The Volvo V90 is a mid-size luxury flagship Volvo estate that aims to combine the luxury and sophistication of the S90 sedan with a more usable and practical platform. The S90 has been in production since 2016 and is likely going to be either refreshed or completely replaced in the coming years.
Either way, the Volvo S90 is the current top-of-the-line Volvo estate car which means that it should hold its own against the Audi A6 Avant, the Mercedes Benz E-Class estate, and the BMW 5-Series Touring. Many people prefer the S90 over its German rivals because it looks more minimalist, but puts the same amount of emphasis on quality and sophistication.
The V90 proves to be a decently reliable car, but the newer models are indeed more reliable as a whole. The most common Volvo S90 issues are down to the ECM (engine control module), the hydraulic brake unit, issues with the fuel system, the electronics, and increased levels of vibrations while driving at higher speeds.
Some of these are more problematic than others, especially the intricate electrical issues we are going to talk about in this article. Either way, the V90 is a strong contender for one of the best luxury estate cars these days, and as such, it definitely deserved your attention.
Volvo V90 – ECM issues
The engine control module is an intricate piece of engineering designed to monitor and release the pressure that forms within the fuel tank. Sometimes the ECM starts causing issues that unable it to release the pressure which causes the fuel tank to deform. If this is left untouched, it is likely going to cause a fuel leak which can cause a myriad of safety issues and can even result in fire.
Volvo has issued a recall because of this which included both the S90 and the V90. As such, if you are looking to buy either of these, be sure to check out if these issues were resolved properly.
Volvo V90 – Hydraulic brake unit
The V90 also suffers from a low-quality weld located between the engine rotor shaft and the brake hydraulic unit. This is a known manufacturing issue for which Volvo also issues a recall back in 2021. If the weld fails, it is likely going to cause all sorts of issues such as inoperative ABS, inoperative ESC, and many more issues.
This can obviously be a huge safety hazard and that is why you should focus your attention on fixing it. If these welding spots fail while driving, they can virtually disable your brakes which is indeed something no one wants to experience.
Volvo V90 – Fuel system issues
Both the V90 estate and the S90 sedan are known to suffer from an issue caused by a blown 15A fuse within the fuel system which ultimately leads to the car stalling and being unable to start. When this fuse fails, it means that your fuel pump stops operating.
Not being able to drive the car at all is also not something anyone wants to experience and that is why you should investigate these issues if you are interested in buying either of these two. Volvo has also issued a recall back in 2021 for this exact problem which means that many cars were affected by this issue.
Volvo V90 – Vibrations while driving
There are quite a few Volvo owners out there that have reported that their Volvo models are suffering from peculiar levels of vibrations while cruising at speeds over 60mph or so. Volvo deems the issue is primarily due to the tires, but even after changing them, the issue persists in many cases.
This is one of those issues that still remains a mystery with the V90. However, some Volvo specialists deem that this issue is being caused by worn-out engine mounts or issues with the transmission.
Volvo V90 – Electrical issues
The V90 also tends to suffer from many electrical issues as well. The most prominent ones are associated with the electric sunroof, instrument cluster bugs and glitches, and the start/stop system. The most prominent of them all is the start/stop system that sometimes tends to start or stop the car without a probable cause.
One owner even reported that their S90 sedan started on its own and even jerked forwards colliding into a wall. There are a few owners that have reported similar issues, but it seems like this issue is not all that common, at least not on the internet. However, if they are, they are indeed dangerous and must be solved asap.
FAQ Section
How much does it cost to maintain the Volvo V90?
According to a few online sources, the average maintenance costs of the V90 range between $100 to $2300 in most cases. The newer the car, the lower the maintenance costs tend to be. It’s is difficult to pinpoint the exact number as not all V90 models experience the same types of issues.
Some of them are plagued with more problematic issues that usually cost a lot more to fix. Now is the time when many V90 models are no longer being covered by a warranty. This means that we are likely going to get a more realistic and precise maintenance cost prediction soon.
Should I buy the Volvo V90?
If you are after a luxurious estate car, you should definitely check out the Volvo V90 as it offers a really impressive package. The V90 is not as blingy as the Mercedes Benz, nor as technical as the Audi A6. It is also not as sporty as the 5-Series. What it is, is a more minimalistic approach towards luxury that aims to satisfy those who simply want to enjoy an amazing car.
The V90 is also a class leader when it comes to efficiency and safety which are both extremely important aspects of a true family car.
Is the Volvo V90 better than the Volvo S90?
The Volvo V90 and the Volvo S90 are more or less the same cars with the only difference being that one is a sedan, and the other is an estate. You should go for the V90 if you want a more practical car. On the other hand, go for the S90 if you value design over practicality.
You can also go for a V90 Cross Country model that competes with the Audi A6 Allroad. The Cross Country is a more off-road friendly V90 model which is perfect for those who live in the countryside.
