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FREE VEHICLE RESEARCH

The 2012 Volvo XC90 has no open NHTSA safety recalls on file, 3 owner complaints, and gets about 19 mpg combined. Here's the full free record from NHTSA and the EPA.

FREE PUBLIC RECORD · U.S. GOVERNMENT DATA

2012 Volvo XC90

  • Engine 6-cyl 3.2L
  • Drive Front-Wheel Drive
  • Fuel Regular
  • Body Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

Should you worry?

Look closer

Something in the public record needs a closer look before you buy.

Caution

Are there open safety recalls?

None

No open recalls, but there’s an open government investigation — check nhtsa.gov.

Good

What do owners report?

3 complaints

Owner tips to the government — good for spotting patterns, not diagnosing one car.

Unknown

How did it score in crash tests?

Not tested

No official 5-star crash-test score for this year and model.

Open recalls · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2012.

  • 20103recalls
  • 20111recall
  • 2012 · this car0recalls
  • 20130recalls

Based on free U.S. government safety data · checked August 3, 2026.

SAFETY

Will it protect people in a crash?

These are government crash-test scores. 5 stars is best. They rate this year and model, not your exact car.

Overall
Not rated
Frontal
Not rated
Side
Not rated
Rollover
4 / 5 stars

Factory safety & driver-assist equipment

Stability control
Standard

Tested as: 2012 Volvo XC90 SUV FWD · 2 versions tested

Open safety recalls

A recall means the manufacturer must fix a safety problem for free at a dealer. Ask the seller for proof the work was done.

No open safety recalls on file for this year and model.

The government also has an open investigation on this model. Look it up on nhtsa.gov before you buy.

From NHTSA (U.S. safety agency) · checked August 3, 2026.

OWNERS

What problems do owners report?

People file these with the government when something goes wrong. They show patterns, not a diagnosis of any one car for sale.

Owner reports · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2012.

  • 201012reports
  • 201119reports
  • 2012 · this car3reports
  • 201311reports

3 owner reports on file

Parts mentioned most often. Longer bar = more reports. Counts are out of 3 total reports.

  • STEERING 1 of 3

    ON MORNING OF 2/15/2020, I WAS DRIVING MY XC90 (2012, BASE, AUTO TRANSMISSION) ON A CITY STREET WHEN I REALIZED THE STEERING WHEEL WAS NO LONGER IN CONTROL. IT CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SWING LEFT AND RIGHT BETWEEN THE 2 LANES. I PRESSED HARD O

  • POWER TRAIN 1 of 3

    THERE APPEARS TO BE AN INTERMITENT DEFECT WITH THE TRANSMISSION WHEN THE VEHICLE GETS WET. WHEN WET THE VEHICLE LOCK UP AND NOT EASILY GO INTO FORWARD OR REVERSE. THIS OCCASIONALLY OCCURS AFTER GOING THROUGH A CAR WASH OR WHEN THE VEHICLE I

  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 1 of 3

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR BACK UP CAMERA AND GPS SYSTEM WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES WHERE THE TECHN

Bars are sized relative to the most-mentioned part on this list, not to 100% of all cars.

From NHTSA owner complaints · checked August 3, 2026. Anyone can file a report; they are not verified repairs.

FUEL COST

What does it cost to drive?

EPA estimates for this year and model. Your real cost depends on gas prices, how you drive, and how far you go.

Showing

Figures below are for the FWD version.

Combined MPG · nearby years

Same make and model. This car is the 2012.

  • 201015mpg
  • 201116mpg
  • 2012 · this car19mpg
  • 201318mpg

$3,250

estimated fuel cost per year if you drive about 15,000 miles

Miles per gallon. Higher is cheaper to drive.

City driving 16 mpg
Highway driving 23 mpg
Combined (typical mix) 19 mpg

Over 5 years, compared to an average new car

This model is estimated to cost about $5,250 more on fuel.

Spends more Saves more

From EPA fueleconomy.gov · checked August 3, 2026.

HOW IT WAS BUILT

Factory details

What’s on the build record for this VIN or model.

Engine

6-cyl 3.2L

Drivetrain

Front-Wheel Drive

Transmission

Automatic (S6)

Fuel

Regular

See all factory details (7)
Engine
6-cyl 3.2L
Cylinders
6
Displacement
3.2 L
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Automatic (S6)
Body
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
Fuel
Regular

From EPA and NHTSA vehicle records · checked August 3, 2026.

What this free check does not include

We only show free U.S. government data: safety recalls, owner reports, crash tests, and fuel economy. We do not show prior accidents, flood or salvage titles, odometer rollback, insurance history, or a “should you buy” verdict on a specific listing. For that kind of check on one car for sale, use the VINly app.

BEFORE YOU BUY

What to check on this car

Watch for a pending investigation

NHTSA has an open investigation covering this model. A recall can follow an investigation, so check nhtsa.gov for the latest before you commit.

  • Test-drive the basics

    Cold start, full-lock steering both ways, firm brakes with no pulsing, smooth shifts, and every electronic feature. Warning lights should come on at key-on, then go out.

  • Check the title and the VIN

    Confirm the title status in hand matches the listing, and that the VIN matches across the dash, door jamb, and title. VINly does not show ownership or accident history, for that, run a paid report like Carfax.

  • Ask the seller the right questions

    Why they are selling, any service records, accident or panel-repaint history, how many owners, and whether any open recalls were completed.

See the full used-car inspection checklist. None of this replaces a hands-on inspection by a mechanic.

FOR SALE NEAR YOU

2012 Volvo XC90 listings

    Quick answers

    Are there any recalls on the 2012 Volvo XC90? +

    No open NHTSA safety recalls are on file for the 2012 Volvo XC90. Recalls can be issued at any time, so confirm with the VIN at nhtsa.gov before you buy.

    What gas mileage does the 2012 Volvo XC90 get? +

    The EPA rates the 2012 Volvo XC90 at 19 mpg combined (16 city / 23 highway), about $3,250 a year in fuel.

    What do owners complain about on the 2012 Volvo XC90? +

    Owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA for the 2012 Volvo XC90. The most-reported area is steering.

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