Buyer Research

2018 Volvo S90 — Should You Buy One?

Typical asking price: $24,000–$34,000. This is one of the more reliable vehicles in its class — here's what to watch for anyway.

Kestrel Take

A serenely comfortable, beautifully designed luxury sedan — the S90's minimalist Scandinavian cabin, superb seats, and quiet ride make it a distinctive alternative to the German sedans. The Drive-E turbo (and twin-charged T6) engines are efficient but complex, and Volvo service costs more. A documented S90 with full history is a genuinely lovely, comfortable car; verify the engine, electronics, and remaining warranty, and buy from someone who maintained it properly.

Known Issues for the 2018 Volvo S90

Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents.

Drive-E turbo/supercharger complexity (T6)Medium

The twincharged 2.0L (T6) is complex; verify service and check for oil/coolant issues. The T5 turbo is simpler.

Repair cost range: $300-$2,000

Electronics / Sensus infotainmentMedium

The large touchscreen and electronics can glitch; verify all systems.

Repair cost range: $200-$1,000

PCV / oil separator / leaksMedium

Check for oil consumption and PCV/leak issues.

Repair cost range: $200-$1,000

Higher service costLow

Volvo service costs more than mainstream; budget accordingly.

Repair cost range: Varies

Walk-Away Red Flags

✗Oil consumption / leaks
✗Turbo/supercharger faults (T6)
✗Electronics faults
✗No Volvo-savvy service history

Good Signs

✓Documented service by a Volvo specialist
✓Steady oil, no leaks
✓All electronics working

Found a specific Volvo S90?

This page covers what goes wrong on the 2018 Volvo S90 in general. The Kestrel report covers this specific car— the asking price vs. market, the photos, the seller's description, and a BUY / NEGOTIATE / WALK AWAY verdict with a negotiation script.

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Known issues on this page are based on documented owner reports, NHTSA complaints, class-action records, and manufacturer technical service bulletins. Individual vehicles vary. A pre-purchase inspection by a trusted mechanic is always worth doing.