10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 1 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 96,144 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
I was heading towards a supermarket on a expressway on a an afternoon where there was a clicking sound near the dashboard on drivers side. And then suddenly the dashboard lights started flickering and a jerk was felt in the transmission. Soon the dashboard gauges and the indicators went dead while driving and that too without any warning. There was several error messages that were popping up like brake failure, airbag failure, ABS failure, engine failure and then the check engine light came on. The power was totally cut off and the steering was very hard. It appeared as if the vehicle is in a low gear. Ibhad to take the next exit to come to a safe stop as no indicators were working. I tried to turn off the ignition and then tried to restart. The vehicle started but all the gauges on the dash were down. Had to push the gas pedal hard since the vehicle was behaving as if it was in low gear. Power windows, power steering, indicators, lights, gear shift indicator, audio was totally cut off. I called a local technician and to check the problem, but he could not find the fault. However he cleared the errors and check engine message. The vehicle was restored after almost 1 hour. Then I tried to return back to home. The next day, the same problem occurred, and it kept occurring several times. I heard several reviews from several customers about the same issue with 2004 XC90. And every issue is related to cem. The module costs $1200+ which is a very high cost. This situation is so dangerous while you are on freeways and may cause accidents. Volvo should recall all the 2004 Xc90S and replace these modules and also compensate all the owners who have replaced their cems.
- San Jose, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Volvo XC90. While driving approximately 70 mph, a loud abnormal noise emitted from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle lost electrical power briefly. The failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that there was an electrical module failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
- Annandale, VA, USA
I switched from headlights on to daylight driving lights on. I received a "bulb failure" for the daylight driving lights. I switched back to headlights. I received a "bulb failure" for the hids. I have verified that the fuses are good, and that there are now no working headlights on the car. Had this happened at night it could have been bad, very bad. Thank god it happened during a sunny day and that the teen driver wasn't behind the wheel.
- Portland, OR, USA
Hello Volvo, for the record, we love our Volvo SUV (2004, XC90). Over the years the service from michelle balside at Volvo on plainfield road in cincinnati has been truly excellent, her contact information is attached. However, we have has an issue since 2011 that has not been resolved, which is so uncharacteristic of Volvo. I am hoping you can help me change the outcome. For years my husbands right headlight has been turning on and off intermittently. This is very dangerous when he drives to and from work at night on an old 4 lane highway (columbia parkway) that has no separation between East and West bound lanes, which means cars travel head-on at 70 miles an hour. Our dealer looked at the issue several times and said they could not fix it; so we lived with the dangerous issue because we thought the problem was unique to us. Recently, someone told us they were having issues with their Volvo headlights and they found a blog on edmonds which listed a lot of other Volvo owners with the same issue. I have attached the blog for your reference. The blog refers to a repair kit. Please let me know if Volvo corporate can send a repair kit to our dealer in cincinnati. We have been loyal customers and we are thinking of giving our used Volvo to our daughter when she turns 16 next spring, and buying a new Volvo for my husband, bill. Please show your customers that you care and you will resolve the headlight issue, it could save a life someday. For now, we hope and pray on a daily basis that the headlight functions as it should.
- Cincinnati, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Volvo XC90. While in park, the contact heard a noise. All the warning lights on the instrument panel failed to illuminate and the vehicle stalled. In addition, the contact stated that the odometer displayed an incorrect reading and there was a fuel odor in the vehicle. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was towed back to the independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who diagnosed that the central electronic module and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
- Hoffman Estates, IL, USA
My 2004 Volvo XC90 with a 2.5T engine, 7 pass, intermittently and inadvertently stalls while driving it. It is scary because all electrical goes off, instrument panel, radio, lights, etc, several warning messages appears, such ABS, air bags failure, brake failure, engine failure, etc. It won't respond to acceleration and brakes are very hard to push, the engine does not stop. I have to stop, turn it off, wait few minutes, then start it, everything comes to normal again but with the check engine and the air bags message, then after some minutes of driving the same stalling and electrical issues happen again. This is serious because you are on freeway and you loose brakes and engine control, no information in instrument panel, etc. I found that the relays in the cem (control electronics module) are super hot possibly due to loose connections, in the video below you will see the problems and infrared pictures of the cem. Please help!!!!!! please help!!!!!! please help!!!!!! please help!!!!!! please see my youtube video and other videos with the same issue search for XC90 issues, XC90 stalling, XC90 electrical problems, etc. Https://www.youtube.com/watch?V=fwulb1sksie&feature=youtu.be thank you
- Raleigh, NC, USA
Car lost all power and message window read "reduced engine performance". we were traveling in the left lane and had to coast through traffic to the shoulder. There was absolutely no throttle response, so we shut the car off. Upon restarting it, the message disappeared and we were able to continue our trip. It happened again, and we reset it once again. We stopped at the first Volvo repair facility we found and had them scan all the computers using the Volvo diagnostic equipment. The code they retrieved was ECM-981A. They cleared our computer using the Volvo computer, but the problem returned on our return home. We were barely able to get out of the way of a semi barreling upon us! the problem still persists, and I finally went to my computer to find some information on my own. Apparently, this is not so uncommon a problem with these cars. There is already a recall on some of the 2003-2004 S60's and V70's. we have already spent close to $2,000 trying to remedy this problem, but that becomes inconsequential if someone gets killed because the issue doesn't get resolved.
