Volvo XC90 wheel problems

WHEELS

my vehicle has experienced a potentially catastrophic steering failure while driving, Volvo's authorized service attempts have not corrected it, and I no longer consider the vehicle safe.

NHTSA complaint #11758241 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

My tire somehow got a nail in it. I drove straight to Volvo when noticing the issue around 730am on 3/13/26. At 745am I spoke with [XXX] at Schumacher Volvo, he advised that they were too busy today to assist me. I advised I was afraid to drive with this and needed help and he told me to buy a tire lock kit and I could do it at another tire store. When I went to the parts department they advised the brake lock would not work and the only way to fix my tire would be to have Volvo remove the special lock nuts or replace them with common ones. Of course x they had no time to do this so they left me with zero options or ability to fix my car. I was forced to drive 30+ minutes home with zero solution. Completely unsafe and unfair I have absolutely no way to resolve this issue with my car. Unacceptable and scary considering Volvo claims they are all about safety but no concerns letting a single mother and her 2 children drive in a tire with a nail. XXX, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11724311 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

Two wheels have cracked in the span of a few weeks. There was no accident or incident that could have caused the cracks. There are mentions online of this issue in several countries but Volvo has not issued a recall or warning regarding the wheel's propensity to crack. First crack was found on one wheel on 11/03/25. The second crack was found on a different wheel on 12/07/25. This vehicle was purchased from McDonald Volvo in Littleton CO on August of 2023.

NHTSA complaint #11704030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

I am filing this report regarding a serious and potentially dangerous issue with my 2025 Volvo XC90 (VIN: [XXX]), purchased new on [XXX]. On [XXX], with only 4,516 miles, I experienced a sudden and unexplained drop in tire pressure while driving. I pulled over safely, replaced the flat with a temporary tire, and took it to a local tire shop. The technician informed me that the rear passenger-side rim had a severe internal crack on the inside barrel, causing an air leak. There was no visible damage to the tire, no pothole impact, no curb hit—only a clean break in the rim, which suggests a possible structural or manufacturing defect. I immediately brought the car to the original dealership (Volvo Cars Clear Lake in Friendswood, TX), where Service Advisor Jared Black dismissed my concern and refused to cover the repair under warranty, claiming the rim must have hit a rock. I disagreed and requested documentation of this finding, but Mr. Black initially refused to provide the inspection report. After persistent arguing and a 5-hour wait at the service center, I was finally given a report showing a $2,338.99 wheel replacement recommendation, not covered by warranty. I bought a Volvo for its safety reputation, but this rim cracked under normal driving conditions and low mileage. A failure like this at highway speeds could have been catastrophic. I believe this warrants an official safety investigation to determine whether other 2025 Volvo XC90 rims may be at risk of similar failure. Please investigate. I have documentation available and am willing to provide additional information. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11666445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

The brakes did not work when the automatic emergency braking turned on. When I pressed the brakes all the way down, the brakes didn’t respond because it was still in automatic mode. I was able to swerve into the next lane to not hit the vehicle in front of me. The automatic emergency braking also turned on when I was reversing from a parked location when there was a vehicle waiting to park behind me and my vehicle stoped and didn’t come off of brake/park mode. I had to turn my vehicle on and off again to get it to move again. I have taken my vehicle in twice for shaking. My back rotors were replaced 2 weeks ago but my vehicle still shakes. This car only has around 21,000 miles to have so many issues already with rotors and shaking.

NHTSA complaint #11613402 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

My car experienced a cracked front left control arm. It was not in an accident and the crack caused a creaking sound when conducting turns.

NHTSA complaint #11609204 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

After we purchased the vehicle, we discovered that it did not come with a spare tire. It came with inflator kit. This is a huge safety concern to us. The inflator kit is a quick repair, a temporary tire sealer. The disadvantages with this, as we read online, is that this kit can only be used if the puncture is on the tire’s tread and is not larger than 4 millimeters. It will not work if the puncture is on the tire sidewall. We spend most of our driving in remote areas where there is no cell phone coverage and repair shops are miles away. If we were to be stuck in a remote area without a spare tire, in a 110 degree weather or 20 degree weather it will be catastrophic. We cannot call for help and on a good day, usually we don’t see another person or vehicle for hours. Also, the vehicle does not have space for a spare tire. Dealership or the manufactory needs to provide a warning label that this vehicle does not come with a spare tire. If we had known this formation, we would not have purchased the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11543669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

