TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 50,000 MILES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS OR PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. DEALER ADVISED JUST AN INTERNAL FAILURE. CHECK OF FLUID WAS GOOD, PROPER LEVEL AND NO METAL INDICATED. *TR
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all XC90 years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
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.
What owners actually said
93 reportsNO ACCIDENT. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE …
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC 90. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47000. THE VEHICLE IS HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE ACCELERATIONS DIES, MAKING THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO MOVE AS NEEDED. THIS INCIDENT OCCURED TWICE LAST YEAR, AND LAST WEEK. THE D…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC 90. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47000. THE VEHICLE IS HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE ACCELERATIONS DIES, MAKING THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO MOVE AS NEEDED. THIS INCIDENT OCCURED TWICE LAST YEAR, AND LAST WEEK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT HAVE THE VIN; HOWEVER SHE WILL ADD IT TO THE COMPLAINT WHEN SHE RECEIVES THE HARD COPY.
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90, WHEN PRESSING THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH THE SWITCH SEEMED BACKWARD. WHEN PRESSING ON THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH TO PUT THE WINDOW UP SHE HAD TO PRESS THE SWITCH DOWN . TO PUT THE WINDOW DOWN SHE HAD TO PUT THE SWITCH UP. SHE INJURED HER ARM DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION OF THE POWER WINDOW SWITC…
Read full complaint
TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90, WHEN PRESSING THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH THE SWITCH SEEMED BACKWARD. WHEN PRESSING ON THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH TO PUT THE WINDOW UP SHE HAD TO PRESS THE SWITCH DOWN . TO PUT THE WINDOW DOWN SHE HAD TO PUT THE SWITCH UP. SHE INJURED HER ARM DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION OF THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000.*AK
FOLLOWING A LOUD "BANG", THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A VERY LOUD AND SUSPICIOUS NOISE. MOOERS VOLVO IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA CLAIMED THAT THEY "COULD NOT RECREATE THE NOISE" AND THEREFORE WOULD NOT PERFORM ANY WARRANTY REPAIRS. A LOCAL MECHANIC AGREED THAT THE ENGINE WAS INDEED MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE AND FOUND THAT THE PCV VACUUM…
Read full complaint
FOLLOWING A LOUD "BANG", THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A VERY LOUD AND SUSPICIOUS NOISE. MOOERS VOLVO IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA CLAIMED THAT THEY "COULD NOT RECREATE THE NOISE" AND THEREFORE WOULD NOT PERFORM ANY WARRANTY REPAIRS. A LOCAL MECHANIC AGREED THAT THE ENGINE WAS INDEED MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE AND FOUND THAT THE PCV VACUUM TUBE ASSEMBLY WAS CRACKED. FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT A SERVICE BULLETIN (#2-25-0038) HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT MOOERS VOLVO REFUSED TO MAKE THE REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY. *JB
WE HAD TRAVELED ABOUT 200 MILES IN THE MORNING WITH NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. WE STARTED OUT AFTER LUNCH, WENT ABOUT 200 YARDS, AND SMELLED A FAINT BURNING SMELL WE THOUGHT WAS OUTSIDE THE CAR. AFTER ABOUT ANOTHER 200 YARDS, WE WERE AT A TOLL BOOTH ENTERING THE THROUGH WAY, AND THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND PROPERLY; THERE WAS N…
Read full complaint
WE HAD TRAVELED ABOUT 200 MILES IN THE MORNING WITH NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. WE STARTED OUT AFTER LUNCH, WENT ABOUT 200 YARDS, AND SMELLED A FAINT BURNING SMELL WE THOUGHT WAS OUTSIDE THE CAR. AFTER ABOUT ANOTHER 200 YARDS, WE WERE AT A TOLL BOOTH ENTERING THE THROUGH WAY, AND THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND PROPERLY; THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT. WE PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY, AND THERE WAS SMOKE UNDER THE DASHBOARD. WE GOT OUT. WITHIN FIVE MINUTES THE CAR WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES, DESPITE ATTEMPTS TO PUT IT OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. CAR WAS DESTROYED DESPITE FIRE TRUCK TRYING TO PUT OUT FLAMES. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS HURT. *JB
AN UPDATE TO ODI #10068267 REGARDING RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. THIS FAILURE ORIGINALLY OCCURRED AT 22K MILES. ANOTHER FAILURE OCCURRED IN MAY 2006 (SAME WHEEL) AT 52K MILES. I REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR WHICH WAS OVER $250. EVENTUALLY NEGOTIATED PAYING 50% OF THE LABOR AT DEALER COST (ABOUT $60) WITH VOLVO PICKING…
Read full complaint
AN UPDATE TO ODI #10068267 REGARDING RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. THIS FAILURE ORIGINALLY OCCURRED AT 22K MILES. ANOTHER FAILURE OCCURRED IN MAY 2006 (SAME WHEEL) AT 52K MILES. I REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR WHICH WAS OVER $250. EVENTUALLY NEGOTIATED PAYING 50% OF THE LABOR AT DEALER COST (ABOUT $60) WITH VOLVO PICKING UP THE COST OF THE PART. WAS TOLD LATER BY A DIFFERENT DEALER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT 'WHEEL BEARING FAILURES ARE FREQUENT ON THE XC90' AND THAT 'THE PART IS NOT ROBUST ENOUGH FOR THE SIZE OF THE VEHICLE'.
DURING THE PAST 2 WEEKS THE LOS ANGELES AREA HAS HAD A LOT OF RAIN. AFTER THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF RAIN, MY WIFE AND DISCOVERED THAT BOTH OF THE REAR PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE, EVEN THOUGH THE LOCK PULL KNOBS ON ALL 4 DOORS POP UP WHEN YOU CLICK "UNLOCK" ON THE REMOTE.*AK
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…
Read full complaint
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
Official recalls
510V566000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
Illustration