the car began to roll backwards. I was knocked to the ground by the open driver's door, unable to reenter the vehicle. The vehicle began rolling causing me injury to my legs, elbow and feet because I was essentially trapped under the side of the vehicle as it was moving. The vehicle continued to roll. Hitting items on my garage, including my second vehicle parked in the driveway, before coming to a stop by hitting a neighboring chain link fence. The vehicle sustained damage to driver's door, rear end, and front left panel. I've looked online and have seen several forums of similar issues with the Volvo P button not engaging, and vehicles rolling/lurching unexpectedly.
The contact owns a 2023 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that before exiting the vehicle, he pressed the park button and the vehicle inadvertently started to reverse. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed but no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that the gear shifter and parking brake failed to engage as needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.
The button to initiate the parking brake frequently does not work. With my foot firmly on the brake, I have had to push the Park button many times to put the vehicle in park. I have video of this incident. Other times, when not expecting it or recording video I have pressed the park button and not realized the vehicle didn't go into park. When I released my foot on the brake the vehicle rolled forward. Thankfully no one or other vehicle was directly in front of the car.
The contact owns a 2021 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and shifting to drive(D), the vehicle failed to respond unless the brake pedal had been released for 2-3 seconds. Additionally, the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle and releasing the brake pedal to reverse out of the driveway, the vehicle rolled back at a faster speed, and the vehicle failed to respond as intended upon depression of the brake pedal. The contact noticed a pattern with the brakes malfunction. The contact stated that the brake pedal required to be depressed 2-3 seconds after the first depression for the brakes to operate as intended. The contact stated that he was a master mechanic and had concluded that the failure was considered a safety issue because the vehicle was only designed with electronic braking, which left the driver with no manual option for braking. …
The brakes did not work when the automatic emergency braking turned on. When I pressed the brakes all the way down, the brakes didn't respond because it was still in automatic mode. I was able to swerve into the next lane to not hit the vehicle in front of me. The automatic emergency braking also turned on when I was reversing from a parked location when there was a vehicle waiting to park behind me and my vehicle stoped and didn't come off of brake/park mode. I had to turn my vehicle on and off again to get it to move again. I have taken my vehicle in twice for shaking. My back rotors were replaced 2 weeks ago but my vehicle still shakes. This car only has around 21,000 miles to have so many issues already with rotors and shaking.
Related recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023 S60, V60, V60CC, V90CC, XC60, XC90, XC40, and C40 vehicles. A diagnostic error in the Brake Control Module 2 (BCM2) may cause a loss of Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and traction control.
Remedy: Volvo will release an over-the-air (OTA) BCM2 software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 15, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552.
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 S90L, 2020-2021 XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hydraulic unit, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 22, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552.
Frequently asked questions
Which Volvo XC90 years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2004 (19), 2016 (15), 2018 (12), 2017 (8) and 2003 (7) model years. Brake complaints make up 4% of all complaints for the 2004.
Is there a recall for Volvo XC90 brake problems?
Yes — 2 recalls, including 23V-012 (service brakes, hydraulic, Jan 19, 2023); 21V-716 (antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, Sep 15, 2021). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Volvo XC90 brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles; 54% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (2 mentions), followed by the foundation components › differential proportional valve (1).
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.