← New search

2005 Volvo XC90

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most XC90 years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Volvo XC90 are substantially higher than the model-year median of 34.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

195 reports with mileage · 28 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 62 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 51 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. 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.

1 crash reports3 fire reports1 injury reports

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
120,000 miles · May 21, 2018
Air BagsElectronic Stability Control (esc)Fuel/propulsion System

ALL THE VEHICLE LIGHTS WILL COME ON OVER THE DASH AND THE WHEEL LOCKS THEN IT SHUTS OFF WHILE I AM DRIVING. THIS IS SO UNSAFE FOR MY FAMILY. I AM NOT SURE WHY THERE IS NOT A RECALL FOR MY VIN # WHEN GOOGLE CLEARLY STATES THAT THIS IS A HAZARD AND THAT THERE ARE RECALLS FOR THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #11097108

130,000 miles · Oct 5, 2015
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Exterior Lighting

ASIDE FROM NORMAL CARE, I HAVE ONLY REPLACED MY TIRES AND A GAS CAP. I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE SOME WATER SEEPAGE ONTO THE DRIVER-SIDE. I COVERED THE VEHICLE WHEN IT RAINED AND FIGURED I WOULD HAVE A LOOK AT IT WHEN I HAD TIME. JULY 2015, I TOOK MY VOLVO TO SAVANNAH VOLVO, FIXED MY BREAKS ALONG WITH OTHER SAFETY FIXES, AFTER 14 HR…

Read full complaint

ASIDE FROM NORMAL CARE, I HAVE ONLY REPLACED MY TIRES AND A GAS CAP. I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE SOME WATER SEEPAGE ONTO THE DRIVER-SIDE. I COVERED THE VEHICLE WHEN IT RAINED AND FIGURED I WOULD HAVE A LOOK AT IT WHEN I HAD TIME. JULY 2015, I TOOK MY VOLVO TO SAVANNAH VOLVO, FIXED MY BREAKS ALONG WITH OTHER SAFETY FIXES, AFTER 14 HRS OF HAVING MY VEHICLE AND 2800 LATER, PETE STATED EVERYTHING WAS TAKEN CARE OF AND THE WATER SEEPAGE WAS DUE TO THE DRAINS BEING CLOGGED, BUT, THEY ARE ALL CLEAR NOW, WE DID A WATER TEST AND EVERYTHING IS OK. YOU WILL EXPERIENCE SOME MORE WATER SEEPAGE BUT IT SHOULD DRY UP IN A FEW DAYS. HE ALSO MENTIONED SOME OTHER WORK THAT NEEDED TO BE DONE THOUGH NOT UNTIL NOVEMBER, DECEMBER. I SAID GREAT AND GOT ON MY WAY. THREE DAYS LATER IT DID RAIN, CONFIDENT I DID NOT NEED TO COVER MY VEHICLE AND WAS STILL EXPERIENCING WATER SEEPAGE FROM MY VISIT, I DID NOT THINK ANY THING OF IT. THE NEXT DAY, MY CONTROL PANEL STARTED TO LIGHT UP. I CALLED SAVANNAH, AND HE MENTIONED IT MUST JUST BE BECAUSE YOU PUT A FULL TANK OF GAS....WHAT??? OK. AS THE WEEK WENT ON THE CONTROL PANEL CONTINUED TO LIGHT UP ONE BY ONE. THE DAY BEFORE GOING BACK, MY DRIVER SIDE TURN SIGNAL WAS ON. HOPING I DID NOT HAVE A DEAD BATTERY THE NEXT DAY, I HEADED TO VOLVO. AFTER 4 HRS THEY TELL ME THE ROOF DRAINS WERE CLOGGD AND SEEPED ONTO THE CEM, AND IT IS DAMAGED. I SAID TO PETE, I THOUGHT THE DRAINS WERE CLEAR WHEN I LEFT A WEEK AGO??? YEAH, WELL, WE CAN'T CREATE A PROBLEM WITH YOUR DRAINS. THOUGH, AFTER 10 YRS I LEAVE THERE AND 3 DAYS LATER EXPERIENCE A PROBLEM, AFTER YOU TOLD ME MY DRAINS WERE ALL CLEARED? SEVERAL PHONE CALLS TO THE DEALERSHIP AND VOLVO HEADQUARTERS, NOT ONE PERSON IS TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS BAD DESIGN, WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED MY TRANSMISSION TO LIMP AND A POSSIBLE ACCIDENT! IT NOW SITS IN MY DRIVEWAY, AFTER SPENDING 2800.00 I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER VOLVO!

