Decode a Volvo V90 VIN free with NHTSA vPIC. See its generation and the NHTSA recalls for that model year, then read what owners have reported.
Free decode plus the NHTSA recalls for its model year. 17 characters, no I, O or Q.
Volvo has sold the V90 in the US since the 1998 model year, and there have been two generations. The Gen 1 came first (1998), and the Gen 2 took over for 2017–2026. Across those years NHTSA lists 11 vehicle recall campaigns and 36 owner complaints. EPA rates the Gen 1 at 18 mpg combined, while the Gen 2, whose lineup includes hybrid versions, gets 24–27 mpg. A free VIN decode gives you NHTSA vPIC’s record for the car (model year, engine, plant) and the NHTSA recalls for its model year. It won’t show theft, flood or lemon-law history.
Two generations since the 1998 model year. The Gen 2 (2017–2026) has both the most owner complaints and the most recall campaigns (11).
Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mentions in 10 NHTSA complaints.
YV1KW960?W1······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 1998 Volvo V90, built in Torslanda, SwedenMentions in 26 NHTSA complaints.
YV4A22NL?L1······NHTSA vPIC decodes it as a 2020 Volvo V90CC Inscription, built in SwedenNHTSA has 11 campaigns on file for V90 model years 1998–2026, and the 2019, 2022 and 2023 show up in the most (3 each). Move the line to your model year to see which apply.
Source: NHTSA recall database, vehicle campaigns only; row text is NHTSA’s summary. A listed year does not mean every car is covered, so check the VIN.
Canada rows: Transport Canada recalls database. Transport Canada recalls that match an NHTSA campaign are folded into that row by VinNumber.net; rows with the Canadian flag have no NHTSA match. Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada · Transport Canada.
Between them, the 1998 and 2018 hold 19 of the 36 complaints, or 53%. Tap any bar or generation.
Mentions in 26 complaints, 2017–2026.
The 2018 stands out. On its own it has 9 of the ’s 26 complaints (35%), and owners across the generation name electrical system most often (10 mentions), then exterior lighting (7). Of all V90 complaints, 72% are for the .
Mentions in 10 complaints, 1998.
Visibility leads the list with 8 mentions, yet no other V90 generation has it among its six most-mentioned areas. Complaints peak with the 1998, its first model year, at 10 of 10. No other generation’s complaints mention crashes as often as the ’s, at 1 of 10 (10.0%, against 5.6% across all V90 model years).
Counts: NHTSA complaints file, records to October 1, 2026, one count per complaint; areas are NHTSA component groups.
Hybrid V90 versions count alongside gas ones. Tap a year to see its top systems.
Crashes 1 · fires 0 · injuries 1
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 1 · fires 0 · injuries 3
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Crashes 0 · fires 0 · injuries 0
Systems as NHTSA names them; a complaint can list several. Source: NHTSA complaints data, records to October 1, 2026.
EPA lists 21 V90 versions for model years 1998–2026 (gas and hybrid). The lowest tailpipe CO₂ is 322 g/mi (2018). Pick a model year and powertrain to see each version.
18 mpg · CO₂ 494 g/mi
24–27 mpg · CO₂ 322–373 g/mi
Annual fuel cost is EPA’s estimate at its current fuel-price assumptions (15,000 miles a year, 55% city driving), so older years are priced at today’s fuel prices. Smog rating and emission standard can differ by sales area (federal vs. California); both are shown. Greenhouse-gas ratings start with the 2013 model year. Source: fueleconomy.gov.
Take 2017–2026. NHTSA lists 11 recall campaigns for the V90, against 69 for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and 29 for the BMW 5 Series. Pick a range to compare.
Model years 1998
Model years 1998
Model years 1998
Model years 2017–2026
Model years 2017–2026
Model years 2017–2026
NHTSA recalls (vehicle campaigns for all powertrain versions; equipment and tire campaigns left out), complaints (not sales-adjusted) and 5-Star overall ratings for the latest year rated for all three; EPA mpg, engines and drive. Rivals: same EPA class, picked by VinNumber.net.
Tap a spot. Every location should show the same 17 characters.
Photo: Hans Haase, CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped
Illustration: VinNumber.net
Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0; edited and VIN pins added by VinNumber.net
Locate the V90 wagon's VIN at the lower driver's side windshield. Door jamb sticker, cargo area sticker, and engine bay stamp are secondary locations. V90 Cross Country adds a secondary sticker near the underbody protection area. V90 is rare in the US market, used inventory is limited. Verify the VIN confirms the correct market specification, as European-spec V90s have occasionally been imported and sold as US-spec vehicles. The Gen 2 generation starts with the 2017 model year; the VIN’s 10th character (H for 2017) shows which side of that line a car falls on.
NHTSA’s recall records show 11 vehicle campaigns for model years 1998–2026, leaving out equipment and tire campaigns. By generation, Gen 2 leads with 11. Then come the Gen 1 (0), and a campaign can span two generations.
NHTSA’s record names a fire risk in 25V-179. It should show as closed on a VIN check.
By US model year, the Gen 1 is 1998 and the Gen 2 2017–2026. Read the year off the VIN’s 10th character (H is 2017).
It varies. EPA rates the 2017–2026 Gen 2 at 24–27 mpg combined, depending on engine and drive, up from 18 mpg for the 1998 Gen 1 (fueleconomy.gov).
For 2017–2026 models the V90 has 11 NHTSA recall campaigns. The Mercedes-Benz E-Class has 69, the BMW 5 Series 29. Complaints run 26, 418 and 280 in that order, with no sales adjustment.