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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

What owners actually said

93 reports
79,000 miles · Nov 29, 2013
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)StructureInjury

I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE DESIGN DEFECT IN SUN ROOF & THE WATER DAMAGES THAT RESULT IN ELECTRICAL ISSUES. I HAD ALWAYS PARKED MY VEHICLE IN COVERED PARKING UNTIL MOVING THIS YEAR IN JANUARY. I HAD TAKEN MY CAR IN TO HAVE A TUNE UP IN NOV 2012 AT WHICH TIME I WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF REPAIRS NEEDED IN MY CAR. MY CAR REMAINED PARKE…

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I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE DESIGN DEFECT IN SUN ROOF & THE WATER DAMAGES THAT RESULT IN ELECTRICAL ISSUES. I HAD ALWAYS PARKED MY VEHICLE IN COVERED PARKING UNTIL MOVING THIS YEAR IN JANUARY. I HAD TAKEN MY CAR IN TO HAVE A TUNE UP IN NOV 2012 AT WHICH TIME I WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF REPAIRS NEEDED IN MY CAR. MY CAR REMAINED PARKED FOR MOST OF 2013 DUE TO HAVING MOVED I WASN'T ABLE TO AFFORD REPAIRS. THE REPAIRS WHERE INNER&OUTER TIE RODS,BALL JOINTS, MOUNTS, ARM BUSHINGS, ROTORS & BREAK PADS. THE ABOVE AFOREMENTIONED WHERE MADE. FOLLOWING REPAIRS I WASHED MY CAR AND DROVE OUT OF TOWN 4TH JULY WEEKEND FROM LOS ANGELES TO JAMESTOWN CALIFORNIA. ONCE I ARRIVED MY CAR REMAINED PARKED UNTIL RETURNING HOME JULY 7TH. SHORTLY AFTER STARTING MY CAR THE DASH GAUGES STARTED TO FLASH ON/OFF AND EVENTUALLY WENT OUT. AT THE TIME I HAD MY PORTABLE GPS, A/C WAS WORKING & I HAD USE OF WINDOWS (ROLLING UP & DOWN). I KNEW I HAD A FULL TANK OF GAS CAUSE I HAD FUELED UP PRIOR TO ARRIVING AT DESTINATION. BEING I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF KNOW WHERE WITHOUT CELL PHONE SERVICE I DROVE AS FAR AS I COULD BEFORE I THOUGHT I MAY NEED GAS. WHEN I STOPPED TO GET FUEL I WAS NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR TO REFUEL WITH GAS. I BROKE THE CLIPS ON THE DOOR ALLOWING ME TO ACCESS AND FUEL TANK AND REFILL WITH GAS. IT WAS SUNDAY AFTER A MAJOR HOLIDAY AND THERE WAS A LOT OF TRAFFIC, THE ONLY VOLVO DEALERSHIP I PASSED WAS CLOSED AND I JUST WANTED TO GET HOME. SO I CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND WAS JUST GETTING ONTO THE GRAPEVINE AND TRAFFIC REALLY BACKED UP. THERE WAS A FIRE THAT HAD BEEN BURNING ON THE MOUNTAIN TO THE RIGHT AND HELICOPTERS WHERE DUMPING WATER ON THIS ONGOING FIRE. AROUND THIS TIME I NOTICED THE A/C HAD QUIT WORKING AND WAS BLOWING HOT AIR. I TRIED TO ROLL MY WINDOWS DOWN AND THEY WHERE INOPERABLE. TRAFFIC WAS AT A CRAWL AND THERE WAS NO PLACE TO PULL OVER. WORST NIGHTMARE EVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10554145

Mileage unknown · Aug 10, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

MY XC90 VOLVO IS VERY DISAPPOINTING THE DASH BOARD ON THE CAR COMPLETELY FAILS NO NOTHING NO GAS, SPEEDOMETER EVERY THINGS GOES OUT. IN THE NIGHT TIME ITS VERY SCARY ITS COMPLETELY DARK I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I'M GOING HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE ITS SCARY. NOW THE FUEL PUMP IS GONE AND THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM BURNED OUT I CUT THE CAR ON H…

