2003 Volvo XC90

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2007· SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FROM 64,000 MILES TO 75,000 MILES AND HAVE REPLACED THE FOLLOWING - REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS 4 TIMES, AND NOW THE ANGLE GEAR HAS GONE AT 75,000 MILES - NOT A VERY RELIABLE USED CAR. *TR

• 12/22/2010· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55-65 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK WITH EXCESSIVE HESITATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURES BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000. UPDATED 07/20/11 *BF UPDATED 10/26/11

• 12/21/2007· POWER TRAIN

  ANGLE GEAR REPLACEMENT ON A 2003 VOLVO XC90 AWD. *TR

• 12/15/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

  DRIVING THE XC90 AND SUDDENLY THERE IS A HUGE THUMP AND CLICKING FROM THE DASHBOARD. ALL THE DIALS AROUND THE SPEDOMETER STOP WORKING.. IF WE KEEP DRIVING THERE ARE MORE THUMPS AND WE QUICKLY LOSE ENGINE POWER - IT IS EXTREMELY SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENS.. ALL THE LIGHTS COME ON (INSIDE THE CAR), DASHBOARD GOES DEAD ETC ETC. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS .. IT HAPPENED TO USE A NUMBER OF TIMES WITH 3 CHILDREN IN THE CAR. IT HAS OCCURRED WHEN WE WERE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, 2-3 TIMES, IT HAS OCCURRED ON SHORT TRIPS - IT HAPPENS AT SEEMINGLY RANDOM TIMES, USUALLY AFTER DRIVING FOR OVER 30 MINUTES, BUT THEN YESTERDAY IT HAPPENED ON A TRIP JUST DOWN TO THE PARK, NOT 5 MINUTES DOWN THE ROAD.. ON THIS OCCASION THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING IN THE SUN FOR A WHILE (MAYBE HEAT RELATED?). IT HAS HAPPENED IN HOT WEATHER, COLD WEATHER .. WE ARE IN CONSTANT FEAR WHEN DRIVING THE CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED VOLVO AUSTRALIA ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT THEY SAID THEY HAVE NO RESPONSIBILITY, THAT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THE PROBLEM AND DIDN'T WANT TO HELP AT ALL!! I SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM, IS VOLVO NOT GOING TO FIX IT UNTIL SOMEONE IS KILLED??? WHAT WILL IT TAKE!?!?!?! IT IS A JOKE ! WE BOUGHT A VOLVO TO HAVE SOMETHING SAFER THAN NORMAL BUT ITS MORE DANGEROUS! I CANNOT EVEN SELL THE CAR BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT AND I DON'T WANT ANOTHER FAMILY / PERSON TO BE INJURED .. NO RESALE VALUE, NO SAFETY! COME ON VOLVO, THIS IS CRAZY!

• 12/12/2011· POWER TRAIN

  I HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE COOLANT HAS LEAKED INTO TO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO GIVE OUT. THEY SAID IT NEEDS REPLACED AT A COST OF 6000. THIS WOULD BE THE 3 RD TRANSMISSION IN THIS CAR ALONE. THEIR ARE MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS VOLVOX FAULT AND IT NEEDS REPLACED ON THEIR DIME. *TR

• 12/11/2003· POWER TRAIN

  FOR BOTH OUR 2001 VOLVO S60 2.4T AND OUR 2003 VOLVO XC90 2.5T AWD THERE HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR A TRANSMISSION DEFECT (ESSENTIALLY SAME TRANSMISSION IN BOTH VEHICLES PER VOLVO TECH SUPPORT). BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD THERE IS INTERMITTENT/UNPREDICTABLE FAILURE TO ENGAGE 3RD IN TIMELY FASHION WITH RESULTANT LOSS OF ACCELERATION AS VEHICLE IS FUNCTIONALLY IN NEUTRAL WITH ENGINE RACING FOR ~0.5-2.5 SECONDS. THIS CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN PULLING ON TO A HIGHWAY. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED 2 NEAR COLLISIONS (ALMOST BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND). VOLVO TECH SUPPORT ACKNOWLEDGES A FLAW IN ENGINEERING WHEREBY SERVO FLUID AIR LOCK OCCURS IN THE 2001. A NEW TRANSMISSION IS SCHEDULED TO BE REPLACED FOR OUR S60, BUT IF THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURING IN OUR 2003, WILL THIS REALLY CORRECT THE PROBLEM AS THE TRANSMISSIONS ARE BASICALLY IDENTICAL? THE 2003 XC90 VOLVO SAYS CAN BE REPAIRED WITH "UPGRADED SOFTWARE" (WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR THAT VEHICLE) BUT THIS REMEDY FAILED WHEN PERFORMED ON OUR 2001 S60. WE HAVE LET THE DEALER KNOW WE FEEL BOTH VEHICLES ARE UNSAFE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND WE ARE NOW STUCK WITH THEM TRYING TO REMEDY BOTH VEHICLES' GLARING DEFECTS. WE ARE NOT AWARE OF A FEDERALLY MANDATED RECALL TO REPAIR THIS VOLVO ACKNOWLEDGED (SAFETY) DEFECT. CAN NHTSA PURSUE THIS? *AK

