2012 Volvo XC90

Owner complaints

What owners report most

1. Back over prevention1
2. Electrical system1
3. Equipment1
4. Power train1
5. Steering1
6. Unknown or other1

Latest complaints

• Mar 5, 2020CA51,500 mi
  Steering · Unknown or other
  On morning of 2/15/2020, I was driving my XC90 (2012, base, auto transmission) on a city street when I realized the steering wheel was no longer in control. It caused the vehicle to swing left and right between the 2 lanes. I pressed hard on the brake to slow down -- thank god that cars behind me…

  On morning of 2/15/2020, I was driving my XC90 (2012, base, auto transmission) on a city street when I realized the steering wheel was no longer in control. It caused the vehicle to swing left and right between the 2 lanes. I pressed hard on the brake to slow down -- thank god that cars behind me were able to avoid me. After 10 seconds or so of maneuvering, I managed to pull over by the street. An orange triangle light came on the dashboard, with a warning message: "auto-skid temporary off". I called the roadside assistance to tow it to my go-to dealership. An hour later, a flatbed tow truck came. The tow guy managed to still drive it up the slope of the flatbed. When we got to the dealership, the tow guy had a hard time unloading the vehicle. As he reversed the XC90 back down from the slope of the flatbed, we could tell the front two tires were pointing in different directions. The left front tire even moved back and forth. If the steering wheel turned left, the left tire would crush into the back of the front bumper; if the steering wheel turned right, the left tire would back off. The guy had to insert a smooth plank under the front left tire to unload. on monday 2/17/2020, a rep from dealership called me, saying that the control arm was damaged with screws and bolts completely missing!!! She speculated that we drove over a very large pothole or hit some curb. My wife did hit a curb on 2/14/2020, one day prior, but it was just a normal sized curb, impacting on the front right side. Between my wife and myself, we couldn't recall anything severe enough to cause this sort of damage! questions: (1) how could hitting some curbs over the past 8 years cause the bolts to shear/loosen and result in such a grave incident! (2) how am I ever going to trust that the vehicle IS safe to drive again? How do I convince my 2 young children to ride in it ever?

• Oct 4, 2016MO75,000 mi
  Power train
  There appears to be an intermitent defect with the transmission when the vehicle gets wet. When wet the vehicle lock up and not easily go into forward or reverse. This occasionally occurs after going through a car wash or when the vehicle IS driven in wet weather and then, parked. After a few…

  There appears to be an intermitent defect with the transmission when the vehicle gets wet. When wet the vehicle lock up and not easily go into forward or reverse. This occasionally occurs after going through a car wash or when the vehicle IS driven in wet weather and then, parked. After a few hours, when it IS attempted to put the vehicle in gear, the transmission IS locked up and the vehicle won't move. Only by rocking the vehicle does the transmission loosen up and the vehicle goes into reverse. The parking brake IS not engaged. This issue IS mentioned multiple times on volvo related forums.

• May 2, 2016FL44,013 mi
  Back over prevention › Camera system · Electrical system · Equipment › Electrical › Navigational system(global positioning system)
  TL* the contact owns a 2012 volvo XC90. The contact stated that the rear back up camera and gps system worked intermittently. the failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer approximately six times where the technician diagnosed that the vehicle needed a software update…

  TL* the contact owns a 2012 volvo XC90. The contact stated that the rear back up camera and gps system worked intermittently. the failure occurred without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer approximately six times where the technician diagnosed that the vehicle needed a software update and the multimedia module and camera needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The manufacturer informed the contact that due to the software company going out of business, they would no longer try to repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was 44,013. ..Updated 06/08/16 *bf ....updated 06/15/16 *bf *cn

Service bulletins

Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.

