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2003 Volvo XC90

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2003 Volvo XC90 do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 34.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

79 reports with mileage · 14 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 18 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports2 fire reports4 injury reports

Suspension complaints

9 reports
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85,000 miles · Aug 31, 2010
EquipmentPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

LEAVING A PARKING LOT AND HEARD LOUD SOUND CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. VOLVO SAYS THE FOLLOWING IS BROKEN: LOWER CONTROL ARM, CV AXLE, ROTOR AND DAMAGED RIM. WE HAD BEEN PARKED AND WERE ATTEMPTING TO LEAVING PARKING LOT(.BARELY MOVING) COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHER SPEED. WE HAVE CONSTANTLY SPENT MONEY ON THIS VEHICLE…

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LEAVING A PARKING LOT AND HEARD LOUD SOUND CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. VOLVO SAYS THE FOLLOWING IS BROKEN: LOWER CONTROL ARM, CV AXLE, ROTOR AND DAMAGED RIM. WE HAD BEEN PARKED AND WERE ATTEMPTING TO LEAVING PARKING LOT(.BARELY MOVING) COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHER SPEED. WE HAVE CONSTANTLY SPENT MONEY ON THIS VEHICLE AND I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE AND THAT WHEN THE RECALLS WERE MADE THERE COULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN A FRACTURE. THIS CAR IS ONLY DRIVEN TO WORK AND HOME ON A REGULAR BASIS. NO ROUGH ROADS. WE HAVE NOT CAUSED ANY DAMAGE. THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT ALLOW PROPER SELECTION UNDER VOLVO AND MAKE TO ALLOW SELECTION OF THE SUSPENSION/CONTROL ARM / ROTORS / AXLE / TIRE RIMS / BALL JOINT, ALL OF WHICH WERE DAMAGED IN THIS 4 MPH ACCIDENT. HAD THIS HAPPENED AT 65 MPH I HAVE NO DOUBT ME AND MY FAMILY WOULD NOT HAVE SURVIVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10352913

104,000 miles · Apr 18, 2010
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

MY 2003 VOLVO XC90 HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES INCLUDING OVER 3 TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2006. ALL RECALLS HAVE BEEN FIXED, FRONT AXLE, WIPERS ETC. I HAVE PURCHASED 4 SETS OF TIRES, TIRES BOSTON VOLVO INSTALLED AND MY 17 YEAR OLD SON RECEIVED A COMPLETE BLOW OUT BECAUSE WRONG SIZE TIRES. I …

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MY 2003 VOLVO XC90 HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES INCLUDING OVER 3 TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2006. ALL RECALLS HAVE BEEN FIXED, FRONT AXLE, WIPERS ETC. I HAVE PURCHASED 4 SETS OF TIRES, TIRES BOSTON VOLVO INSTALLED AND MY 17 YEAR OLD SON RECEIVED A COMPLETE BLOW OUT BECAUSE WRONG SIZE TIRES. I CONTINUE TAKING TO SAME DEALER AND SINCE OWNING THE CAR HAVE HAD THE SAME NOISES IN FRONT OF CAR. BOSTON VOLVO HAS STATED IN OCTOBER AND SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG, APRIL DIAGNOSED WITH NEED NEW DRIVE SHAFT AFTER HAVING CAR FOR 2 DAYS BUT COULD NOT REALLY FINE ANYTHING BUT DRIVE SHAFT. A STRONG FUEL SMELL STATED FUEL PUMP DOES NOT NEED TO BE CORRECTED. I NEED NEW MUFFLER AND TAKING TO MY OWN MECHANIC THE REAL ISSUE IS TRANSMISSION SERVICE URGENT AND NEED NEW TRANSMISSION. VOLVO DID NOT DIAGNOSE THIS PROBLEM AND MY SON IS DRIVING THE CAR! MY SON IS DRIVING A LEMON THAT IS A DANGER TO HIMSELF. TAKING TO VOLVO DOES NOTHING, THEY CANNOT EVEN DIAGNOSE AND GIVE WRONG INFO GIVEN TO ME. I AM CURRENTLY UP TO OVER $8,000 IN DAMAGES AND STILL OWE ON THIS LEMON. I NEED NEW TRANSMISSION, MUFFLER, STILL CAR VIBRATES AND FRONT END NOISES FROM WHINING, THUMPING ETC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10326221

79,300 miles · Nov 28, 2009
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

OPERATING VEHICLE SINCE OCT '08, SINCE THAT TIME THERE HAS BEEN A NOISE EMANATING FROM FRONT PASS-SIDE WHEEL AREA. PURCHASING DEALER(HALL CHEVY, CHESAPEAKE, VA) PERFORMED WHEEL-ALIGNMENT TO "FIX" THE NOISE WHICH DID NOT REMEDY. VOLVO DEALER IN ARVADA, CO DIAGNOSED IT AS FAILED, OR FAILING WHEEL HUB, TO BE REPLACED AT COST OF $…

