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

10,400 miles · Jul 20, 2005

Electrical System

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WE LEASED OUR VOLVO XC90-T ALMOST EXACTLY 1 YEAR AGO TO DATE FROM SOUTH COUNTY VOLVO. LESS THAN 3 MONTHS LATER, THE CAR WOULDN'T START. THEY SAID THAT MY WIFE MUST HAVE LEFT A LIGHT ON; THE BATTERY WAS RECHARGED AND WE TOOK THE CAR BACK. 2 MONTHS LATER, THE CAR AGAIN WOULD NOT START; AGAIN IT WAS TOWED-BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THIS TIME, THEY SAID THE BATTERY WAS BAD. THE THIRD TIME THEY SAID THERE WAS BAD SWITCH WHICH CONTROLS THE LIGHTS AND THAT WAS CHANGED. ON THE FOURTH OCCASION, WHICH INCIDENTALLY OCCURRED EXCATLY ONE YEAR LATER ON JULY 7TH, 2005, THEY (AGAIN) SAID WE MUST HAVE LEFT A LIGHT ON...NO ONE CAN BE THAT DUMB, NOT EVEN ME!. I AM FAST LOSING MY CONFIDENCE IN VOLVO!

NHTSA ODI #10129509

6,800 miles · Jul 13, 2005

Power Train

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1) 7,500 MILE CHECKUP (UNDER 7,000 MILES ON CAR) 2) CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS ACTIVATING. THIS STARTED ON TUESDAY. I ONLY USE PREMIUM GASOLINE IN CAR. 3) RECEIVED ''ANTI-SKID SERVICE REQUIRED'' MESSAGE WITH YELLOW INDICATOR LIGHT REMAINING ON. THIS HAPPENED ON TUESDAY AND LATER DISAPPEARED AFTER DRIVING THE CAR AGAIN. 4) THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE GEARSHIFT INDICATOR. WHEN I CHANGE GEARS FROM PARK TO ANYTHING ELSE, THE DISPLAY PANEL IS EITHER BLANK OR IT SHOWS AN INCORRECT GEAR '' IT WILL SHOW NEUTRAL WHEN I AM IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. ALSO IN ALL CASES, THE GEARSHIFT ON THE FLOOR WILL NOT LIGHT UP SO IT DOESN''T SHOW AT ALL WHAT GEAR I AM IN. THIS HAPPENED ONCE LAST WEEK AND HAS BEEN HAPPENING ON AND OFF SINCE THEN. 5) I THINK BECAUSE OF NUMBER 4 ON MY LIST, THE CAR SEEMS TO HESITATE AND EVEN BUCK A LITTLE BIT UPON ACCELERATION. THESE SYMPTOMS RESULTED IN VOLVO HAVING TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ON MY CAR. THE CAR WAS JUST REACHING ITS ONE YEAR MARK AND HAD LESS THAN 7,000 MILES ON IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED. THANKFULLY THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT I FIND IT COMPLETELY UNACCAPTABLE AND UNSAFE THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS WOULD HAPPEN TO MY CAR. ALSO, THE DAY THE CAR WAS TO BE PICKED UP FOR SERVICE I RECEIVED TWO BRAKE FAILURE PULL OVER SAFELY MESSAGES. THIS ALSO HAD TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION NEEDING REPLACING. AGAIN, COMPLETELY UNACCAPTABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10128609

Mileage unknown · Jun 28, 2005

Engine And Engine Cooling

THANK YOU LETTER REGARDING VOLVO'S RESPONSE TO CONSUMER PROBLEM.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE FAILED AT ONLY 10500 MILES DUE TO SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER CLAIMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IMPROPERLY MAINTAINED ALTHOUGH THE CONSUMER PROVIDED THEM WITH SERVICE RECEIPTS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10128051

22,000 miles · May 3, 2005

Air BagsCrashInjury

MARCH 25, 2005 HAD WRECK, HIT REAR DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR; AIR BAGS ON DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR DID NOT DEPLOY. VOLVO WILL NOT COOPERATE WITH CAR OWNER TO FIX PROBLEM WITH AIR BAGS. THEY SAID AIR BAGS DID DEPLOY. OWNER WOULD LIKE FURTHER RESEARCH ON SIDE CURTIN AIR BAGS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10119610

Mileage unknown · Apr 27, 2005

Power Train

DESIGN DEFECTS IN THE SHIFTING DEVICE ON 2004 VOLVO XC90 SUV. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE SHIFTING DEVICE TENDS TO STOP IN REVERSE WHEN YOU TRY TO PUT THE SUV INTO PARK, BECAUSE THE SHIFT HAD STOPPED HARD. IF THE BRAKE IS RELEASED AND THE MOTOR IS STILL ON, THE CAR GOES BACKWARDS. THIS CAN EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR AN …

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NHTSA ODI #10120378

9,000 miles · Mar 23, 2005

Power Train

2004 ,VOLVO XC90 T6 AWD - VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. UPON RETURNING TO VEHICLE, REMOTE UNLOCK WAS HIT TWICE TO OPEN ALL DOORS, AND VEHICLE BEGAN TO ROLL DOWN DRIVEWAY. THIS OCCURRED TWO TIMES. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT VOLVO GARAGE FOR TWO WEEKS. AT THIS POINT NOT AWARE OF WHAT REPAIRS MAY HAVE BEEN MADE. IT APPEARS THE TRAN…

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NHTSA ODI #10114582

15,000 miles · Jan 26, 2005

Latches/locks/linkages

3-4 OCCURENCES OF VOLVO XC 90 DOORS UNLOCKING AND SPONTANEOUSLY OPENNING WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING IN TRAFFIC. THIS INVOLVED THE DRIVER, PASSENGER AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR. THE MANUFACTER WQAS UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM FOR THREE TO FOUR ATTEMPTS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10107971

23,000 miles · Dec 3, 2004

Fuel System, GasolineTires

WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING REAR PASSENGER'S TIRE BLEW OUT, RESULTING IN DAMAGING THE FUEL LINE. CONSUMER WAS AT A GAS STATION AND REFUELED THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10102072

1,000 miles · Nov 17, 2004

Electrical SystemSteeringSuspension

I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS FAILURES WITH MY 1990 VOLVO: I AM ON MY THIRD SET OF TIRES, AND I HAVE 30,000 MILES. I HAVE HAD SEVERAL SHOCK ABSORBERS REPLACED ,A TIE ROD BREAK, AND MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10100120

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.