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2007 Volvo XC90 Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2007 Volvo XC90 has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Automatic transmission and gear-shift failure.” Volvo schedules maintenance every 10,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes first — the cluster's service reminder counts down to it. Drive-E four-cylinder engines (2015+) require Volvo-spec 0W-20; the older five-cylinder turbos (XC70, C30) run on a timing belt with a firm replacement interval, not a chain. AWD Volvos use a Haldex-style rear coupling whose fluid service is the difference between an AWD system that lasts and a four-figure pump-and-clutch repair.

Save this car as:

No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2007 Volvo XC90.

Reported to NHTSA

Automatic transmission and gear-shift failure

POWER TRAIN

6 NHTSA complaints · 2007-10 → 2017-10

“IT'S A KNOWN FACT THE THE TRANSMISSION FOR MY MODEL YEAR 2007 HAVE A BAD VALVE BODY INSIDE THEM THAT CAN GO OUT AT ANY TIME. VOLVO KNOWS ABOUT THIS AND CHANGED OUT THE TRANSMISSION FOR THERE 2008 MODEL AND DID NOTHING ABOUT THE POIR YEARS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11034067
“THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE FORWARD. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN MOVING FORWARD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10534206
“THE TRANSMISSION ON THE 2007 VOLVO XC 90 T6 ARE FAILING EARLY AT AN ALARMING RATE. MINE HAS FAILED AT 70K MILES, LEAVING ME STRANDED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10249524

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel tank leak and cabin fuel odor

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

3 NHTSA complaints · 2022-12 → 2023-11

“I am writing to bring to your attention a concerning matter regarding my recently acquired 2007 Volvo XC90. Upon refueling the vehicle to a level exceeding half the tank capacity, there is a discernible and persistent odor of gasoline within the cabin”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11556993
“Drivers side fuel tank sending unit print or sending unit top leaking fuel, a check engine light appeared and almost instantly started smelling like gas. The check engine said small evap leak”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11542276
“Every time, I fill up to 1/2 a tank or full , I start to smell the fumes inside the vehicle . I took it to get inspected , and the mechanic said the fuel pump assembly usually cracks and the vapor goes inside the cabin”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11497169

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Brake and ABS system failure

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, EQUIPMENT

5 NHTSA complaints · 2009-12 → 2018-05

“THE YELLOW ABS BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. THE RED PARKING BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR HAD A LOUD LONG BEEP NOISE ACTIVATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11098505
“BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE 3 MONTHS AFTER BRAKE SYSTEM SERVICE BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. I HAD MY 2007 VOLVO XC90 SERVICED BY MOMENTUM VOLVO IN HOUSTON TEXAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10296643
“VOLVO XC90 USES "DRUM IN HAT" PARKING BRAKE DESIGN FOR REAR WHEELS OF VEHICLE. WHETHER ENGAGED OR NOT, THE FRICTION (LINING) MATERIAL FOR THE PARKING BRAKE CAN SEPARATE CATASTROPHICALLY FROM THE SHOE AND LODGE AGAINST THE INSIDE OF THE DRUM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10389812

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical system fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, ENGINE

5 NHTSA complaints · 2007-09 → 2026-02

“While driving the vehicle under normal conditions, a sudden electrical fire occurred, requiring immediate evacuation. The vehicle was pulled over safely and the driver exited before the fire escalated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11715108
“AFTER 30 MINUTES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING EXITED ONTO SECONDARY ROAD TO ADD OIL FOR LOW OIL LIGHT INDICATOR. ENGINE BEGAN SMOKING IN TWO MINUTES AND LIFTING HOOD CAUSED ENGINE TO BURST INTO FLAMES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11066653
“ON OCTOBER 31ST OF THIS YEAR OUR 2007 VOLVO XC90 CAUGHT FIRE NEAR THE REAR HATCH. MY WIFE, WHO NORMALLY DRIVES THIS VEHICLE, WAS UNABLE TO START THE CAR ON HER FIRST ATTEMPT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10207919

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical system power loss and ignition lock failure

STEERING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

6 NHTSA complaints · 2012-02 → 2019-10

“ON OR ABOUT FEBRUARY 06, 2019, OUR 2007 VOLVO XC-90 EXPERIENCED A STEERING LOCK FAILURE. THAT IS THE LOCK COULD NOT ADVANCE TO THE START POSITION AND CONSEQUENTLY LOCKED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION SWITCH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11194414
“WHEN RESTARTING MY CAR IN AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PICK-UP LINE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT "STUCK" AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10447420
“THE ISSUE FIRST STARTED ON MA 3RD, 2019. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY TO THE BEACH. THE ROAD WAS A LITTLE BUMPY AND THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY CAR LOST ALL POWER AND SHUT ITSELF OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11270345

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Suspension and steering component failure

SUSPENSION

5 NHTSA complaints · 2008-02 → 2013-04

“DURING ROUTINE XC-90 MAINTENANCE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT FRONT TIE ROD END HAD FAILED. NO INDICATION DURING NORMAL DRIVING OR ANY VISIBLE INDICATIONS, I.E. ABNORMAL TIRE WEAR WAS APPARENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10482167
“REAR LEFT SUSPENSION PART KNOWN AS "STAY BAR" BROKE CAUSING REAR LEFT TIRE TO WOBBLE UNCONTROLLABLY. FAILURE OCCURRED AT LOW SPEED WHILE COMING TO A STOP SO DAMAGE WAS LIMITED AND INJURIES AVOIDED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10220710
“WITHOUT ANY WARNING WHILE DRIVING MY XC90 WITH 14,000 MILES THE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT FRACTURED CAUSING ME TO LOOSE STEERING CONTROL AND VEER OFF THE ROAD”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10218595