• 12/01/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  FOLLOWING A LOUD "BANG", THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A VERY LOUD AND SUSPICIOUS NOISE. MOOERS VOLVO IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA CLAIMED THAT THEY "COULD NOT RECREATE THE NOISE" AND THEREFORE WOULD NOT PERFORM ANY WARRANTY REPAIRS. A LOCAL MECHANIC AGREED THAT THE ENGINE WAS INDEED MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE AND FOUND THAT THE PCV VACUUM TUBE ASSEMBLY WAS CRACKED. FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT A SERVICE BULLETIN (#2-25-0038) HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT MOOERS VOLVO REFUSED TO MAKE THE REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY. *JB

• 11/30/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE,TIRES,SEATS,EQUIPMENT

  THE CONSUMER PURCHASED NEW TIRES BECAUSE OF EXTREME WEAR AT LOW MILEAGE. THE 2003 VOLVO XC90 HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS THAT HAD TO BE CORRECTED ON A REGULAR BASIS. *BF THE LUG NUTS WERE REPLACED TWICE DUE TO RUST WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED, UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION, RADIO WAS INOPERATIVE AND THE LEFT DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED DUE TO THE PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT MOLDING. AFTER 15K PLUS MILES, THE TIRES HAD WORN SMOOTH TO THE CORD. (TIRE-PERRILLI SCORPION) *SC

• 11/29/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

  I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE DESIGN DEFECT IN SUN ROOF & THE WATER DAMAGES THAT RESULT IN ELECTRICAL ISSUES. I HAD ALWAYS PARKED MY VEHICLE IN COVERED PARKING UNTIL MOVING THIS YEAR IN JANUARY. I HAD TAKEN MY CAR IN TO HAVE A TUNE UP IN NOV 2012 AT WHICH TIME I WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE OF REPAIRS NEEDED IN MY CAR. MY CAR REMAINED PARKED FOR MOST OF 2013 DUE TO HAVING MOVED I WASN'T ABLE TO AFFORD REPAIRS. THE REPAIRS WHERE INNER&OUTER TIE RODS,BALL JOINTS, MOUNTS, ARM BUSHINGS, ROTORS & BREAK PADS. THE ABOVE AFOREMENTIONED WHERE MADE. FOLLOWING REPAIRS I WASHED MY CAR AND DROVE OUT OF TOWN 4TH JULY WEEKEND FROM LOS ANGELES TO JAMESTOWN CALIFORNIA. ONCE I ARRIVED MY CAR REMAINED PARKED UNTIL RETURNING HOME JULY 7TH. SHORTLY AFTER STARTING MY CAR THE DASH GAUGES STARTED TO FLASH ON/OFF AND EVENTUALLY WENT OUT. AT THE TIME I HAD MY PORTABLE GPS, A/C WAS WORKING & I HAD USE OF WINDOWS (ROLLING UP & DOWN). I KNEW I HAD A FULL TANK OF GAS CAUSE I HAD FUELED UP PRIOR TO ARRIVING AT DESTINATION. BEING I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF KNOW WHERE WITHOUT CELL PHONE SERVICE I DROVE AS FAR AS I COULD BEFORE I THOUGHT I MAY NEED GAS. WHEN I STOPPED TO GET FUEL I WAS NOT ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR TO REFUEL WITH GAS. I BROKE THE CLIPS ON THE DOOR ALLOWING ME TO ACCESS AND FUEL TANK AND REFILL WITH GAS. IT WAS SUNDAY AFTER A MAJOR HOLIDAY AND THERE WAS A LOT OF TRAFFIC, THE ONLY VOLVO DEALERSHIP I PASSED WAS CLOSED AND I JUST WANTED TO GET HOME. SO I CONTINUED TO DRIVE AND WAS JUST GETTING ONTO THE GRAPEVINE AND TRAFFIC REALLY BACKED UP. THERE WAS A FIRE THAT HAD BEEN BURNING ON THE MOUNTAIN TO THE RIGHT AND HELICOPTERS WHERE DUMPING WATER ON THIS ONGOING FIRE. AROUND THIS TIME I NOTICED THE A/C HAD QUIT WORKING AND WAS BLOWING HOT AIR. I TRIED TO ROLL MY WINDOWS DOWN AND THEY WHERE INOPERABLE. TRAFFIC WAS AT A CRAWL AND THERE WAS NO PLACE TO PULL OVER. WORST NIGHTMARE EVER. *TR