NHTSA ODI #10779801

99,000 miles · Jan 31, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

VOLVO IS AWARE OF THE BALANCER SHAFT DEFECT THAT CAUSING A VERY PRICEY AND SERIOUS PROBLEM. THE FIX WAS TO DRILL A HOLE BUT NOT TO REPAIR ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE DESIGN FLAW. I WAS INFORMED BY THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE 2005 CX90 AND THE COST WOULD BE AROUND $4000 TO FIX THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE BALANC…

Read full complaint

VOLVO IS AWARE OF THE BALANCER SHAFT DEFECT THAT CAUSING A VERY PRICEY AND SERIOUS PROBLEM. THE FIX WAS TO DRILL A HOLE BUT NOT TO REPAIR ANY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE DESIGN FLAW. I WAS INFORMED BY THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE 2005 CX90 AND THE COST WOULD BE AROUND $4000 TO FIX THE DAMAGE DONE TO THE BALANCE SHAFT BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN FLAW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562413

76,132 miles · Jan 18, 2012
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I DROVE IN SEVERE DOWN POUR YESTERDAY AND EXPERIENCED AN YELLOW ERROR MESSAGE FOLLOWED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND ANTI SKID MESSAGE. I REDUCED MY SPEED TO 50 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE AND PROCEEDED HOME. AFTER STOPPING THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED ME THAT THIS …

Read full complaint

I DROVE IN SEVERE DOWN POUR YESTERDAY AND EXPERIENCED AN YELLOW ERROR MESSAGE FOLLOWED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND ANTI SKID MESSAGE. I REDUCED MY SPEED TO 50 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE AND PROCEEDED HOME. AFTER STOPPING THE LIGHTS WOULD NOT TURN OFF AND I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED ME THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH WATER GETTING INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSING THE CENTRAL ELECTRONIC MODULE TO SHORT CIRUIT AND RUST. THIS REPAIR ALONE COSTS OVER $5000 DUE THEIR DEFECTIVE DESIGN AND IMPROPER SEALING OF IMPORTANT ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. I AVOIDED ANY POSSIBLE ACCIDENTS BY DRIVING SLOWLY BUT DO NOT FEEL SAFE WERE I TO TRAVEL IN INCLEMENT WEATHER IN THE FUTURE. I DO BELIEVE THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WOULD SHORT CIRCUIT LEAVING ME WITHOUT ESSENTIAL POWER AND POSSIBLY HURT OR STRANDED. I CAN SEE FROM YOUR DATABASE THAT AN INVESTIGATION WAS COMPLETED ON 11/22/2010 UNDER ID PE10025 CITING NO REAL SAFETY ISSUES. I DISAGREE AND WOULD ENCOURAGE YOU TO REVISIT THIS ISSUE IMMEDIATELY. VOLVO HAS CONCEDED TO REPLACE THE CEM ($753.52) UNIT BUT NOT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ($3034.71) THAT HOUSES IT, THEREFORE OWNERS LIKE MYSELF WILL CONTINUE TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEM AND REAL DANGER FROM IT.

NHTSA ODI #10444427

Official recalls

6

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.

07V221000 · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

May 25, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT WHILE DOING BATTERY MAINTENANCE THE JACK'S CRANK HANDLE CAN BE MISPLACED UNDER A BRACKET WHICH RETAINS THE BATTERY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: MISPLACEMENT OF THE JACK'S CRANK HANDLE CAN POSE A SAFETY RISK AS IT CAN RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT OF THE BATTERY WHICH COULD THEN LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND ENSURE PROPER PLACEMENT OF THE JACK CRANK HANDLE AND A WARNING LABEL WITH APPROVED TEXT WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE BRACKET WHICH RETAINS THE BATTERY. THIS WARNING LABEL WILL INFORM AN OPERATOR NOT TO PLACE THE JACK CRANK HANDLE BETWEEN THE BRACKET AND THE BATTERY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 7, 2007. 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.

