If you’re looking at a three-row luxury EV, the 2025 Volvo EX90 probably looks ideal on paper: big battery, serious safety tech, Scandinavian design. But when it comes to 2025 Volvo EX90 reliability, the reality is more complicated. Early owners, recalls, and first-drive reviews all tell the story of a capable SUV with unusually rough software growing pains for a brand that built its reputation on no‑drama dependability.
Big picture on EX90 reliability
Overview: where 2025 Volvo EX90 reliability stands today
The EX90 is Volvo’s first model on its new SPA2 platform and its first fully "software‑defined" flagship. That’s ambitious, and it shows. Early test drives and owner reports from 2024–2025 describe a split personality: excellent driving dynamics and comfort paired with unfinished software and glitchy electronics that have delayed the launch and frustrated some of the earliest buyers.
2025 Volvo EX90 early reliability snapshot
So far, there’s no evidence of a systemic battery‑pack defect like the Chevrolet Bolt or early Hyundai Kona EV. Instead, the EX90’s reliability story is mostly about immature software, electronic glitches and a few hardware recalls. That’s good news if you think Volvo will keep improving the code, but it also means the real ownership experience depends heavily on what software version your car is running.
Powertrain & battery reliability: solid hardware, software wrinkles
Under the skin, the EX90 uses hardware that should be relatively conservative for a modern EV: a large lithium‑ion pack, dual permanent‑magnet motors in most trims, and Volvo’s familiar thermal‑management approach. Early reviews describe the driving experience as "brilliant in its basics", quiet, strong acceleration, and stable road manners even with a full family and luggage on board.
- No widespread reports of traction‑battery failures or sudden degradation so far.
- Motors and inverters appear robust, with only isolated "reduced performance" warnings that reset after power cycles or software updates.
- Thermal management seems effective; there are few credible reports of overheating under normal use.
- Charging hardware is generally solid, but charge control software can misbehave (more on that below).
Battery drain while parked
If you’re thinking ahead to owning an EX90 out of warranty, or shopping one used, the current evidence suggests the high‑voltage hardware is not the weak point. The bigger question is whether Volvo will keep delivering reliable, long‑term software support for the car’s deeply digital architecture.
Software & infotainment: the EX90’s main reliability headache
This is where most 2025 Volvo EX90 reliability concerns live. Like a lot of new‑platform EVs, the EX90 shipped before the software was truly mature. Early test drives and owner forums document a familiar grab bag of glitches:
Most common EX90 software complaints so far
Not every owner sees all of these, but none of them should show up in a six‑figure SUV.
Digital key & app issues
- Phone‑as‑key failing to unlock or start the car.
- Volvo ID or app sign‑in loops.
- Keys needing to be re‑paired after updates.
Infotainment freezes & lag
- Center screen going black or becoming unresponsive.
- CarPlay disconnects or won’t connect without a reboot.
- Bluetooth randomly toggling off on restart.
Charging logic glitches
- Car refusing to charge after a dealer visit or software update.
- Errors blaming the EVSE or adapter even when other EVs charge fine.
- High phantom drain and flaky "deep sleep" behavior.
Volvo has been pushing frequent over‑the‑air updates to stabilize the EX90’s new in‑house software stack. Some owners report that their SUVs are now "very stable" and trouble‑free after major updates. Others have seen cars bricked during software installs, or stuck in cycles of warning messages, dealer resets and loaner vehicles.
What you can do as an owner
Driver assistance & safety systems: great promise, mixed execution
On paper, the EX90 is one of the most advanced safety‑tech vehicles on the road. Standard lidar on the roof, radar and cameras all around, and Volvo’s latest Pilot Assist and driver‑monitoring stack should make this one of the safest family EVs money can buy. In practice, that promise is still a work in progress.
- Pilot Assist can feel less polished than rival systems from Mercedes, Tesla or GM, with some reviewers reporting inconsistent lane‑keeping and lane‑change behavior.
- In some early cars, the driver‑monitoring camera has failed to recognize an attentive driver, disabling lane‑keeping and assist features entirely until the next restart.