• 11/28/2009· SUSPENSION,POWER TRAIN,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,AIR BAGS,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM

  OPERATING VEHICLE SINCE OCT '08, SINCE THAT TIME THERE HAS BEEN A NOISE EMANATING FROM FRONT PASS-SIDE WHEEL AREA. PURCHASING DEALER(HALL CHEVY, CHESAPEAKE, VA) PERFORMED WHEEL-ALIGNMENT TO "FIX" THE NOISE WHICH DID NOT REMEDY. VOLVO DEALER IN ARVADA, CO DIAGNOSED IT AS FAILED, OR FAILING WHEEL HUB, TO BE REPLACED AT COST OF $500. THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAD TRANS FAILURE AT APPX 76K MILES, AND THROTTLE CONTROL MODULE FAILURE IN OCT '09. I BELIEVE THERE ARE MANY CONCERNS ABOUT OPERATING AND HAVING CONFIDENCE IN ITS ABILITY TO OPERATE "SAFELY AND RELIABLY" THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NEARLY AS MUCH AS ON-THE-ROAD SINCE IT'S I PURCHASED IT IN OCT '08. *TR

• 11/25/2009· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN 2004 VOLVO XC90 T6. VOLVO WELL AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE RATE IN THESE VEHICLES BUT FAILS TO ISSUE A TSB. MY VEHICLES TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 71,XXX MILES WITH MY WIFE AND KIDS IN THE CAR AT AN INTERSECTION. WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. HAD REPORTED INSTANCES OF "SLIPPING" TRANS TO DEALER SERVICE DEPT WITH NO RESOLUTION PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE. NEW TRANS WAS REPLACED OUT OF WARRANTY COST OVER $4700 WITH NO REFUND OR DISCOUNT FROM VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA OR THE DEALER. RESEARCH REVEALS "SQUEAKY WHEEL" POLICY TOWARD COMPENSATING OWNERS. I WAS REJECTED FOR COMPENSATION AND OFFERED 50% DISCOUNT ON PARTS AND LABOR FOR "NEXT TRANSMISSION FAILURE". *TR

• 11/17/2008· POWER TRAIN

  2003 VOLVO XC 90. TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 30,000 MILES, NO UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND CAR WELL MAINTAINED. TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN AT 46,000 MILES. REPLACED AGAIN BY DEALERSHIP. CAR NOT YET AT 50,000 MILES ALREADY SHOWING SIGNS OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AGAIN. DEALERSHIP REPLACING ORIGINAL VOLVO TRANSMISSION (NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION) WITH A FORD MODEL TRANSMISSION THAT THE DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED VERBALLY WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE VOLVO XC 90. INTERNET SEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDE SPREAD. *TR

• 11/15/2010· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND THE SAFETY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 10/30/2008· POWER TRAIN

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, A WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED STATING THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE CHECKED. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT WANTS TO FILE A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

• 10/28/2007· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 50,000 MILES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS OR PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. DEALER ADVISED JUST AN INTERNAL FAILURE. CHECK OF FLUID WAS GOOD, PROPER LEVEL AND NO METAL INDICATED. *TR

• 10/23/2008· POWER TRAIN

  VOLVO XC90 65,000 MILES - REGULARLY FACTORY MAINTENANCE AT VOLVO DEALERSHIP - TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT ACCELERATING WHEN TRANSMISSION SLIPPED BETWEEN 3 AND 4TH GEAR AND CAR SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL. VOLVO AGREES TO PAY FOR PARTS, BUT NOT FOR LABOR WHICH IS EXPENSIVE ON THIS LUXURY VEHICLE. MANY OTHERS (EDMUNDS.COM) HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE AND IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

