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What 19 owners told NHTSA about the 2011 Volvo XC90 Mhev

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (19)Crash / fire / injury (2)Electrical system (5)Engine (5)Transmission & drivetrain (3)Brakes (2)Engine & cooling (2)Seat belts (2)Steering (2)Airbags (1)Body & structure (1)Fuel system (1)

2 of 19 complaints match · Brakes · clear filters

Feb 17, 2022Electrical systemLightsBrakes

Electrical, Brake lights suddenly stopped working on both sides at once. I checked the fuse only to be told a relay may be the issue. The location of said relay is vague and not serviceable by owner. Risk of rear end collision. Of following traffic

NHTSA ODI 11452346

Aug 24, 2012Transmission & drivetrainBrakes

FROM THE BEGINNING THIS VEHICLE HAS DELAYED ACCELERATION, VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE WHEN PULLING OUT IN FRONT OF ON-COMING TRAFFIC, OR MAKING LEFT HAND TURN WITH ON-COMING TRAFFIC. BRAKES MAKE LOUD CRACKING POPPING SOUND WHEN BRAKING AND TURNING THE WHEEL, DO NOT FEEL SAFE WITH IT MAKING SUCH AWFUL SOUNDS. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10472427

Working with the data? Download all 19 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 19, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2011 Volvo XC90 Mhev verdict →