STEERING-LINKAGES: TIE ROD ASSEMBLY ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE OUTER TIE ROD BALL JOINT CAN DEFORM AT HIGH LOADS CAUSING A LOSS OF THE CLAMPING FORCE AND THE NUT MAY LOOSEN, WHICH MAY EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE OUTER TIE ROD BALL JOINT. CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE THAT HTE VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. WHEELS: ON CERTAIN SUV'S THE FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSORS MAY BE DEFECTIVE. CAUSING AN ERRONEOUS WHILL SPEED SIGNAL. CONSEQUENCES OF THE DEFECT: THIS CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING BRAKE, ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND TORQUE DISTRIBUTION CONTROL WHICH RELY ON THIS SIGNAL FOR PROPER OPERATION. VISIBILTY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, IF THE WIPER ARM IS ACTIVATED IN EXTREME WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS AND WITHOUT LIFTING THE WIPER ARMS AND CLEANING THE WINDSHIELD PRIOR TO MOVING, THE WIPER ARM MIGHT SLIP ON ITS DRIVERSHAFT, RESULTING IN AN INABILITY TO MOVE THE WIPER FROM THE PARK POSIIOT FROM THE PARK POSITION. CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY. SEATS BELTS: REAR ON CERTAIN SUV'S, THE SEAT BELT ATTACHMENT FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW SEATS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FITTED PROPERLY. CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY. CORRECTIVE ACTION: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE DEFECTS FREE OF CHARGED. IN MY CASE, THE MANUFACTURER HAS DECLINED TO REPAIR THE DEFECTS EVEN WHEN THE DEALER HAS DIAGNOSED MY SUV WITH THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM, PLUS THE DEFECTS ALREADY MENTIONED. THEREFORE,THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE. NUMBER OF VEHICLES AFFECTED: 122431 DATES MANUFACTURED: FEB 2003 TO JUN 2004

NHTSA complaint #11417843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE OUTER TIE ROD BALL JOINT CAN DEFORM AT HIGH LOADS CAUSING A LOSS OF CLAMPING AND THE NUT MAY LOOSEN, WHICH MAY EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FRACTURE OF THE OUTER ROD BALL JOINT. THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE THE VEHICLE IS DIFFCULT TO MANEUVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. WHEELS: ON CERTAIN SUV'S, THE FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSORS MAY BE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING AN ERRONEOUS SPEED SIGNAL THIS CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING BRAKE, ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND TORQUE DISTRIBUTION CONTROL WHICH RELY ON THIS SIGNAL FOR PROPER OPERATION. SEAT BELTS: REAR ON CERTAIN SUV'S, THE SEAT BELT ATTACHMENT FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FITTED PROPERLY. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY. CORRECTIVE ACTIONS: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE. IN MY CASE, THE MANUFACTURER HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE, THEREFORE, THE VOLVO DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR DEFECTS ON MY SUV.

NHTSA complaint #11415705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR IS THE TIRES. THAT IS THE MOST SEVER PROBLEM WITH THE TIRES. THE AIR IN THE TIRES WORK ON COMPARING THE AIR IN TIRES. IF ONE IS LOW IT SHOWS WHICH ONE IS LOW. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE A TIRE.

NHTSA complaint #11307755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

AFTER JUST 23K MILES, THE BRAKE PADS, ROTORS, AND TIRES ALL SHOW OVERWEAR AND WILL REGULARLY NEED REPLACEMENT ABOUT EVERY 20-30K MILES. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED THAT THIS IS IN PART DUE TO DESIGN OF THE CHASSIS AND, IF USED REGULARLY, THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL. VOLVO DEALERSHIP SAYS IT IS A REGULAR COMPLAINT THEY SEE WITH THE 2017 AND NEWER MODELS. TIRE COMPANY (PIRELLI) SAYS IT IS NOT THE TIRES.

NHTSA complaint #11283142 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

SPARE WHEEL WINCH CABLE SEPARATED FROM WHEEL HUB RETAINER HOOK. THE HOOK DEVICE IS HELD IN PLACE BY A COMPRESSION RING OVER THE CABLE. COMPRESSION FAILED CAUSING SEPARATION AND DROPPING SPARE WHEEL ON ROADWAY WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. SPARE WHEEL BECAME A 30 LBS UNCONTROLLED PROJECTILE/HAZARD TO OTHER MOTORISTS. NO RUST OR CORROSION DETECTED, SEE PICTURES

NHTSA complaint #11112991 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

REAR SPARE TIRE DROPPED OFF VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC SLIDING ACROSS THE FREEWAY, CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF CABLE HOLDING REAR TIRE UNDER THE VEHICLE

NHTSA complaint #11015401 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

THE SPARE TIRE CABLE ASSEMBLY BROKE, CAUSING SPARE TIRE TO DROP FROM UNDER VEHICLE WHILE PARKED IN GARAGE. THE CABLE ASSEMBLY DISMOUNTED FROM THE CARRIER NUT. SPARE TIRE HAS NEVER BEEN USED MY OWNER. IF VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ON ROAD AT TIME OF CABLE MALFUNCTION, WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR POSSIBLE DEATH. PLEASE ADVISE!

