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.
Deciding between model years? Compare the 6 Volvo S90 years we've written up →
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.
What we checked
Checked against public records, 2026-09-25
NHTSA holds 12 owner complaints for the 2018 Volvo S90, and 2 recall campaigns.
That is too small a record to read a pattern from, so we are not going to pretend otherwise — with numbers this low one owner moves the percentage by a lot. What has been filed is grouped under electrics and electronics (3), latches/locks/linkages (2), the brakes (2). Treat those as things to look at, not as the vehicle's known weaknesses. A thin file usually means few of these were sold or few owners filed. It is not evidence the vehicle is trouble-free, and the issues below are our own research rather than a reading of this record.
2 recall campaigns cover this model year. Recalls are repaired free, for any owner, with no time limit on most safety campaigns — but only if someone books it in. Ask the seller to show it was done, or have any dealer check the VIN; it takes them a couple of minutes and costs nothing.
Counts come from the NHTSA complaint and recall database — free, public, and worth checking yourself.
Known Issues for the 2018 Volvo S90
Ranked by wallet impact. These are documented, recurring problems — not freak accidents. How we decide that.
The twincharged 2.0L (T6) is complex; verify service and check for oil/coolant issues. The T5 turbo is simpler.
Repair cost (estimate): $300-$2,000
Source: not yet checked against public records.
The large touchscreen and electronics can glitch; verify all systems.
Repair cost (estimate): $200-$1,000
Source: NHTSA complaints filed under electrics and electronics (3).
Check for oil consumption and PCV/leak issues.
Repair cost (estimate): $200-$1,000
Source: not yet checked against public records.
Volvo service costs more than mainstream; budget accordingly.
Repair cost: Not yet priced
Source: not yet checked against public records.
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
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Found a specific Volvo S90?
This page covers what goes wrong on the 2018 Volvo S90 in general. A free read looks at the one you're considering— it checks that seller's asking price against the market and names the issues that matter most for this exact year.
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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.
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