• 10/22/2009· POWER TRAIN

  I PURCHASED MY 2003 VOLVO XC90 IN APRIL OF 2005 WITH 36K MILES. FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS, I HAVE COMPLAINED ON VARIOUS ISSUES WITH THE CAR'S PERFORMANCE RELATED TO THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION. PULLING AND JERKING OF THE CAR WHEN I PROCEED TO ACCELERATE, SLOW ACCELERATION FROM STOP, NOT BEING ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, CAR ONLY WANTING TO DRIVE IN THIRD GEAR, AND A HIGH PITCH NOISE. FROM OCT 05 TO MARCH 2008 I MADE 8 VISITS TO THE DEALER REGARDING THESE ISSUES FOR WHICH I WAS BLOWN OFF AND TOLD THAT UNLESS THE LIGHT APPEARED THEY COULD NOT REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION. AT 87K MILES I HAD IT AND TOOK THE CAR RIGHT TO THE SERVICE MGR WHO IN TURN TOLD ME THAT "VOLVO IS AWARE OF THIS FACTORY DEFECT AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER I AM IN OR OUT OF MY WARRANTY, THEY WOULD REPLACE IT ONCE THE LIGHT COMES ON. 4 MONTHS LATER, THE DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM (GWINNETT PLACE VOLVO IN DULUTH, GA) WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. ON WEDNESDAY, OCT 7, 2009, THE "SERVICE TRANSMISSION URGENT" LIGHT CAME ON MY 2003 VOLVO XC90 WITH 116K MILES. AFTER WHICH I NOTICED THE GEAR AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL DEALER DYER & DYER VOLVO. THEY'VE KEPT THE CAR FOR 2 WEEKS OFFERING TO REQUEST A "GOOD WILL" REQUEST TO VOLVO NORTH AMERICA TO FIX THE CAR. VOLVO NORTH AMERICA HAS REFUSED TO FIX THE CAR WHICH COSTS $7500 SIGHTING THAT IT IS NOW OF WARRANTY. I CONTACTED THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE WHO TOLD ME THAT UNLESS THE CAR IS RECALLED THEY WILL NOT FIX MY CAR. YESTERDAY I FOUND APPROXIMATELY 1,973 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE ON THIS MAKE/MODEL FOR YEARS 2003-2006. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE RECALL THIS CAR AND FINE VOLVO AS THEY HAVE OFFERED NO REMORSE WHATSOEVER ON THIS ISSUE AND ARE OPENLY ADMITTING 2 THIS FACTORY DEFECT BUT REFUSE TO FIX IT. IT'S A HARD PILL TO SWALLOW WHEN YOU PURCHASE A CAR FOR $40K TO ONLY BE ABLE TO DRIVE IT 75K MILES WITH COUNTLESS ISSUES AND TRIPS TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. VOLVO'S MARKETING PITCH OF DEPENDABILITY IS FRAUD. *TR

• 10/20/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS

  PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION, SEAT BELTS DO NOT LATCH, DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINES BY ITSELF. *MR THE RADIO WENT OUT AND THE ENGINE MADE A GRINDING NOISE *SCC *JB

• 10/18/2007· POWER TRAIN

  NO ACCIDENT. *JB

• 10/18/2004· SUSPENSION,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,TIRES,WHEELS,SEATS,EQUIPMENT

  MULTIPLE FAILURES; DOOR LOCK,TIRES WERE WORN TO THE CORD. * BF THE LUG NUTS WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE RUSTED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED, THE DOORS DID NOT FIT PROPERLY, THE RADIO FAILED, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION, THE LEFT REAR DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED DUE TO THE PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT MOLDING AND THE TIRE DISPLAYED UNUSUAL WEAR AND WERE WORN SMOOTH TO THE CORD. THE LUG NUTS THAT WERE INSTALLED RUSTED AGAIN. (TIRES/PERRILLI SCORPIAN) *SC *JB

• 10/17/2009· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION SERVICE URGENT LIGHT. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF SUV FROM VOLVO THE 2003 XC90. THE DEALER ARE ONLY REPLACING THE TRANS AT OUTRAGES PRICE SOME AS MUCH AS 8000.00. IF THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WHY WILL VOLVO NOT HAVE A RECALL. THIS IS THE THIRD VOLVO THAT I HAVE OWN. *TR

• 10/17/2008· POWER TRAIN

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SURGING ON ITS OWN. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, AS WELL AS AN ERROR MESSAGE STATING, "TRANSMISSION SERVICE URGENT." THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION ALONG WITH SHARDS OF METAL IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT AN ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED, ALTHOUGH ONE HAD JUST BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ESTIMATED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD COST OVER $6,000. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 93,000.

