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

125,000 miles · Apr 29, 2019

Power Train

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THE VOLVO HAS CONSTANT ISSUES WHEN SHIFTING AND GETTING STUCK IN A SPECIFIC GEAR. ALSO IT WILL DECIDE TO DOWN SHIFT OUT OF KNOW WHERE. I CAN BE DOING 55 ON THE HIGHWAY THEN IT SLAMS INTO 3RD AND I LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ALMOST MAKING ME CRASH. MECHANICS DO NOT SEE ANYTHING WEONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION IE ITS GOING BAD BUT SOMETHING IS MAKING THE VEHICLE DO THIS. SOFTWARE POSSIBLY TCM NOT WORKING PROPERLY BUT MY MECHANIC ALSO INSEPECTED THAT. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY WELL KNOWN AND UNSAFE CONDITION.

NHTSA ODI #11204640

74,800 miles · Apr 9, 2019

Fuel/propulsion System

RAW GAS SMELL. TOLD BY DEALER MAY BE DANGERS TO DRIVE AND PARK OUT OF GARAGE SO FUMES DON'T ACCUMULATE. GARAGE HAS NATURAL GAS HEAT AND GAS WATER HEATER. SOME CARS SOLD IN OTHER STATES HAVE HAD RECALLS, UNDER VOLVO RECALL # 220. THIS CAR HAS BEEN USED IN SOME STATES NAMED IN SUMMER MONTHS. I AM ORIG OWNER.

NHTSA ODI #11195010

113,223 miles · Apr 2, 2019

Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train

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BOUGHT THE VEHICLE WITH 112,000 MILES ON IT, IT HAS A GAS LEAK TRICKLING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE GAS TANK, PROBABLY A BAD SENDING UNIT, FUMES ARE BAD SOME DAYS BUT WORSE ON WARMER DAYS. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ONE DAY WITH NO WARNING OR LIGHT, IT JUST LOST MOMENTUM AND FAILED TO ENGAGE IN DRIVE. I THINK THIS IS DUE TO THE POOR ENGINEERING DESIGN VOLVO USED. THIS MODEL IS THE T6 WITH THE GM 4T65E TRANSMISSION WHICH IS WIDELY KNOWN TO FAIL EVEN AT LOW MILES. I THINK A FULL SAFETY RECALL SHOULD E SANCTIONED FOR ALL MODEL YEARS WITH THESE HORRIBLE PROBLEMS

NHTSA ODI #11193422

160,000 miles · Jan 5, 2019

Suspension

I KEEP GETTING THAT THE ANTI-SKID NEEDS TO BE SERVICED BUT WHEN I GOT IT CHECKED THEY REPORTED THAT THEY COULDNT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE ANTI-SKID AND THE ERROR IS CONSTANTLY LIT IN THE SERVICE WINDOW OF THE VEHICLE. I CAN FEEL THE DIFFERENCE WHILE DRIVING IN WET CONDITIONS. IS THERE ANYTHING SPECIFIC THEY SHOULD LOOK FOR O…

