Electrical System. Review the 158 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
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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

Seat Belts complaints

6 reports

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Mileage unknown · May 19, 2021

Seat BeltsSteeringWheels

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STEERING-LINKAGES: TIE ROD ASSEMBLY 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. CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE THAT HTE VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. WHEELS: ON CERTAIN SUV'S THE FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSORS MAY BE DEFECTIVE. CAUSING AN ERRONEOUS WHILL SPEED SIGNAL. CONSEQUENCES OF THE DEFECT: 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. VISIBILTY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER 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 DRIVERSHAFT, RESULTING IN AN INABILITY TO MOVE THE WIPER FROM THE PARK POSIIOT FROM THE PARK POSITION. CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY. SEATS BELTS: REAR ON CERTAIN SUV'S, THE SEAT BELT ATTACHMENT FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW SEATS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FITTED PROPERLY. CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY. CORRECTIVE ACTION: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE DEFECTS FREE OF CHARGED. IN MY CASE, THE MANUFACTURER HAS DECLINED TO REPAIR THE DEFECTS EVEN WHEN THE DEALER HAS DIAGNOSED MY SUV WITH THE POWER STEERING PROBLEM, PLUS THE DEFECTS ALREADY MENTIONED. THEREFORE,THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE. NUMBER OF VEHICLES AFFECTED: 122431 DATES MANUFACTURED: FEB 2003 TO JUN 2004

NHTSA ODI #11417843

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2021

Seat BeltsSteeringWheels

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ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE OUTER TIE ROD BALL JOINT CAN DEFORM AT HIGH LOADS CAUSING A LOSS OF CLAMPING AND THE NUT MAY LOOSEN, WHICH MAY EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FRACTURE OF THE OUTER ROD BALL JOINT. THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE THE VEHICLE IS DIFFCULT TO MANEUVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. WHEELS: ON CERTAIN SUV'S, THE FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSORS MAY BE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING AN ERRONEOUS SPEED SIGNAL 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. SEAT BELTS: REAR ON CERTAIN SUV'S, THE SEAT BELT ATTACHMENT FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FITTED PROPERLY. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY. CORRECTIVE ACTIONS: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE. IN MY CASE, THE MANUFACTURER HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE, THEREFORE, THE VOLVO DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR DEFECTS ON MY SUV.

NHTSA ODI #11415705

167,000 miles · Nov 5, 2014

Electrical SystemEngineSeat Belts

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IN OCTOBER 2014 MYSELF MY BOYFRIEND AND MY 7 YEAR OLD WE'RE DRIVING HOME WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN I TRIED TO PUSH THROUGH THE TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE THEN SLOWED DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD THEIR WAS NO WAY OF ME TRYING TO PULL OVER BC THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED I THEN PROCEEDED TO GET MY 7 YEAR OLD OUT THE TRUCK AND HER SPELT BELT IN THE BACK WAS STUCK AND WOULD NOT COME OUT WE WERE ALMOST HIT FROM THE BACK DUE TO THE VEHICLE STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IN A CURVE WE WERE STRANDED FOR ABOUT THREE HOURS IN THE DARK WHEN WE WERE FINALLY TOWED HOME I WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NO GOOD AND THIS IS THE REASON OUR VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS DISABLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10652765