• 10/14/2008· POWER TRAIN

  MY VEHICLE HAS 61,400 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. OUT OF THE BLUE IT STARTED SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR CAUSING EXTREMELY HIGH REVVING AND THE A TRANSMISSION FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS OF THIS DEFECT. DEALER SAYS A NEW TRANSMISSION IS NEEDED. *TR

• 10/10/2009· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN

  WE BOUGHT OUR 2003 VOLVO XC90 T6 IN JULY OF 2005 WITH 40,000 MILES FROM A DEALER WHO STATED IT WAS A LOCAL TRADE IN. I MET THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR AFTER WE PURCHASED IT AND WAS TOLD THEY GOT "RID OF IT" BECAUSE OF SO MANY TRIPS TO THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE SAME VOLVO DEALER WHO DID NORMAL MAINTENANCE AT FIRST, BUT THEN THINGS STARTED TO GO DOWNHILL FROM THERE. WE HAD A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT THAT WOULD NOT GO OFF AFTER NUMEROUS COMPUTER DOWNLOADS. WE WERE TOLD THE COMPUTER HAD TO RESET ITSELF FOR THIS TO GO OFF. IT IS STILL ON AS OF TODAY. WE REPLACED BOTH TURBOS ON THIS MODEL IN JUNE OF '08 FOR OVER $6,000.00 AND ONLY 70,000 MILES. THE CAR SAT AT THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR OVER A MONTH AND THEY HAD TO BRING IN A VOLVO EXPERT FOR THIS REPAIR. IN SEPT. OF THIS YEAR THEY ARE BOTH NEEDING TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT I COULD ONLY GET 25,000 MILES FROM THIS REPAIR. IF I HAD KNOWN THEN, I WOULD HAVE TRADED IT IMMEDIATELY. ALSO IN '08 THE "SERVICE TRANSMISSION URGENT" LIGHT CAME ON. THERE WAS CLUNKING AND GRINDING IN THE TRANSMISSION SO WE TOWED IT TO THE DEALER (AGAIN). THE PROBLEM WAS A YAW SENSOR FAILURE WITH WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALER. THIS IS WHERE I BELIEVE OUR NEW PROBLEM STARTED. WE NOW HAVE THE LIGHT ON AGAIN. IT SLIPS IN 1ST GEAR AND SOMETIMES GETS CAUGHT IN 3RD AND WON'T COME OUT. THIS, AS WE HAVE NOW FOUND OUT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. I HAVE FOUND OVER 1,800 XC90 OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WE ARE LOOKING AT OVER $11,000.00 FOR BOTH OF THESE REPAIRS AND I HONESTLY CANNOT SEE SPENDING THIS ON A CAR THAT IS WORTH ONLY $14,000.00!!!!! I NEED HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM FROM VOLVO NORTH AMERICA OR FROM THE DEALER. I HAVE FRIENDS WITH VOLVOS WITH OVER 300,000 MILES. I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE MINE THAT LONG, BUT I GUESS MY SLOGAN IS "FIX FOR LIFE" NOT "VOLVO FOR LIFE" . *TR

• 10/09/2003· POWER TRAIN

  WE BOUGHT A 2003 VOLVO XC 90 IN JANUARY 2003, THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD AND HAS ABOUT 12,600 MILES. IN THE LAST SIX WEEKS, WE HAVE HAD FOUR SYSTEM PROBLEMS, BRAKES, CRUISE CONTROL, AC/ DEFROSTER AND MOST RECENTLY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I BELIEVE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS THE MOST SERIOUS PROBLEM SINCE IT FAILED TO OPERATE WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE STATING THAT A CORRUPT SOFTWARE WAS THE CAUSE. VOLVO USA STATED THAT THE "NEW " SOFTWARE WAS A MODIFICATION/UPGRADE WHICH IS BEING PUT IN THE 2004 VEHICLES. MY QUESTION TO VOLVO USA AS TO WHETHER THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 CAUSED THE DESIGN OF THE MODIFICATION WAS NOT AN ADEQUATELY RESPONDED TO. VOLVO USA CLAIMED THAT THERE WERE NO FIGURES AVAILABLE TO ADVISE MYSELF ON HOW MANY 2003 XC 90 HAVE HAD THIS OR OTHER PROBLEMS. I ADVISED VOVLO USA THAT WE ARE VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THE QUALITY AND SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. *LA