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OPERATING VEHICLE SINCE OCT '08, SINCE THAT TIME THERE HAS BEEN A NOISE EMANATING FROM FRONT PASS-SIDE WHEEL AREA. PURCHASING DEALER(HALL CHEVY, CHESAPEAKE, VA) PERFORMED WHEEL-ALIGNMENT TO "FIX" THE NOISE WHICH DID NOT REMEDY. VOLVO DEALER IN ARVADA, CO DIAGNOSED IT AS FAILED, OR FAILING WHEEL HUB, TO BE REPLACED AT COST OF $500. THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAD TRANS FAILURE AT APPX 76K MILES, AND THROTTLE CONTROL MODULE FAILURE IN OCT '09. I BELIEVE THERE ARE MANY CONCERNS ABOUT OPERATING AND HAVING CONFIDENCE IN ITS ABILITY TO OPERATE "SAFELY AND RELIABLY" THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NEARLY AS MUCH AS ON-THE-ROAD SINCE IT'S I PURCHASED IT IN OCT '08. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10293742

55,000 miles · Sep 15, 2008
Suspension

2003 VOLVO XC90 AWD. 55K MILES REPLACED LR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY, 72K MILES REPLACED RF WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10242347

40,000 miles · Sep 8, 2008
Suspension

1.FRONT AND REAR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY FAILURES ON VOLVO XC90. I HAVE MODEL YEAR 2003, BUT I UNDERSTAND THE FAILURE IN ALSO FOR OTHER MODEL YEARS 2. PARTS ARE KNOWN DEFECT TO VOLVO NORTH AMERICA. I HAVE REPLACED MINE THREE (3) TIMES WITHIN 40,000 MILES. 3. VOLVO DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGES THIS IS A SYSTEMIC SUPPLY CHAIN DEFECT, BUT …

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1.FRONT AND REAR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY FAILURES ON VOLVO XC90. I HAVE MODEL YEAR 2003, BUT I UNDERSTAND THE FAILURE IN ALSO FOR OTHER MODEL YEARS 2. PARTS ARE KNOWN DEFECT TO VOLVO NORTH AMERICA. I HAVE REPLACED MINE THREE (3) TIMES WITHIN 40,000 MILES. 3. VOLVO DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGES THIS IS A SYSTEMIC SUPPLY CHAIN DEFECT, BUT NATIONAL CUSTOMER CARECENTER REFUSES TO MAKE A WRITTEN EXTENDED WARRANTY AVAILABLE TO VEHICLE OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10241387

75,500 miles · Dec 31, 2007
Exterior LightingPower TrainSuspension

I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FROM 64,000 MILES TO 75,000 MILES AND HAVE REPLACED THE FOLLOWING - REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS 4 TIMES, AND NOW THE ANGLE GEAR HAS GONE AT 75,000 MILES - NOT A VERY RELIABLE USED CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10213266

15,000 miles · Oct 18, 2004
Electrical SystemEquipmentSeats

MULTIPLE FAILURES; DOOR LOCK,TIRES WERE WORN TO THE CORD. * BF THE LUG NUTS WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE RUSTED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED, THE DOORS DID NOT FIT PROPERLY, THE RADIO FAILED, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION, THE LEFT REAR DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED DUE TO THE PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT MOLDING AND THE TI…

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MULTIPLE FAILURES; DOOR LOCK,TIRES WERE WORN TO THE CORD. * BF THE LUG NUTS WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE RUSTED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED, THE DOORS DID NOT FIT PROPERLY, THE RADIO FAILED, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION, THE LEFT REAR DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED DUE TO THE PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT MOLDING AND THE TIRE DISPLAYED UNUSUAL WEAR AND WERE WORN SMOOTH TO THE CORD. THE LUG NUTS THAT WERE INSTALLED RUSTED AGAIN. (TIRES/PERRILLI SCORPIAN) *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10097221

22,300 miles · May 4, 2004
Suspension

RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILED. SYMPTOMS WERE THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 35 MPH. DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT INDICATED THAT VEHICLE WAS AT RISK OF TIPPING. CAR WAS STRANDED ON HIGHWAY WHILE RETURNING FROM VACATION SOME 400 MILES FROM HOME. WAS ABLE TO LIMP OFF AND INVOKE VOLVO ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. VEHIC…

