The 2018 S90 shares Volvo's SPA platform with XC90/V90 and uses the Drive-E 2.0L four-cylinder in various states of tune. While refined, these engines have catastrophic piston ring/bearing failures that destroy motors, plus chronic transmission cooler leaks and software gremlins.
Symptoms: Excessive oil consumption (1 qt per 1,000 mi or more), Blue smoke from exhaust under load, Sudden loss of power with rod knock, Metal shavings in oil during changes, Check engine light with cylinder misfire codes
Fix: Complete engine replacement or rebuild required. Piston rings fail prematurely allowing oil burning, then bearing material breaks down. Volvo extended warranty to 10yr/120k for some VINs but many fall outside coverage. Short block swap takes 18-24 hours labor; full rebuild 25-35 hours if machine work needed.
Estimated cost: $8,000-15,000
Transmission Oil Cooler Leak
Common · medium severity
Typical onset: 50,000-90,000 mi
Symptoms: Transmission fluid puddle under vehicle (red/pink fluid), Transmission overheating warnings on dash, Harsh shifting or slipping when hot, Low transmission fluid level on dipstick
Fix: Aisin 8-speed transmission cooler lines corrode or cooler itself cracks at mounting points. Requires cooler assembly replacement and lines, plus fluid flush. 4-6 hours labor depending on access and whether subframe needs dropping.
Estimated cost: $1,200-2,200
Transmission Mount Failure
Common · low severity
Typical onset: 60,000-100,000 mi
Symptoms: Clunking when shifting from Park to Drive/Reverse, Vibration at idle in gear, Excessive drivetrain movement visible during acceleration, Transmission feels like it's 'rocking' during stops
Fix: The driver-side transmission mount deteriorates from heat and stress. Rubber separates from metal bracket. Replacement requires supporting transmission and removing mount bolts. 2-3 hours labor for quality OEM or Lemförder mount.
Estimated cost: $400-700
Fuel System Software Issues & High-Pressure Pump
Occasional · medium severity
Symptoms: No-start condition with extended cranking, Rough idle and stumbling acceleration, Check engine light with fuel pressure codes (P0087/P0088), Engine stalling at stops after cold start, Limp mode activation
Fix: Software glitches in fuel system control module cause erratic pump behavior. Start with latest software update (TSB required access) - 1 hour. If mechanical, high-pressure fuel pump on engine fails requiring replacement at 3-4 hours labor. Sometimes fuel filter clogging compounds issue - filter buried in tank area requiring tank drop.
Estimated cost: $150-2,000
12V Battery Drain / Electrical Software Glitches
Common · low severity
Symptoms: Dead battery after sitting 3-5 days, Random warning messages on start (BLIS, Park Assist unavailable), Infotainment system freezing or rebooting, Key fob not detected intermittently, Climate control fan running after shutdown
Fix: Sensus system and various modules fail to sleep properly, draining 12V battery. Recall 18V-551 addressed some software issues but many still need dealer reprogramming. Parasitic draw testing takes 1-2 hours diagnostic. Often solved with software updates across multiple modules (2-3 hours) or battery replacement if sulfated from deep discharge.
Estimated cost: $200-800
Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure
Occasional · high severity
Typical onset: 70,000-120,000 mi
Symptoms: Random no-start with no crank, Stalling while driving without warning, Check engine light with P0335/P0336 codes, Engine cuts out then restarts immediately, Intermittent rough running
Fix: Sensor fails from heat cycling on the Drive-E engine. Located on transmission bell housing - requires removing intake components and sometimes starter for access. 2-3 hours labor. Sensor itself is cheap but failure leaves you stranded instantly.
Estimated cost: $350-600
Owner tips
Check oil level every 500 miles religiously - catch piston ring failure early before bearing damage
Insist on full service records showing transmission fluid changes every 60k mi despite 'lifetime fill' claims
Budget $200/year for dealer software updates - many driveability issues are software-fixable
Extend warranty or set aside $5k emergency fund - catastrophic engine failure is Russian roulette on these
Join Volvo forums and check your VIN against TSBs - many fixes are silent campaigns Volvo won't advertise
Beautiful car, solid platform, but the engine grenade risk makes this a hard pass unless you have comprehensive warranty or can absorb a $12k engine replacement without blinking.
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 required for start-stop system; battery located in trunk area under floor panel
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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 2018-2019 XC60 and S90 vehicles. The driver and passenger front seat rail rear flange nuts may not have been installed during assembly.
Consequence: If the nuts are missing, in the event of a crash, the front seat structure and position may be affected, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat rails for missing flange nuts, installing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R19931.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE · 18V800000
2018-11-13
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.
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 2018 Volvo S90 2.0L I4 Turbo+SC 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.