• 10/04/2007· POWER TRAIN

  1. THERE IS A WHOOPING CRANE SOUND WHEN I STEP ON THE FOOT FEED AND THEN RELEASE. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS REPAIRED AND THEN WHEN I DROVE IT HOME IT WAS STILL MAKING THE NOISE. AFTER NO RESPONSE FROM MY COMPLAINT TO THEM I STOPPED THE PAYMENT VIA AE AND HAVE STILL HEARD NOTHING. I THINK I PUT THE WRONG YEAR OF MY VEHICLE IN THE BEGINNING AND IF I TRY TO GO BACK I LOOSE EVERYTHING. IT IS A 2003 XC90 PURCHASED IN 12/02. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE. IF YOU CAN'T HELP, PLEASE AT LEAST SEND ME AN EMAIL AND TELL ME SO. THANKS. 2. ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT STARTED IN JULY 2006 IS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. AFTER NUMEROUS TRIPS TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD A NEW BOX FOR THAT PARTICULAR ITEM AND IT WOULD COST $2800.00 TO REPAIR. BUT THEY COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. MY XC90 HAD A 4 YR OR 50,000 WARRANTY. THIS PROBLEM STARTED IN JULY 2006 WITH 41800 MILES. I TOOK POSSESSION OF THE CAR IN 12/02 SO MY MATH SAYS THE WARRANTY EXPIRED 12/06 AND THAT MEANS IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WHEN THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN AT LEAST EVERY 4 MONTHS FOR SERVICE AND EACH TIME COMPLAINED ABOUT IT. ALSO I HAD IT IN AT LEAST 5 TIMES FROM JUNE THRU JULY 2007 WITH NO SATISFACTION. NOW THEY DON'T EVEN ANSWER MY EMAILS OR RETURN MY PHONE CALLS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE CONSUMER COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT OF VOLVO AND THEY HAVE NEVER ANSWERED ME. I AM AT A LOSS AS TO WHAT TO DO. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED AT POWER VOLVO OF CERRITOS (THEN IT WAS CALLED VOLVO OF CERRITOS) PLEASE HELP ME! *TR

• 09/29/2008· POWER TRAIN

  2003 VOLVO XC90 - TRANSMISSION FAILURE @ ~ 30,000. RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER AND ACCELERATION. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. AT ~80,000 WAS INFORMED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS AGAIN FAILING (DURING ROUTINE SERVICE) AND AGAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

• 09/28/2009· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING SHE SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMANATING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY, AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 67131.

• 09/15/2008· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFTER 76,000 MILES. ALSO HIGH PITCH SQUEAL COMES FROM REAR WHEELS IN SLUSHY SNOW. MUST SLOW OR STOP TO HALT SQUEALING AND GRINDING SOUND. *TR

• 09/15/2008· POWER TRAIN

  RIGHT WHEEL AXEL BEARING FAILED. VEHICLE MILES 61,000. *TR

• 09/15/2008· SUSPENSION

  2003 VOLVO XC90 AWD. 55K MILES REPLACED LR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY, 72K MILES REPLACED RF WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY. *TR

• 09/08/2008· SUSPENSION

  1.FRONT AND REAR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY FAILURES ON VOLVO XC90. I HAVE MODEL YEAR 2003, BUT I UNDERSTAND THE FAILURE IN ALSO FOR OTHER MODEL YEARS 2. PARTS ARE KNOWN DEFECT TO VOLVO NORTH AMERICA. I HAVE REPLACED MINE THREE (3) TIMES WITHIN 40,000 MILES. 3. VOLVO DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGES THIS IS A SYSTEMIC SUPPLY CHAIN DEFECT, BUT NATIONAL CUSTOMER CARECENTER REFUSES TO MAKE A WRITTEN EXTENDED WARRANTY AVAILABLE TO VEHICLE OWNERS. *TR

• 08/31/2015· POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE

  WHEN THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IT STARTED WITHIN 4 DAYS TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, AFTER THE TRANSMISSION THE TRANSFER CASE BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS, SO THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN THE SHOP BEFORE THE THIRTY DAYS TAGS COULD EXPIRE AND BOTH PARTS WERE REBUILT BY AN OUTSIDE COMPANY WHICH WAS ADDED TO THE ORIGINAL PRICE TAG OF THE VEHICLE. THEN A YEAR LATER THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN THE SHOP FOR THE TURBO'S HAD GONE OUT ON THE VEHICLE ON APRIL 11, 2015 UNTIL CURRENT DATE. THEY ARE NOW SAYING THE VEHICLE HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND IT IS STILL IN THE SHOP.

