NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Electrical System complaints
18 reportsClear category filter230,000 miles · Dec 15, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control
DRIVING THE XC90 AND SUDDENLY THERE IS A HUGE THUMP AND CLICKING FROM THE DASHBOARD. ALL THE DIALS AROUND THE SPEDOMETER STOP WORKING.. IF WE KEEP DRIVING THERE ARE MORE THUMPS AND WE QUICKLY LOSE ENGINE POWER - IT IS EXTREMELY SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENS.. ALL THE LIGHTS COME ON (INSIDE THE CAR), DASHBOARD GOES DEAD ETC ETC. IT IS…
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DRIVING THE XC90 AND SUDDENLY THERE IS A HUGE THUMP AND CLICKING FROM THE DASHBOARD. ALL THE DIALS AROUND THE SPEDOMETER STOP WORKING.. IF WE KEEP DRIVING THERE ARE MORE THUMPS AND WE QUICKLY LOSE ENGINE POWER - IT IS EXTREMELY SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENS.. ALL THE LIGHTS COME ON (INSIDE THE CAR), DASHBOARD GOES DEAD ETC ETC. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS .. IT HAPPENED TO USE A NUMBER OF TIMES WITH 3 CHILDREN IN THE CAR. IT HAS OCCURRED WHEN WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, 2-3 TIMES, IT HAS OCCURRED ON SHORT TRIPS - IT HAPPENS AT SEEMINGLY RANDOM TIMES, USUALLY AFTER DRIVING FOR OVER 30 MINUTES, BUT THEN YESTERDAY IT HAPPENED ON A TRIP JUST DOWN TO THE PARK, NOT 5 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD.. ON THIS OCCASION THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING IN THE SUN FOR A WHILE (MAYBE HEAT RELATED?). IT HAS HAPPENED IN HOT WEATHER, COLD WEATHER .. WE ARE IN CONSTANT FEAR WHEN DRIVING THE CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED VOLVO AUSTRALIA ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT THEY SAID THEY HAVE NO RESPONSIBILITY, THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM AND DIDN'T WANT TO HELP AT ALL!! I SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM, IS VOLVO NOT GOING TO FIX IT UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED??? WHAT WILL IT TAKE!?!?!?! IT IS A JOKE ! WE BOUGHT A VOLVO TO HAVE SOMETHING SAFER THAN NORMAL BUT ITS MORE DANGEROUS! I CANNOT EVEN SELL THE CAR BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT AND I DON'T WANT ANOTHER FAMILY / PERSON TO BE INJURED .. NO RESALE VALUE, NO SAFETY! COME ON VOLVO, THIS IS CRAZY!
NHTSA ODI #10810354
Mileage unknown · Aug 19, 2015
Electrical SystemStructure
VEHICLE DRAINS WATER ON TO FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR, AND OCASSIONAL DRIVER SIDE AFTER IT RAINS. IT IS A KNOW PROBLEM THAT A CLASS ACTION SUIT WAS WON IN NEW JERSEY, INCLUDING 5 OTHER STATES. THE WATER IS FROM CLOGGED DRAIN TUBES IN SUNROOF AND SOMETIMES SHRINKIAGE OF DRAIN TUBE THAT DISLODGES. VEHICLE NOW HAS A MUSTY SMELL FROM THE…
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VEHICLE DRAINS WATER ON TO FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR, AND OCASSIONAL DRIVER SIDE AFTER IT RAINS. IT IS A KNOW PROBLEM THAT A CLASS ACTION SUIT WAS WON IN NEW JERSEY, INCLUDING 5 OTHER STATES. THE WATER IS FROM CLOGGED DRAIN TUBES IN SUNROOF AND SOMETIMES SHRINKIAGE OF DRAIN TUBE THAT DISLODGES. VEHICLE NOW HAS A MUSTY SMELL FROM THE FREQUENT WATER IN THE VEHICLE. NOT SURE IF HIGH MOISTURE INSIDE HAS CAUSED MY CD PLAYER TO MALFUNCTION. ALSO HAVE A SHORT IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT CAUSE ME TO REPLACE 3 BATTERIES IN THE VEHICLE. ALSO THE SUNROOF MOTOR SHORTED OUT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO REPLACE THE DRAINAGE TUBES THAT WOULD HELP CORRECT THE WATER ISSUES. HOPE SOMEONE CAN HELP.
NHTSA ODI #10749784
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
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
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
110,000 miles · Jan 31, 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…
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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.
NHTSA ODI #10380490
103,000 miles · Jan 3, 2011
Air BagsElectrical System
INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GOES BLACK IF TURN CAR OFF COMES BACK ON. MESSAGE CENTER SAY SRS AIR BAG FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10373930
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 ↗