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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

Structure complaints

6 reports
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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

85,000 miles · Aug 31, 2010
EquipmentPower TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

LEAVING A PARKING LOT AND HEARD LOUD SOUND CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. VOLVO SAYS THE FOLLOWING IS BROKEN: LOWER CONTROL ARM, CV AXLE, ROTOR AND DAMAGED RIM. WE HAD BEEN PARKED AND WERE ATTEMPTING TO LEAVING PARKING LOT(.BARELY MOVING) COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHER SPEED. WE HAVE CONSTANTLY SPENT MONEY ON THIS VEHICLE…

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LEAVING A PARKING LOT AND HEARD LOUD SOUND CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. VOLVO SAYS THE FOLLOWING IS BROKEN: LOWER CONTROL ARM, CV AXLE, ROTOR AND DAMAGED RIM. WE HAD BEEN PARKED AND WERE ATTEMPTING TO LEAVING PARKING LOT(.BARELY MOVING) COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHER SPEED. WE HAVE CONSTANTLY SPENT MONEY ON THIS VEHICLE AND I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE AND THAT WHEN THE RECALLS WERE MADE THERE COULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN A FRACTURE. THIS CAR IS ONLY DRIVEN TO WORK AND HOME ON A REGULAR BASIS. NO ROUGH ROADS. WE HAVE NOT CAUSED ANY DAMAGE. THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT ALLOW PROPER SELECTION UNDER VOLVO AND MAKE TO ALLOW SELECTION OF THE SUSPENSION/CONTROL ARM / ROTORS / AXLE / TIRE RIMS / BALL JOINT, ALL OF WHICH WERE DAMAGED IN THIS 4 MPH ACCIDENT. HAD THIS HAPPENED AT 65 MPH I HAVE NO DOUBT ME AND MY FAMILY WOULD NOT HAVE SURVIVED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10352913

15,090 miles · Nov 30, 2004
Electrical SystemEquipmentSeats

THE CONSUMER PURCHASED NEW TIRES BECAUSE OF EXTREME WEAR AT LOW MILEAGE. THE 2003 VOLVO XC90 HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS THAT HAD TO BE CORRECTED ON A REGULAR BASIS. *BF THE LUG NUTS WERE REPLACED TWICE DUE TO RUST WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED, UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION, RADIO WAS INOPERATIVE AND THE LEFT DOOR COULD NOT BE OP…

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THE CONSUMER PURCHASED NEW TIRES BECAUSE OF EXTREME WEAR AT LOW MILEAGE. THE 2003 VOLVO XC90 HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS THAT HAD TO BE CORRECTED ON A REGULAR BASIS. *BF THE LUG NUTS WERE REPLACED TWICE DUE TO RUST WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED, UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION, RADIO WAS INOPERATIVE AND THE LEFT DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED DUE TO THE PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT MOLDING. AFTER 15K PLUS MILES, THE TIRES HAD WORN SMOOTH TO THE CORD. (TIRE-PERRILLI SCORPION) *SC

NHTSA ODI #10103496

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

I OWN A VOLVO XC90 T6 AWD. THIS CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TWIN TURBO-CHARGERS, THE WARNING LIGHTS, A TIRE BLOWOUT, VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING WHEEL, ALIGNMENT ISSUES, SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL PANEL, POOR FIT AND FINISH OF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL AND A HOST OF OTHER FIT AND FINISH PROBLEMS. THE MOMENTUM…

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I OWN A VOLVO XC90 T6 AWD. THIS CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TWIN TURBO-CHARGERS, THE WARNING LIGHTS, A TIRE BLOWOUT, VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING WHEEL, ALIGNMENT ISSUES, SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL PANEL, POOR FIT AND FINISH OF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL AND A HOST OF OTHER FIT AND FINISH PROBLEMS. THE MOMENTUM VOLVO DEALERSHIP IN HOUSTON, TEXAS AND VOLVO NORTH AMERICA SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE DENIED ANY PROBLEMS BEING A SERIOUS OR RECURRING PROBLEM. THIS ALL TOOK PLACE IN A SPAN OF LESS THAN 10 MONTHS FOR A BRAND NEW VEHICLE.THE CAR SPENT MORE TIME IN THE SHOP THAN IN OUR POSSESSION INITIALLY. THE DEALERSHIP CONTINUED TO FIX THE RECURRING PROBLEMS AND DENIED ANY CHRONIC ISSUES EXISTED. I WISH TO ALERT NHTSA IN THE EVENT ANY OTHER OWNER OF VOLVO XC 1990 HAS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OR A TRAGEDY OCCURS AS A RESULT OF THE PROBLEMS I HAVE LISTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10067880

8,000 miles · Jan 5, 2004
Structure

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH REAR PASSENGER DOOR OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10053351

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.