• 08/31/2010· SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE,WHEELS,EQUIPMENT

  LEAVING A PARKING LOT AND HEARD LOUD SOUND CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. VOLVO SAYS THE FOLLOWING IS BROKEN: LOWER CONTROL ARM, CV AXLE, ROTOR AND DAMAGED RIM. WE HAD BEEN PARKED AND WERE ATTEMPTING TO LEAVING PARKING LOT(.BARELY MOVING) COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHER SPEED. WE HAVE CONSTANTLY SPENT MONEY ON THIS VEHICLE AND I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE AND THAT WHEN THE RECALLS WERE MADE THERE COULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN A FRACTURE. THIS CAR IS ONLY DRIVEN TO WORK AND HOME ON A REGULAR BASIS. NO ROUGH ROADS. WE HAVE NOT CAUSED ANY DAMAGE. THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT ALLOW PROPER SELECTION UNDER VOLVO AND MAKE TO ALLOW SELECTION OF THE SUSPENSION/CONTROL ARM / ROTORS / AXLE / TIRE RIMS / BALL JOINT, ALL OF WHICH WERE DAMAGED IN THIS 4 MPH ACCIDENT. HAD THIS HAPPENED AT 65 MPH I HAVE NO DOUBT ME AND MY FAMILY WOULD NOT HAVE SURVIVED. *TR

• 08/25/2003· TIRES

  MAXIMUM TIRE PRESSURE DISCREPANCY BETWEEN TIRE MANUFACTURER AND THE TIRE PRESSURE USED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.THE MICHELIN PILOT HXMXM4 (235/60-18) WHICH ARE THE DEFAULT 18" TIRES ON THE VOLVO XC90 FROM THE FACTORY HAS A MAX 35PSI WHILE OTHER TIRES OF THE SAME SIZE HAS UPTO 51PSI MAX. THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS 39PSI FOR FULL LOADS WHICH IS ABOVE THE MAX PSI.CONTACTED MICHELIN CUSTOMER SERVICE 1-800-847-3435 DIRECTLY TO INQUIRE. THEIR RESPONSE WAS "THE WRONG TIRE WAS INSTALLED." STILL WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM VOLVO.SO FAR NO OFFICIAL WORD FROM EITHER. NO ONE SEEMS TO BE AWARE OF THIS DISCREPANCY BUT WE RUN THE RISK OF OVER-INFLATING OR UNDER-INFLATING WHICH IS HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. *AK

• 08/19/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,STRUCTURE

  VEHICLE DRAINS WATER ON TO FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR, AND OCASSIONAL DRIVER SIDE AFTER IT RAINS. IT IS A KNOW PROBLEM THAT A CLASS ACTION SUIT WAS WON IN NEW JERSEY, INCLUDING 5 OTHER STATES. THE WATER IS FROM CLOGGED DRAIN TUBES IN SUNROOF AND SOMETIMES SHRINKIAGE OF DRAIN TUBE THAT DISLODGES. VEHICLE NOW HAS A MUSTY SMELL FROM THE FREQUENT WATER IN THE VEHICLE. NOT SURE IF HIGH MOISTURE INSIDE HAS CAUSED MY CD PLAYER TO MALFUNCTION. ALSO HAVE A SHORT IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT CAUSE ME TO REPLACE 3 BATTERIES IN THE VEHICLE. ALSO THE SUNROOF MOTOR SHORTED OUT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO REPLACE THE DRAINAGE TUBES THAT WOULD HELP CORRECT THE WATER ISSUES. HOPE SOMEONE CAN HELP.

• 08/17/2008· POWER TRAIN

  2003 VOLVO XC90 TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

• 08/15/2012· STEERING,POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK ABNORMALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE SHIFT GEAR LEVER WAS DEFECTIVE AND BOTH THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS WERE LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE AGE HAD EXCEEDED THE TIME FRAME IN WHICH THEY WERE WILLING TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

• 08/15/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  WE HAD TRAVELED ABOUT 200 MILES IN THE MORNING WITH NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. WE STARTED OUT AFTER LUNCH, WENT ABOUT 200 YARDS, AND SMELLED A FAINT BURNING SMELL WE THOUGHT WAS OUTSIDE THE CAR. AFTER ABOUT ANOTHER 200 YARDS, WE WERE AT A TOLL BOOTH ENTERING THE THROUGH WAY, AND THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND PROPERLY; THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT. WE PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY, AND THERE WAS SMOKE UNDER THE DASHBOARD. WE GOT OUT. WITHIN FIVE MINUTES THE CAR WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES, DESPITE ATTEMPTS TO PUT IT OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. CAR WAS DESTROYED DESPITE FIRE TRUCK TRYING TO PUT OUT FLAMES. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS HURT. *JB

• 08/10/2013· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  MY XC90 VOLVO IS VERY DISAPPOINTING THE DASH BOARD ON THE CAR COMPLETELY FAILS NO NOTHING NO GAS, SPEEDOMETER EVERY THINGS GOES OUT. IN THE NIGHT TIME ITS VERY SCARY ITS COMPLETELY DARK I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I'M GOING HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE ITS SCARY. NOW THE FUEL PUMP IS GONE AND THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM BURNED OUT I CUT THE CAR ON HEARD A POP THEN I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM HASN'T WORKED SINCE. *TR