05V529000 · Electrical System:starter Assembly:solenoid

Nov 17, 2005

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO AN ERROR IN THE FACTORY ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION, THE B+TERMINAL MAY BE IN CONFLICT WITH THE STARTER MOTOR SOLENOID. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE B+TERMINAL AND THE STARTER MOTOR SOLENOID MAY DEVELOP INTO A SHORT CIRCUIT OF THE BATTERY CABLE TO GROUND.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SMOKE MAY APPEAR FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND IT MAY BE IMPOSSIBLE TO START THE CAR. IF THE SHORT CIRCUIT HAPPENS DURING DRIVING, ELECTRICAL POWER COULD BE LOST RESULTING IN THE WARNING LAMPS BEING DEACTIVATED. AN ELECTRICAL SHORT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INCREASE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE B+TERMINAL AND THE STARTER MOTOR SOLENOID BY ADJUSTING THE TERMINAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY 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

4

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.

EA06006 · Volvo XC90 Battery Cable Failures

Opened Mar 21, 2006 · Closed Jun 14, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery; Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables; Equipment:mechanical:accessory Scissor/screw/bottle Jack/lift

DURING PE05-057 AND EA06-006 ODI IDENTIFIED TWO CONDITIONS INVOLVING THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2005 VOLVO XC90 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES THAT COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE:(1) POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE GROUNDING TO THE STARTER SOLENOID HOUSING; AND (2) MISPLACED JACK CRANK HANDLES UNDER THE BATTERY BRACKET AFTER BATTERY SERVICE/MAINTENANCE.DURING PE05-057 VOLVO INITIATED A SAFETY RECALL TO CORRECT THE FIRST CONDITION IN APPROXIMATELY 10,529 MY 2005 XC90 AND S80 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SIX-CYLINDER ENGINES (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-529).IN A MAY 18, 2007 LETTER, VOLVO NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WOULD BE CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS THE SECOND CONDITION IN APPROXIMATELY 42.211 MY 2005 XC90 VEHICLES BY INSPECTING THE JACK CRANK HANDLE FOR PROPER POSITIONING AND AFFIXING A WARNING LABEL ON THE BATTERY BRACKET TO WARN OPERATORS NOT TO PLACE THE HANDLE BETWEEN THE BATTERY AND BATTERY BRACKET (NHTSA RECALL NO. 07V-221). THE ACTIONS BY VOLVO ADDRESS BOTH CONDITIONS THAT POSE A RISK OF BATTERY CABLE FIRE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION.THE AVAILABLE EVIDENCE DOES NOT INDICATE THAT THE OTHER BATTERY CABLE CONDITIONS REVIEWED DURING EA06-006 PRESENT HAVE RESULTED IN ANY FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION.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 IN ANY ONE OF THE ISSUES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

DURING PE05-057 AND EA06-006 ODI IDENTIFIED TWO CONDITIONS INVOLVING THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2005 VOLVO XC90 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES THAT COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE:(1) POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE GROUNDING TO THE STARTER SOLENOID HOUSING; AND (2) MISPLACED JACK CRANK HANDLES UNDER THE BATTERY BRACKET AFTER BATTERY SERVICE/MAINTENANCE.DURING PE05-057 VOLVO INITIATED A SAFETY RECALL TO CORRECT THE FIRST CONDITION IN APPROXIMATELY 10,529 MY 2005 XC90 AND S80 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SIX-CYLINDER ENGINES (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-529).IN A MAY 18, 2007 LETTER, VOLVO NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WOULD BE CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS THE SECOND CONDITION IN APPROXIMATELY 42.211 MY 2005 XC90 VEHICLES BY INSPECTING THE JACK CRANK HANDLE FOR PROPER POSITIONING AND AFFIXING A WARNING LABEL ON THE BATTERY BRACKET TO WARN OPERATORS NOT TO PLACE THE HANDLE BETWEEN THE BATTERY AND BATTERY BRACKET (NHTSA RECALL NO. 07V-221). THE ACTIONS BY VOLVO ADDRESS BOTH CONDITIONS THAT POSE A RISK OF BATTERY CABLE FIRE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION.THE AVAILABLE EVIDENCE DOES NOT INDICATE THAT THE OTHER BATTERY CABLE CONDITIONS REVIEWED DURING EA06-006 PRESENT HAVE RESULTED IN ANY FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION.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 IN ANY ONE OF THE ISSUES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery

DURING PE05-057 AND EA06-006 ODI IDENTIFIED TWO CONDITIONS INVOLVING THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2005 VOLVO XC90 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES THAT COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE:(1) POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE GROUNDING TO THE STARTER SOLENOID HOUSING; AND (2) MISPLACED JACK CRANK HANDLES UNDER THE BATTERY BRACKET AFTER BATTERY SERVICE/MAINTENANCE.DURING PE05-057 VOLVO INITIATED A SAFETY RECALL TO CORRECT THE FIRST CONDITION IN APPROXIMATELY 10,529 MY 2005 XC90 AND S80 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SIX-CYLINDER ENGINES (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-529).IN A MAY 18, 2007 LETTER, VOLVO NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WOULD BE CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS THE SECOND CONDITION IN APPROXIMATELY 42.211 MY 2005 XC90 VEHICLES BY INSPECTING THE JACK CRANK HANDLE FOR PROPER POSITIONING AND AFFIXING A WARNING LABEL ON THE BATTERY BRACKET TO WARN OPERATORS NOT TO PLACE THE HANDLE BETWEEN THE BATTERY AND BATTERY BRACKET (NHTSA RECALL NO. 07V-221). THE ACTIONS BY VOLVO ADDRESS BOTH CONDITIONS THAT POSE A RISK OF BATTERY CABLE FIRE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION.THE AVAILABLE EVIDENCE DOES NOT INDICATE THAT THE OTHER BATTERY CABLE CONDITIONS REVIEWED DURING EA06-006 PRESENT HAVE RESULTED IN ANY FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION.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 IN ANY ONE OF THE ISSUES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Equipment:mechanical:accessory Scissor/screw/bottle Jack/lift

DURING PE05-057 AND EA06-006 ODI IDENTIFIED TWO CONDITIONS INVOLVING THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2005 VOLVO XC90 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES THAT COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE:(1) POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE GROUNDING TO THE STARTER SOLENOID HOUSING; AND (2) MISPLACED JACK CRANK HANDLES UNDER THE BATTERY BRACKET AFTER BATTERY SERVICE/MAINTENANCE.DURING PE05-057 VOLVO INITIATED A SAFETY RECALL TO CORRECT THE FIRST CONDITION IN APPROXIMATELY 10,529 MY 2005 XC90 AND S80 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SIX-CYLINDER ENGINES (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-529).IN A MAY 18, 2007 LETTER, VOLVO NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WOULD BE CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS THE SECOND CONDITION IN APPROXIMATELY 42.211 MY 2005 XC90 VEHICLES BY INSPECTING THE JACK CRANK HANDLE FOR PROPER POSITIONING AND AFFIXING A WARNING LABEL ON THE BATTERY BRACKET TO WARN OPERATORS NOT TO PLACE THE HANDLE BETWEEN THE BATTERY AND BATTERY BRACKET (NHTSA RECALL NO. 07V-221). THE ACTIONS BY VOLVO ADDRESS BOTH CONDITIONS THAT POSE A RISK OF BATTERY CABLE FIRE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION.THE AVAILABLE EVIDENCE DOES NOT INDICATE THAT THE OTHER BATTERY CABLE CONDITIONS REVIEWED DURING EA06-006 PRESENT HAVE RESULTED IN ANY FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION.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 IN ANY ONE OF THE ISSUES.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

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.

PE05057 · Volvo XC90 Battery Cable Failures

Opened Nov 2, 2005 · Closed Mar 23, 2006

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables; Electrical System:starter Assembly; Electrical System:wiring; Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

