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

130,000 miles · Mar 12, 2018

Fuel/propulsion System

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VEHICLE SMELLS LIKE GASOLINE WHEN STOPPED AND PARKED, AND WHEN DRIVING. THE SMELL SEEMS TO BE STRONGEST AT THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN PARKED OUTSIDE. WHEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE GASOLINE SMELL WOULD BE EXTREMELY STRONG AND START COMING INTO THE HOUSE. IT WAS SEVERE ENOUGH I OPENED THE GARAGE DOOR MANUALLY BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID OF BLOWING UP THE ENTIRE HOUSE. IT IS NOW STAYING PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY BECAUSE THE SMELL IS SO BAD. THERE IS A RECALL ON CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS, HOWEVER VOLVO SAYS MINE IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL THAT WOULD FIX THE SMELL. THE RECALL APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN SET UP BY STATE IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED, NOT NECESSARILY VEHICLES WITH THE PART IN QUESTION. THE STATE WHERE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SINCE 2001 IS VIRGINIA. I SPOKE WITH MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, WHO SIMPLY SAID TO BRING IT IN AND THEY COULD DIAGNOSE IT AT THEIR NORMAL RATES, AND THEY WOULD CHARGE FULL PRICE FOR PARTS AND LABOR. SPEAKING WITH A VOLVO USA REPRESENTATIVE GOT ME A BIT FURTHER WITH A 30% OFF PARTS COUPON. WHILE A NICE GESTURE, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO INCLUDE VEHICLES THAT FELL OUTSIDE LISTED RECALLED VIN NUMBERS ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. AT ANY RATE, THIS IS NOT AN OPTIONAL REPAIR, AS A GAS SMELL INDICATES GASOLINE VAPORS, WHICH ARE HIGHLY EXPLOSIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11078691

110,000 miles · Feb 26, 2018

Power Train

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WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR TO RAMSEY VOLVO FOR SERVICE, VOLVO RECOMMENDED THE ANGLE GEAR RESEAL SERVICE BECAUSE THE ANGLE GEAR BOX IS LEAKING AS SHOWN IN THE ATTACHED PICTURE. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH ALL VOLVO XC90S, SO MUCH SO THAT IT CAN BE CLASSIFIED AS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, AND QUALIFIES AS A RECALL IN MY OPINION. THE ANGLE GEAR BOX IS AN UNDISTURBED PART AND IS SUPPOSED TO BE SEALED FOR THE LIFETIME OF THE CAR. WHEN THE FLUID IN THE ANGLE GEAR BOX IS COMPLETELY LEAKED OUT, WHICH IS SOMETHING WITH NO INDICATION WHATSOEVER, THE CAR WOULD LOSE ALL WHEEL DRIVE ACCORDING TO VOLVO. WHEN THAT HAPPENS IN A SLIPPERY SITUATION WITH ICE OR SNOW, THE CAR IS MOST LIKELY TO LOSE CONTROL AND WOULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITH POTENTIAL LOSS OF LIVES. I WOULD LIKE VOLVO TO VOLUNTARILY RECALL ALL VOLVO XC90S TO FIX ALL LEAKING ANGLE GEAR BOXES SO NO LIVES WOULD BE LOST.

NHTSA ODI #11075114

78,000 miles · Dec 21, 2017

Air BagsElectrical SystemEngine

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TL-CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO XC90 ---- CONTACT CALLED VOLVO DEALER IN WHITE PLAINS NY... CONTACT STATED AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND WAS ON FOR A MONTH.... VEHICLE STALLED GOING 50MPH ... POWER STEERING WENT OUT ON MAIN HIGHWAY VEHICLE LOST POWER AND SHUT OFF.... VEHICLE RESTARTS AND THEN SHUTS OFF AGAIN AFTER GOING A COUPLE MILES...SPOKE WITH MECHANIC AT DEALERSHIP WHO STATED THAT AIRBAGS ARE RECALLED....MECHANIC BY THE NAME OF ANTHONY.... TOLD CONTACT THAT AIRBAG LIGHT BEING ON WAS NOT A BIG DEAL....THAT AIRBAG WAS FAULTY SO IT WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN ACCIDENT........ 0 RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS VIN.. CB

NHTSA ODI #11055866

129,000 miles · Dec 10, 2017

Fuel/propulsion System

WHEN STATIONARY THE CAR WILL HAVE A WET SPOT OF FUEL UNDER THE TANK AND WHEN WE COME TO A STOP YOU CAN SMELL FUEL. WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE CAR YOU CAN SEE WHERE THE SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK WAS WET OR DRIPPING FUEL.