• 07/26/2012· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM SCHOOL THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS AUTOMATICALLY CAME ON AND ABOUT THE SAME TIME THE BATTERY LIGHT AND ELECTRICAL WARNING SIDE CAME ON. IT ALSO AFFECTED THE POWER STEERING AND AIR CONDITION. HAD TO PULL OVER ON A BUSY STREET WHICH WAS NOT EASY. HAD THE BATTERY TESTED AND IT WAS GOOD, REPLACED IT 15 MONTHS AGO. CAR IS STILL SITTING IN THE GARAGE! *TR

• 07/21/2003· PARKING BRAKE

  PROBLEMS WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM. CAR WAS IN THE SHOP THREE TIMES FOR A TOTAL OF SIX WEEKS. ENTIRE SYSTEM WAS REPLACED USING PARTS THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE 2005 MODELS. *AK

• 07/20/2008· POWER TRAIN

  VOLVO XC90 TAKEN INTO DEALERSHIP FOR AXLE REPLACEMENT ON 07/09/08 CONTACTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED THEN WHEN QUESTION GIVEN VAGUE STATEMENT NO WILL BE A TRANSMISSION FLUSH. CAR RETURNED ON 07/16/08 ADVISED GIVEN NEW TRANSMISSION. DRIVING CAR ON 07/19/08 COME TO A STOP TO CROSS 4 LANE PARKWAY WHEN HIT GAS PEDAL CAR DOES NOT RESPOND RECEIVE MESSAGE REDUCE ENGINE PERFORMANCE. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE VOLVO TRANSMISSION IN THIS MODEL MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE. *TR

• 07/12/2011· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  2003 VOLVO XC90 ENGINE CUT OFF SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING ~70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. WAS LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT BEING HIT OR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY. DEALER UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY CAUSED A FATAL ACCIDENT CONSIDERING THE SPEEDS AT WHICH OTHER CARS WERE TRAVELLING AND THE POTENTIAL TO BE STRANDED IN THE ROAD. CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY. *TT

• 07/11/2008· POWER TRAIN

  NORMAL DRIVING. BOUGHT CAR AT 50K. AT 58K INFORMATION MESSAGE CAME ON ABOUT URGENT TRANSMISSION SERVICE. HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. DROVE CAR FOR 1 MONTH. FOUND FLUID LEAK. DEALER IS NOW REPLACING THE ANGLE GEAR. *TR

• 07/08/2008· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. ON JUNE 10, 2008, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND; HOWEVER, SHE WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CONTACT SLOWLY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE BRAKE BOOSTER POWER CYLINDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, THEY DECLINED TO ASSIST WITH THE $1,036.44 REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 49,271.

• 07/06/2004· STEERING,AIR BAGSCrashFire

  WHILE BACKING PUT OF A PARKING LOT POWER STEERING FAILED, VEHICLE SMOKED THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. DRIVER SUFFERED FROM SMOKE INHALATION. *AK PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE CATCHING ON FIRE THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THE YEAR BEFORE (JULY 12, 2003). THE CONSUMER WAS PRESSING ON THE HORN WHEN THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE CONSUMERS HAND WAS ON THE WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERAL BROKEN ONES IN HER RIGHT HAND WHICH REQUIRED 2 SURGERIES, EXTENSIVE PHYSICAL THERAPY AND MANY OTHER MEDICAL PROCEDURES. *NM *LA

• 07/05/2006· POWER TRAIN

  AN UPDATE TO ODI #10068267 REGARDING RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. THIS FAILURE ORIGINALLY OCCURRED AT 22K MILES. ANOTHER FAILURE OCCURRED IN MAY 2006 (SAME WHEEL) AT 52K MILES. I REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR WHICH WAS OVER $250. EVENTUALLY NEGOTIATED PAYING 50% OF THE LABOR AT DEALER COST (ABOUT $60) WITH VOLVO PICKING UP THE COST OF THE PART. WAS TOLD LATER BY A DIFFERENT DEALER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT 'WHEEL BEARING FAILURES ARE FREQUENT ON THE XC90' AND THAT 'THE PART IS NOT ROBUST ENOUGH FOR THE SIZE OF THE VEHICLE'.

• 06/29/2010· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  2003 VOLVO XC90. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR RECALL REPAIRS *TGW THE CONSUMER HAD ALREADY EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE, PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. *JB

• 06/28/2007· POWER TRAIN

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,000.