NHTSA — Fuel/Propulsion System Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
14,571 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2016 Volvo XC90 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2016 Volvo XC90 Owner Comments

problem #7

Feb 152023

XC90

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle exhibits excessive oil consumption due to defective oil control rings, as highlighted by Quality Bulletin P10186. Additionally, the sunroof leaks, as noted in Technical Journal 31272 and TJ 35503.3.0, and there are further issues with the windshield wiper/turn signal system, the parking brake system, and the steering wheel module. Yes, the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. The excessive oil consumption and related engine issues can lead to engine damage and potential failure while driving, posing a serious safety risk. The sunroof leakage could impair visibility and cause electrical failures. The persistent dashboard warning messages and system malfunctions further distract and endanger the driver and others on the road. Yes, the problem has been reproduced and confirmed by various dealers and independent service centers, as indicated by numerous customer cases, court rulings, and a class-action lawsuit. Yes, the vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturer and documented in various technical journals and bulletins. There is no specific mention of inspection by police or insurance representatives. Yes, there were several warning lamps and messages, including the low oil light, Check Engine light, and messages related to the parking brake and windshield wiper/turn signal system. Symptoms such as slow acceleration, loss of power, higher tailpipe emissions, and a foul odor from the exhaust were also observed. These issues appeared shortly after acquiring the vehicle and persisted despite multiple repair attempts. The incident is primarily caused by engineering flaws and faulty materials, particularly the defective oil control rings leading to excessive oil consumption. Despite engine replacements, the problem persisted, indicating a fundamental design flaw. The sunroof leakage and other system malfunctions further suggest widespread safety and durability issues in the vehicle, rendering it unsafe to operate.

- Tempe, AZ, USA

problem #6

Feb 012023

XC90

  • miles
The contact owns a 2016 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that both oil and coolant would frequently be added to the engine as both the check engine and oil warning lights would appear on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer on multiple occasions where the crank shaft seal and fuel injectors were replaced; however, the failure persisted. One day while driving at 50 MPH, the vehicle began to hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal as the turtle warning light appeared on the instrument panel which indicated that there was reduced engine performance. The contact managed to drive the vehicle to Herb Chambers Volvo Cars of Norwood(1120 Providence Hwy #1, Norwood, MA 02062) where they were informed that contact that the fourth engine chamber had burned out which lead to engine failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 93,000.

- Wrentham, MA, USA

problem #5

Aug 022023

XC90

  • miles
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. When the car stopped, I grabbed my purse next to me and before we were to the sidewalk the car was engulfed in smoke and then flames. Our lives were at risk within two minutes of the check engine light coming on. This car was on fire in a parking lot of a pediatricians office around other cars with young families inside. It was scary and extremely unsafe for my son and I and many other people who were around the vehicle. Our car received each recall replacement/fix that was identified. This was extremely scary and unsafe, it put our lives and others' lives at risk within 2 minutes. We along with many others called 911, the situation was immediately out of control.

- Annapolis, MD, USA

problem #4

Apr 122023

XC90 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

My XC90 had the oil consumption issue that I started reporting at 50K miles and Volvo finally performed a piston ring replacement at 80K miles under a service action. Fuel injectors were also replaced by the Dealer. On our first long distance trip from Tallahassee to Atlanta, the car lost all power and stopped on I-75, almost killing us. It had to be towed and the dealer says that the engine was flooded by fuel due to fuel pump module failure causing fuel injectors to stay activated and engine needs to be replaced. I believe that the issue was caused by the repair not being done correctly or the time it took Volvo to take responsibility for the oil consumption issue and subsequent repair.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #3

Jul 062019

XC90

  • 62,000 miles
The contact owns a 2016 Volvo XC90. Each time the contact attempted to fuel the vehicle, the fuel tank door did not open. The contact attempted to open the fuel tank door with the key fob and manually. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 62,000.

- Marietta, GA, USA

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problem #2

Dec 242018

XC90

  • 30,000 miles
There is something called an erad, which is essentially the vehicle clutch for my electronic plug-in hybrid XC90. It is the instrument that switches between electric and gas. Mine failed. When it fails, when you hit the gas enough to push it out of electric mode to gas mode, the car essentially hesitates for 1-2 seconds - it feels like it's trying to figure out what to do then an override to gas mode happens. When I identified the problem, I was trying to turn off of three lanes of traffic to a side street and the car hesitated (temporarily doesn't respond to throttle input) as I was sitting perpendicular to traffic. The all gas mode then turns on and takes over, but it hesitates which could be a serious problem. I could've been hurt, but, thankfully, I wasn't. after that, I drove it in full-time gas mode until it was fixed (no problems when I did that). If this were an isolated incident, I wouldn't report it, but there were 4 other Volvo suffering from the same issue at my dealership alone (Volvo cars of bethesda) so they couldn't take me for 3-4 weeks. They sell fewer than 5% of their total fleet of these T8 electric hybrids, so for 5 total cars to have the same issue (2016 - 2018) indicates a major problem. I'm concerned someone who doesn't necessarily have my awareness of cars who may otherwise feel safe in the car's throttle response may take an unnecessary chance and get into an accident. Please investigate. Thanks!

- Bethesda, MD, USA

problem #1

Jun 192016

XC90

  • 10,000 miles
While driving between cincinnati, oh and nashville, tn, we stopped in carollton, ky to refuel at a local gas station. Upon attempting to open the fuel door, the door would not unlock. There is no button or switch to use to open the fuel door on this vehicle. Despite several attempts to turn the lock and unlock the car, the fuel door would not open. We contacted Volvo oncall, who admitted this was a known issue but they did not have solution. The only offer for assistance was to use the key remote to lock and unlock the car 3 times in an attempt to reset the electronics. This car also comes with a buttonless "key tag, " which is what we were using at the time. Volvo had no awareness of this key tag and had no other solution to offer. Given our proximity to louisville, we agreed to attempt the drive to louisville and left the car with friends while we rented a car and drove to nashville to get the key fob with buttons. Then drove back to louisville to try the lock-unlock option to no avail. We then took the car to the local Volvo dealer where the door was mechanically opened and the lock mechanism was disassembled so that the car could be refueled. Though a known issue by Volvo, they have not communicated with the dealers as this car had a 10,000 mile service 2 days prior to this event. The inability to fuel the vehicle and cause people to be stranded should prompt a recall.

- Nashville, TN, USA

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