THE OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION, PE05-057 BASED ON EARLY WARNING DATA SUBMITTED TO ODI BY VOLVO. THE DATA CONTAINED FIELD REPORTS OF THERMAL FAILURES OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE. ON NOVEMBER 17, 2005, VOLVO NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT HAD IDENTIFIED A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLES IN APPROXIMATELY 9,000 MY 2005 VOLVO XC90 VEHICLES WITH SIX CYLINDER ENGINES THAT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.VOLVO RECALLED THE AFFECTED VEHICLES TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL GROUNDING CONDITION (NHTSA RECALL #05V-529).THERE WERE 13 COMPLAINTS, INCLUDING 4 FIRES, AND 10 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE CONDITION ADDRESSED BY 05V-529.DURING PE05-057, VOLVO ALSO PROVIDED ODI WITH INFORMATION REGARDING THREE OTHER ISSUES RELATED TO THE BATTERY CABLE/TERMINALS IN MY 2005 XC90 VEHICLES:1) UNDER TORQUED BATTERY CABLE ATTACHING FASTENERS TO THE STARTER ALLEGEDLY CAUSING ENGINE STALLS AND MELTED PARTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT (APPLICABLE TO V8 ENGINES ONLY).2) THE JACK HANDLE MAY BE CRITICALLY MISPOSITIONED AGAINST THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE/POST ALLEGEDLY CAUSING FIRES IN SOME VEHICLES (APPLICABLE TO ALL XC90 VEHICLES).3) A POTENTIAL CHAFFING CONDITION OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE TO A SHARP EDGED SHEET METAL FLANGE IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT. (APPLICABLE TO ALL XC90 VEHICLES).THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-006) TO ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND POTENTIAL SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF EACH OF THESE ISSUES.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Electrical SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V Battery:cables

THE OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION, PE05-057 BASED ON EARLY WARNING DATA SUBMITTED TO ODI BY VOLVO. THE DATA CONTAINED FIELD REPORTS OF THERMAL FAILURES OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE. ON NOVEMBER 17, 2005, VOLVO NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT HAD IDENTIFIED A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLES IN APPROXIMATELY 9,000 MY 2005 VOLVO XC90 VEHICLES WITH SIX CYLINDER ENGINES THAT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.VOLVO RECALLED THE AFFECTED VEHICLES TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL GROUNDING CONDITION (NHTSA RECALL #05V-529).THERE WERE 13 COMPLAINTS, INCLUDING 4 FIRES, AND 10 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE CONDITION ADDRESSED BY 05V-529.DURING PE05-057, VOLVO ALSO PROVIDED ODI WITH INFORMATION REGARDING THREE OTHER ISSUES RELATED TO THE BATTERY CABLE/TERMINALS IN MY 2005 XC90 VEHICLES:1) UNDER TORQUED BATTERY CABLE ATTACHING FASTENERS TO THE STARTER ALLEGEDLY CAUSING ENGINE STALLS AND MELTED PARTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT (APPLICABLE TO V8 ENGINES ONLY).2) THE JACK HANDLE MAY BE CRITICALLY MISPOSITIONED AGAINST THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE/POST ALLEGEDLY CAUSING FIRES IN SOME VEHICLES (APPLICABLE TO ALL XC90 VEHICLES).3) A POTENTIAL CHAFFING CONDITION OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE TO A SHARP EDGED SHEET METAL FLANGE IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT. (APPLICABLE TO ALL XC90 VEHICLES).THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-006) TO ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND POTENTIAL SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF EACH OF THESE ISSUES.

Electrical System:starter Assembly

THE OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION, PE05-057 BASED ON EARLY WARNING DATA SUBMITTED TO ODI BY VOLVO. THE DATA CONTAINED FIELD REPORTS OF THERMAL FAILURES OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE. ON NOVEMBER 17, 2005, VOLVO NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT HAD IDENTIFIED A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLES IN APPROXIMATELY 9,000 MY 2005 VOLVO XC90 VEHICLES WITH SIX CYLINDER ENGINES THAT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.VOLVO RECALLED THE AFFECTED VEHICLES TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL GROUNDING CONDITION (NHTSA RECALL #05V-529).THERE WERE 13 COMPLAINTS, INCLUDING 4 FIRES, AND 10 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE CONDITION ADDRESSED BY 05V-529.DURING PE05-057, VOLVO ALSO PROVIDED ODI WITH INFORMATION REGARDING THREE OTHER ISSUES RELATED TO THE BATTERY CABLE/TERMINALS IN MY 2005 XC90 VEHICLES:1) UNDER TORQUED BATTERY CABLE ATTACHING FASTENERS TO THE STARTER ALLEGEDLY CAUSING ENGINE STALLS AND MELTED PARTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT (APPLICABLE TO V8 ENGINES ONLY).2) THE JACK HANDLE MAY BE CRITICALLY MISPOSITIONED AGAINST THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE/POST ALLEGEDLY CAUSING FIRES IN SOME VEHICLES (APPLICABLE TO ALL XC90 VEHICLES).3) A POTENTIAL CHAFFING CONDITION OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE TO A SHARP EDGED SHEET METAL FLANGE IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT. (APPLICABLE TO ALL XC90 VEHICLES).THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-006) TO ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND POTENTIAL SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF EACH OF THESE ISSUES.

Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

THE OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION, PE05-057 BASED ON EARLY WARNING DATA SUBMITTED TO ODI BY VOLVO. THE DATA CONTAINED FIELD REPORTS OF THERMAL FAILURES OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE. ON NOVEMBER 17, 2005, VOLVO NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT HAD IDENTIFIED A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLES IN APPROXIMATELY 9,000 MY 2005 VOLVO XC90 VEHICLES WITH SIX CYLINDER ENGINES THAT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.VOLVO RECALLED THE AFFECTED VEHICLES TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL GROUNDING CONDITION (NHTSA RECALL #05V-529).THERE WERE 13 COMPLAINTS, INCLUDING 4 FIRES, AND 10 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE CONDITION ADDRESSED BY 05V-529.DURING PE05-057, VOLVO ALSO PROVIDED ODI WITH INFORMATION REGARDING THREE OTHER ISSUES RELATED TO THE BATTERY CABLE/TERMINALS IN MY 2005 XC90 VEHICLES:1) UNDER TORQUED BATTERY CABLE ATTACHING FASTENERS TO THE STARTER ALLEGEDLY CAUSING ENGINE STALLS AND MELTED PARTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT (APPLICABLE TO V8 ENGINES ONLY).2) THE JACK HANDLE MAY BE CRITICALLY MISPOSITIONED AGAINST THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE/POST ALLEGEDLY CAUSING FIRES IN SOME VEHICLES (APPLICABLE TO ALL XC90 VEHICLES).3) A POTENTIAL CHAFFING CONDITION OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE TO A SHARP EDGED SHEET METAL FLANGE IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT. (APPLICABLE TO ALL XC90 VEHICLES).THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-006) TO ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND POTENTIAL SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF EACH OF THESE ISSUES.

Electrical System:wiring

THE OFFICE OF DEFECT INVESTIGATIONS OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION, PE05-057 BASED ON EARLY WARNING DATA SUBMITTED TO ODI BY VOLVO. THE DATA CONTAINED FIELD REPORTS OF THERMAL FAILURES OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE. ON NOVEMBER 17, 2005, VOLVO NOTIFIED ODI THAT IT HAD IDENTIFIED A SAFETY DEFECT IN THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLES IN APPROXIMATELY 9,000 MY 2005 VOLVO XC90 VEHICLES WITH SIX CYLINDER ENGINES THAT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.VOLVO RECALLED THE AFFECTED VEHICLES TO ADDRESS THE POTENTIAL GROUNDING CONDITION (NHTSA RECALL #05V-529).THERE WERE 13 COMPLAINTS, INCLUDING 4 FIRES, AND 10 WARRANTY CLAIMS RELATED TO THE CONDITION ADDRESSED BY 05V-529.DURING PE05-057, VOLVO ALSO PROVIDED ODI WITH INFORMATION REGARDING THREE OTHER ISSUES RELATED TO THE BATTERY CABLE/TERMINALS IN MY 2005 XC90 VEHICLES:1) UNDER TORQUED BATTERY CABLE ATTACHING FASTENERS TO THE STARTER ALLEGEDLY CAUSING ENGINE STALLS AND MELTED PARTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT (APPLICABLE TO V8 ENGINES ONLY).2) THE JACK HANDLE MAY BE CRITICALLY MISPOSITIONED AGAINST THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE/POST ALLEGEDLY CAUSING FIRES IN SOME VEHICLES (APPLICABLE TO ALL XC90 VEHICLES).3) A POTENTIAL CHAFFING CONDITION OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE TO A SHARP EDGED SHEET METAL FLANGE IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT. (APPLICABLE TO ALL XC90 VEHICLES).THE PRELIMINARY EVALUATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA06-006) TO ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY AND POTENTIAL SAFETY CONSEQUENCES OF EACH OF THESE ISSUES.