2016 Volvo V90 problems
The 2016 Volvo V90 was sold with 2 engines that we have documented: the D4/D5 and the Drive-E gasolina. All of them have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the Drive-E gasolina (verdict “With caution”). Outside the engine, 3 documented faults affect 2016 cars, such as 2020 recall for the obstacle detection of the automatic braking (AEB).
2016 Volvo V90 score: acceptable reliability
Calculated using only 11 documented faults and their sources: the most serious and frequent faults weigh more. How it is calculated
- Engine5.4From 5.2 to 5.7 depending on the engine
- Gearbox10.0No documented faults
- Suspension5.3Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.9 times the defects normal for its age
- Brakes7.9Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.8 times the defects normal for its age
- Tyres and wheels10.0No documented faults
- Steering5.2Technical inspection (ITV) only: 1.9 times the defects normal for its age
- Electrical system9.61 fault
- Headlights and lights8.4Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.6 times the defects normal for its age
- Electronics and infotainment8.61 fault
- Climate control10.0No documented faults
- Bodywork and interior7.7Technical inspection (ITV) only: 0.9 times the defects normal for its age
- Airbags and safety7.91 fault
D4/D5 engine in the 2016 Volvo V90
Names: D3 · D4 · D5
- With caution
2.0 D2/D3/D4/D5 VEA 4-cylinder (D4204T, 2013-2024)
120–235 hp · D4204T
The most repeated fault in the reliability sources consulted is the EGR valve, followed by the DPF and, on the 190 hp D4, oil consumption that can end up damaging the turbo from 90,000-150,000 km; none is serious enough to rule it out, but check the emissions system history and the oil level.[2][3][4]
Faults that affect 2016 cars
- High severityFrequency: CommonLubricationHigh oil consumption from 90,000-150,000 km that harms the turbo (VEA)On the 190 hp VEA D4, several owners document oil consumption that soars from 90,000-150,000 km (up to 1 litre per 1,000 km in one case), and Fiches-auto.fr warns that this lack of lubrication can end up damaging the turbo. It describes it as "the most sensitive engine" on the Volvo V60 page.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlClogged EGR valve or EGR cooler leaking into the intakeYes, in both D4/D5 families: the EGR gets dirty or clogged, and its cooler can lose its seal and leak coolant into the intake. It appears in the XC60, S60, V40 and V60, between 56,000 and 180,000 km, with limp mode and, in some cases, several valve replacements.
- Medium severityFrequency: CommonEmissions controlDPF (particulate filter) blockage and incomplete regenerationsYes: the D4/D5's diesel particulate filter (DPF) can clog or give sensor faults when regenerations are not completed, almost always because of short journeys. Documented in the XC60 (9 cases out of 132 testimonies), the XC90 and the S60/V40 VEA, sometimes together with AdBlue warnings.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalTurboDamaged charge air hose or pipe on the Volvo D4On the Volvo 2.0 D4 diesel an intercooler hose can be damaged, and on the 2010-2013 V60 a pipe bracket made it rub against the pulley (P0299, loss of power). Volvo corrected it with a service action and modified parts.
Drive-E gasolina engine in the 2016 Volvo V90
Names: T4 · T5 · T6 · B4 · B5 · B6
- With caution
2.0 T2/T3/T4/T5/T6 and B4/B5 mild hybrid 4-cylinder (B4204T, Drive-E, 2013-present)
122–320 hp · B4204T
The best-documented fault is high oil consumption on some units (up to 1 litre per 1,000 km according to a German used-car analysis), which in one known case ended up damaging the turbo; carbon build-up on the intake valves, typical of direct injection, is also documented. Neither is acknowledged by Volvo with a specific campaign, so you should check the service history and oil consumption before buying.[2][7][8]
Faults that affect 2016 cars
- High severityFrequency: CommonLubricationHigh oil consumption that can damage the turboYes: on the more powerful versions (T5, T6, B5), a German used-car analysis documents oil consumption of up to 1 litre per 1,000 km, and on one Volvo XC60 that lack of lubrication ended up damaging the turbo at 150,000 km. Volvo does not acknowledge it with a campaign of its own.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalIntakeCarbon build-up on injectors and intake valves due to direct injectionYes: as with other direct-injection engines, the Drive-E's injectors and intake valves accumulate carbon over time, with possible loss of power and rough idling. Two used-car analyses (Volvo XC40 and V90) flag it as a known weak point of this engine.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCoolingLeak from the expansion tank or faulty cap in the cooling systemOn the Volvo V40 II with the T2 Drive-E engine, two owners document a leak from the coolant expansion tank (17,900 km) and a faulty cooling system cap (49,000 km). These are isolated cases, but they involve a component that is cheap to check at any service.Appears at around 17,900 km
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalIntakeRecall over the plastic intake manifoldOn the Volvo V60 and V90 with the Drive-E engine, two German analyses document a recall over a plastic intake manifold that can deform or overheat on units built up to 2018. We have not confirmed the official reference or whether it also affects the diesel.
Faults outside the engine in the 2016 Volvo V90
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safety2020 recall for the obstacle detection of the automatic braking (AEB)Among the V90/S90 recalls since 2016, the fiches-auto.fr page records one from March 2020 for obstacle detection (AEB). The page only gives the title and the date; we have not been able to check the real scope.
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalElectronics and infotainmentIntelliSafe sensor unit coming loose and isolated electronic faultsAccording to the fiches-auto.fr owner reports, there are 4 cases of electronic faults on the V90/S90 from 2016 onwards: from a trip meter that resets to zero to automatic lights or parking sensors that fail, and one case in which the IntelliSafe sensor unit came away from the mirror at 1,000 km.
- Low severityFrequency: RareElectrical systemAuxiliary Start-Stop battery worn out after six yearsA 2017 V90 D4 AWD needed its Start-Stop battery replaced at 150,000 km and around six years, according to the fiches-auto.fr page; the owner considers it normal wear. It is a single report on the page.
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 2016 Volvo V90 reliable?
The 2016 Volvo V90 was sold with 2 engines that we have documented: the D4/D5 and the Drive-E gasolina. All of them have serious faults that affect the cars of that year. The safest option is the Drive-E gasolina (verdict “With caution”). Outside the engine, 3 documented faults affect 2016 cars, such as 2020 recall for the obstacle detection of the automatic braking (AEB).
What is the best year for the Volvo V90?
According to our score, the best are 2024, 2023, 2022 and 1 other years with the same score (6.9/10). The year with the worst score is 2016 (6.3/10). Each year's score counts only the engines sold that year and the faults that affect those cars.
What faults does the 2016 Volvo V90 have?
The most important ones documented for 2016 cars are: high oil consumption from 90,000-150,000 km that harms the turbo (VEA) (D4/D5, high severity), high oil consumption that can damage the turbo (Drive-E gasolina, high severity), 2020 recall for the obstacle detection of the automatic braking (AEB) (airbags and safety, high severity), clogged EGR valve or EGR cooler leaking into the intake (D4/D5, medium severity) and dPF (particulate filter) blockage and incomplete regenerations (D4/D5, medium severity).
Own a 2016 Volvo V90? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.
Sources
Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.
- Volvo V90 - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
- Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2008-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes Volvo V60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Volvo V90Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
- Fiabilité et pannes Volvo S90 / V90Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
- Volvo V90 – Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · published January 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
- Volvo XC60 II (ab 2017) – Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · published November 2022 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German