30 of the
2,252 complaints filed about the Volvo XC90
are about the doors, latches and locks —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2016.
The contact owns a 2017 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, the rear passenger’s side door suddenly unlocked and opened. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road, and the door was forcefully closed. The failure had occurred more than once while diving at various speeds. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had occurred while there was a passenger seated in the rear passenger’s side seat. The door was only securely closed by force. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the dealer had not inspected or diagnosed the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #11728212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rear Drivers door (left) fails to latch. Volvo has an updated part for better water ingress prevention, then the part that was used to build the car. The problem is that water enters the moveable window, runs down the metal channel separation gthe fixed and moveable window, and enters the door latch mechanism. This is extremely dangerous, in that the door may appear closed, and the vehicle may allow the driver to move forward or backward, but the door is not latched and can fly open leading to death! This is an issue known by Volvo, hence the updated OEM replacement part, however they are grossly negligent in not reporting or self recalling vehicles for this issue.
NHTSA complaint #11715235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
At random times the back doors will not open, from the inside or outside…hit all the unlock buttons and will NOT open. If this is not a massive safety issue, I don’t know what is…. If we get in a wreck and our car is on fire and we cannot instantly get ourselves or our children out quickly that’s a problem… if we wreck on the freeway and we see vehicles coming at us and we cannot quickly exit. This is a problem. For a car company to not address this it is gross negligence… we own a Ford focus it’s been taken in about three times for door recalls, but we never even actually had an issue…Volvo being a luxury car company and choosing to ignore this issue at the expense of the consumer has went on too long! This hasn’t happened only once, has happened sporadically multiple times
NHTSA complaint #11711121 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint to report a repeated and unresolved safety defect in my leased Volvo vehicle involving rear passenger door lock failure, which has resulted in minor children being trapped inside the vehicle on multiple occasions Vehicle Safety Issue: The left rear passenger door fails to open from both inside and outside, despite the child lock not being engaged. This creates a serious safety risk, particularly during emergencies when occupants must exit the vehicle quickly. Incident History: [XXX]: Rear door would not open from inside or outside, trapping my two children (ages [XXX] and [XXX] ). At the same time, the infotainment system froze and the backup camera was not functioning. I reported this to Volvo service. [XXX]: The same issue occurred again, resulting in my children being locked in the rear seat. One child was experiencing leg pain, and it was extremely difficult and unsafe to remove him through the front door. The dealer stated the rear lock assembly was replaced. [XXX]: Despite prior repair and assurances, the rear door failed again, trapping my child inside the vehicle. I have video evidence showing the door cannot be opened from outside. In addition, on a separate occasion, the vehicle completely froze and could not be unlocked using either key. AAA was required to jump-start the vehicle, and I was informed that a required software installation had not occurred. Safety Concern: A rear passenger door that cannot be opened from inside or outside presents an immediate safety hazard, especially involving children, medical emergencies, accidents, or fire. A non-functional backup camera further increases the risk of injury while reversing. This issue has occurred three times, including after a component replacement, indicating a recurring defect rather than an isolated incident. I am reporting this issue so it can be reviewed for potential safety investigation and corrective action. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOI
NHTSA complaint #11709427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this complaint to report a repeated and unresolved safety defect in my leased Volvo vehicle involving rear passenger door lock failure, which has resulted in minor children being trapped inside the vehicle on multiple occasions Vehicle Safety Issue: The left rear passenger door fails to open from both inside and outside, despite the child lock not being engaged. This creates a serious safety risk, particularly during emergencies when occupants must exit the vehicle quickly. Incident History: [XXX]: Rear door would not open from inside or outside, trapping my two children (ages [XXX] and [XXX] ). At the same time, the infotainment system froze and the backup camera was not functioning. I reported this to Volvo service. [XXX]: The same issue occurred again, resulting in my children being locked in the rear seat. One child was experiencing leg pain, and it was extremely difficult and unsafe to remove him through the front door. The dealer stated the rear lock assembly was replaced. [XXX]: Despite prior repair and assurances, the rear door failed again, trapping my child inside the vehicle. I have video evidence showing the door cannot be opened from outside. In addition, on a separate occasion, the vehicle completely froze and could not be unlocked using either key. AAA was required to jump-start the vehicle, and I was informed that a required software installation had not occurred. Safety Concern: A rear passenger door that cannot be opened from inside or outside presents an immediate safety hazard, especially involving children, medical emergencies, accidents, or fire. A non-functional backup camera further increases the risk of injury while reversing. This issue has occurred three times, including after a component replacement, indicating a recurring defect rather than an isolated incident. I am reporting this issue so it can be reviewed for potential safety investigation and corrective action. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOI
NHTSA complaint #11709427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2020 Volvo XC90. The contact stated while attempting to open the rear passenger's side door from the inside or the outside of the vehicle, the door failed to open as intended, causing passengers to exit the rear driver's side door of the vehicle. No warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the door lock kit needed to be replaced. The door lock kit was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and filed a case. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000.
NHTSA complaint #11704687 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
While driving in a parking lot going around 15 mph my drivers side door opened. No warning, no alarms just fully ajar swung open. Fortunately I was going 15 mph, Im glad I had my seatbelt on and that no one was crossing or passing when the door flung open. Ive documented and recorded my ability to begin driving and open the door including ability to open the door while reversing. I took the suv to volvo and the electrical wiring was replaced along with the door hinges.
NHTSA complaint #11700143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2023 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver’s side door failed to remain closed securely. The contact stated that the front driver’s side door remained ajar, and an abnormal sound could be heard inside the vehicle. The contact recorded the sound at 99 decibels. The contact stated that the failure had been occurring since purchasing the vehicle in 2023. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that an unknown part was repaired in the door. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.
