Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Volvo dependability lags behind other luxury brandsLegendary Volvo "bricks" like the 240 and 740 established a reputation for bulletproof reliability that, for many buyers, endures today. But much has changed for Volvo since then. In place of mechanically straightforward gas and diesel engines are new hybrid and electric powertrains. Like other luxury brands, Volvo is shifting over to software-defined vehicles with advanced infotainment and detection systems. These changes have made it almost impossible to maintain the fuss-free durability reputation of older Volvos, so are modern Volvos actually reliable? We'll take a look at the latest reliability rankings to answer that.Volvo Brand Reliability: Not The Worst, But Far From The Best2026 Volvo EX30Chase BierenkovenOne or two reliable models don't necessarily make for a reliable brand. Even Japanese automakers like Honda have had a few duds along the way, so it's important to distinguish between reliable models and reliable brands.AdvertisementAdvertisementUnfortunately, the most recent quality and reliability brand surveys don't rank Volvo highly. While it's never at the bottom of any list, the brand is average at best. Here's a look at recent quality/reliability studies from Consumer Reports and JD Power.Consumer Reports Brand Reliability RatingVolvo: 15th out of 26 brandsJD Power Vehicle Dependability StudyVolvo: 27th out of 28 brandsJD Power Initial Quality StudyVolvo: 22nd out of 27 brandsThe Consumer Reports study is based on data on roughly 380,000 vehicles. A brand qualifies if data is provided on vehicles for at least two models from a minimum of two model years between 2023 and 2026. But Consumer Reports also consults owners of vehicles as far back as the 2000 model year, so this study is a fairly accurate gauge of longer-term reliability. It covers everything from serious engine/transmission failures to broken interior trim of software faults. Volvo's score of 42 is middling and it ranks well below other luxury brands like Lexus, BMW, and Acura. It came out ahead of Mercedes-Benz, though.AdvertisementAdvertisementIn JD Power's Vehicle Dependability Study for 2026, 184 vehicle problem areas were assessed based on responses of 2023 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership. Volvo's performance was poor, with 296 problems per 100 vehicles, behind every single other brand besides Volkswagen. 2026 Volvo EX30 Cross CountryCole AttishaThe 2026 JD Power Initial Quality Study, meanwhile, is based on responses from 78,514 owners or lessees of 2026 model-year vehicles. They were quizzed on their experiences after 90 days of ownership. Volvo's ranking here is also poor, indicating that new owners are running into issues early after acquiring their vehicles. The only luxury brands to rank below Volvo are Audi, Cadillac, and Infiniti. Volvo's score of 221 problems per 100 vehicles is well below the average of 175.Overall, all three studies leave much room for improvement for Volvo, but what is actually preventing the brand from achieving higher scores?Related: How Volvo Went From the Most Reliable Cars to Near the BottomCommon Volvo Problems2026 Volvo EX90VolvoFirst impressions are good when climbing inside a modern Volvo. Across its lineup, the brand still delivers minimalist yet luxurious interiors with high-quality materials. But it's below the attractive finishes where modern Volvos have struggled.AdvertisementAdvertisementPlenty of software issues have plagued modern Volvo models, specifically EVs like the EX30 and EX90. Owners often experienced glitchy infotainment systems, keycards that didn't always work as they should, turn signal problems, and audio connectivity issues, among others. It got so bad that Volvo was hit with a lawsuit earlier this year. Gas-powered models like the XC60 haven't been entirely immune to software faults, either.Over the last 10 years, the largest recall faced by the automaker involved over 400,000 vehicles with a backup camera fault, which required a software update to correct. This is a typical sort of issue faced by modern Volvo owners.Volvo Models With Most ComplaintsAccording to Car Complaints, the following Volvo models have accumulated the highest number of owner complaints:XC90: 129S60: 110XC60: 74V70: 67S80 and XC70: 51 complaints eachAdvertisementAdvertisementSomewhat reassuringly, more serious mechanical defects do not appear to be prevalent over the last few years. For example, Volvo's PowerShift dual-clutch transmission shared with Ford was phased out in the 2010s, but not before owners had to deal with a host of issues like severe juddering, loss of drive power, and missed gears. As Volvo has shifted over to EVs in recent years and abandoned larger-capacity engines above four cylinders, the brand has fewer powertrain variations on offer, but this has also reduced mechanical complexity through its lineup. The latest four-cylinder mills appear to be quite reliable, but twin-charged versions (those with turbocharging and supercharging) and plug-in hybrid models will likely require more maintenance as they age. They will not be as simple to maintain as the brand's legendary five-cylinder engine, which is no longer in production.Related: Everything That Drove Me Nuts About My Week With The Volvo EX30Volvo Reliability Ratings By Model2026 Volvo XC90VolvoBased on JD Power's 2026 quality and reliability ratings, not a single current Volvo model has a great score. Typically, anything above 80 out of 100 possible points indicates that consumers have experienced a lower rate of issues with their vehicles.ModelJD Power Quality and Reliability RatingXC6074/100XC4074/100XC9068/100EX3063/100Some Volvo models missing from this list are those no longer on sale, models that are too new to be rated, or models that are on sale but have not been rated yet.AdvertisementAdvertisementThe popular XC60 is one of Volvo's top-rated models, but its score of 74 is merely average. The EX30's score, meanwhile, underlines the software issues Volvo has had with its recent EVs.Volvo Repair Costs2020 Volvo S90 VolvoLike most luxury cars, repair and maintenance costs for a Volvo aren't the cheapest. According to RepairPal, owners can expect to spend $769 on annual repair costs on average, but these amounts will vary considerably by location, mileage, vehicle age, and the specific Volvo you drive. These annual costs are higher than the average for Lexus and Acura, which have costs of $551 and $501 respectively. However, Volvo repair costs are lower than for most German brands; Audi's average annual repair costs are $987. Final Thoughts2020 Volvo S90 VolvoSo, are Volvos reliable? Unfortunately, the data suggests that modern Volvos have below-average reliability scores. While serious mechanical breakdowns aren't a major concern, owners are more likely to run into software issues and electrical gremlins. These can be a major inconvenience since new Volvo cabins are largely designed around a prominent center touchscreen, with most physical controls now removed. However, Volvo has promised that the new EX60 won't suffer from the same quality issues faced by the EX30 and EX90.AdvertisementAdvertisementAre Volvos still good cars beyond reliability ratings? Yes, if you want a stylish, comfortable, and refined vehicle, the brand remains a top choice. But it does not deliver the trouble-free ownership journey and lower maintenance costs of an equivalent Lexus, so Volvo owners must be prepared to pay closer attention to following a strict servicing schedule.Related: Volvo Admits EX30 And EX90 Software Mistakes, Says EX60 Will Be DifferentThis story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 16, 2026, where it first appeared in the Features section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.