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

Power Train complaints

145 reports

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57,100 miles · Jun 10, 2010

Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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PURCHASED AN '04 VOLVO XC90 T6 ON MAY 1ST FROM A PRIVATE SELLER. DID RESEARCH ON THE VEHICLE THROUGH MSN RELIABILITY, VOLVO, ETC. ONLY ISSUE HIGHLIGHTED WAS ENGINE CONCERNS, NOT TRANSMISSION. IT WASN'T UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON JUNE 6TH THAT I FOUND NUMEROUS CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION GOING OUT AT AROUND 60K MILES. MINE WENT OUT AT APPROX. 57K MILES. I'VE CONTACTED VOLVO AND ASKED ABOUT RECALLS, ETC. AND WAS TOLD I SHOULD'VE DRIVEN MY CAR, OR HAD IT TOWED 40+ MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED TO THEN HAVE IT REPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP SO THAT I MIGHT GET A REIMBURSED. ABOUT TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THE "TRANSMISSION SERVICE URGENT" MESSAGE ON THE DASH I RECEIVED A "COOLANT LOW STOP ENGINE." I'VE TAKEN MY VOLVO TO A CERTIFIED VOLVO REPAIR SERVICE WHERE THE COST IS GOING TO BE $5,335. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AFTER GETTING OFF THE INTERSTATE AND COMING TO A STOP AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE THE CAR JUST WOUND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10335700

120,000 miles · Jun 10, 2010

Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE ENGINE WAS STILL ON, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. THE SERVICE TRANSMISSION LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAIL…

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NHTSA ODI #10335644

60,000 miles · May 29, 2010

Power Train

TRANSMISSION NOT WORKING PROPERLY ONLY HAVE 60,000 MILES ON CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10333840

47,000 miles · May 25, 2010

Power Train

TRANSMISSION SLIPS, 47,000 EASY MILES ON VOLVO XC 90 T6. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10332093

92,000 miles · Apr 29, 2010

Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

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1. I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE WHEN THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHIFT FROM 2ND GEAR UP ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, COOLANT LOW AND URGENT SERVICE OF TRANSMISSION. 2. THE TRANSMISSION ISSUE WAS CONSTANT. 3. WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE TO THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP GARAGE. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT WE NEEDED A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT AS WELL AS COOLANT AND OTHER ENGINE PARTS REPLACED. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION DAMAGED THESE OTHER PARTS. WE SPOKE TO VOLVO CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY ORIGINALLY ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM WITH THE T6 TRANSMISSIONS AND SAID THAT VOLVO WOULD PAY FOR THE PARTS BUT NOT LABOR. WE FOUND OUT THE LABOR WOULD BE $2000 OR MORE. WE CALLED VOLVO BACK AND SPOKE TO A DEBBIE THAT THREATENED US IF WE PUSHED FOR VOLVO TO PAY FOR LABOR, SHE MIGHT TAKE BACK THE ORIGINAL OFFER OF PAYING FOR PARTS AND TOLD US SHE MIGHT HAVE BEEN WILLING TO PAY FOR LABOR IF WE HAD USED A VOLVO DEALERSHIP FOR ALL OF THE INSPECTION OR OTHER SERVICE SAYING "MONEY IN AND MONEY OUT OF VOLVO". *TR

NHTSA ODI #10328135

65,000 miles · Apr 14, 2010

Power Train

AT 65,000 THE TRANSMISSION ON MY VOLVO XC90 BEGAN SLIPPING AND CAUSING STUTTERING AFTER DOING RESEARCH ONLINE FOUND THAT THERE IS AN ABUNDANCE OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS DEFECT IS KNOWN TO VOLVO AND THEY STILL OVER CHARGE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10325742

57,000 miles · Mar 28, 2010

Power Train

2004 VOLVO XC90, LOST POWER DURING NORMAL CITY DRIVING. THE TRANSMISSION WILL NOT ENGAGE THE CAR WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD. THE TRANSMISSION ENGAGES IN OTHER GEARS. AFTER ABOUT 1 HR, THE SERVICE TRANSMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 57,000 MILES ON IT . THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED IN FOR SERVICE. JUDGING FROM THE NUMBER OF CO…

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NHTSA ODI #10322577

104,000 miles · Mar 23, 2010

Power Train

PURCHASED A 2004 VOLVO T6 XC90 USED WITH 98,000 MILES. AT 104000 THE TRASNMISSION FAILED. THEY NEED $6500 TO REPAIR IT. IF IT HAD GONE AT 99,999 THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE REPAIR AS IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND ARE PAYING FOR 100% IF UNDER 100,000. HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/DIRECT/VIEW/.F18A651/470 FOR ADDTIONAL TESTIMONY. THANK Y…

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NHTSA ODI #10321528

102,000 miles · Mar 19, 2010

Power Train

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. HE NOTICED NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION FOR THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL, SO THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER IF THE MANUFACTURER WAS WILLING TO PAY FOR HALF OF THE COST OF THE REPAIRS AND THE MANUFACTURER DECLINED. THE CONTACT FEELS A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUE BECAUSE OF THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS YEAR MAKE AND MODEL FOR THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

NHTSA ODI #10321005

42,000 miles · Mar 18, 2010

Power Train

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IN AUGUST OF 2009 I BEGAN NOTICING THAT MY VOLVO XC90 T6 WAS SLOW TO SWITCH GEARS OR WOULD CHUG BEFORE SWITCHING. IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN ALL OF THE TIME AND WHEN I MENTIONED IT TO MY HUSBAND HE SAID HE HAD NOT NOTICED IT. I FIGURED IT WAS NO BIG DEAL OR THAT IT WAS RELATED TO A COLD ENGINE. DURING THE MIDDLE OF OCTOBER 2009, I WAS COMING HOME FROM WORK AND MERGING ONTO A TWO LANE BRIDGE WHEN MY VOLVO REFUSED TO SWITCH GEARS AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 20 MILES PER HOUR. THE TRANSMISSION LIGHT WENT ON. THANKFULLY NO OTHER CARS WERE AROUND AND MY LACK OF SPEED DID NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES I WAS ABLE TO SPEED UP AND MADE IT BACK HOME. THE CAR IS IN NEED OF A NEW TRANSMISSION. IT HAS SAT IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR 5 MONTHS BECAUSE I CAN NOT AFFORD IT. I'VE GOTTEN ONLINE ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT I AM NOW A MEMBER OF A RAPIDLY GROWING CLUB OF FRUSTRATED VOLVO OWNERS. IT FRUSTRATES ME THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR/MAKE OF VOLVO'S. MY CAR HAS 40,000 MILES ON IT. THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM IN THESE CARS NEEDS TO BE FORMALLY ADDRESSED. IT IS A HUGE SAFETY HAZARD WHEN A CAR ALL OF A SUDDEN JERKS AROUND AND WON'T ACCELERATE TO SAFELY MERGE INTO FAST MOVING TRAFFIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10320607

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.