88,380 miles · Jul 23, 2009

Seat Belts

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WE PURCHASED A 2004 VOLVO XV 90 IN AUGUST 2006. LAST MONTH, JULY OF 2009, MY SEVEN YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER REACHED FOR HER SEAT BELT IN THIRD ROW OF THE VEHICLE AND ANNOUNCED IT WAS BROKEN. NOTHING UNUSUAL HAPPENED TO THE VEHICLE TO CAUSE THIS. OUR MECHANIC, HABEGGAR AUTO IN MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, INFORMED US THIS SEAT BELT WAS A RECALLED ITEM AND ADVISED I CONTACT VOLVO IMMEDIATELY TO HAVE IT FIXED. THE MECHANIC ALSO TOLD ME THE INFORMATION HE GOT FROM ALLDATE ONLINE INDICATED THAT SEAT BELT WAS ALREADY FIXED BUT FAILED AGAIN. WHEN I CALLED VOLVO CUSTOMER CARE AT 1-800-458-1552 I WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO GO TO A CERTIFIED VOLVO DEALER. I THEN TOOK IT TO JENKINS VOLVO IN MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN. THEY VERIFIED THE FACT THAT IT WAS A RECALLED ITEM. BUT WHEN THEY CONTACTED VOLVO THEY WERE TOLD VOLVO WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR ($171) OR THE INSPECTION OF THE OTHER SEAT BELTS THAT WERE ALSO RECALLED. I HAVE EMAILED VOLVO CUSTOMER CARE ASKING THEM TO PLEASE RECONSIDER. THIS IS A TERRIBLE SITUATION. CHILDREN ARE AT RISK BECAUSE AN ADULT WOULD RARELY SIT IN THE THIRD ROW. WE PURCHASED A VOLVO FOR ITS SAFETY FEATURES AND THEY WON'T EVEN PAY FOR THEIR MISTAKE? ALTHOUGH THE DOLLAR AMOUNT TO FIX THE ONE SEAT BELT ISN'T HUGE, I DON'T TRUST THE OTHER SEAT BELTS. THE RECALL WAS ON THE SEAT BELTS IN SECOND AND THIRD ROW. I WANT THEM INSPECTED. WE HAVE A SEVEN YEAR-OLD AND FOUR YEAR-OLD AND OFTEN TRANSPORT THEIR FRIENDS. I WILL NOT PUT THEM AT RISK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10278015

9,750 miles · Oct 9, 2007

Electrical SystemExterior LightingSeat Belts

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UNSAFE FRONT SUSPENSION REPAIRED 4 TIMES BY VOLVO INVOLVING DISTRICT FACTORY TECHNICAL SUPERVISOR AND TECHNICIANS ON 3 OF FOUR OCCASIONS AND THE VEHICLE STILL HAS SERIOUS SAFETY AND HANDLING CONCERNS - NO ONE IN THE FAMILY WILL DRIVE THE CAR. IT HAS ALSO HAD SERIOUS PERFORMANCE RELATED SAFETY ISSUES REGARDING VEHICLE ELECTRONICS VIRTUALLY SHUTTING THE VEHICLE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSTATE. ANTI SKID PROBLEMS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. DRIVERS SEAT BELT ANCHOR WAS IMPROPERLY ATTACHED AND WOULD NOT HAVE HELD IN AN ACCIDENT. THE STEERING WHEEL CAME DANGEROUSLY LOOSE WHILE DRIVING AND THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT IT HAD NEVER BEEN PROPERLY AFFIXED. (I HAVE OWNED 300 CARS IN MY LIFE AND NEVER HAS A STEERING WHEEL COME LOOSE)! TIRES WERE ABNORMALLY BADLY AND QUICKLY DUE TO SIGNIFICANT SUSPENSION PROBLEMS AND WERE NOT WARRANTY BY THE MANUFACTURE.. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS CAUSED SEVERAL FUSES TO BLOW IN THE DARK EFFECTIVELY TURNING ALL REAR MARKER AND TAIL LIGHTS OFF. IT WAS NECESSARY TO DRIVE WITH THE HAZARD LIGHTS ON TO AVOID BEING HIT BY ANOTHER DRIVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10205276

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2004

Seat Belts

IN GENERAL IT SEEMS VERY EASY TO ACCIDENTALLY RELEASE THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINING A CRS WHEN AN ADULD SITTING NEXT TO THE CRS TRIES TO RELEASE THEIR OWN BUCKLE. I HAVE NOTED THIS IN SEVERAL VEHICLES AND OTHER ADULTS HAVE REMARKED ON IT AS WELL.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10057016

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.