Electrical System. Review the 158 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 145 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

9 crash reports3 fire reports7 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

158 reports

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86,000 miles · Jul 8, 2014

Electrical System

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO XC 90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS ACTIVATED INDEPENDENTLY AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WENT COMPLETELY DARK. THE VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A CLICKING NOISE AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED ITS NORMAL OPERATIONS. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 93,000. UPDATED 10/1/14*CN

NHTSA ODI #10608886

18,000 miles · Jul 7, 2014

Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT FOR A MOMENT THE ENTIRE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED, BUT THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CE MODULE NEEDED T…

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NHTSA ODI #10608673

90,000 miles · Jun 18, 2014

Air BagsElectrical SystemPower Train

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WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE AT 60MPH, EXPERIENCED TEMPORARILY LOSS OF POWER, THE IP DISPLAYS AND AN ABNORMAL 'JERKING' IN THE TRANSMISSION/DRIVETRAIN. THE SRS AIRBAG AND BRAKE FAILURE ERROR MESSAGES APPEARED IN THE IP ERROR DISPLAY. THE WIPERS MOMENTARILY CAME ON. LIGHTS DIMMED. POWER FAILURE WAS ONLY FOR A SPLIT-SECOND (AT 60MPH) BEFORE RETURNING TO NORMAL. AFTER NORMAL POWER WAS RESTORED, ERROR MESSAGES CONTINUED TO BE SHOWN IN THE IP ERROR DISPLAY. THE BRAKE FAILURE MESSAGE INSTRUCTED ME TO PULL OVER AND BRING THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE STOP. UPON BRINGING THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE STOP AND TURNING OFF IGNITION, I HEARD EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL CLICKING UNDER THE DASH (LIKE RELAYS CLICKING). ALL IP DISPLAYS WERE NON-RESPONSIVE (DARK). I LOCKED THE CAR (ALARM ARMED) AND LATER RETURNED WITH A TOW-TRUCK. UPON RETURN TO THE CAR, I WAS UNABLE TO UNLOCK IT OR DISARM THE ALARM. CAR WAS UNRESPONSIVE. ALARM WAS ARMED (UNABLE TO BE DISARMED) AND THE ENGINE BYPASS FEATURE OF THE ALARM PREVENTED ME FROM STARTING THE CAR. COULD ONLY GAIN ENTRY INTO THE CAR FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WITH PHYSICAL KEY. CAR WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL AND LOADED ONTO A FLATBED TRUCK FOR TOW BACK TO VOLVO DEALERSHIP. TEMPERATURE AT TIME OF FAILURE WAS 110F. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10599097

95,000 miles · May 26, 2014

Air BagsElectrical SystemUnknown Or Other

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WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AROUND 50 MPH THE XC90 SKIPPED AND TEMPORARILY TURNED OFF ALL ELECTIONS. THOUGHT IT WAS A GLITCH SO CONTINUED DOWN THE ROAD MORE CAREFULLY. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND THE ELECTRONICS NEVER CAME BACK ON. I COULDN'T MAKE IT UP A SMALL HILL ON THE ROAD TO GET SAFELY HOME. MY TRANSMISSION WOULDN'T PULL. THE SPEED GAUGE AND RPMS WERE COMPLETELY UNWORKING. WINDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN AIR HAD WENT OUT. POWER STEERING TEMPORARILY WENT OUT. MADE IT HOME FINALLY AND NOTHING SEEMS WRONG NOW BUT THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED. I COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN IN A WREAK OR STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH MY BABIES. VOLVO NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10594009

105,000 miles · Apr 23, 2014

Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE MOMENTARILY LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT DIAGNOSE A FAILURE HOWEVER, THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FA…

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NHTSA ODI #10584379

95,000 miles · Apr 22, 2014

Electrical SystemEngineExterior Lighting

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ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, OUR VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AFTER STOPPING FOR GAS. THIS OCCURRED AFTER IT WAS SERVICED AND BATTERY REPLACED A WEEK PRIOR. AAA WAS UNABLE TO JUMP START IT AS WELL, AND VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. ACCORDING TO THE TWO SEPARATE DEALERSHIPS, THE CENTRAL ELECTRONICS MODULE IS THE CULPRIT, AND NEEDED REPLACING. ACROSS MULTIPLE ONLINE FORUMS, VOLVO OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH THE CEM, OFTEN PLACING DRIVERS AND OCCUPANTS IN DANGER AS THEY EXPERIENCED COMPLETE ELECTRICAL OUTAGE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WE WERE FORTUNATELY THAT OUR VEHICLE JUST DID NOT RESTART, INSTEAD OF SHUTTING DOWN IN TRAFFIC AT 65 MPH. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE, AND VOLVO SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR REPLACING THE FAULTY UNITS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10584217

76,000 miles · Mar 11, 2014

Electrical System

THE IGNITION TURNS TO THE ACCESSORY POSITION IF THE KEY IS BUMPED, WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN GEAR. THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE IN THE LAST YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10568628

115,000 miles · Nov 18, 2013

Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL BECAME DARK AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED. THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE FAILED DUE TO WATER INTRUSION. THE VEHICLE WA…

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NHTSA ODI #10552670

74,000 miles · Sep 5, 2013

Electrical SystemEngineVisibility/wiper

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE SYSTEMS FAILURE OF ENGINE, LIGHTING, WIPERS, INTERIOR LIGHTING (DASH), BRAKE FAILURE MESSAGE AND SRS AIRBAG SERVICE WARNINGS. THIS HAS BEGUN TO HAPPEN REPEATEDLY. THIS PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE THE SAME THAT MANY OTHER XC90 OWNERS HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10542084

