Volvo · Known Issues
2020 Volvo S90 Problems: 15 Known Issues
2020 model year · 2,050+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2020 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
2020 model year · 2,050+ owner reports · Updated September 2026
2020 · All trims · All engines
Choose the year and equipment for your written issues and visual request.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 2,050+ owner reports, the 2020 Volvo S90 has 15 documented known issues, with 4 rated critical. The most serious are S90L Automatic Emergency Braking Software Incompatibility (NHTSA Recall 20V144000), S90 Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Can Blow a Fuse and Quit (Safety Recall 21V414000), Recall 25V179000 — S90 Recharge High-Voltage Battery Short Circuit Fire Risk and Brake Pedal Pushrod Screw Joint Under-Torqued at Supplier, Pedal Can Detach From Brake Unit — Recall 24V788 / Volvo R10289 ($0-$0 repair). The most commonly reported issue is Sensus Infotainment System Lag, Crashes, and Black Screen with 850 owner reports. Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $100 to $3,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2025 S90 vehicles. The windows may be improperly secured and detach.
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2024 C40BEV, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40, and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM)
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.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 S90L, 2020-2021 XC60, and XC90 vehicles. An improperly welded rotor and shaft may separate within the integrated brake system.
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According to Au7o's analysis of 2,050+ owner reports, the 2020 Volvo S90 has 15 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: S90L Automatic Emergency Braking Software Incompatibility (NHTSA Recall 20V144000), S90 Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Can Blow a Fuse and Quit (Safety Recall 21V414000), Recall 25V179000 — S90 Recharge High-Voltage Battery Short Circuit Fire Risk. Of these, 4 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.
The 2020 Volvo S90 has 15 known issues documented across 2,050+ owner reports. 4 issues are rated critical: S90L Automatic Emergency Braking Software Incompatibility (NHTSA Recall 20V144000) and S90 Low-Pressure Fuel Pump Can Blow a Fuse and Quit (Safety Recall 21V414000) and Recall 25V179000 — S90 Recharge High-Voltage Battery Short Circuit Fire Risk and Brake Pedal Pushrod Screw Joint Under-Torqued at Supplier, Pedal Can Detach From Brake Unit — Recall 24V788 / Volvo R10289. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.
Repair costs for known Volvo S90 issues range from $0 to $3,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.
This recall applies to 2019-2020 S90L sedans (the long-wheelbase S90 build named in NHTSA's vehicle list). Volvo Cars USA determined that a software/hardware incompatibility can prevent the Automatic Emergency Brake system from detecting obstacles and engaging the way it is meant… Severity: high.
If you drive a 2019 or 2020 S90, Volvo Car USA identified a defect in which the low-pressure fuel pump can blow a fuse and fail. Losing the low-pressure pump means the engine loses its fuel supply, and NHTSA's stated consequence is a stall - a risk because a stall in traffic can… Severity: high.
Volvo Car USA recalled 2020-2021 S90 plug-in hybrid sedans under NHTSA campaign 25V179000 (Volvo reference R10312). On the affected S90 Recharge, the high-voltage battery may short circuit internally within a battery module when the battery has been charged to full and the car is… Severity: high.
A small batch (291 US vehicles) of 2020 S90 plug-in hybrids, together with 2020 S60/V60/XC60/XC90 hybrids built June 2 to November 11, 2019, received brake pedal assemblies whose pushrod screw joint — the link between the pedal and the hydraulic brake unit — was not torqued corre… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: high.
The Sensus infotainment system in the S90 suffers from significant lag, screen freezes, and black screen episodes. Since the system controls climate, seat heating, navigation, and vehicle settings through the central touchscreen, a crash renders many vehicle functions inaccessibl… Repairs typically run $0-$2,000. Severity: medium.
The S90 equipped with rear air suspension (standard on Inscription and optional on other trims) experiences air spring leaks and compressor failure, typically after 50,000-70,000 miles. The rear air springs develop cracks in the rubber bladder, causing slow leaks that worsen in c… Repairs typically run $600-$3,500. Severity: medium.
The T6 twin-charged engine in the S90 has a coolant crossover pipe (also called the coolant bridge or manifold) that runs between the cylinder head and the turbocharger. This pipe develops leaks at the O-ring seals, causing coolant loss that can lead to overheating if not caught. Repairs typically run $300-$1,200. Severity: medium.
The electric auxiliary coolant pump develops a leak or fails, affecting cabin heating performance and turbo/supercharger cooling on T6 models. The pump circulates coolant to the heater core and turbo when the engine is off or at idle. Repairs typically run $200-$600. Severity: medium.
A recurring SPA complaint that also appears in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 S90 under Latches/Locks: a rear door (often the passenger side) suddenly will not open from either handle. Owners note the safety implication for rear passengers. Causes documented on forums are the elec… Repairs typically run $600-$900. Severity: medium.
S90 and V90 owners across 2017-2021 report a recurring 'Parking brake service required' warning, sometimes with the electric parking brake refusing to release or apply. Volvo has issued multiple bulletins: TJ 34647 (2019, revised through 2024) directs a software upgrade for the m… Repairs typically run $100-$900. Severity: medium.
The Pilot Assist semi-autonomous driving system and adaptive cruise control intermittently become unavailable, displaying error messages. Camera or radar sensor obstruction, calibration drift, or software bugs can trigger the issue. Heavy rain, snow, or direct sunlight may also c… Repairs typically run $0-$1,000. Severity: low.
2017-2020 S90 owners report moisture fogging inside the LED headlamps, sometimes pooling at the lower edge, that does not clear after driving. Volvo's position, documented in a 2018 S90 Technical Journal, is that light condensation is normal but if it does not dissipate after a s… Repairs typically run $0-$2,500. Severity: low.
The Aisin TG-81SC 8-speed in the T5 and T6 S90 (not the T8's hybrid version of the same box) is the subject of two Volvo Technical Journals: TJ 32546 'TG81-SC harsh shift P-R, R-D, N-D' (March/April 2017) and TJ 35075 'TG-81SC rough/hard shift in 3-2' (2020). Owners on Swedespeed… Repairs typically run $0-$250. Severity: low.
A distinct click or clack from the front-left of the engine bay when accelerating from a stop, lifting off, or during gear changes. Volvo's TJ 33442 'Left engine pad click sound' (2018, revised through 2020) confirms the source is the upper left hydraulic engine pad itself and wa… Repairs typically run $100-$700. Severity: low.
A widely reported SPA-platform fault on 2017-2020 S90s: the right-hand steering-wheel button cluster (volume, track, mute, voice, phone) goes dead, sometimes intermittently and often first on a single button, before the whole pad fails. Owners describe pressing hard near the conn… Repairs typically run $0-$900. Severity: low.
Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.