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

169,200 miles · Sep 10, 2010

Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

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MY HEADLIGHTS, DRIVING LIGHTS, PARK LIGHTS, AND TURN SIGNALS ARE NOT WORKING. THIS BEGAN WHEN I STARTED TO GO SOMEWHERE LAST NIGHT. ALL OF THESE THINGS WERE WORKING THE DAY BEFORE. THE TAIL LIGHTS, TURN SIGNALS, AND BRAKE LIGHTS ARE WORKING IN THE REAR. MY VEHICLE IS GARAGED WHEN IT IS NOT IN USE. MY RADIO, CD PLAYER, OR SATELLITE RADIO WOULD NOT OPERATE 2 DAYS AGO AND STARTED WORKING THE NEXT TIME I STARTED MY CAR. ABOUT 2 WEEKS AGO THE CAR WOULDN'T START. IT ACTED LIKE THE SECURITY SYSTEM HAD BEEN ACTIVATED AS IT WOULD CRANK, BUT NOT START. I WAITED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND TRIED IT AGAIN AND IT STARTED THE FIRST TIME. I HAVE CHECKED ALL FUSES. I AM TAKING IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP TODAY TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT IS HAPPENING. THESE PROBLEMS ARE INTERMITTENT AND DO NOT REPEAT OFTEN ENOUGH TO DIAGNOSE PROPERLY. I CAN SEE THIS BEING VERY DANGEROUS IF I WERE DRIVING AT NIGHT AND THE HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I LIVE IN A RURAL AREA WITH A LARGE DEER POPULATION AND IT IS HARD ENOUGH TO AVOID THEM WITH THE HEADLIGHTS WORKING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10354896

94,000 miles · Sep 7, 2010

Exterior Lighting

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MAIN HEADLIGHT SYSTEM FAILURE DUE TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DEFECT. IN 2006 BOTH VEHICLE HEAD LIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. ON 07/03/06 MAIN BEAM FUSE REPLACED BY DEALER TO CORRECT PROBLEM. IN 2010 RIGHT-SIDE HEADLIGHT STOPPED WORKING. CUSTOMER REPLACED BULB PER DASH WARNING LIGHT BUT DID NOT CORRECT PROBLEM. CUSTOMER INSPECTION OF BULB CONTACTS AND BULB HOLDER SHOWED EVIDENCE OF HIGH HEAT DUE TO MELTING OF METAL AND PLASTIC. ON 07/16/10 VOLVO DEALER REPLACED HEADLIGHT BALLAST, CONTROL MODULE, CONTACT UNIT AND BULB. RIGHT HEADLIGHT PROBLEM CORRECTED AT COST OF $435.09 - BALLAST & CONTROL MODULE; $108.90 - CONTACT UNIT; AND $162.00 - BULB, PLUS LABOR. CURRENT PROBLEM IS LEFT-SIDE HEADLIGHT NOT WORKING AND APPEARS TO BE A REPEAT OF PREVIOUS RIGHT-SIDE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10354163

99,000 miles · Sep 6, 2010

Air BagsElectrical System

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THE VEHICLE IS INTERMITTENTLY SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE PRIVATE ROADS OR FREEWAY, ALL ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT (DASHBOARD, GAUGES, STEREO, SOME WINDOWS, DRIVING TRANNY CHANGER - CAN'T SHIFT), AND ALL OTHER ITEMS ARE GOING OUT. THE POWER OF THE VEHICLE WILL STALL FOR 1/2 SECOND IN AS MANY AS 3-5 TIMES DURING AN EPISODE. ULTIMATELY RESULTING IN ALL ELECTRICAL POWER FAILING. THIS APPEARS TO ALSO BE CAUSING THE BATTER TO NOT BE CHARGED. THE BATTERY IS NEW, PURCHASED A FEW DAYS AGO TO SEE IF THIS WOULD RESOLVE THE ISSUE, WHICH IT DIDN'T. THUS THE CAR CANNOT BE STARTED AFTER A FEW DAYS OF DRIVING WITHOUT TRICKLE-CHARGING THE BATTERY. THE SRS BAGGAGE WARNING HAS NOT BECOME ENGAGED. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE, IT DOESN'T APPEAR THROUGH CARFAX OR OTHER RECORDS HISTORY THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD REPAIRED THESE ISSUES. THIS IS VERY CONCERNING, BECAUSE THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT, LEAVE ME OR MY FAMILY STRANDED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10354016

