Volvo XC90 T6 Mk2

Early Mk2 T6 engines built roughly 2016-2018 have a widely reported defect where the piston rings fail to seal properly, causing the engine to burn oil at rates of one litre per 1,500-3,000 km and sometimes much worse. Volvo opened an extended-warranty and oil-consumption-test program in the US and faced a class-action lawsuit. The factory remedy is a piston, ring and seal replacement, which Volvo charged out at €3,000-5,000 if not covered by goodwill. If ignored, the engine can suffer fouled spark plugs, catalytic converter damage and eventually scoring of the bores - pushing repair costs over €8,000. Look for blue smoke on cold start, check service history for oil-consumption test results, and check the dipstick before any test drive. 2019+ build units appear to have a revised ring pack and are far less affected.

The T6's Eaton-derived supercharger only operates below roughly 3,500 rpm and is engaged via an electromagnetic clutch. With age and heat, the clutch slips, the bearings whine and the plastic housing warps and leaks oil or air. Symptoms include a loss of low-rpm torque, a whining or whistling noise under acceleration, and trouble codes such as P0171 (system lean). Volvo does not sell internal supercharger parts - the entire unit is replaced. An OEM replacement costs €1,500-2,200 in parts plus €600-1,000 labour. Independent specialist rebuilds or resealing services are available in some markets for €800-1,500. Failures are uncommon under 100,000 km but become much more likely after 150,000 km, especially on cars used hard or with deferred oil changes.

The plastic PCV box sits on top of the engine and contains a rubber diaphragm that regulates crankcase pressure. The diaphragm hardens and tears, producing a hissing or whistling sound, vacuum leaks, lean fuel codes (P0171) and a check engine light. It also accelerates oil consumption on already-affected engines. The factory cleaning interval is around 120,000 miles (190,000 km), but many owners need a new unit far earlier. The part costs around €150-250 and labour around €150-500 depending on intake removal. The classic field test is to remove the oil filler cap with the engine idling - strong suction indicates a failed diaphragm. This is one of the most frequently mentioned issues on owner forums.

XC90s with the optional 4-Corner air suspension (common on Inscription and higher trims) suffer from compressor failures on cars built before 2019. Moisture enters the compressor and corrodes internals; the system either stops working or runs continuously, and the car can sag overnight. Volvo issued a quality bulletin extending coverage to 7 years from delivery in many markets, so check whether the previous owner had this work done. Replacement parts cost €400-600 and labour is approximately 1-2 hours, totalling €700-1,300. The dryer unit should be replaced alongside the compressor to prevent recurrence. Cars on standard steel springs are not affected.

The panoramic roof drains clog with leaves and dirt, sending water under the carpets and into the central electronics module area below the front seats. Caught early, a simple drain flush costs €100-200. If electronics get wet, repairs escalate rapidly: damaged control modules, sensors and wiring loom replacements can reach €2,000-3,000. There is a long-standing class-action history around Volvo sunroof drain design. Mandatory pre-purchase check: lift the carpets in the front footwells and feel underneath the front seats for any dampness or musty smell. Annual cleaning of the drain tubes is the only reliable prevention.

The Sensus Connect touchscreen controls climate, audio, navigation and most secondary functions, so when it freezes, large parts of the car become inoperable. Reports of black screens, spontaneous reboots and loss of reversing camera are very common on 2015-2017 units. Volvo released a series of software updates that significantly improved stability from 2018 onward. The standard temporary fix is to lock the car for 30 minutes to let the system fully sleep. Persistent cases occasionally require a control-module replacement at €400-600. Most cases are resolved by software updates done free during a service visit. Verify that the latest software is installed before purchase.

The Mk2 XC90 is heavy (over 2 tonnes empty), and owners on multiple forums report poor brake longevity. Rear pads in particular sometimes need replacing under 30,000 km; fronts often go before 50,000 km. A full set of pads and discs at a dealer costs €800-1,200; an independent specialist using OEM-equivalent parts can do it for €600-900. Cars driven primarily in stop-start city traffic suffer the most. Check service records to see how often brakes have been replaced - frequent intervals are normal for the model rather than a sign of abuse, but they should be budgeted for as an ongoing cost.