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Exterior lighting electrical failure

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, EXTERIOR LIGHTING

3 NHTSA complaints · 2010-07 → 2012-08

“THE HEADLIGHTS STARTED TO FLICKER A FEW MONTHS AGO. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I WAS IMAGINING IT UNTIL THEY STARTED TO BRIEFLY BLINK, I STILL WAS NOT SURE IT WAS HAPPENING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10472858
“THE DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHT KEEPS MELTING THE PLASTIC CONNECTOR. I HAVE REPLACED THE CONNECTOR AND HAD ALL THE WIRING AND OTHER COMPONENTS CHECKED ON 3 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10453296
“MY VOLVO REPAIR SHOP TOLD ME THAT THESE WERE UNRELATED NORMAL REPAIRS AND THAT I SHOULD NOT BE CONCERNED AFTER THE LATEST INCIDENT OF THE TIRE SYSTEM MALFUNCTION I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHO TROUBLESHOOT MY VEHICLE, PUT THE VEHICLE ON A LIFT AND SHOWED ME A”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10341447

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine control module and cooling failure

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

3 NHTSA complaints · 2007-07 → 2018-07

“WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE AND TIMING CONTROL MODULE FAILED. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE SENT A SIGNAL TO THE TIMING CONTROL MODULE, WHICH CAUSED AN ENGINE SEIZURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11113983
“WE STARTED THE CAR THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND FROM THE ENGINE, WE DROVE FOR ABOUT 3-4 MINUTES. I NOTICED THE AC WASN'T WORKING WELL AND MY HUSBAND WHO WAS DRIVING LOOKED DOWN AT THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE AND IT WAS IN THE RED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10649632
“WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 40 AT 80 MPH MY CAR BEGAN SHAKING VIOLENTLY AND SHUT OFF. IT WAS TRAILORED TO THE NEAREST VOLVO DEALERSHIP WHERE IT TOOK 3 WEEKS TO REPAIR , 1 WEEK TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM)”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10196542

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter (Annual Service)

Every 10,000 mi

Replace every 10,000 miles or 12 months with Volvo-spec oil (VCC 0W-20 on Drive-E engines). Turbo five-cylinders in the older XC70/C30 are harder on oil — many specialists suggest 7,500 miles on those.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Timing Belt (5-Cylinder — XC70, C30)

Every 105,000 mi

Volvo's five-cylinder engines use a timing belt: replace around 105,000 miles or 10 years (verify your year's exact interval). Interference engine — do the tensioner and idlers in the same job. Drive-E four-cylinders (2015+) use a chain instead.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$935–$1175

Shop

~$655–$825

DIY

Pro only

On interference engines, a snapped belt destroys valves. Worth doing on schedule. Bundle water pump + tensioner — labor is already there.

Tire Rotation

Every 10,000 mi

Rotate at every annual service. AWD models: replace tires in matched sets — tread mismatch works the Haldex coupling constantly.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

Brake Inspection

Every 10,000 mi

Inspect pads, rotors, and hoses at every service. Heavy XC90s wear front pads quickly in city duty; check electronic parking-brake function on 2016+ models.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 24,000 mi

Replace DOT 4 fluid every 2 years regardless of miles — standard practice for the moisture-absorbing fluid, and cheap insurance for the ABS unit.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

AWD Coupling Fluid (Haldex)

Every 40,000 mi

AWD models: replace the rear coupling's fluid roughly every 40,000 miles (Volvo's published interval varies by generation — check your manual). Skipping it clogs the pump filter and kills the AWD unit; whirring from the rear axle is the classic late symptom.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$220–$290

Shop

~$155–$205

DIY

~$40–$90

VW/Audi/Volvo AWD coupling — specific fluid required. Filter usually swapped at the same time.

Automatic Transmission Fluid

Every 60,000 mi

The Aisin 8-speed is labeled long-life, but Volvo specialists broadly recommend fluid service around 60,000 miles — sooner with towing. Use the specified JWS/Toyota WS-type fluid for your gearbox.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$330–$500

Shop

~$235–$355

DIY

~$60–$180

Some sealed transmissions have no dipstick — fill is precise and best left to a shop. Many drivers can still DIY drain-and-fill.

Spark Plugs

Every 60,000 mi

Drive-E turbo fours: plugs around every 60,000 miles. Supercharged+turbocharged T6/T8 engines run higher cylinder pressures — don't stretch the interval.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace roughly every 30,000 miles; inspect annually in dusty climates.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 10,000 mi

Volvo specifies frequent cabin-filter replacement — annually on most models, in keeping with the brand's air-quality focus (CleanZone on newer cars).

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Engine Coolant

On condition / lifetime

Volvo long-life coolant typically runs ~10 years on the schedule; refresh with Volvo-spec coolant around 100,000 miles per independent-specialist practice.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

20 crashes 1990–2024

How the 20 occupant deaths break down

15

driver deaths

5

passenger deaths

20

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2008 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

0

complaints mentioning a crash

5

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2007 Volvo XC90 reflects Volvo's published service intervals and the Volvo Service Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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