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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170,000 miles · Oct 6, 2012

Electrical SystemPower Train

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AT 65 MPH WIPERS WENT ON BY THEMSELVES THEN FOLLOWED BY SPLIT SECOND POWER FAILURE,MEANING DASHBOARD LIGHT OUT,HAZARD LIGHTS COULD NOT BE TURNED ON,WINDOWS WOULD NOT OPEN,A/C OUT,IN THE MESSAGE SCREEN AT THAT MOMENT ANTILOCK BRAKE FAILURE WAS DISPLAYED BEFORE EVERYTHING WENT OUT,DRIVING ANOTHER 20 MILES TILL NEXT EXIT AT THE DUSK,AFTER PULLING OVER AND RESTART ( TO RESET) SRS FAILURE IN THE MESSAGE SCREEN. CAR CHECKED BY VOLVO DEALER AND STATEMENT FROM THEM:FAULT IN CEM IS SHUTTING DOWN NETWORK AND CAUSING DIM TO BLACK OUT. REPLACEMENT WILL RUN ABOUT $1500,THIS CAR HAD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 91822 MILES AND IGNITION FAILURE RECENTLY,AND MANY MANY OTHER COSTLY PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10478870

86,000 miles · Aug 17, 2012

Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING. ENGINE REVS AND THE TRANSMISSION WON'T UPSHIFT...EVENTUAL GEAR CHANGE CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO LURCH FORWARD A BIT, WITH A LOUD THUD HEARD. THE VEHICLE ALSO FAILS TO MOVE OFF FROM A STOP ON OCCASION...WITH THE ENGINE REVVING FOR A WHILE BEFORE MOVING FORWARD. DISPLAY MESSAGE IN THE CLUSTER: "TRA…

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NHTSA ODI #10471255

130,000 miles · Jun 20, 2012

Power Train

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING AND THE SPEED DROPPED TO ZERO. THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED BUT WOULD NOT EXCEED BEYOND SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #10462384

100,000 miles · Mar 15, 2012

Power Train

ADD TO THE VERY LONG LIST ONE MORE XC90 T6 OWNER WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING WHILE DRIVING. REPAIR ESTIMATE WAS $5800. THIS IS THE GM-SOURCED TRANSMISSION ISSUE THAT VOLVO APPEARS TO BE IGNORING. REST ASSURED I WILL BE PARTICIPATING IN ANY CLASS ACTION SUITS THAT I CAN FIND UNTIL VOLVO…

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NHTSA ODI #10451796

116,000 miles · Feb 7, 2012

Power Train

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WE ARE OWNERS OF A 2004 VOLVO XC90 T6 AWD AND HAVE EXPERIENCED A TRANSMISSION FAILURE THAT WILL COST $6500 TO REPLACE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, WE HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THESE TRANSMISSIONS FAILING YET VOLVO HAS FAILED TO STEP UP AND ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. IN OUR CASE, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THE CAR, IN TRAFFIC, WHEN THE CAR SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND STARTED SLOWING DOWN! LUCKILY SHE WAS ABLE TO GET OFF ON THE SHOULDER BEFORE TRAILING TRAFFIC CAUGHT UP TO HER, BUT IMAGINE WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED IF SHE WASN'T ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE WAY! VOLVO KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM AND SHOULD DO SOMETHING SO THAT 1) NO SERIOUS INJURIES COME FROM THIS FAILURE, AND 2) TO COMPENSATE THE VOLVO OWNERS OUT THERE THAT HAVE HAD TO SHELL OUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIR COSTS FOR THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447010

48,000 miles · Feb 2, 2012

Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I WAS DRIVING ON THE PARKWAY AND NOTICE A WARNING LIGHT ON THE DASH. IT STATED URGENT TRANSMISSION NEEDS SERVICE. I'VE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER AND NEEDED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR AMONG OTHER THINGS. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10446323

86,000 miles · Jan 25, 2012

Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

THERE APPEARS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE XC90 VOLVO TRANSMISSION IN ALL YEARS. THE MESSAGE ERROR CODE GIVEN IS "TRANSMISSION SERVICE REQUIRED". THE DEALERS CLAIMS IT JUST HAS TO UPDATE THE CAR SOFTWARE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IF YOU CHECK THE INTERNET FOR PROBLEMS REPORTED ON THIS SAME ISSUE, YOU WILL FIND IT IS NOT JUST …

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NHTSA ODI #10445269

118,000 miles · Dec 2, 2011

Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILED WITH NO WARNING. FLUID IS IN GREAT SHAPE, BAD TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10438159

125,000 miles · Nov 2, 2011

Power Train

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IN THE WINTER OF 2011 WHILE DRIVING MY CAR IN HEAVY RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC IN THE CHICAGO AREA THE TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY AND LOST ALL POWER WHICH WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND CONCERNING. I WAS BARLEY ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT POWER AND WITHOUT ENDANGERING THE OTHER VEHICLES AROUND ME. THE REPAIRS REQUIRED THAT MY TRANSMISSION BE REBUILT, DRIVE TRAIN GEARS REPLACED, AND MY RADIATOR REPLACED WHICH TOOK FOUR WEEKS AND COST $7,000. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED BECAUSE COOLANT FROM THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. MY VEHICLE WAS MAINTAINED PER THE MANUFACTURES REQUIREMENT INCLUDING A TRANSMISSION FLUID CHANGE LESS THAN A YEAR EARLIER. IT IS OBVIOUS FROM A SIMPLE GOOGLE SEARCH THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM DUE TO DEFECTIVE PARTS AND MANUFACTURING. EVEN MORE OBVIOUS BECAUSE VOLVO WILL ONLY WARRANTY A REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION IF THE RADIATOR AND OTHER TRANSMISSION PARTS ARE REPLACED. I ALSO HAD TO REPLACE BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS EARLIER (ABOUT $400 EACH) ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THIS ALSO IS A COMMON PROBLEM SUSPECTED TO BE DUE TO OVER TIGHTENING OF STRAPS DURING SHIPMENT. CONTACTED VOLVO ON 10/31/11 AND THEY REFUSED ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIRS EVEN THOUGH IT IS WELL DOCUMENT THAT THERE ARE MANUFACTURING DEFECTS WITH SEVERAL VEHICLES AND THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT. I WAS TOLD SINCE IT IS NOT A RECALL THEY WILL NOT ADDRESS IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10433965

126,025 miles · Oct 28, 2011

Power Train

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I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THINKING IT WOULD BE A LIFE LONG VEHICLE CONSIDERING I HAD ALREADY PURCHASED A RELIABLE VOLVO CAR IN THE PAST, THE URGENT SERVICE TRANSMISSION APPEARED AND I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP (BEING THAT THERE IS NO LOCAL DEALERSHIP) AS SOON AS THE MESSAGE APPEARED THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO SKIP CONSTANTLY CAUSING A HAZARD, AND THEN CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE DONE EXTENSIVE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND I CAME TO FIND THAT MANY OF YOUR XC90 TRANSMISSIONS FAIL AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW VOLVO NORTH AMERICA STANDS BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES IN THESE SITUATIONS. I WOULD LIKE TO CONTINUE BEING A VOLVO OWNER BUT BEING THAT I WILL BE FORCED TO SPEND THOUSANDS ON A DEFECT FROM VOLVO IT WILL MAKE ME THINK TWICE. I HOPE SOMEBODY CAN HELP ME WITH THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10433493

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.