• 11007925Information about valid Software partnumbers to order and download Software for "PDS" Pre-Delivery Service
• 10249191This is a Technical Journal: 12V Battery Testing Method
• 10241661Complimentary upgrade c00009 description.
• 10241651Rubber cushion
• 10234826Left front LED flickers after turning car off
• 10234711SiriusXM Radio inop or No Sound on SAT Source
• 10224584Expendable Items Parts List.
• 10219421Engine Control Module (EMS) Software (MSW) Information August 2022; Improvement List (Change Log) - US21+OBD22 (13L VGT, TC) And US17+OBD22 (11L) Emissions
• 10219302Part information for AMT input shaft repair kits and the shim kit that is required for repair.
• 10213885The Deutronic DBL-1200 is an advanced battery maintainer/charger with the flexibility to be updated as products and repair methods evolve.
• 10213883ICUP/Google Built-In Diagnostic Operations
• 10213882Battery Charger/maintainer requirement
• 10212892Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)
• 10212891VIDA QR Scanner Mobile App
• 10205670XC90 Noise/Squeal from rear brakes
• 10203167Volvo Chassis 2008 And Up LED Headlight Conversion Programming Procedure
• 10202436New Software Products (SP) have been developed to convert a Care Key to a standard key.
• 10197371This is a Service Manager Bulletin : Volvo Electric Vehicle Technical De-Energization Permit to Work Form
• 10188881Volvo?s Warranty Department tracks Retailer warranty spending by utilizing the Warranty Retailer Counseling Process (WRCP). The WRCP is used to gauge individual retailer performance on objective measures over time. By setting clear performance expectations and parameters and assisting retailers in focusing on individual processes and procedures, all retailers are provided with adequate tools to help achieve the ultimate goal of qualifying for self-authorization status.
• 10182494This is a Service Manager Bulletin : Volvo Electric Vehicle Technical De-Energization Permit to Work Form
• 10182493This is a Service Manager Bulletin : Volvo Electric Vehicle Technical De-Energization Permit to Work Form
• 10181041Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them.
• 10179681This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Service 2.0 Software & Total Upgrade Reminder
• 10173760This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Service 2.0 Software & Total Upgrade Reminder
• 10172464This is a Service Journal: Coolant Filling Equipment Tool
• 10171688This is a Technical Journal: 4 Cylinder VEP engine: Castrol Edge Professional V 0W-20 Synthetic oil.
• 10171676Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them.
• 10170147Service Manager Bulletin TITLE : Service Action Notification Re - Mails GROUP : NO : ISSUING DEPARTMENT : CAR MARKET : Product Safety & Compliance United States and Canada 00 325 REFERENCE BULLETINS : DATE : SMB00 - 323 and SMB00 - 323A YEAR MONTH DAY SERVICE SERVICE WARRANTY 2013 02 15 MANAGER WRITER ADMINISTRATOR Service Personnel : Read and initial Page 1 of 1 Volvo monitors completion rates for all service actions and will complete notification re - mails to vehicle owners when necessary . Listed below are the latest notification re - mails . Please refer to SMB 00 - 323 and SMB 00 - 323A for information on how and where to find the related Service Action documents in VRC2 and TIE . FEBRUARY RE - MAILS Action Description # of Re - Mails Service Campaign 236 Washer Reservoir Sensor Canada ? 295 Recall 129 Brake Vacuum Pump U.S . ? 3,430 Recall 245 Replace Fuel Lines U.S . ? 48 MARCH RE - MAILS Action Description # of Re - Mails Recall 246 Inspect P / S Return Hose U.S . ? 1,367 Recall 246 Inspect P / S Return Hose Canada ? 95 Recall 251 Inspect Underbody Coating Canada ? 54 Recall 255 TCM Software Upgrade U.S . ? 499 Recall 256 TPMS Warning Message U.S . ? 123 Please be prepared to accommodate vehicle owners that may contact you regarding these actions . ? Fixed Right ? First Time ? Produced in the USA and available as an electronic document . Hard copy documents are printed in USA on recycled paper containing a minimum of 50 % wastepaper and 10 % post - consumer waste . 2013 VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA , LLC
• 10169394This is a Technical Journal: Swapping control modules from vehicle to vehicle for diagnostics should be avoided. Swapping control modules may result in consequential damage to the swapped control module and in certain cases several other control modules in the vehicle. Swapping the Driver Information Module (DIM) is strictly forbidden as the DIM it is the main carrier of the odometer function, and will, in case of swapping, result in manipulated odometer value. Service: Please do NOT swap any control modules from vehicle to vehicle for testing, unless instructed to do so in a Vehicle Report by the Technical Helpdesk
• 10169393This is a Technical Journal: Swapping control modules from vehicle to vehicle for diagnostics should be avoided. Swapping control modules may result in consequential damage to the swapped control module and in certain cases several other control modules in the vehicle. Swapping the Driver Information Module (DIM) is strictly forbidden as the DIM it is the main carrier of the odometer function, and will, in case of swapping, result in manipulated odometer value. Service: Please do NOT swap any control modules from vehicle to vehicle for testing, unless instructed to do so in a Vehicle Report by the Technical Helpdesk