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NHTSA ODI #11165430

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2018

Air BagsSteeringUnknown Or Other

SRS -AIRBAG SERVICE URGENT OIL LIGHT ON SOMETIMES

NHTSA ODI #11112929

Mileage unknown · Jul 22, 2018

Air BagsUnknown Or Other

SRS- AIRBAG SERVICE URGENT OIL LIGHT SOMETIMES APPEAR

NHTSA ODI #11112923

168,000 miles · Jul 2, 2018

Electrical SystemExterior LightingPower Train

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SIMILAR TO MANY OTHERS, WHILE DRIVING OUR 2004 VOLVO XC90, WE HEAR A CLICK, THEN THE CLIMATE, RADIO AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS (IF ON) SHUT OFF AND THEIR DISPLAY LIGHTS BLACK OUT, THEN ANOTHER CLICK IN A FRACTION OF A SECOND AND THEY COME BACK ON. THIS WAS HAPPENING RANDOMLY, AND NOTHING ELSE WAS AFFECTED, UNTIL THIS WEEKEND, WHILE ON A TRIP. WE WERE DRIVING ON HIGHWAYS, OUTSIDE TEMP IN THE 80'S, NO RAIN, AVERAGE SPEED ABOUT 70MPH. IT HAPPENED A FEW TIMES OVER ABOUT 45 MINUTES, THEN BEGAN HAPPENING EVERY 5 MILES OR SO. WHEN I TURNED UP THE AC FAN, WITHIN ABOUT A MINUTE IT CLICKED AND WE LOST THE USUAL THINGS, BUT THEY DID NOT COME BACK ON. THEN WE HEARD ANOTHER CLICK AND LOST ALL DASHBOARD LIGHTING AND CONTROLS; WE COULD NOT SEE THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, THE CLIMATE CONTROL WAS BLOWING HOT AIR AND COULD NOT BE SHUT OFF OR TURNED DOWN, AND WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT SPEED WE WERE GOING AS IT WAS NIGHTTIME. EXTREMELY FRIGHTENING AND DANGEROUS. WE MADE IT TO THE FIRST EXIT THAT HAD A GAS STATION AND STOPPED. THE CAR WAS VERY HARD TO ACCELERATE WHEN WE GOT OFF AT THE EXIT AS WELL. I WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE WINDOWS BUT WHEN I OPENED THE MOON ROOF, IT STOPPED HALF WAY AND THEN WOULD NOT CLOSE OR OPEN. WE WERE STRANDED FOR HOURS AWAITING A FAMILY MEMBER TO COME GET US AND THEN HOURS LONGER WAITING FOR THE VEHICLE TO BE TOWED. OUR MECHANIC RESEARCHED THIS AND ENCOURAGED ME TO REPORT, AS HE SAID THERE SEEM TO BE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS OF SIMILAR THINGS HAPPENING WITH THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11105167

210,000 miles · Jun 28, 2018

Power Train

TRANSMISSION DOES NOT SHIFT CORRECTLY. NUMEROUS OF PROBLEMS INVOLVING OTHERS. NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. ON HIGHWAY DID NOT WANT TO GO DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. COULD OF BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN THEY OBVIOUSLY KNOW THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS A PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI #11104457

144,000 miles · May 7, 2018

Electronic Stability Control (esc)

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WHILE DRIVING, RANDOM MASSIVE ELECTRICAL FAILURE WHICH SHUTS OFF ALL LIGHTS, GAUGES AND ACCESSORIES. PERFORMANCE RETURNS AND THEN GOES OUT AGAIN. INEVITABLY, CAR LOSES ACCELERATION, BRAKES AND STEERING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND CAR GOES INTO "LIMP HOME" MODE. VOLVO DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. MY RESEARCH INDICATES THAT PROBLEMS OF THIS NATURE WERE UNCOVERED AS FAR BACK AS 2004 AND HAVE BEEN CONSISTENTLY REPORT TO VOLVO. HOWEVER, NO SOLUTION HAS BEEN PUBLICIZED.

NHTSA ODI #11092268

108,000 miles · Apr 1, 2018

Fuel/propulsion System

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WE SMELLED A GASOLINE ODOR AND THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON SO WE TOOK OUR VOLVO TO A DEALER TO INSPECT. THEY SAID THAT THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAVE TAKEN METICULOUS CARE OF THIS VEHICLE SO THAT SOUNDED VERY STRANGE. THE CAR ONLY HAS 108,000 MILES IN 15 YEARS. I NOW SEE WHERE THIS MODEL WAS RECALLED FOR FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT SEVERAL YEARS AGO BUT IT WAS WHILE I WAS OUT OF THE COUNTRY FOR TWO YEARS (2004-2006) ON A PROJECT FOR MY EMPLOYER. I HAD MY PARENTS KEEP THE CAR WHILE I WAS GONE AND NONE OF US RECEIVED THE NOTICE ABOUT THE RECALL. SHOULDN'T VOLVO STILL HAVE TO HONOR THIS RECALL SINCE I WAS NOT AWARE OF IT AT THE TIME? ACCORDING TO YOUR RECALL CAMPAIGN 09V-483 MY CAR WOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE RECALL GROUP, ALTHOUGH MY VIN NUMBER DOESN'T SHOW UP UNDER THE RECALLS NOW...COULD IT BE THAT THE CAMPAIGN IS OVER SO IT DOESN'T SHOW UP NOW? VOLVO CUSTOMER CARE KNEW ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WHEN I CALLED THEM ON FRIDAY BUT ARE HEMMING AND HAWING ABOUT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT SEEMS A CRACKED FUEL TANK COULD CATCH FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #11082389

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.