Diagsheet

2016 Volvo XC90 · symptom sheet

Burns oil or oil level rises

  • 32owner reports
  • 50,000median miles
  • $2,879median quote
  • 0involved a crash

Newest report Jul 17, 2026 · checked Sep 9, 2026

92 of the 197 complaints on this car are about the engine. 32 of those describe oil consumption, which makes it the most reported problem on the 2016 XC90.

Tick what matches of 32 reports

7
6
5
1

What got replaced

Owners who name the part that was replaced mention the piston rings (17 reports).

Recalls and investigations

One recall on the engine covers the 2016 model year. A recall on the same system isn't always the same failure, so read the defect text.

19V-308Apr 17, 2019
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:Hoses/Lines/Piping/Fittings

Volvo Cars of N.A., LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2016 XC90 vehicles. Exposure to heat and humidity may cause the engine coolant bleeder hose to crack, resulting in a coolant leak.

Risk and remedy
Risk: If the coolant leak goes unnoticed, coolant may accumulate in the catalytic converter heat shield insulation and catch fire when the vehicle is stationary, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volvo Cars will notify owners, and dealers will replace the engine side coolant bleeder hose, free of charge. The recall began June 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R29936.

NHTSA investigations into the engine on the XC90

PE09-039opened Aug 31, 2009
Fuel system · model years 2004

Fuel pump leak. Closed dec 22, 2009, led to recall 09V-483.

NHTSA summary
VOLVO HAS DETERMINED THAT DUE TO EXPOSURE TO CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS (HOT CLIMATES AND TEMPERATURE CYCLING) AND VARYING FUEL QUALITY, THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE IN THE XC90 VEHICLES CAN DEVELOP CRACKS.OWNERS MAY NOTICE FUEL SMELL AND/OR FUEL SEEPAGE.DUE TO SIMILAR MATERIAL USAGE, THIS ISSUE ALSO AFFECTS OTHER MY2001-2005 S60/S80/V70/XC70 AND MY2003/2005 XC90 VEHICLES.REVIEW OF THE VOLVO DATA INDICATE THE FREQUENCY OF COMPLAINTS/REPAIRS IS HIGHER IN THE HOT CLIMATE STATES. VOLVO WILL RECALL AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP WITH A PART OF A MODIFIED DESIGN/MATERIAL IN APPROXIMATELY 136,100 MY2001-2004 S60/V70/XC70, MY2001-2005 S80 AND MY2003-2005 XC90 VEHICLES IN 19 STATES.THESE STATES INCLUDE AL, AZ, AR, CA, FL, GA, HI, KY, LA, MS, NV, NM, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA AND THE US TERRITORIES.IN ADDITION, VOLVO WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE TO 10 YEARS/150,000 MILES ON APPROXIMATELY 190,000 VEHICLES FOR THE REMAINING STATES.THIS RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM SUPERSEDES PREVIOUS 07V-152/TNN 23-198 PROGRAM ON MY2001-2002 VEHICLES.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 09V-483).

None of these investigations covers the 2016 model year.

What owners paid

8 of the 32 reports quote a price. Each dot is one quote. The middle half runs $2,600 to $11,000.

$2,600$2,879$11,000
$0k$2k$4k$6k$8k

When it happens

The middle half of failures fell between 1,500 and 79,000 miles, from the 15 reports that gave a mileage.

1022
723
724
225
626

What owners wrote

“Piston ring failure, excessive oil consumption. There was an extended warranty regarding the issue, but it has since been closed. I know there have been multiple lawsuits regarding this issue.”

Filed Jul 30, 2025

“Our car has shut down in the middle of traffic due to the oil going from full to empty in a few hundred miles. Oil change was recently done with synthetic oil and only had driven a few hundred miles when it went to empty. I had to buy a quart of oil at the gas station. I need to put an extra quart of oil every few hundred miles due to excessive oil consumption.”

Filed Feb 22, 2023

“Engine oil consumption issue. Engine is consuming a quart of oil every 1,500 miles.”

Filed Dec 19, 2022 · 1,500 miles

“Driving at highway speed and a sudden loss of power. Vehicle has a history oil consumption. Seems that engine has a major defect. Waiting on a second estimate, seems a known catastrophic issue with pistons issue causing major engine work or possible replacement.”

Filed Jul 28, 2022

Should you keep driving it?

This page can't tell you that. 0 of 32 reports involved a crash. Owners who file are the ones who had a bad experience, and nobody checks their reports. If the problem affects steering, braking, power or a fire risk, treat it as a safety fault and have it inspected before a long or high-speed drive.

File your own report with NHTSA. Complaint counts are how a problem gets an investigation.