The 2017 S90 is built on Volvo's SPA platform with the Drive-E 4-cylinder engine family. While refined and comfortable, these early SPA cars suffer from drivetrain software gremlins, transmission cooler failures, and a shocking number of catastrophic engine failures tied to oil starvation and piston ring issues.
Catastrophic Engine Failure — Piston Ring / Oil Consumption
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 40,000-80,000 mi
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1 qt per 1,000 mi or worse), Blue smoke from exhaust on startup or acceleration, Loss of power, misfires, check engine light for multiple cylinder misfires, Complete engine seizure in severe cases
Fix: Piston ring issue leads to bore glazing and oil consumption. Repair requires complete engine rebuild or short block replacement. 20-30 labor hours for R&R and rebuild depending on damage extent. Some engines need full crankshaft, bearings, and piston replacement.
Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Failure
Common · high severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid mixing with coolant (pink milkshake in overflow tank), Transmission slipping, harsh shifts, or delayed engagement, Overheating warnings on dashboard, Coolant loss with no visible leaks
Fix: Internal oil cooler fails and cross-contaminates fluids. Requires cooler replacement, complete transmission fluid flush (often multiple flushes), coolant system flush, and sometimes transmission rebuild if contamination was severe. 6-10 hours labor plus parts.
Estimated cost: $2,500-6,000
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking or thudding when shifting from Park to Drive or Reverse, Vibration at idle that changes when shifting into gear, Excessive driveline movement felt through chassis, Visible oil weeping from mount
Fix: Hydraulic transmission mount fails, typically the main mount on passenger side. Replacement is straightforward but requires supporting drivetrain. 2-3 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $600-1,200
Airbag and Seatbelt Module Software Faults
Occasional · high severity
Symptoms: SRS airbag warning light illuminated, Seatbelt warning chime malfunction, Message: 'Airbag service urgent' on dash, Front seatbelt buckle sensor faults
Fix: Multiple recalls address software issues in airbag control module and seatbelt buckle assemblies. Most are software reflashes (1 hour), but buckle assembly replacement required in some cases (2-3 hours). Check recall status before buying.
Estimated cost: $0-800
Infotainment Sensus System Freezing / Rebooting
Common · low severity
Symptoms: Center screen goes black and reboots randomly while driving, Touchscreen unresponsive or laggy, Climate control settings reset or malfunction, Backup camera fails to activate
Fix: Software bugs in early Sensus systems cause instability. Most fixed with software updates (1 hour), but some require control module replacement if hardware-related. Climate controls tied to screen make this more than just annoying.
Estimated cost: $150-1,500
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-110,000 mi
Symptoms: Extended cranking before starting, especially when warm, Rough idle and hesitation under acceleration, Check engine light for fuel pressure codes (P0087, P0088), Stalling at stops or during low-speed maneuvers
Fix: High-pressure fuel pump on the 2.0L Drive-E engines fails, sometimes contaminating fuel system. Requires pump replacement and fuel filter. 3-4 hours labor, located on engine.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,000
Air Conditioning Compressor Clutch Failure
Occasional · medium severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: AC blows warm air intermittently or completely, Clicking or grinding noise from engine bay when AC is on, AC works only at highway speeds, Compressor clutch not engaging (visible inspection)
Fix: AC compressor clutch or entire compressor fails. Covered by recall for some production dates. Replacement requires evacuate/recharge and 3-4 hours labor.
Estimated cost: $1,000-1,800
Owner tips
Check oil level every 500 miles religiously — oil consumption issues escalate fast into catastrophic failures
Verify all software recalls completed, especially airbag and transmission control module updates
Service transmission fluid at 40k-50k miles regardless of 'lifetime fluid' claims — early changes prevent cooler failures
Pre-purchase inspection MUST include compression test and borescope of cylinders — engine issues often invisible until too late
Budget $2,000/year for unexpected repairs after warranty expires; these are expensive to maintain
Beautiful car with Swedish luxury, but the engine failure risk and transmission cooler issues make this a hard pass unless you find one with documented engine replacement under warranty and confirmed recall completion.
AI-assisted summary drawn from NHTSA recall data, our labor-times database, and platform knowledge. Not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on a specific vehicle.
Fitment notes: AGM battery required for start-stop system; located under cargo floor in trunk
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Every control module on the 2017-2026 Volvo S90 — where it lives, replacement time, and what it takes to program a replacement. Modules marked dealer / factory tool won't work after a part swap alone — budget for programming.
⚠️ Power seat memory and heating/cooling; multiple modules (one per seat).
Aftermarket tool coverage varies by software version and vehicle build — treat "aftermarket tool" rows as "usually possible" and verify against your tool maker's coverage list before promising a customer. Spot a wrong location or hour? Tell us — corrections ship fast here.
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improperly. As a result, the GPS will not provide location information to emergency personnel in the event of an emergency.
Consequence: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW · 17V104000
2017-02-16
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017 XC90, S90, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The bolts that secure the Inflatable Curtain (IC) air bags in place may break, possibly resulting in the IC air bag deploying improperly in the event of a crash. As, such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 226, "Ejection Mitigation."
Consequence: If the IC air bags do not deploy properly in the event of a crash, the vehicle occupants have an increased risk of injury.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the bolts, as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin April 1, 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89714.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY · 16V798000
2016-11-02
Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 XC90, S90, XC60, V60 Cross Country, V60, S60 Cross Country, S60, and S60 Inscription vehicles manufactured February 16, 2015, to August 22, 2016. On the affected vehicles, the front passenger seat belt buckle attaching stud may loosen, allowing the buckle to separate from the seat belt bracket. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 210, "Seat Belt Assembly Anchorages" and number 209, "Seat Belt Assemblies."
Consequence: If the seat belt buckle separates from the bracket, the front seat passenger may not be adequately restrained in the event of a crash, increasing their risk of injury in the event of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front passenger seat belt buckle stud, replacing the seat belt buckle as needed, free of charge. The recall began January 2017. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89708.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER · 16V690000
2016-09-26
Volvo Cars of North America, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Volvo XC90 and S90 vehicles manufactured
April 15, 2015 through September 19, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the drain hose for the air conditioning may leak into the passenger compartment due to a drain hose installation error during manufacturing.
Consequence: Significant water drainage into the passenger compartment may adversely affect air bag deployment in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of occupant injury.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the air conditioning drain hose for proper installation, replacing the hose as necessary, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on November the 14, 2016. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this campaign is R89707.
Size-standard part numbers — verify your connector type before buying. Rear blades are model-specific; check the package's vehicle list.
Fuel economy figures are EPA data via fueleconomy.gov (median across matching trims). Performance figures are compiled estimates for the 2017 Volvo S90 2.0L Turbo Supercharged I4 and can vary by trim.
🔧 Database maintained under the daily editorial review of Chris Hackleman · Master Technician · 20+ years and Jeff Moore · Master Lexus & Toyota Mechanic · 20+ years.