I discovered an engine coolant leak from a crack near the end of the Plastic Coolant Bypass Pipe (part #31368673/32382362) after noticing coolant puddling on my garage floor. There are numerous comments with pictures on-line about how common this part fails on this model Volvo. What's also interesting is that the "pipe" fails in exactly the same location (on top and near the end). Seems to me if this is a known defect and the part is not performing with reasonable reliability, Volvo should provide an allowance to car owners when the part fails.
Volvo XC90 overheating problems
20 of the 1,546 owner complaints about the Volvo XC90 describe engine overheating, most of them for the 2016 model year.
- owner complaints
- 20
- worst model year
- 2016
- typical mileage
- 93,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Engine failure 3Loss of power 2Fire or smoke 2Water leak 1Warning lights 1Power steering loss 1Headlights 1Check engine light 1
What owners say
Vehicle is a 2017 model year of the Volvo XC90 and has the same safety issue in the Quality Bulletin for Recall R29936: Coolant Bleeder Hose (Engine Side), which is for the same make and model but for the 2016 model year. The vehicle has a plastic coolant bleeder hose that can crack and create a coolant leak that drips above the catalytic converter. The coolant accumulates in the catalytic converter heat shield insulation and poses a fire risk in the engine compartment area. The leak can also be small enough to cause coolant to evaporate and off gas into the cabin through the AC, exposing fumes to cabin occupants. The corrective action is to replace the engine side coolant bleeder hose, though this recall did not extend to 2017 model years, in which this same part was used. The same recall R29936 will need to be extended to other model years after 2016 in which the same component or design of component was used.
The engine coolant bleeder hose in my 2018 Volvo XC90 cracked in the middle of my journey causing a severe coolant leak. This happened in August of 2024 while driving and the engine coolant suddenly started showed warning with low level and the engine started overheating. The vehicle would not accelerate past 20 mph, and the temperature warning light flashed continuously, creating a safety hazard in traffic. The Volvo dealership diagnosed the issue and confirmed that the coolant bleeder on the supercharger is broken and leaking. They replaced the bleeder hose and vacuum fill system. I believe similar issues happened to the 2016 models and a recall was issued for the coolant bleeder hose (part # 32249907-0) to be replaced by Volvo. This has not been recalled for the 2018 models, making it an expensive replacement for me. I urge the federal safety agency to investigate Volvo XC90 coolant hoses for material defects, as this issue endangers drivers through unexpected breakdowns and engine failure.
Was driving and my low coolant light came on. I pulled over and car shut down and coolant leaking all over the exhaust and block of the engine. Crack in the coolant bleeder hose leaving me stranded on the side of the road. I then googled the issue to my surprise it is the same crack point and part that the previous year 2016 model had a recall on for safety as this is a fire risk leaking on the exhaust and this being a flammable liquid. I am just upset as this was a recall for the previous year model and it is happening on the 2017 model with many other people having the same issue. Contacting Volvo and they will not cover this as there is no active recall on this $800 for a $23 part that is a known issue is a problem and the risk of my vehicle catching on fire when I have 5 children In the car is very concerning for a car that is suppose to be reliable. Not to mention the bad front strut problems on these that go out and send you going in the wrong direction on a bump. Hope this gets taken care of due to the risk!
There is a engine coolant leak from the plastic coolant line connector going into the motor
Main Cooling system hose burst while driving down the road. Volvo Dealer said extremely rare for this to occur. Car overheated, all warning lights appeared and coolant exploded under hood all while driving.Had to have repaired $1000. Also a water leak inside 3rd row & leaks from rear view mirror area. Caused electrical damage to main system computer module, had to have replaced $2000+. All work done at volvo dealer. No frame damage,no missing parts, dealer stated unknown reason. Same thing is now happening a 2nd time and warranty will not cover water damage. Have spoken with others experiencing the same problem with roof leak. No alarms came on prior to combustion/main hose top engine area before break. Happend immediately, unexpectedly
The low coolant warning went off and the turn off engine notification came on. I turned off my vehicle and noticed all the coolant leaking out the bottom underneath the car. I had the vehicle towed to the nearest mechanic and I was given this diagnosis: Found cooling system low, pressure tested and located a slip line that runs from the coolant crossover tube to under the intake manifold. Coolant pipe runs from the crossover pipe down to the engine oil cooler. Volvo has an updated part number due to high failure rate of the component.
Previous issues with brakes, suspension, leaking sunroof, electrical and gauges. Vehicle became disabled due to defect with coolant system, smoke from engine compartment, towed to Monterery Volvo (dealership/service center identified issues with coolant leak present turbo & cooling Plastic pipe. Cruise control-Vacuum Pump: Found vacuum pump leaking oil. Estimated repair $5,414.38
On May 26, 2022, I was stuck in traffic for four hours, and the car's CEM (central electronic module) overheated causing the dashboard to shut down three times, meaning I lost all instrument readings. After each time the dashboard shut down, I had to pull over and reset fuse #27 to have the dashboard come back online temporarily. Because the CEM was already overheated due to its design flaw with improper ventilation, the dashboard would shut down again and again. A Google search would show this is a very common issue for 2004 Volvo models and before. Driving without any instrument readings is totally unsafe. I strongly urge you to force Volvo to issue a recall for 2004 and before models and fix the CEM overheating problem.
The contact owns a 2017 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle, the air bag and check engine warning lights intermittently illuminated. Additionally, the message "Pullover Engine Overheating" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who diagnosed that failure was caused by the drain hose for the air conditioning leaking into the passenger’s side compartment due to a drain hose installation error during manufacturing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 16V690000 (Equipment, Air Bags). The contact indicated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 92,000.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine: engine control module (ecu/ECM)
- What is wrong
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2022-2023 S60, V60, S90L, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An electronic control module (ECM) software error may prevent the combustion engine from starting, causing a loss of drive power.
- Risk
- The vehicle may lose drive power as the high voltage battery is depleted, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the ECM software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed December 8, 2022. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1‑800‑458‑1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10198.
Recall number 22V793000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings
- What is wrong
- Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2016 XC90 vehicles. Exposure to heat and humidity may cause the engine coolant bleeder hose to crack, resulting in a coolant leak.
- Risk
- If the coolant leak goes unnoticed, coolant may accumulate in the catalytic converter heat shield insulation and catch fire when the vehicle is stationary, increasing the risk of injury.
- Remedy
- Volvo Cars will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine side coolant bleeder hose, free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1‑800‑458‑1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R29936.
Recall number 19V308000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling: engine
- What is wrong
- Volvo is recalling 102 my 2008 xc90 and s80 vehicles equipped with v8 engines. These vehicles may have been built with incorrect bolts to the engine mount.
- Risk
- The aluminum bracket for the engine mount could break due to lack of adequate clamping force. This could cause the engine to come in contact with the sub-frame, ultimately resulting in a reduced engine torque or stalling of the engine without prior warning, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the engine mount bolts for specific markings. If any of the bolts contain the incorrect markings, the bracket and bolts will be replaced. All owners have been contacted and arrangements have been made to repair these vehicles.
Recall number 08V206000 · Recall details
Questions about the Volvo XC90 overheating
Which Volvo XC90 years have engine overheating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2016 (8 complaints), 2017 (5 complaints) and 2004 (2 complaints).
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