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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.

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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

Power Train complaints

62 reports
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111,000 miles · Feb 15, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

AT 111,000 THOUSAND MILES THE COUNTER BALANCE SHAFT BEARING WENT INSIDE THE MOTOR. I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH ON LINE AND FOUND OUT THAT IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM, THAT VOLVO KNOWS ABOUT. IT COULD COST ANY WHERE FROM $5000.00 TO $15000.00. I BELIEVE THAT THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO DO A RECALL FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM, AND HELP THERE CUSTO…

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AT 111,000 THOUSAND MILES THE COUNTER BALANCE SHAFT BEARING WENT INSIDE THE MOTOR. I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH ON LINE AND FOUND OUT THAT IT IS A DESIGN PROBLEM, THAT VOLVO KNOWS ABOUT. IT COULD COST ANY WHERE FROM $5000.00 TO $15000.00. I BELIEVE THAT THEY SHOULD BE FORCED TO DO A RECALL FOR THIS KNOWN PROBLEM, AND HELP THERE CUSTOMERS WITH THE REPAIRS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10498317

84,500 miles · Jan 19, 2013
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT LESS THAN 85,000 MILES. THEN THE SECOND TRANSMISSION'S OUT-PUT SHAFT BEGAN LEAKING WITH LESS THAN 40,000 MILES ON IT, BECAUSE ACCORDING TO THE DEALER IT IS "OUT-OF-ROUND/TRUE". THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THIS TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK IS ALSO A FIRE HAZARD.

NHTSA ODI #10494343

85,812 miles · Jan 3, 2013
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING ON A GENTLE INCLINE THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING & SHIFTING BACK & FORTH BETWEEN GEARS. IT LOST POWER WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10490848

115,000 miles · Dec 18, 2012
EnginePower TrainUnknown Or Other

VOLVO KNOWS THE V8 ENGINE ON THE 2005 XC90 IS FAULTY. SPECIFICALLY, THE COUNTERBALANCE SHAFT BEARING FAILING DUE TO WATER INTRUSION. FORTUNATELY MINE FAILED WHILE AT IDLE. UNFORTUNATELY THE ENTIRE ENGINE IS NOW SEIZED UP AND MY OTHERWISE CLEAN CAR IS A LARGE AND USELESS PAPERWEIGHT. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN WHILE THE CAR IS MO…

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VOLVO KNOWS THE V8 ENGINE ON THE 2005 XC90 IS FAULTY. SPECIFICALLY, THE COUNTERBALANCE SHAFT BEARING FAILING DUE TO WATER INTRUSION. FORTUNATELY MINE FAILED WHILE AT IDLE. UNFORTUNATELY THE ENTIRE ENGINE IS NOW SEIZED UP AND MY OTHERWISE CLEAN CAR IS A LARGE AND USELESS PAPERWEIGHT. IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING AT SPEED, IT COULD CAUSE A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. UNLESS VOLVO ACTIVELY FINDS THE REMAINING ENGINES IN SERVICE AND FIXES THIS PROBLEM, IT REMAINS A RISK REGARDLESS OF THE MILEAGE. APPROPRIATELY, THEY SHOULD ALSO REIMBURSE ANYONE WHO WAS AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM SINCE THEY LEARNED OF IT BACK IN 2005. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10489205

96,005 miles · Sep 25, 2012
Power Train

MY CAR WAS AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, ON GREEN LIGHT, I TRIED TO ACCELERATE , I HEARD A BIG NOISE FROM SOMEWHERE IN ENGINE AREA. AFTER THAT NOISE, A LIGHT COME ON WITH A MESSAGE " TRANSMISSION SERVICE URGENT". THE CAR HAS REAL HARD TIME TO ACCELERATE. EVEN AT 4000 RPM, IT DID NOT ACCELERATE. BROWSE ON INTERNET FOR 3 HOURS AND FINALLY CO…