NHTSA complaint #11648168 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Loaded children into second row of vehicle, confirmed all doors closed. Began driving, passenger rear door swung open. Child DID NOT engage door handle. Pulled over to attempt to close door. Door latch would not engage, could not close or lock door. Still unable to close and lock door.
NHTSA complaint #11640401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Spontaneously the left back side door has failed to close on several occasions. It happened first while parked in the driveway and I had to use my body to get it shut. I went to have it checked out at the Volvo dealer and when I described it they told me several people had been in for service with the same issue. They told me one lady had it on 2 doors and another realized her door was open when it flung open mid-drive. They told me the car was just cold and that I needed to make sure the handle was flush with the door when trying to close it. The next day, I picked up my dry cleaning and hung it by that door and drove away. I wasn’t aware it failed to latch yet again and only realized it when it flung open while I was driving on the road. This is the same door next to my son’s car seat which is terrifying to think about. I ensured the handle was flush and it still wouldn’t close until I hip checked it shut 3 times. Without a clear cause or reasonable solution (it is not reasonable to expect this just because it’s cold out), it is imperative that Volvo address this on behalf of the safety of its customers.
NHTSA complaint #11637504 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The rear doors get stuck closed. No unlocking or releasing child lock solves this issue. Had the passenger rear door unavailable for over 6 months and then it opened again only for the other side to quit working now. Volvo does not cover this issue despite clear danger to riders in accident or emergency in need to exit vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11628794 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The exterior door handle stopped being able to open from the outside. This poses a serious safety risk; as well as an overall inconvenience for the driver. To get inside the vehicle, one must crawl through the passenger side to open the driver's side door from the inside.
NHTSA complaint #11601276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The left rear door of my vehicle flew open while we were moving with my 10-year-old daughter sitting adjacent to the door. Fortunately, she had her seat belt on otherwise the result would have been tragic. On [XXX] my daughter got into the back of my vehicle, suddenly, her door flew open, I immediately stopped the vehicle. My daughter was unable to shut the door and after many attempts I got the door to shut. When we arrived at home both rear doors would not open and my now trapped daughter exited through the front door. On [XXX], I went to Volvo in Rochester NY and explained the situation expecting the service person to be extremely concerned. Much to my surprise he said “that happens all the time” and that when it gets cold out sometimes the latches don’t respond. I anticipated that my car would go in immediately but was told “how is Thursday to bring your car in.” I dropped my car off and received a call that afternoon with “great news” that the issue was a faulty door latch, the part was in stock and came with a “lifetime warranty.” He told me the cost was $734.00 per door meaning with sales tax the cost would be over $1,500 and I would still have two doors at risk for flying open in the future. I asked how this life safety issue which has failed on countless other vehicles is not covered by the manufacturer nor has there been a recall. He said Volvo has recognized the door latch safety issue and designed a fix. When the door latch fails, this new replacement part, that the consumer pays for, solves the problem. Volvo recognized a safety problem, designed the fix, yet has chosen not to recall the vehicles that have these problems but rather waits until the door latch fails before the consumer must pay to replace it. I arrived the next day to pick up my vehicle, sat down with the service manager who was empathetic, but reiterated this is an issue that has repeatedly occurred. This needs to be addressed and not paid by consumers INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT
NHTSA complaint #11585941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rear driver's side door has the door lock motor fail and the door is unable to be opened from either the inside or outside. I was not in an accident, but had I been this would have been incredibly dangerous for passengers in the back seat of the car. Per discussions with my repair shop, this component should not fail and they have done numerous repairs on this problem on other cars of the same model.
NHTSA complaint #11571464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Passenger and driver side rear door lock are inoperable from outside and inside. The issue has been widely reported by other vehicle owners. The root cause has been reported as water damaging the locking mechanisms. Volvo redesigned the mechanisms but has not issued a recall.
NHTSA complaint #11569838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
My rear door, driver-side, will not unlock. I cannot open it from inside nor outside. I have cycled door and child-lock actuators and no change to the condition. This is definitely a safety concern as whatever happened to the driver-side mechanism can happen to the passenger side also then how would passengers exit quickly?
NHTSA complaint #11569724 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rear passenger door won’t open. We had freezing temps in Colorado, when I tried to open the rear door to get my 2 month old out of the car the door would not open. Apparently this is a known problem for this vehicle the rear door motors spontaneously stop working.
NHTSA complaint #11566201 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2016 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that the rear door latches and locks were frozen and no longer opened or closed as designed. The contact stated he no longer attempts to open the door out of concern that the door will no longer be able to be closed properly. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that water had entered the rear door locking mechanism. The door locks had not been repaired or replaced. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
NHTSA complaint #11559646 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The vehicle locking system malfunctioned, locking itself with the keys inside the vehicle. The vehicle was in park, the engine was off, I was only out of the vehicle for 30 seconds to 1 minute in time while filling my gas tank. My dog was inside the vehicle, in the back with no access to door locks or keys, it was 90* outside, he was locked in the car for 30minutes until the fire department arrived and broke the rear passenger a window. The vehicle will go in for diagnostic testing 9/12/23 at a Volvo dealership. Volvo USA refused to note the safety concern, they believe the vehicle operated as designed to self-lock if you forget. My vehicle has never self locked in the 1.5 years of owning it, rather it sends you an alert to your phone to inform you that it is unlocked- it does not lock itself. There have been no lights to alert of any possible concerns.
NHTSA complaint #11543428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.