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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101,861 miles · Oct 6, 2011

Power Train

MY RECENTLY BOUGHT 2004 VOLVO XC90 T6 TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY DURING RUSH HOUR. IT TOOK THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE LIGHT TO CROSS THE INTERSECTION AND SEVERAL NEAR-MISSES BY OTHER CARS. VOLVO REFUSES ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAULTY TRANSMISSION AND AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THE TRA…

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NHTSA ODI #10428980

Mileage unknown · Sep 1, 2011

Power Train

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THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2004 VOLVO XC90 WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN DEFECT IN THIS CAR YET VOLVO HAS REFUSED TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND REPAIR THEM. THEY HAVE QUOTED US $7700 TO REPAIR AND REPLACE TRANSMISSION AND OTHER PARTS DAMAGED BY THE FAILED TRANSMISSION. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE KILLED BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE? THESE CARS NEED TO BE RECALLED AND VOLVO NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR PUTTING IN DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS. A SIMPLE WEB SEARCH WILL REVEAL THOUSANDS OF POSTS FROM OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH THESE FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10422946

78,000 miles · Aug 11, 2011

Power Train

I HAVE A 2004 VOLVO XC90 WITH 78,000 MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS RIDICULOUS FOR SUCH A NICE CAR. I DON'T HAVE $5,000 TO REPLACE A TRANSMISSION. VOLVO NEEDS TO STEP UP TO THE PLATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10418619

132,694 miles · Jul 26, 2011

Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE, LOSS OF POWER AND POWER STEERING. UPDATED 07/28/11*BF

NHTSA ODI #10415922

54,286 miles · Jul 26, 2011

Power Train

I OWN A 2004 VOLVO XC90 TC. THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE IS 54,000 APPROXIMATELY. AS OF 7/26 THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED, THE COST TO REPAIR IS 5,200 USD. THERE IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL OF TRANSMISSIONS. VOLVO WILL NOT COVER THE COST OF REPAIRS NOR HAVE THEY ISSUED A RECALL FOR THIS WIDELY KNOWN PROBL…

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NHTSA ODI #10415211

80,000 miles · Jul 7, 2011

Power Train

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED ON 1/27/2007, BECAUSE THE SEALS FAILED IN THE DRIVE TRAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THE FAILURE RECURRED AND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, THEY STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION WAS FIRST REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY, BUT THE MANUFACTURER STATED THE RECENT FAILURE WAS NOT A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT. THE CONTACT FEELS IT IS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT BECAUSE THE TIME FRAME OF BOTH FAILURES WHICH WERE IDENTICAL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10410876

130,342 miles · Jun 28, 2011

Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

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MOVING ABOUT 70MPH IN CRUISE WE FELT A SEVERE JERK FOLLOWED BY NEAR INSTANTANEOUS HARD ACCELERATION. THE JERK/THUD ACTION SO EXTREME IT WAS ALMOST LIKE THE VOLVO TRIED TO REVERSE GEAR BY ITSELF. IT'S STRANGE HOW AN 'EVENT' CAN CONJURE UP COMMON THOUGHTS. AFTER THE UNCONTROLLED HARD ACCELERATION, I HAD THOUGHTS OF THAT STATE PATROL OFFICER DRIVING THE LEXUS IN CALIFORNIA WHO WAS KILLED ALONG WITH HIS FAMILY WHEN HE COULDN'T CONTROL THE BIZARRE BEHAVIOR OF THE CAR. TURNS OUT IT WAS THE SAME THOUGHTS MY BROTHER HAD. 'AS WE PULLED OVER AND CALL FOR HELP OUR VOLVO DID SOMETHING BIZARRE AGAIN. WE THOUGHT THE REAR WHEEL GOING BACKWARD AT THIS TIME, ALMOST AT THE SAME TIME MOST ALL THE POWER IN THE VOLVO WENT DEAD. O GAUGES INCL. SPEEDOMETER, THE TACK, THE GAS, THE BATTERY, ALL OUT. OTHE WINDOWS STUCK IN THE UP POSITION. ONO TAILLIGHTS, NO BRAKE LIGHTS, NO DIRECTIONAL. OTHE TRANSMISSION STUCK IN A GEAR - EITHER 4 OR 5TH. 'WHILE WAITING FOR HELP AT THE AUTO ZONE, I SEARCHED WHAT THIS ISSUE MIGHT BE. I FOUND A VOLVO FORUM THAT SHOWS MANY PEOPLE THAT HAD SIMILAR, DRAMATIC ISSUES WITH SAME YEAR SAME MODEL VOLVO. 'AFTER RE-CONNECTING THE BATTERY, THE POWER CAME BACK ON OABOUT HOUR LATER THE VOLVO REPEATED A VERY DRAMATIC THUMP-JERK AND THE POWER STARTED TO GO OUT. THE TACK AND SPEEDOMETER STARTED DROPPING - DASH LIGHTS DIMMED AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE POWER CAME BACK - LIGHTS BACK AND GAUGES POPPED BACK UP. OONLY TO BE FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER THUMP ABOUT ONE MINUTE LATER AND THIS TIME THE POWER FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO ABOVE (NOT SURE ABOUT TAILLIGHTS AS I WAS MOVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOT ABOUT TO GET OUT AND CHECK.) OON OUR NEXT TRIP EVEN AT THE REDUCED SPEEDS - 5 OR 6 TIMES HE VOLVO DID SOME BIZARRE JERK MANEUVER WITH 3 OF THE TIMES FOLLOWED BY POWER FAILURE. 'WE TALKED ABOUT OPTIONS AND WE AGREED THAT SELLING THIS VEHICLE TO SOMEONE AND POSSIBLY PUTTING ANOTHER FAMILY AT RISK. IT IS NOT THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND NOT A CHRISTIAN THING TO DO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10409246

60,000 miles · Jun 20, 2011

Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2004 VOLVO XC90 T6 AWD. DRIVING ON RURAL ROAD WHEN TRANSMISSION LOCKED IN 3RD GEAR. VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN UTLIZING DOWN SHIFTING ON HILLY ROADS. THE VEHICLE ON HAS APPROX 60K MILES. LOSING THE TRANSMISSION REALLY HINDERS THE PERFORMANCE AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10407475

72,000 miles · Apr 28, 2011

Power Train

2004 VOLVO XC90 T6 "TRANSMISSION SERVICE URGENT" ERROR MESSAGE APPEARS. CAR JUMPS WHEN CHANGING GEAR AND SOMETIMES HAS NO POWER WHEN PUSHING THE GAS. CAR HAS 72K+ MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10398118

118,000 miles · Mar 9, 2011

Power Train

2ND TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON MY 2004 VOLVO XC90 T6 AAMCO IS QUOTING ME AT $4000 TO REBUILD OR $5500 TO REPLACE, WOULD BE SECOND REPLACEMENT FOR THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10389627

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.