NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
93 reports40,000 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
84,000 miles · Aug 17, 2008
Power Train
2003 VOLVO XC90 TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10238522
54,000 miles · Jul 20, 2008
Power Train
VOLVO XC90 TAKEN INTO DEALERSHIP FOR AXLE REPLACEMENT ON 07/09/08 CONTACTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED THEN WHEN QUESTION GIVEN VAGUE STATEMENT NO WILL BE A TRANSMISSION FLUSH. CAR RETURNED ON 07/16/08 ADVISED GIVEN NEW TRANSMISSION. DRIVING CAR ON 07/19/08 COME TO A STOP TO CROSS 4 LANE PARKWAY WHEN HIT GAS PEDAL CA…
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VOLVO XC90 TAKEN INTO DEALERSHIP FOR AXLE REPLACEMENT ON 07/09/08 CONTACTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED THEN WHEN QUESTION GIVEN VAGUE STATEMENT NO WILL BE A TRANSMISSION FLUSH. CAR RETURNED ON 07/16/08 ADVISED GIVEN NEW TRANSMISSION. DRIVING CAR ON 07/19/08 COME TO A STOP TO CROSS 4 LANE PARKWAY WHEN HIT GAS PEDAL CAR DOES NOT RESPOND RECEIVE MESSAGE REDUCE ENGINE PERFORMANCE. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE VOLVO TRANSMISSION IN THIS MODEL MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10234959
58,429 miles · Jul 11, 2008
Power Train
NORMAL DRIVING. BOUGHT CAR AT 50K. AT 58K INFORMATION MESSAGE CAME ON ABOUT URGENT TRANSMISSION SERVICE. HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. DROVE CAR FOR 1 MONTH. FOUND FLUID LEAK. DEALER IS NOW REPLACING THE ANGLE GEAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10233980
49,271 miles · Jul 8, 2008
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. ON JUNE 10, 2008, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND; HOWEVER, SHE WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CONTACT SLOWLY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO TH…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. ON JUNE 10, 2008, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND; HOWEVER, SHE WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CONTACT SLOWLY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE BRAKE BOOSTER POWER CYLINDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, THEY DECLINED TO ASSIST WITH THE $1,036.44 REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 49,271.
NHTSA ODI #10233490
92,000 miles · Jun 9, 2008
Power Train
AT 92K MILES, THE DEALERSHIP BROKE THE NEWS ON APRIL 15, 2008, ABOUT SEEING LARGE CHUNKS OF METAL SHAVINGS WHEN CHANGING MY TRANSMISSION FLUID WITH MY 2003 VOLVO XC90. I GOT A BILL FOR $7500 (NEW TRANNY, NEW RADIATOR, LINES INCLUDING LABOR), BUT DEALERSHIP AGREED TO PAY 60% AFTER RELENTLESS COMPLAINTS AND DIRECTING THEM TO BELOW…
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AT 92K MILES, THE DEALERSHIP BROKE THE NEWS ON APRIL 15, 2008, ABOUT SEEING LARGE CHUNKS OF METAL SHAVINGS WHEN CHANGING MY TRANSMISSION FLUID WITH MY 2003 VOLVO XC90. I GOT A BILL FOR $7500 (NEW TRANNY, NEW RADIATOR, LINES INCLUDING LABOR), BUT DEALERSHIP AGREED TO PAY 60% AFTER RELENTLESS COMPLAINTS AND DIRECTING THEM TO BELOW DISCUSSION FORUM ON ONGOING XC90 TRANSMISSION FAILURES HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/WEBX/.F18A651/14?@160.OA6TAMKCGP0@ REGARDLESS, I'M OBVIOUSLY EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED PAYING, CONSIDERING MY XC90 IS LESS THAN 5 YEARS, AND HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT WITH MY REGULAR MAINTENANCE. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THE SAFETY OF MY 2 SMALL CHILDREN (3 & 5 YRS OLD), WHO WE TAKE TO SCHOOL DAILY. VOLVO TOUTS 'VOLVO FOR LIFE' AND STRONG SAFETY CAPABILITIES. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10230366
32,000 miles · May 30, 2008
Electrical SystemParking Brake
IGNITION KEY IS REMOVABLE WHILE CAR IS IN GEAR THUS ALLOWING VEHICLE TO ROLL AFTER KEY HAS BEEN REMOVED. MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT, BUT DOES NOT CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY. MY CONCERN IS SOMEONE THINKING THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK, BUT IS IN GEAR AND THE VEHICLE POTENTIALLY HARMS SOMEONE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10229296
56,627 miles · Feb 11, 2008
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT'S CUSTOMER OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INITIALLY BROUGHT INTO HIS SHOP DUE TO A LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP PURCHASED FROM A DEALER. THE CUSTOMER RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE AND, APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS LATER, IT SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARN…
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TL*THE CONTACT'S CUSTOMER OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INITIALLY BROUGHT INTO HIS SHOP DUE TO A LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP PURCHASED FROM A DEALER. THE CUSTOMER RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE AND, APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS LATER, IT SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56,627.
NHTSA ODI #10217704
45,000 miles · Jan 2, 2008
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING 55MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE MERGING BETWEEN TWO LARGE VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN HE TRIED TO ENGAGE IT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, THE THROTTLE AND THE DISC BRAKES FAILED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE C…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING 55MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE MERGING BETWEEN TWO LARGE VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN HE TRIED TO ENGAGE IT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, THE THROTTLE AND THE DISC BRAKES FAILED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 45,000.
NHTSA ODI #10213488
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
Official recalls
5Nov 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