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MY XC90 VOLVO IS VERY DISAPPOINTING THE DASH BOARD ON THE CAR COMPLETELY FAILS NO NOTHING NO GAS, SPEEDOMETER EVERY THINGS GOES OUT. IN THE NIGHT TIME ITS VERY SCARY ITS COMPLETELY DARK I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I'M GOING HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE ITS SCARY. NOW THE FUEL PUMP IS GONE AND THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM BURNED OUT I CUT THE CAR ON HEARD A POP THEN I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM HASN'T WORKED SINCE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10534670

74,650 miles · Apr 24, 2013
Electrical System

WELL WHILE OUT DRIVING LOCALLY ON A COLD WINTER DAY MY DASH BOARD READINGS WENT OFF AND CAME BACK ON A COUPLE TIMES..THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER....IT WOULD DO THIS ONCE IN A WHILE THEN IT STARTED GETTING WORSE AND WORSE TO THE POINT NOW IT COMES ON ONLY ONCE AND AWHILE...SO I HAVE NO READ OUTS FOR ANYTHING NO GAS, …

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WELL WHILE OUT DRIVING LOCALLY ON A COLD WINTER DAY MY DASH BOARD READINGS WENT OFF AND CAME BACK ON A COUPLE TIMES..THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN A FEW DAYS LATER....IT WOULD DO THIS ONCE IN A WHILE THEN IT STARTED GETTING WORSE AND WORSE TO THE POINT NOW IT COMES ON ONLY ONCE AND AWHILE...SO I HAVE NO READ OUTS FOR ANYTHING NO GAS, NO SPEED NO ANYTHING..AND WHEN IT DOES COME ON IT IS ONLY GAS AND SPEED NONE OF THE OTHER READINGS OR WARNINGS OH AND MY ENGINE LIGHT HAS STAYED ON THE WHOLE TIME ALL THIS WAS HAPPENING....GUESS WHAT I FOUND OUT IT IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH VOLVO THEY KNOW ABOUT IT ...YES WHEN THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED THEY SAID OH YES AND ITS NOT A CHEAP REPAIR...BECAUSE THEY ARE THE ONLY ONES THAT CAN FIX IT BY THE WAY SO IF YOU LIVE A LONG WAY AWAY FROM A DEALER TO BAD...THE PART AND ONLY IF YOU CHOOSE A REDONE/REBUILT/RECONDITIONED ONE WHICH IS WHAT I WAS TOLD NOT BRAND NEW IS $1100 AND THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE THE SERVICING AS THEY HAVE TO PUT IT IN AND HOOK IT UP TO THEIR COMPUTERS....SO WHAT WILL THAT BE WHEN THEY ARE DONE....I THINK VOLVO BEING THE CAR COMPANY IT IS SUPPOSE TO BE WOULD CONSIDER THIS A MAJOR SAFETY AND CONSUMER ISSUE AND RECALL IT AND SUCK UP THE COST ....I WANTED A VOLVO FOR THE SAFETY AND QUALITY...BUT AS WITH ALL THINGS I HAVE BEEN DISAPPOINTED ALONG WITH THE BALL JOINT ISSUE MY VEHICLE HAD THAT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT..OH BY THE WAY I PAID TO HAVE THAT FIXED BECAUSE I DID NOT KNOW IT WOULD HAVE BEEN FREE IF I HAD DRIVEN 4 HRS TO MY NEAREST DEALER..YES IT WOULD HAVE BEEN WAY CHEAPER TO HAVE DRIVEN .AND THE LATEST I WAS CONTACTED ABOUT A TRANSMISSION ISSUE THAT HAS TURNED INTO A FULL BLOWN LEGAL CASE AND I WAS SENT A NOTICE TO JOIN THAT A WHILE AGO..... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10509426

145,000 miles · Feb 12, 2013
Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS STOPPED ILLUMINATING AND ALL OF THE GAUGES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

NHTSA ODI #10497922

500 miles · Aug 15, 2012
Power TrainSteering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK ABNORMALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE SHIFT GEAR LEVER WAS DEFECTIVE AND BOTH THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS WERE LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE AGE HAD EXCEED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK ABNORMALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE SHIFT GEAR LEVER WAS DEFECTIVE AND BOTH THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS WERE LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE AGE HAD EXCEEDED THE TIME FRAME IN WHICH THEY WERE WILLING TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