NHTSA complaint #10923852 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ALL WHEEL DRIVE SENSOR MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC, BUT WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V434000 (WHEELS). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.

NHTSA complaint #10920360 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V155000 (STEERING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA complaint #10882781 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

THERE HAS BEEN PROBLEMS WITH STEERING THE DRIVER SHAFTS THE FUEL PUMP AIRBAGS AND WHEELS MAKING A CLICKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. THE GAS SMELL IS ALWAYS INSIDE THE CAR AND MECHANIC HAS SAID IT'S FROM THE FUEL PUMP DEFECT DURING MANUFACTURER. ALONG WITH THE OTHER FORE-MENTION DEFECTS .VOLVO DOES NOT WANT TO ADDRESS ISSUES BECAUSE AGE OF CAR. THERE IS A DEFECTIVE SUNROOF THAT ALLOWS WATER TO LEAK INSIDE THE CAR DURING RAIN FALL . THERE HAS BEEN A TOP CLASS ACTION PLACED AGAINST VOLVO FOR THIS . THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME $700 TO $800 FOR THIS DEFECT AND $1200 TO $1500 FOR FUEL PUMP .

NHTSA complaint #10861611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

CONTINENTAL FACTORY EQUIPPED TIRES ARE WORN TO THE POINT OF NEED FOR REPLACEMENT AT 25,000 MILES. THIS VEHICLE IS DRIVEN BY A 65 YEAR OLD LADY AND IN MOST PART IN TOWN AT 45 MPH OR LESS. IT IS MAINTAINED BY THE SELLING VOLVO DEALER. TIRES ARE TMPS MONITORED AND PROPER INFLATION IS MAINTAINED. WITH NO SIDE TO SIDE DIFFERENCE IN TREAD WEAR IN BOTH FRONT AND REAR TIRE PLACEMENTS THERE IS NO REASON FOR PREMATURE TIRE WEAR. ONE OF THE FOUR TIRES HAVE A BUMP WHEN COLD THAT DISAPPEARS WHEN THE TIRES WARM UP. WHY ONLY ONE. I FEEL THAT CONTINENTAL TIRE COMPANY SHOULD ADJUST THE TIRES FOR PREMATURE TREAD WEAR....

NHTSA complaint #10821489 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

VEHICLE (FWD SUV) BEGAN PRODUCING NOISE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY RATE OF SPEED; NOISE COMING FROM REAR OF VEHICLE. AFTER JACKING UP THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, I LEARNED THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL HAD APPROXIMATELY 1/2 INCH MOVEMENT AND PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL PRODUCED A GREAT DEAL OF NOISE WHEN THE TIRE WAS MANUALLY ROTATED (AS IF THE HUB ASSEMBLY NEEDED GREASE). DRIVER'S SIDE HUB ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED BY MECHANIC. WAS TOLD THE PASSENGER'S SIDE HUB ASSEMBLY WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED IN THE NEAR FUTURE. I UNDERSTAND THE SUV HAS 113,000 MILES BUT I FIND IT ODD AND DANGEROUS THAT BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS/HUB ASSEMBLY UNITS BEGAN FAILING AT THE SAME TIME. NO PHYSICAL INJURY OR CRASH OCCURRED; FIRE AND COLLISION WERE POSSIBLE DUE TO HIGH FRICTION AND/OR PART FAILURE.

NHTSA complaint #10505427 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

WHEELS

VEHICLE HAD GROWLING NOISE THAT WAS SYNCHRONOUS WITH VEHICLE SPEED. THE NOISE GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE AS THE SPEED INCREASED. ON NOVEMBER 25, 2011, LOCAL VOLVO DEALER DIAGNOSED NOISE AS RIGHT AND LEFT WHEEL BEARING FAILURES SINCE NOISE WAS EMANATING FROM THE LEFT AND RIGHT SIDE WHEEL HUBS. NOTE VEHICLE IS ABOUT 4.5 YEARS OLD, NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT WITH ONLY 21771 MILES ON THE OD.

NHTSA complaint #10440309 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.