- Lidar hardware is installed but not fully leveraged yet; some early reviews describe it as "along for the ride" while Volvo finishes the software side.
- New safety features like Emergency Stop Assist depend heavily on this digital stack, which raises the stakes for software reliability.
When safety tech misbehaves
The underlying hardware capability is impressive. But until the code that fuses those sensors matures, you should think of the EX90 as a very safe vehicle in principle whose advanced assist systems may occasionally sit out the drive, or get in their own way.
Known recalls and service campaigns on the EX90
For a brand‑new platform, some recalls are inevitable. The EX90 is no exception, and a few campaigns already stand out:
Key 2025 Volvo EX90 recalls so far
Check NHTSA or Volvo’s own site for the latest list before you buy.
| Issue | What happens | Affected builds | Typical fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power tailgate spindle | Tailgate drive unit spindle can detach, causing the tailgate to slam shut unexpectedly. | ~1,100 EX90s built Apr 22, 2024–Feb 17, 2025 in one NHTSA campaign. | Replace both power tailgate drive units with updated parts. |
| Charging / HV system software | Car refuses to charge or throws persistent charging fault messages despite healthy hardware. | Primarily early 2024–early 2025 builds; often discovered after software updates or dealer work. | Factory reset plus updated software; in some cases hardware inspection or replacement. |
| Electronic stability / power loss complaints | Sudden loss of power or stability‑control warnings, sometimes on the highway. | Isolated early customer cars; not yet tied to a single public recall, but closely watched. | Dealer diagnostics, ECU updates, potential component replacements if faults repeat. |
Build dates matter. Two EX90s built months apart can have very different recall histories.
How recalls affect a used EX90 purchase
Owner reports: what’s actually failing in the real world?
If you read through early EX90 owner forums, you’ll see a strikingly polarized picture. Some owners are 8,000+ miles in with "zero issues" and describe the EX90 as the best‑driving, most polished Volvo they’ve ever owned. Others are pursuing lemon‑law buybacks after repeated failures. The patterns look something like this:
The positive experiences
- Strong praise for ride quality, quietness and interior comfort.
- Many owners see minor glitches fixed by successive OTA updates.
- Once stable, day‑to‑day driving is described as "effortless" and "premium."
- Some drivers report long road trips (600+ miles) with no hiccups at all.
The problem cases
- Cars spending more time at the dealer than in the driveway in the first months.
- Persistent app/sign‑in issues that prevent basic functions like setting up profiles or keys.
- Charging suddenly failing after dealer work, sometimes traced back to software resets.
- Isolated but serious events like total power loss on the highway or repeated warning cascades.
"Word to the wise – don’t buy 1st‑year (and probably not 2nd) releases of any vehicle if you’re not prepared to deal with headaches."
What’s important is that most of the horror stories trace back to complex interactions between new software layers, not a single bad part. That’s typical of early software‑heavy vehicles: there’s no one "fix" so much as a moving target of patches, campaigns and diagnostic procedures that gradually converge on stability.
How EX90 reliability compares to rivals from Tesla, Mercedes, BMW
If you’re cross‑shopping the EX90, you’re probably also looking at things like the Tesla Model X/Model Y three‑row, Mercedes EQE/EQS SUV, or BMW iX. None of these are paragons of bulletproof reliability, but the EX90 does sit in an awkward middle ground right now.
EX90 vs key luxury EV rivals on reliability
Based on early owner reports and brand track records, not long‑term data.
Tesla Model X / Y 3-row
- Pros: Mature EV powertrain, huge charging network.
- Cons: Build‑quality complaints, suspension and door hardware issues, service inconsistency.
- Software is richer, but also changes constantly.
Mercedes EQE/EQS SUV
- Pros: Strong dealer network, generally solid mechanical reliability.
- Cons: Complex electronics, MBUX quirks, high repair costs out of warranty.
- Feels more "finished" than early EX90 software.
BMW iX
- Pros: Very durable powertrain so far, tight driving dynamics.
- Cons: Odd design, some early software recalls.
- Comparable complexity but launched on more mature code.