NHTSA ODI #10470810

118,813 miles · Jul 26, 2012
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM SCHOOL THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AUTOMATICALLY CAME ON AND ABOUT THE SAME TIME THE BATTERY LIGHT AND ELECTRICAL WARNING SIDE CAME ON. IT ALSO AFFECTED THE POWER STEERING AND AIR CONDITION. HAD TO PULL OVER ON A BUSY STREET WHICH WAS NOT EASY. HAD THE BATTERY TESTED AND IT WAS GOOD, REPLACED IT 15 MONTHS AGO.…

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WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM SCHOOL THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AUTOMATICALLY CAME ON AND ABOUT THE SAME TIME THE BATTERY LIGHT AND ELECTRICAL WARNING SIDE CAME ON. IT ALSO AFFECTED THE POWER STEERING AND AIR CONDITION. HAD TO PULL OVER ON A BUSY STREET WHICH WAS NOT EASY. HAD THE BATTERY TESTED AND IT WAS GOOD, REPLACED IT 15 MONTHS AGO. CAR IS STILL SITTING IN THE GARAGE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10467784

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2011
Power Train

I HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE COOLANT HAS LEAKED INTO TO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO GIVE OUT. THEY SAID IT NEEDS REPLACED AT A COST OF 6000. THIS WOULD BE THE 3 RD TRANSMISSION IN THIS CAR ALONE. THEIR ARE MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM…

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I HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE COOLANT HAS LEAKED INTO TO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO GIVE OUT. THEY SAID IT NEEDS REPLACED AT A COST OF 6000. THIS WOULD BE THE 3 RD TRANSMISSION IN THIS CAR ALONE. THEIR ARE MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS VOLVOX FAULT AND IT NEEDS REPLACED ON THEIR DIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10439676

150,000 miles · Jul 12, 2011
Unknown Or Other

2003 VOLVO XC90 ENGINE CUT OFF SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING ~70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. WAS LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT BEING HIT OR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY. DEALER UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY CAUSED A FATAL ACCIDENT CONSIDERING THE SPEEDS AT WHICH OT…

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2003 VOLVO XC90 ENGINE CUT OFF SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING ~70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. WAS LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT BEING HIT OR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY. DEALER UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY CAUSED A FATAL ACCIDENT CONSIDERING THE SPEEDS AT WHICH OTHER CARS WERE TRAVELLING AND THE POTENTIAL TO BE STRANDED IN THE ROAD. CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10412040

120,000 miles · Mar 30, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE FROM THE MAIN ROADWAY BUT AS SHE PROCEEDED INTO TRAFFIC, THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE URGENT SERVICE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT THEN I…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE FROM THE MAIN ROADWAY BUT AS SHE PROCEEDED INTO TRAFFIC, THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE URGENT SERVICE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT THEN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

NHTSA ODI #10393703

105,636 miles · Feb 6, 2011
Electrical System

MY 2003 XC90 VOLVO INSTRUMENTAL PANEL IS FAILING. ONE DAY THE SRS AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON SEVERAL WEEKS LATER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN TO FAIL. IT WORKS FOR THE FIRST 10 MINUTES THEN ALL GAUGES FAIL, NEEDLES ARE AT ZERO AND THERE IS NO LIGHT. BASICALLY THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES BLANK (OFF) NO SPEED , NO RPM'S, NO GAS AND T…

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MY 2003 XC90 VOLVO INSTRUMENTAL PANEL IS FAILING. ONE DAY THE SRS AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON SEVERAL WEEKS LATER THE INSTRUMENT PANEL BEGAN TO FAIL. IT WORKS FOR THE FIRST 10 MINUTES THEN ALL GAUGES FAIL, NEEDLES ARE AT ZERO AND THERE IS NO LIGHT. BASICALLY THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL GOES BLANK (OFF) NO SPEED , NO RPM'S, NO GAS AND THE RADIO HAS STOPPED WORKING AS OF A RESULT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE THERE ARE COUNTLESS XC90 VOLVO OWNERS HAVING BAD LUCK WITH THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FAILURE. COSTING OWNERS OVER $1000 TO REPAIR AND REPLACE AT VOLVO DEALERSHIPS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10380872

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.