• 10169391Software Installation Policy changes.
• 10169389This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Technician Skillset Requirments
• 10169388This is a Technical Journal: This Journal is a guide for performing Software Downloads. Service: *See guide updated Oct. 12, 2016 for relevant P5/SPA Software Download information: P5_SPA_SW_Guide.pdf See VIDA Software tab for all other vehicles.The attached checklists can be used for restoring customer settings, where applicable.
• 10169036Mandatory Tool List bulletin: Volvo mandatory Special Tools are necessary for technicians to properly diagnose and repair Volvo cars. They are used in development of Volvo labor operations and repair methods, and promote safety and quality repairs in a timely manner. Tools are classified as mandatory because associated repairs and/or diagnostics cannot be completed properly without them.
• 10169030This is a Technical Journal: Oil in cooling system. New cleaning method developed.
• 10169022This is a Technical Journal: In case of complaint of Noise, some "tools" have been created to help you to do a better and more precise fault tracing
• 10169021Service Manager Bulletin TITLE : Service Action Notification Re - Mails GROUP : NO : ISSUING DEPARTMENT : CAR MARKET : Product Safety & Compliance United States and Canada 00 325 REFERENCE BULLETINS : DATE : SMB00 - 323 and SMB00 - 323A YEAR MONTH DAY SERVICE SERVICE WARRANTY 2013 02 15 MANAGER WRITER ADMINISTRATOR Service Personnel : Read and initial Page 1 of 1 Volvo monitors completion rates for all service actions and will complete notification re - mails to vehicle owners when necessary . Listed below are the latest notification re - mails . Please refer to SMB 00 - 323 and SMB 00 - 323A for information on how and where to find the related Service Action documents in VRC2 and TIE . FEBRUARY RE - MAILS Action Description # of Re - Mails Service Campaign 236 Washer Reservoir Sensor Canada ? 295 Recall 129 Brake Vacuum Pump U.S . ? 3,430 Recall 245 Replace Fuel Lines U.S . ? 48 MARCH RE - MAILS Action Description # of Re - Mails Recall 246 Inspect P / S Return Hose U.S . ? 1,367 Recall 246 Inspect P / S Return Hose Canada ? 95 Recall 251 Inspect Underbody Coating Canada ? 54 Recall 255 TCM Software Upgrade U.S . ? 499 Recall 256 TPMS Warning Message U.S . ? 123 Please be prepared to accommodate vehicle owners that may contact you regarding these actions . ? Fixed Right ? First Time ? Produced in the USA and available as an electronic document . Hard copy documents are printed in USA on recycled paper containing a minimum of 50 % wastepaper and 10 % post - consumer waste . 2013 VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA , LLC
• 10168247VOLVO CARS SERVICE AND PARTS BUSINESS Service Manager Bulletin TITLE : Workshop Systems Requirements and Guidelines VIDA in 2015 , Peer - to - Peer Infrastructure GROUP : NO : ISSUING DEPARTMENT : CAR MARKET : United States and Canada 00 337 REFERENCE BULLETINS : DATE : YEAR MONTH DAY SERVICE SERVICE WARRANTY 2015 01 19 MANAGER WRITER ADMINISTRATOR Service Personnel : Read and initial Page 1 of 17 ? Right first time in Time ? Produced in the USA and available as an electronic document . Hard copy documents are printed in USA on recycled paper containing a minimum of 50 % wastepaper and 10 % post - consumer waste . 2015 VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA , LLC Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 Page 2 of 17 2015 - 01 - 19 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 2015 - 01 - 19 Page 3 of 17 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 Page 4 of 17 2015 - 01 - 19 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 2015 - 01 - 19 Page 5 of 17 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 Page 6 of 17 2015 - 01 - 19 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 2015 - 01 - 19 Page 7 of 17 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 Page 8 of 17 2015 - 01 - 19 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 2015 - 01 - 19 Page 9 of 17 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 Page 10 of 17 2015 - 01 - 19 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 2015 - 01 - 19 Page 11 of 17 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 Page 12 of 17 2015 - 01 - 19 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 2015 - 01 - 19 Page 13 of 17 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 Page 14 of 17 2015 - 01 - 19 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 2015 - 01 - 19 Page 15 of 17 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 Page 16 of 17 2015 - 01 - 19 Service Manager Bulletin 00 - 337 2015 - 01 - 19 Page 17 of 17
• 10168245This is a Technical Journal: In case of complaint of Noise, some "tools" have been created to help you to do a better and more precise fault tracing
• 10167953Software Installation Policy changes.

Every Volvo XC90 model year

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