Where the EX90 actually shines
What this means if you’re considering a used Volvo EX90
By the time the EX90 shows up in meaningful numbers on the used market, many of today’s software bugs will likely be ironed out. That’s the good news. The bad news is that early‑build EX90s will carry the scars of their first years: patchwork service histories, owners who bailed early, and a paper trail of recalls and software updates you’ll want to read closely.
Smart questions to ask before buying a used EX90
1. What’s the build date and VIN range?
Early 2024–early 2025 builds saw the brunt of teething issues. Later 2025 and 2026 vehicles may benefit from updated hardware and cleaner factory software loads.
2. How many days has it spent in service?
Ask for a printout of warranty and goodwill work. Multiple visits for the same symptom, especially charging or power‑loss complaints, deserve extra scrutiny.
3. Are all recalls and campaigns complete?
A clean recall record is non‑negotiable. Tailgate and critical software campaigns should be marked "performed" with dates and mileage.
4. Which software version is it on now?
A car stuck on very early software or repeatedly failing to complete OTA updates is a red flag. You want an EX90 that’s on current code and stable.
5. Has the owner had lemon‑law discussions?
Some early buyers have pursued buybacks. If you’re seeing a factory repurchase or a quick flip, treat it like a car with a story, not an automatic deal‑breaker, but worth a discount and extra diagnostics.
6. What does a third‑party battery check show?
Even though there’s no widespread battery scandal, it’s still smart to verify pack health with a proper diagnostic rather than trusting the dash guess‑o‑meter.
How Recharged can help with an EX90
Checklist: inspecting a used 2025 Volvo EX90
When you put hands on an EX90 you’re serious about, you want to test both traditional used‑car basics and the specific pain points we’ve talked about. Here’s a practical, EX90‑specific walk‑through you can follow at a dealer lot or during a private‑party sale.
EX90 reliability inspection walk‑through
Exterior & tailgate
Open and close the power tailgate multiple times. Listen for grinding or popping from the spindle area and make sure it doesn’t slam shut unexpectedly. Check that recall work has been completed if the VIN falls in an affected range.
Charging behavior
Plug into both AC (Level 2) and, if possible, a nearby DC fast charger. Confirm the car starts charging quickly, maintains charge without fault messages, and stops gracefully when unplugged.
Screens & infotainment
With the car on, cycle through navigation, CarPlay/Android Auto, media and settings. Look for lag, frozen screens, or random reboots. Power the car off and on again to see if everything comes back cleanly.
Digital key & profiles
Set up a phone key and a driver profile from scratch. Make sure the app recognizes the car, the key unlocks and starts the EX90 reliably, and profiles save seat and climate settings.
Driver‑assist systems
On a safe road, test Pilot Assist, adaptive cruise, and lane‑keeping. Verify they engage without repeated error messages and don’t drop out unpredictably when you’re clearly paying attention.
Warning lights & error history
Scan the car with a professional diagnostic tool if you can, or at least scroll through any logged warnings in the vehicle menu. A long list of recurring electronic faults is a sign to walk, or renegotiate the price.
FAQ: 2025 Volvo EX90 reliability questions, answered
Frequently asked questions about 2025 Volvo EX90 reliability
Bottom line: who should (and shouldn’t) bet on an EX90
The 2025 Volvo EX90 is, in many ways, the archetype of our current EV moment: superb ride and refinement, serious safety engineering, and a gorgeous cabin, all riding on a software foundation that simply wasn’t ready for prime time at launch. As updates roll out and hardware is revised, the EX90 will almost certainly become the family EV it always should have been.
If you’re comfortable living on the bleeding edge, watching release‑notes, and working with a good dealer, a well‑sorted EX90 can be a fantastic daily driver. If you want something you never have to think about beyond tires and washer fluid, you may be better off with a more mature rival, or waiting for later model years once Volvo has digested the hard lessons from these early builds.
Either way, treat every EX90 as an individual. Look past the spec sheet, read its service history like a medical chart, and insist on validating both software stability and battery health before you sign. And if you’d rather have an expert in your corner, a used EX90 listed on Recharged will come with a Recharged Score Report, verified battery diagnostics, and EV‑specialist guidance to help you decide whether this ambitious Volvo fits your risk tolerance and your life.
