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

Visibility complaints

5 reports

Clear category filter

143,000 miles · Nov 30, 2017

VisibilityVisibility/wiper

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS OBSERVED AND THE SUN ROOF SHATTERED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER (THE VOLVO STORE, 1051 W. WEBSTER AVENUE, WINTER PARK, FL, 32789) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUN ROOF NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE …

Read full complaint

NHTSA ODI #11051470

130,000 miles · Mar 25, 2011

Air BagsVisibility

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, MY WIPERS CAME ON FOR ONE CYCLE. A FEW MINUTES LATER THE SAME THING. THEN A FEW MINUTES AFTER THAT THE WIPERS CAME ON, STAYED ON, AND MY ENTIRE ELECTRIC PANEL SHUT DOWN. NO DASH BOARD INSTRUMENTS, NO POWER IN THE WINDOWS, NO TURN SIGNALS, NO STEREO. CAR STILL RAN, AND HEADLIGHTS STILL WORKED. PRETTY SCARY. WHEN I STOPPED THE CAR, TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, AND TURNED IT BACK ON AGAIN, EVERYTHING RETURNED TO NORMAL EXCEPT FOR A SRS MESSAGE. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS STUCK IN TRAFFIC OR IS HOT. MY DAUGHTER WAS GOING 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY AFTER BEING STUCK IN TRAFFIC FOR A WHILE. SHE PANICKED BECAUSE ALL LIGHTS AND DASH WENT OUT AND SHE THOUGHT THE ENGINE HAD STOPPED. SHE COULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT!!!! LAST TIME IT HAPPENED WE GOT AN ERROR CODE FOR AIRBAG FAILURE. THIS IS NOT GOOD! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392901

70,000 miles · May 9, 2008

Power TrainVisibility

Read full complaint

2004 XC90T6 HAS FAILED TRANSMISSION AT 82,500 MILES. I FIRST NOTICED PROBLEM WHEN FIRST STARTING FROM STOP. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AND THEN IT FELT LIKE I HAD BEEN REAR ENDED. PROBLEM PERSISTED AND NOW PROBLEM OCCURS AT FIRST ACCELERATION AND AT FURTHER ATTEMPTS TO INCREASE SPEED THE TRANSMISSION FALLS OUT OF GEAR AND CATCH. THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION POSES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY RISK AND APPEARS TO BE A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM PARTICULARLY WITH THE 2004 XC90 T6. THE LAST TIME IT FAILED I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND WAS ALMOST STRUCK BROAD SIDE BY AN APPROACHING VEHICLE. THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP ADVISES ME THAT THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH THE T6 ENGINE. REPORTED FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED AS EARLY AS 1,500 MILES AND VOLVO'S CORRECTIVE MEASURES OF REPLACING THE TRANSMISSIONS WITH REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSIONS DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE CORRECTING THE PROBLEM AS THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF REPEAT FAILURES. VOLVO HAS AGREED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSIONS WITH A REMANUFACTURED TRANSMISSION BUT HAS REFUSED TO PAY FOR LABOR. THE DEALER HAS AGREED TO PAY FOR HALF OF THE LABOR. I HAVE REQUESTED THE DEALER TO RETAIN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ASSOCIATED PARTS. I HAVE ALSO ASKED VOLVO IF THEY HAVE NOTIFIED NHTSA OF THE WIDESPREAD FAILURES AND THEY HAVE REFUSED TO PROVIDE ME WITH THIS INFORMATION. THE DRAIN LINES FROM THE SUNROOF HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 05/15/08

NHTSA ODI #10227151

Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2007

Exterior LightingVisibility

Read full complaint

WE PURCHASED OUR XC90 2005 FROM GENGRAS VOLVO IN MERIDEN, CT ON DEC 24, 2006. IT IS NOW OCT 11, 2007. SINCE WE'VE HAD THE CAR WE'VE PUT AROUND 8,000 MILES ON IT. IT IS NOT OUR PRIMARY VEHICLE AND SITS PARKED IN OUR GARAGE MOST OF THE TIME. ON 10/10/07, UPON LEAVING WORK AND GETTING INTO MY SUV I SAW A RATHER LARGE PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE FLOOR OF THE DRIVER?S SIDE OF MY XC90. THE CAR OBVIOUSLY HAD BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE AND IT WAS RAINING THAT DAY. SINCE WE WERE BRINGING THE CAR INTO STAMFORD VOLVO ON 10/11/07 TO REPLACE THE FRONT HEADLIGHTS - THE SEAL ON BOTH HEADLIGHT WERE CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (THESE PARTS WERE UNDER WARRANTY AND I FIGURED IT WAS BEST TO DO THAT), I ALSO REQUESTED STAMFORD CT VOLVO TO LOOK AT THE WATER PROBLEM AS WELL. ON 10/11/07, STAMFORD CT VOLVO INFORMED ME AND MY HUSBAND THAT THE SUNROOF DRAINS WERE CLOGGED AND HAVE BEEN FOR SOMETIME. WE WERE LED TO BELIEVE THAT THE PROBLEM WAS IN FACT A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION. IN FACT HE ELABORATED TO SAY THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS CAR. IT IS PROBABLY THE REASON WHY THE CAR HAS ALWAYS HAD A MUSTY ODOR TO IT. IN FACT, WE NOTICED THIS ODOR AT TIME OF PURCHASE FROM GENGRAS VOLVO IN MERIDEN, CT AND THE SALES MAN (MATTHEW MARTIN AT GENGRAS VOLVO IN MERIDEN, CT) HAD ALSO NOTICED THE ODOR AS WELL AND AT OUR REQUEST WAS GOING TO LOOKING INTO IT MORE. ON 10/11/07, I CALLED PAUL SMITH THE GENERAL MANAGER AND SUPPOSED OWNER OF GENGRAS VOLVO IN MERIDEN, CT TO NOTIFY HIM OF THE DRAIN PROBLEM AND DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR AND TO LET HIM KNOW THAT THIS PROBABLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEALT WITH AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE SINCE IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND THERE WAS AN MUSTY ODOR HIS SALESMAN HAD ACKNOWLEDGED. HE IMMEDIATELY SAID IT WAS MY FAULT THAT THE DRAIN WAS CLOGGED AND HE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOT GOING TO PAY THE $150.00 TO UNCLOG THE DRAIN AND THE $800.00 TO REPAIR MY INTERIOR DAMAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10205419

Mileage unknown · Oct 7, 2004

Visibility

SINCE THE DAY I HAD MY 2004 VOLVO XC90, BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS DO NOT CLOSE COMPLETELY UNTIL I HIT THE WINDOW BUTTON THREE TIMES. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT CORRECTABLE AND IS NORMAL FOR THIS CAR. HOWEVER, THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT EXIST ON THE 2005 MODELS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10093747

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.