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

What owners actually said

462 reports

122,500 miles · Jun 17, 2012

Air BagsElectrical SystemExterior Lighting

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DRIVING FROM PHX TO TUS AT 75 MI OUT OF PHX AT ABOUT 2200HRS. THE CAR COMPLETELY FAILED FOR FRACTION OF A SECOND THEN RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION UNTIL ARRIVING AT DESTINATION 10 MI. LATER. THE SECOND TIME A WEEK LATER WAS TRAVELING TO PHX AT 1800 HRS. 70MI OUT OF TUS. THE CAR FAILED LIKE THE FIRST TIME THEN A FEW SECONDS LATER DID IT AGAIN REACHED DESTINATION ABOUT 15MI. LATER. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE LIGHTS, RADIO, WINDOWS, DASH LIGHT AND GAUGES ALL STOP WORKING THE MESS. COMES ON ABS,SRS. ITS HAPPENED 5 OR 6 TIMES NOW WITH THE WORST BEING YESTERDAY 16 JUNE 2012 . I GOT OFF LOOP 202 AND PULLED IN A PARKING LOT AND SHUT DOWN THE CAR AND THEN ATTEMPTED TO RESTART 4 TIMES BEFORE IT RESTARTED. THE A/C,WINDOWS, LIGHTS, GAUGES,TURN SIGNALS ALL FAILED. THE MESS. ABS, SRS, CHECK ENGINE CAME ON. I DROVE ABOUT 5 MI TO DESTINATION. I'M NOW SCARED TO DRIVE IT IF THE SRS, ABS WARNING ARE ON ARE THEY WORKING? IF IN AN ACCIDENT WILL THE PASSENGERS AND DRIVER BE PROTECTED ? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10462001

142,082 miles · Jun 15, 2012

Electrical System

THE VOLVO XC 90 2004 LOST ALL ELECTRICAL POWER. THE CAR CONTINUED TO DRIVE BUT, THERE WERE NO DASH LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, RADIO, DEFROSTER ETC. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10461902

53,000 miles · Jun 7, 2012

Electrical System

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DROVE TO THE GROCERY STORE ON SATURDAY MORNING, CAR WAS FINE. WHEN I CAME OUT, I COULDN'T UNLOCK THE VEHICLE WITH THE FOB, I HAD TO USE THE KEY TO OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR. THEN I TRIED TO OPEN THE LOCKS AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CAR DID START, BUT HAD NO DASH INFO (NOTHING WORKED), AC, RADIO DID NOT WORK EITHER, FRONT WINDOWS ONLY WORKED, REAR DID NOT. I LIMPED HOME BECAUSE THE CAR DID NOT HAVE ANY POWER. HAD IT FLATBEDDED TO VOLVO DEALER ON MONDAY, 6/4/12 AND THEY STILL HAVEN'T DETERMINED WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. HAD THIS SAME ISSUE (ONLY WORSE) IN 2008 AND THEY FINALLY REPLACED (SO THEY SAID) THE COMPUTER. AT THE TIME OF THE 2008 INCIDENT, THE VEHICLE ONLY HAD APPROX. 33K MILES. NOW IN 2012, IT HAS 53K! 20K ADDITIONAL MILES AND STILL ISSUE STILL EXISTS EVEN WITH REPLACED COMPUTER! *JS

NHTSA ODI #10460872

66,000 miles · Mar 25, 2012

Structure

DRIVER SIDE AND REAR PASSENGER DOORS DON'T OPEN FROM INSIDE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10452915

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

68,000 miles · Jan 30, 2012

Air BagsElectrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

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WHILE DRIVING, THE ELECTRONIC PANEL ALL SHUT DOWN AND I GOT MSG REGARDING BRAKE FAILURE AND TO STOP SAFELY. I WAS ON LEFT-MOST LANE OF HIGHWAY AND MY SIGNALS AND HAZARD LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN ON!!! EVEN MY POWER WINDOW WOULD NOT WORK SO I COULDN'T OPEN FOR ME TO MAKE HAND-SIGNALS. LUCKY MY FATHER-IN-LAW NEXT TO ME HAD WINDOW OPEN SO I TOLD HIM TO MAKE MOTIONS TO SURROUNDING CARS FOR ME TO CHANGE LANES SAFELY. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO STOP, I TURNED OFF CAR, TURNED ON AGAIN AND GOT SRS AIRBAG URGENT MSG ON PANEL. SINCE CAR STARTED OK BUT WITH MSG, I TOOK SIDE STREETS HOME BUT IT SHUT OFF AGAIN 2 TIMES. I DID SAME THING (STOP/RESTARTED) AND MADE IT HOME. I HAD MY IN-LAWS WITH ME AND MY 3 YOUNG KIDS WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED ON 12/23/11. BECAUSE OF HOLIDAYS/VACATION AND SINCE NEAREST DEALER IS 20 MILES AWAY (AN HOUR DRIVE WITH TRAFFIC) AND SERVICE DEPARTMENT ONLY OPEN ON WEEKDAYS, WE COULDN'T TAKE TO DEALER RIGHT AWAY. SINCE IT WAS AN AIRBAG MESSAGE, MY HUSBAND NOT TOO CONCERNED - HE WASN'T WITH ME WHEN IT FIRST HAPPENED SO I DON'T THINK HE REALIZED THE GRAVITY. HE USED IT FEW TIMES AND 2 WKS LATER, IT HAPPENED TO HIM. THIS TIME WHEN RESTARTED, THERE WAS ALSO CHECK ENGINE MSG AND NOTICED DIFFICULTY STEERING. HE TOOK TO DEALER, AND BOTH TECHNICIAN AND MANAGER COULD NOT DIAGNOSE PROBLEM! THEY JUST RESET TO REMOVE THE SRS MSG AND DID A SOFTWARE UPDATE. WE THOUGHT/HOPED IT WAS FIXED BUT THEN YESTERDAY THE SAME THING HAPPENED (ALL SHUT DOWN)! LAST NIGHT WE STARTED CHECKING ON-LINE AND FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS! WE ARE DEVASTATED BECAUSE WE LOVE/TAKE CARE OF THIS CAR, WHICH WE USE PRIMARILY ON WEEKENDS AND TRIPS. WE THOUGHT IT'S SAFE FOR OUR FAMILY BUT NOW AREN'T COMFORTABLE THAT TAKING BACK TO DEALER WILL FIX PROBLEM. I AM VERY SURPRISED THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE BECAUSE IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THERE ARE FATALITIES. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10445894

68,000 miles · Jan 26, 2012

Electrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A FAILURE WITH ALL COMPONENTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THE DEALER STATED THAT ELECTRONIC DRIVER INFORMATION MODULE AND THE CENTRAL ELECTRONIC MODULE FAILED. …

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NHTSA ODI #10445465

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

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.