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2009 Volvo XC90 problems

The most common problem on the 2009 Volvo XC90 is electrical system. It has fewer complaints than a typical XC90 model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
93/100
Owner complaints
7
Recalls
1
Service bulletins
215
Worst area
Electrical
Fuel economy
15-17mpg

The worst 2009 Volvo XC90 problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Electrical
    3
  • Brakes
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Body
    1
  • Engine
    1

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Electrical
    3
  • Brakes
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Body
    1
  • Engine
    1
  • Fuel system
    1
  • Wheels
    1

Recalls 1

Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)Reported November 8, 2010 · 416 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (GPS) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
Risk
An overheated battery could lead to a fire.
Remedy
Volvo advises owners to please stop using the garmin portable GPS device immediately, and visit the garmin website to determine if their unit is affected. The unit's battery will be replaced with a new battery and a spacer will be inserted on top of the battery next to the pcb. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 18, 2010. Owners may contact garmin at 866‑957‑1981 or visit garmin's website at www.garmin.com/nuvibatterypcbrecall.

Recall number 10V566000 · Recall details

See all 1 recalls for the 2009 Volvo XC90

Technical service bulletins for the 2009 Volvo XC90 215

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 215 bulletins for the 2009 Volvo XC90

2009 Volvo XC90 fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.2L 6‑cylFWD142017
3.2L 6‑cyl4WD142016
4.4L 8‑cyl4WD131915

What 2009 Volvo XC90 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jan 17, 2023 · Fuel system · PA

A plastic Fuel Pressure Sensor bracket holder, part number: 30720139, found on Volvo V8 XC90 and S80 (2005-2011) can crack, resulting in a fuel leak within the engine compartment. See attached picture of 30720139, with highlight of plastic assembly. No replacement part is available from Volvo, since ~Dec 2021, per this link: https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/06-xc90-v8-fuel-pressure-sensor-mount-snapped.640161/post-7969481 However, an aftermarket solution is now recently available: https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/volvo-v8-fuel-pressure-sensor-bracket-replacement-billet-6061.656808/#post-7986238 https://www.ebay.com/itm/115630747349

Filed Oct 7, 2021 · Acceleration, Brakes · CO

I have installed a SprintDrive installed in my Volvo. Since the installation, I have had several safety and security issues occur that stop once the device is removed. The following issues have occurred: 1) Whilst driving on the Muskogee Turnpike, the cruising control system would disengage. This occurred at least three times during the drive. On the third time, the cruising control system disengaged and the braking system engaged causing the vehicle to go from 85 mph to 45 mph. 2) I was driving on C-470. The transmission system would not transition between the gears automatically. The vehicle remained in a low gear until I removed the device. 3) I was driving on I-70 when all of the warning lights went and an alarm sounded. The message console read all system failure. The engine shut down. Once the device was removed, I was able to restart the vehicle.

Filed Aug 15, 2017 · Wheels · 125,000 miles · WI

Rear spare tire dropped off vehicle in traffic sliding across the freeway, catastrophic failure of cable holding rear tire under the vehicle

Filed Dec 2, 2015 · Body · 76,000 miles · TN · 1 injury

Opened trunk hatch door to put items in trunk and lifted door to the full open position, the hydraulic arms both failed and the full weight of the door fell directly onto head causing severe head injury with residual effects. No problems with trunk door prior to this.

Filed Feb 25, 2015 · Electrical · 94,000 miles · HI

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 volvo xc90. While driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was not able to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The contact was unaware of the repairs that were performed on the vehicle. The failure recurred and a fuse was replaced; however, the failure recurred and the ECM module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Apr 19, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 58,640 miles · TX

During switching off ignition a warning light was visible, on turning on ignition again multiple faults registered on the instrument cluster.no issues prior to this fault occurred. List of faults noticed: 1: SRS warning light (instrument cluster notification) 2: ABS failure (instrument cluster notification) 3: passenger airbag off (instrument cluster notification) 4: passenger airbag fault-service required (instrument cluster notification) 5: passenger electrical assist seat not working 5: hazard lights only work when ignition is on 6: vehicle cannot lock or unlock 7: rear tail lights stay on continuously even after removal of ignition key. 8: no brake lights 9: no turn right signals (back or front) 10: headlight fault (instrument cluster notification) 11: rev counter not aligned correctly, sits at 6:00 while vehicle is off. 12: rev counter rests at 7000rpm on engine idle and continues clockwise. 13: engine will not pass 4000rpm 14: engine stopped enroute to volvo dealership traveling at 65mph with loss of power steering and brake assist. Vehicle was able to re start after coming to complete stop. 15: trip computer does not register miles traveled. 16: miles left till empty shows 9999.

Filed May 25, 2012 · Electrical · 32,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2009 volvo xc90. The contact stated that the vehicle had been sitting idle for four days. After four days, the contact attempted to start the vehicle but to no avail. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis however the electrical drain could not be located. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 32,000 and the current mileage was 41,000.

Compare the 2009 Volvo XC90

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Other model years

2003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142016201720182019202020212022202320242025

Questions about the 2009 Volvo XC90

Is the 2009 Volvo XC90 reliable?

Owners have filed 7 complaints about the 2009 Volvo XC90, fewer than a typical XC90 model year.

What is the 2009 Volvo XC90 year score?

The 2009 Volvo XC90 scores 93 out of 100 (good). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volvo XC90: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2009 Volvo XC90?

Electrical system, with 3 complaints. Next is brakes (2).

How many recalls does the 2009 Volvo XC90 have?

1 recall, covering equipment.

What year does the Volvo XC90 have the most electrical problems?

The Volvo XC90 model years with the most electrical complaints are 2004 (158 complaints), 2016 (56 complaints) and 2005 (51 complaints).

Is there a class action lawsuit over the Volvo XC90?

Yes. New class action says Volvo's Google-based infotainment screens freeze and take climate and rearview camera with them (November 9, 2026).

What gas mileage does the 2009 Volvo XC90 get?

Official estimates for the 2009 Volvo XC90 range from 15 to 17 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.2L 6-cyl, FWD) gets 14 city and 20 highway.

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