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2010

Power Train

FAILED TRANSMISSION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353902

134,000 miles · Sep 2, 2010

Power Train

VOLVO CX90 2004 FAULTY TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION ON MY CAR FAILED...NO WARNING, NO TRANSMISSION LIGHT. VOLVO HAS PLACED A FAULTY GM TRANSMISSION IN THE CAR AND THEY NEED TO RECALL IT. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND A COST ISSUE. VOLVO, I BELIEVE IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND THEY NEED TO STEP UP AND FIX IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353608

99,900 miles · Sep 2, 2010

Exterior Lighting

2004 VOLVO XC90 HEADLIGHT FAILURE. HEADLIGHTS FAILED MONDAY, AUGUST 30TH IN THE EVENING. I HAVE YET TO TAKE IT TO THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP, BUT SEARCHED ONLINE AND NOTICED THAT THIS IS A CONCERN FOR OTHER OWNERS AND THE NHTSA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353599

106,000 miles · Aug 30, 2010

Power Train

2004 VOLVO XC90 TRANSMISSION FAILURE - THE TRANSMISSION FAILED IN MY VOLVO AT 106,000 MILES. THIS IS THE 3RD TRANSMISSION THAT HAS BEEN INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. THE COST TO ME WAS $3000.00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10352818

94,000 miles · Aug 27, 2010

Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME UNRESPONSIVE TO THE CONTACTS ATTEMPTS TO ACCELERATE. ALL ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS ALSO FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 HOURS. UPON RESTART, THE VEHICLE WOULD DRIVE AS NORMAL BUT ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE DIAGNOSED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC WAS STILL UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ODI #10352361

115,000 miles · Aug 23, 2010

Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE BRAKE AND AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITHIN FIVE MINUTES AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING THE RESULTS OF THE DI…

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NHTSA ODI #10351209

95,000 miles · Aug 22, 2010

Electrical System

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OUR 2004 VOLVO XC90 HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING INTERMITTENT POWER SHORTAGES FOR THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS. AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 HOUR, OFTEN AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, THE CAR WILL INTERMITTENTLY JERK, AND SIMULTANEOUSLY THE GAUGES GO DOWN, EXTERIOR LIGHTS GO OUT, INTERIOR LIGHTS MAY GO ON, RADIO SHUTS OFF, WIPERS CYCLE ONCE, AIR/HEAT GOES OFF. THIS LASTS APPROXIMATELY ONE SECOND, HOWEVER, AT TIMES THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WILL NOT SHUT OFF UNTIL THE CAR IS RESTARTED. ONCE THE PROBLEM BEGINS, IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY (5+ TIMES) UNTIL THE CAR IS SHUT OFF AND NOT USED FOR A PERIOD OF TIME (I.E. YOU REACH YOUR DESTINATION). WE HAVE HAD OUR VOLVO DEALER LOOK AT IT TWICE, AND BOTH TIMES THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. TODAY, AFTER DRIVING FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS, THE CAR LOST ELECTRICAL FUNCTION COMPLETELY. WE HAD NO USE OF GAUGES, BLINKERS, HAZARD LIGHTS, RADIO, AIR CONDITIONING, HEADLIGHTS AND BRAKE LIGHTS. WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAD POWER AND WERE MOVING WHILE ON THE AUTOMATIC SETTING, WITHOUT ANY RAIN TO AUTOMATE THEM. AN ABS ERROR LIGHT CAME ON BUT WE WERE ABLE TO USE THE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL. WE WERE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON A HIGHWAY AND WERE LUCKILY ABLE TO EXIT WITHOUT HAVING THE USE OF BLINKERS OR BRAKE LIGHTS. WHEN WE TURNED THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON, WE RESUMED POWER, BUT HAD AN SRS WARNING LIGHT APPEAR. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON VOLVO-FORUMS.COM AND ABOUTAUTOMOBILE.COM, WE HAVE DISCOVERED THIS TO BE AN ISSUE MANY (50+) 2004 XC90 DRIVERS HAVE EXPERIENCED. WE FEEL VERY LUCKY THAT THIS HAPPENED DURING THE DAY, BECAUSE THE SITUATION COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH MORE DANGEROUS ON A 4-LANE HIGHWAY IN THE DARK. WE DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS CAR AND WILL BE TAKING IT TO OUR VOLVO DEALER TOMORROW MORNING AND DEMANDING A RESPONSE TO THE PROBLEM. FROM WHAT WE HAVE READ FROM OTHERS, IT APPEARS TO NEED A NEW CEM. GIVEN THE NUMBER OF IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS ON IDENTICAL MODELS, IT SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT WITH THE CEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10351179

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.