106,530 miles · Sep 2, 2013

Electrical SystemPower Train

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WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON I-5 WE HEARD A LOUD THUMP IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND WE SUDDENLY WENT TO ABOUT 25 MPH ALL OF OUR ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS SHUT DOWN, THERE WAS AN EXTREMELY LOUD GRINDING SOUND FOR APPROX. 2-3 SECONDS. NOW I THINK MY TRANSMISSION IS DAMAGED AND THE ELECTRONICS SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN PRETTY FREQUENTLY. I AM TOTALLY DISAPPOINTED TO READ THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO NUMEROUS OTHER FAMILIES. THANK GOD NO ONE HAS DIED FROM THIS.....THIS IS VERY IRRESPONSIBLE AND NEGLIGENT FROM A REPUTABLE AUTO COMPANY. IS IT GOING TO TAKE SOMEONE OR FAMILY TO GET SERIOUSLY INJURED OR DIE BEFORE THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THIS VERY SERIOUS ISSUE. ITS TIME FOR SOMEONE TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10538331

Official recalls

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.

03V434000 · Wheels

Nov 4, 2003

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSORS MAY BE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING AN ERRONEOUS WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING BRAKE, ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND TORQUE DISTRIBUTION CONTROL WHICH RELY ON THIS SIGNAL FOR PROPER OPERATION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WHEEL SENSORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD 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

PE10025 · Central Electronic Module Failure

Opened Jul 20, 2010 · Closed Nov 22, 2010

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

Volvo acknowledged a problem affecting some subject vehicles involving water seepage into the plenum box area in the engine compartment.When this occurs water may enter into the interior / passenger compartment and track along the wiring harness for the Central Electronic Module (CEM), the device that controls many of the vehicle's electrical functions including wiper operation, lighting, and transmission operation.If the water reaches the CEM connector electrical faults may result.In response to such faults the CEM, a microprocessor controlled device, will attempt to reset by temporarily shutting down (for 100 milliseconds, or 0.1 seconds) and restarting; this effects various CEM functions including the instrument panel (IP) display, gauges, wipers and also the transmission gear (if it is in the overdrive range).During the reset owners may experience temporarily loss of the IP displays and an abnormal 'jerking' in the transmission/drivetrain.If the problem persist for 6 consecutive restart attempts, the CEM will enter a 'Limp Home' mode that disables non-essential electrical functions yet maintain safety critical functions such as low-beam headlights, low-speed wiper operation, brake lights, and non-overdrive transmission operation.Warning and error messages will also be illuminated in the IP display.Consumers reported experiencing conditions consistent with CEM resetting and the limp mode operation in their reports to both ODI and Volvo.No reports or allegations of crash or injury associated with possible CEM failures have been reported by Volvo or otherwise identified by ODI.Volvo revised the design of the wiring grommet (sealing device) and the plenum cover starting in May 2005 and October 2005 production dates respectively, the occurrence of the condition effectively ended after these changes.A technical service bulletin (TNN 37-35) has been published to diagnose and repair earlier production vehicles using the improved wiring grommet and/or new plenum cover.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

PE09039 · Fuel Pump Leak

Opened Aug 31, 2009 · Closed Dec 22, 2009

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

VOLVO HAS DETERMINED THAT DUE TO EXPOSURE TO CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS (HOT CLIMATES AND TEMPERATURE CYCLING) AND VARYING FUEL QUALITY, THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE IN THE XC90 VEHICLES CAN DEVELOP CRACKS.OWNERS MAY NOTICE FUEL SMELL AND/OR FUEL SEEPAGE.DUE TO SIMILAR MATERIAL USAGE, THIS ISSUE ALSO AFFECTS OTHER MY2001-2005 S60/S80/V70/XC70 AND MY2003/2005 XC90 VEHICLES.REVIEW OF THE VOLVO DATA INDICATE THE FREQUENCY OF COMPLAINTS/REPAIRS IS HIGHER IN THE HOT CLIMATE STATES. VOLVO WILL RECALL AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP WITH A PART OF A MODIFIED DESIGN/MATERIAL IN APPROXIMATELY 136,100 MY2001-2004 S60/V70/XC70, MY2001-2005 S80 AND MY2003-2005 XC90 VEHICLES IN 19 STATES.THESE STATES INCLUDE AL, AZ, AR, CA, FL, GA, HI, KY, LA, MS, NV, NM, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA AND THE US TERRITORIES.IN ADDITION, VOLVO WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE TO 10 YEARS/150,000 MILES ON APPROXIMATELY 190,000 VEHICLES FOR THE REMAINING STATES.THIS RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM SUPERSEDES PREVIOUS 07V-152/TNN 23-198 PROGRAM ON MY2001-2002 VEHICLES.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 09V-483).

Additional source detail variants (4)

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery

Fuel System, Gasoline

PE05064 · Windshield Wiper Arm Performance

Opened Dec 2, 2005 · Closed May 10, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages

THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED NHTSA BY LETTER DATED APRIL 21, 2006, THAT A SAFETY RECALL HAS BEEN INITIATED FOR CORRECTION OF THIS PROBLEM ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 - 2006 VOLVO XC90 VEHICLES. THE RECALL AFFECTS APPROXIMATELY 122,400 SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED BETWEEN AUGUST 2002 AND OCTOBER 2005.NHTSA HAS ASSIGNED NO. 06V-144 TO THIS RECALL ACTION.THE CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL CONSIST OF REPLACING THE EXISTING WINDSHIELD WIPER ARMS WITH A NEW REINFORCED DESIGN.BASED ON THIS ACTION, THE SUBJECT PE HAS BEEN CLOSED.