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MY CAR WAS AT TRAFFIC LIGHT, ON GREEN LIGHT, I TRIED TO ACCELERATE , I HEARD A BIG NOISE FROM SOMEWHERE IN ENGINE AREA. AFTER THAT NOISE, A LIGHT COME ON WITH A MESSAGE " TRANSMISSION SERVICE URGENT". THE CAR HAS REAL HARD TIME TO ACCELERATE. EVEN AT 4000 RPM, IT DID NOT ACCELERATE. BROWSE ON INTERNET FOR 3 HOURS AND FINALLY COME TO KNOW THAT THIS PARTICULAR MODEL HAS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10476961

64,000 miles · Jul 17, 2012
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS VEHICLE IS SLIPPING. TRYING TO PASS A CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AND COULD NOT GET THE CAR INTO GEAR. NOTE: THE VIN # [XXX] - BUT I CAN'T VALIDATE IT ON THIS FORM BUT IT IS THE CORRECT NUMBER. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10466325

67,000 miles · May 11, 2012
Power TrainSuspension

I ATTEMPTED TO PASS ANOTHER CAR AND THE ENGINE REVVED VERY HIGH WHILE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND COULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. THIS PUT MY CHILDREN AND I IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ALTHOUGH I WAS ABLE TO SWERVE BACK INTO MY OWN LANE IN TIME, IT WAS A VERY SCARY 10 OR 15 SECONDS. I HAVE BEEN AFRAID TO…

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I ATTEMPTED TO PASS ANOTHER CAR AND THE ENGINE REVVED VERY HIGH WHILE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND COULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. THIS PUT MY CHILDREN AND I IN A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. ALTHOUGH I WAS ABLE TO SWERVE BACK INTO MY OWN LANE IN TIME, IT WAS A VERY SCARY 10 OR 15 SECONDS. I HAVE BEEN AFRAID TO DRIVE IT UNTIL I CAN GET IT INTO THE REPAIR SHOP, BUT HAVE DRIVEN IT ON SHORT TRIPS AROUND TOWN. THE TRANSMISSION CONTINUES TO SLIP SOME IN NORMAL DRIVING. I'M TAKING IT TO VOLVO SERVICE TOMORROW BUT SOME QUICK RESEARCH FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS SUV, AND THAT VOLVO IS COMPLETELY AWARE OF IT. IN FACT, THE CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON I SPOKE WITH FROM VOLVO N.AM SAID "IT'S AN EPIDEMIC", AND THE SERVICE WRITER FOR NORTHPOINT VOLVO HAS SEEN IT MANY, MANY TIMES. IT LOOKS LIKE I'M IN FOR AS MUCH AS $8500 FOR A TRANSMISSION, AND EVEN MORE FOR POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE AXLES AS WELL AS A NEW RADIATOR, WHICH SEEMS TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE WHOLE PROBLEM DUE TO FLUID CONTAMINATION (GLYCOL INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID). I WASN'T AWARE OF THE PROBLEM UNTIL NOW, BUT I HAD CERTAINLY WONDERED WHY MY $48,000 VEHICLE HAD PLUMMETED IN VALUE COMPARED TO OTHER CARS! THIS IS NOT ONLY A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD BUT ALSO A FINANCIAL HARDSHIP ON THE MANY PEOPLE WHO PURCHASED THIS SUV BASED ON AN EXPECTATION OF QUALITY AT LEAST IN LINE WITH MINIMUM INDUSTRY STANDARDS. CLEARLY THIS COMPANY IS NOT STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT AND A RECALL IS IN ORDER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10458080

68,723 miles · Mar 27, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TRANSMISSION SERVICE URGENT LIGHT CAME OUT. TRANSMISSION WAS STUCK IN 3RD GEAR. HAD HARD UP SHIFTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10453277

66,000 miles · Feb 11, 2012
Power Train

THE TRAINS HAS GONE AND IT ONLY HAS 66,000 MILES ON IT COST TO FIX $ 5500.00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10447496

39,000 miles · Dec 6, 2011
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO XC90. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE BACK AND FORTH UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP SHAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE FOUR WHEEL D…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO XC90. WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC STOP, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE BACK AND FORTH UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP SHAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING WHERE THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE MOTOR WAS NOT ENGAGING AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WARNING LIGHT WAS NOT INDICATING THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39,000.

NHTSA ODI #10438789

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.