NHTSA ODI #11053743

52,000 miles · Nov 30, 2017

Fuel/propulsion System

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A FEW DAYS AGO I BEGAN TO SMELL FUEL IN THE REAR SEAT OF THE VEHICLE AND ON THE OUTSIDE. THE SMELL BEGAN TO GET WORSE AND LINGER FOR DAYS AFTER OPERATING IT. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I DETERMINED IT TO BE THE FUEL PUMP ISSUE THAT SIMILAR YEARS AND MODELS WERE RECALLED FOR IN 2009. MY VEHICLE WASN'T ON THE RECALL SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED IN PA RATHER THAN IN ONE OF THE SOUTHERN STATES. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY CONFIRMED IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. VOLVO AGREED TO PAY FOR THE PART BUT NOT THE LABOR WHICH AMOUNTS TO $800. THESE FUELS PUMPS PRESENT AN EXTREME RISK FOR FIRE AND INJURY AND ALL VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AT VOLVOS EXPENSE. VOLVO SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THING AND PAY FOR THE REPAIRS OR NHTSA SHOULD FORCE THEM TO. JUST BECAUSE OF VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN ONE STATE VERSUS ANOTHER SHOULD NOT DICTATE WHETHER THEY ARE RECALLED OR NOT.

NHTSA ODI #11051486

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 …

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NHTSA ODI #11051470

140,000 miles · Nov 5, 2017

Unknown Or Other

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SUN ROOF GLASS SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING 55+ MPH ON THE INTERSTATE FREEWAY UNDER NORMAL CONDITION DURING MY COMMUTE HOME. I CALLED THE POLICE THINKING THAT SOMEONE HAD THROW A ROCK DOWN FROM A BRIDGE OVERHEAD, BUT ONCE STOPPED I FOUND NO EVIDENCE OF AN OBJECT BEING THE CAUSE OF THE GLASS SHATTERING. THERE WERE NO MARKS ON THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE OR ANY OBJECT FOUND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IT WAS A SPONTANEOUS SHATTERING OF THE SUN ROOF GLASS ON AN OTHERWISE NORMAL DRIVE HOME ON A SUNNY DAY, NO WEATHER, TEMP WAS AROUND 75 DEGREES.

NHTSA ODI #11043352

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2017

Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

HI, WHEN DRIVING MY CAR UP ANY SLIGHT LITTLE HILL, I HAVE NO POWER AND IT DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO DRIVE. IT'S VERY FRUSTRATING!! I HAVE READ THERE ARE RECALLS IN THE FUEL PUMPS AND ALSO OTHER RECALLS WITH THE MODEL VOLVO XC90. I HOPE THEY CAN REPAIR IT AND PAY FOR IT!!

NHTSA ODI #11021310

180,740 miles · Jul 4, 2017

Tires

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CATASTROPHIC BLOWOUT FAILURE OF PRIMEWELL VALERA TOURING TIRE PURCHASED FROM FIRESTONE IN JACKSON, MS, ON 06/14/2016. BLOWOUT OCCURRED ON 07/03/2017 WHILE WIFE WAS DRIVING ON I-55. WE HAVE PUT LESS THAN 12K MILES ON THESE TIRES AND, NOW, DO NOT FEEL SAFE. POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO CAR (VOLVO XC90). WIFE STRANDED OVER JULY 4TH HOLIDAY IN LOUISIANA BECAUSE FIRESTONE IS CLOSED. AFTER INITIALLY TELLING US THAT THE TIRES WOULD BE REPLACED FREE BECAUSE THERE WAS A RECALL, FIRESTONE NOW SAYS WE WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR NEW TIRES BECAUSE OUR TIRES ARE NOT BEING RECALLED. EXTREMELY FRUSTRATING.

NHTSA ODI #11002965

170,000 miles · Jun 15, 2017

Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT AND AN UNEXPLAINED WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAIL…

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NHTSA ODI #10995338

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.