VolvoXC902016Overview/volvo/xc90/2016/base/

2016 Volvo XC90

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 XC90.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S8)

The 2016 Volvo XC90, an SUV paired with an automatic eight‑speed transmission, achieves EPA fuel economy of 20 city/25 highway/22 combined mpg. Owner complaint data record 195 total grievances over the model’s production run, with the engine cited as the primary complaint area and eight recall actions issued, while the historical complaint curve peaked at 462 complaints in 2004 and fell to just three in 2012. Thus, the 2016 model year appears at the low end of that trajectory, indicating a comparatively stable reliability record for this generation.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192016

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

EPA fuel economy20/25/22 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 800 CCA battery, OE oil filter 32140029. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 800 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235/60R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.0; OPTIONAL: 8.0, 8.0. OR 9.0, 9.0, 9.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter32140029
Engine air filter31370089
Fuel filter32242191
Battery31419120 alt 31419211
Front wiper blades32341610
Thermostat31368063 alt 31686560
Cabin air filter31407748 alt 31407747

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length194.9 in
Overall width79.1 in
Overall height70.1 in
Wheelbase117.3 in
Curb weight6063 lb
Track (front / rear)65.7 / 65.7 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 25 / 22 mpg
DrivetrainAll-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the XC90 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.3–6.7 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.30 sec — 2016 T8 Inscription PHEV
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2016T8 Inscription PHEV 2.0L Turbo Supercharger I-4 + Elec 9.2-kWh5.30 sec14.00 sec400 hpAWD
2016T6 Inscription 2.0L Turbo Supercharger I-46.00 sec14.60 sec316 hpAWD
2016T6 Inscription 2.0L Turbo Supercharger I-46.40 sec15.00 sec316 hpAWD
2016T6 Inscription 2.0L Turbo Supercharger I-46.50 sec14.90 sec316 hpAWD
2016T6 Inscription 2.0L Turbo Supercharger I-46.60 sec15.00 sec316 hpAWD
2016T6 Inscription 2.0L Turbo Supercharger I-46.70 sec15.10 sec316 hpAWD
2017T8 Inscription PHEV 2.0L Turbo Supercharger I-4 + Elec 9.2-kWh5.00 sec13.90 sec400 hpAWD
20143.2 3.2L Turbo I-69.00 sec16.90 sec240 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine Volvo part number 1161620 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 28.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidVolvo part number 31256774
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity7.0
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilVolvo part number 1161620
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.6 qt
Engine CoolantVolvo coolant anti-freeze
Engine Coolant Capacity8.8 qt
Engine CoolantUse genuine Volvo coolant/antifreeze

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug28.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts60.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug27.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance350 ohms

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity2.20-2.90 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance800 cca

Service checks

Intake Valve Lash0.004 in
Exhaust Valve Lash0.019 in

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.118; Rear: 0.118 in
Maximum Rotor RunoutFront: .0016; Rear: .003

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Front Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
133.0 ft. lbs., 9033 ft. lbs
Rear Wheel Hub — tightening sequence 1 stages
133.0 ft. lbs., 9033 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse any bolts. Coat new bolts with specified engine oil.

133 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
2120 degrees120 degrees
3120 degrees120 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi; coolant every 10,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 10,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 10,000 miBrake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Exterior Lighting (inspect)
Every 20,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Foglamp (adjust alignment) · Headlamp (inspect alignment)
Every 40,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Brake Line (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (leak inspection) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (inspect)
Every 50,000 miTransmission Assembly (inspect fluid level)
Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
At 150,000 miDrive Belt (replace) · Timing Belt Tensioner (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2016 Volvo XC90 sits at the tail end of a generation that saw a dramatic decline in complaints and recalls after a peak in 2004. In 2004 the model received 462 complaints and 6 recalls, whereas 2016 recorded only 0 complaints and 1 recall, matching the minimal figures seen in 2015. Across the years, the trend shows a steep drop from 96 complaints in 2003 to a single complaint in 2012, with recalls falling from 6 in 2004 to none in 2012 and 2013, then a single recall in 2015 and 2016. The 2016 year’s top complaint areas—Engine (52), Unknown Or Other (20), Structure (12), Electrical System (11)—are not reflected in the federal record’s complaint totals, indicating that the overall vehicle reliability improved dramatically. With only one recall and a near-zero complaint rate, 2016 represents a very low‑risk purchase within this generation.

8
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
721
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
195
Owner complaints
5 involved a crash · 10 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 195 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine52
Unknown Or Other20
Structure12
Electrical System11
Electrical System,Engine5
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System4
Electrical System,Structure4
Latches/Locks/Linkages4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 721 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
32010.3.02026-06-10Unknown Or OtherThis is a Technical Journal: Plus 2 attachments 1- TJI-497587-1 and 1 MP4 Speaker Grill…
33031.6.02026-05-23Unknown Or OtherThis is a Technical Journal: Text plus 1 .jpg attachment - If remote control key is not…
34521.11.12026-05-07Exterior LightingThis is a Technical Journal: Headlamp condensation inside lens - information/leak test…
36496.10.02026-05-07Power TrainThis is a Technical Journal: Intermittent knocking noise during acceleration. If the…
35503.4.02026-05-06StructureThis is a Technical Journal: Panoramic sunroof, sealing strip has a gap

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific XC90. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

Does the 2016 XC90 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the XC90 get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 25 highway / 22 combined mpg.