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RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILED. SYMPTOMS WERE THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 35 MPH. DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT INDICATED THAT VEHICLE WAS AT RISK OF TIPPING. CAR WAS STRANDED ON HIGHWAY WHILE RETURNING FROM VACATION SOME 400 MILES FROM HOME. WAS ABLE TO LIMP OFF AND INVOKE VOLVO ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER WITHIN 30 MINUTES. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM FOR 2 DAYS BECAUSE NO FAULT INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED BY ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER. INITIAL SUSPICION WAS A FUEL PRESSURE PROBLEM. DEALER EVENTUALLY DETERMINED THAT RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILED, WHICH CAUSED ABS SYSTEM FAULT, WHICH SIGNALED ENGINE NOT TO EXCEED 35 MPH. BEARING REPLACED. STILL WORKING THROUGH DETAILS WITH MY LOCAL DEALER AND VOLVO ZONE REP. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED MANY OF THE ELECTRICAL, TURBO BACK-PRESSURE "HOWL", AND FIT-AND-FINISH PROBLEMS (LOOSE MOLDINGS, DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLED) THAT HAVE BEEN REFERENCED BY OTHERS. NOT WHAT I EXPECTED FOR A VEHICLE IN THIS CATEGORY. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10068267

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

I OWN A VOLVO XC90 T6 AWD. THIS CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TWIN TURBO-CHARGERS, THE WARNING LIGHTS, A TIRE BLOWOUT, VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING WHEEL, ALIGNMENT ISSUES, SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL PANEL, POOR FIT AND FINISH OF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL AND A HOST OF OTHER FIT AND FINISH PROBLEMS. THE MOMENTUM…

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I OWN A VOLVO XC90 T6 AWD. THIS CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TWIN TURBO-CHARGERS, THE WARNING LIGHTS, A TIRE BLOWOUT, VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING WHEEL, ALIGNMENT ISSUES, SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL PANEL, POOR FIT AND FINISH OF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL AND A HOST OF OTHER FIT AND FINISH PROBLEMS. THE MOMENTUM VOLVO DEALERSHIP IN HOUSTON, TEXAS AND VOLVO NORTH AMERICA SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE DENIED ANY PROBLEMS BEING A SERIOUS OR RECURRING PROBLEM. THIS ALL TOOK PLACE IN A SPAN OF LESS THAN 10 MONTHS FOR A BRAND NEW VEHICLE.THE CAR SPENT MORE TIME IN THE SHOP THAN IN OUR POSSESSION INITIALLY. THE DEALERSHIP CONTINUED TO FIX THE RECURRING PROBLEMS AND DENIED ANY CHRONIC ISSUES EXISTED. I WISH TO ALERT NHTSA IN THE EVENT ANY OTHER OWNER OF VOLVO XC 1990 HAS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OR A TRAGEDY OCCURS AS A RESULT OF THE PROBLEMS I HAVE LISTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10067880

Official recalls

5

10V566000 · Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)

Nov 8, 2010

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy: VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.

09V483000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Dec 18, 2009

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2005 S80, MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 V70, S60, XC70 AND MODEL YEAR 2003-2005 XC90 VEHICLES SOLD IN OR REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, KENTUCKY, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, NORTH CAROLINA, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, TEXAS, UTAH, VIRGINIA AND THE U.S. TERRITORIES. WHEN EXPOSED TO CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS (HOT CLIMATE AND TEMPERATURE CYCLING) OVER TIME AND IN COMBINATION WITH VARYING FUEL QUALITY, THE FUEL PUMP CAN DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE CONDITION OCCURS VEHICLE OWNERS MAY NOTICE FUEL SMELL AND/OR FUEL LEAK WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP WITH A PART OF A MODIFIED DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

06V155000 · Steering:linkages:tie Rod Assembly

May 5, 2006

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES,THE OUTER TIE ROD BALL JOINT CAN DEFORM AT HIGH LOADS CAUSING A LOSS OF THE CLAMPING FORCE AND THE NUT MAY LOOSEN, WHICH MAY EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE OUTER TIE ROD BALL JOINT.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OUTER BALL JOINT TIE RODS WITH IMPROVED OUTER BALL JOINT TIE RODS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 23, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

06V144000 · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer

Apr 28, 2006

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, IF THE WIPER ARM IS ACTIVATED IN EXTREME WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS AND WITHOUT LIFTING THE WIPER ARMS AND CLEANING THE WINDSHIELD PRIOR TO MOVING, THE WIPER ARM MIGHT SLIP ON ITS DRIVESHAFT, RESULTING IN AN INABILITY TO MOVE THE WIPERS FROM THE PARK POSITION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER ARMS AND RETAINING NUTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.

03V391000 · Seat Belts:rear/other

Oct 10, 2003

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE SEAT BELT ATTACHMENT(S) FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW SEAT(S) MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FITTED PROPERLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE SECOND AND/OR THIRD ROW SEAT BELT ATTACHMENTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.