- Rogue River, OR, USA
In October 2014 myself my boyfriend and my 7 year old we're driving home when all of a sudden the car would not accelerate when I tried to push through the traffic light the vehicle then slowed down in the middle of the road their was no way of me trying to pull over bc the car completely stopped I then proceeded to get my 7 year old out the truck and her spelt belt in the back was stuck and would not come out we were almost hit from the back due to the vehicle stalling in the middle of the road in a curve we were stranded for about three hours in the dark when we were finally towed home I was told that the transmission was no good and this is the reason our vehicle stalled and was disabled.
- Jonesboro , GA, USA
While driving our Volvo xc-90, the entire electrical system shuts down (dashboard display, lighting, ac, power windows, power door locks, everything electrical etc.). additionally, for a split second the engine/transmission jerks and/or stalls before resuming. The first time this happened was in 2010 and never occurred again for several years. Then suddenly on a recent trip in August 2014 this happened repeatedly and the electrical system never returned to operation during that trip. In that August 2014 occurrence we were traveling down narrow state highway 1 in big sur, California. Had we lost control of the vehicle during the jerking episodes we could have gone off the narrow road and down the steep cliff side to our deaths. This put our family in a very perilous situation. Additionally, since the above incident in late August 2014 the vehicle has experienced numerous other flashes/jerking incidents while at highway speeds. This occurrence seems to be increasing. This is a very dangerous situation and needs to be addressed with a national re-call.
- Oakland, CA, USA
I have experienced the known issue with the central electronic module many times now. I have been driving at highway speeds and then experience the momentary jerking, loss of power, loss of instrument panel, and more. Sometimes I start my vehicle and it starts in limp home mode. Very frustrating and dangerous. This should be recalled and repaired by Volvo.
- Panama City, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Volvo XC90. Whenever the vehicle was driven over a bump in the road or if the contact inadvertently hit the key, the vehicle would stall. The latest failure occurred while driving 70 mph. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. Updated 10/30/14 updated 04/27/2015
- Dunedin, FL, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Volvo XC90. While driving 55 mph, the vehicle stalled intermittently. The contact stated that the instrument panel and radio would shut off and the windshield wipers activated. Also, the ABS and anti skid traction control warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing, but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 104,000. Updated 10/8/14 the consumer stated the manufacturer was notified and did not offer any assistance due to the vehicles age. Updated 3/23/15
- Gerrardstown, WV, USA
2004 Volvo XC90 2.5T...driving at about 65 mph with no warning aloud thump noise, windshield wiper comes on radio goes off dash lights go off, last for a sec. Then resumes to normal. This has happened several times now, while I have only owned this vehicle for a month. Today it happens again only worse..after the initial thump and jerk it happens three more within 5 miles the last time I was going about 35 mph, big thump and jerk, wipers comes on, radio goes off, all dash lights off..no hazards available and I get several warnings on dash brake failure, SRS failure and anti skid failure..I turn car off then back on and continue home...it happens again 5 minutes later at 15 mph....I am reading many, many complaints like mine. This issue needs to be addressed asap..I almost was rear ended twice. Volvo needs to take responsibility.
- Gerrardstown, WV, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Volvo XC90. While driving various speeds, the vehicle would stall and unknown warning indicators would illuminate. It took the contact numerous attempts to restart the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the windshield wipers activated independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.
- Bronx , NY, USA
3 hours into a 3-1/2 hour weekend road trip there was a clunk in the engine compartment. Thinking I hit a pothole, I continued on cautiously. While continuing on these unfamiliar 2 lane windy roads going 43mph (the speed limit was 55) about 2 miles from where the clunk happened my entire dash cluster stopped working. All my dome lights and leg lights came on. The car clunked harder this time. I lost power to the engine, steering was like trying to turn a tank, and the brakes were very spongy. Still traveling on windy roads with large semi trucks behind me and cars passing by in the opposite lane I veered to the right to avoid being rear ended by a semi. Not being able to steer or stop as efficiently as before I coasted into a residents 2-3 man rock landscape traveling at about 5mph. I dented my front license plate and scratched the bumper. With my heart pounding, I turned the car off and got out to see the damage. I went to the residents home and told them my story. They were thankful my fianc and I were okay. Since I hit rock there was no damage done to their landscape. After 20 minutes I started the car. It was hesitant to start. The brake failure light was on for a few seconds then the SRS service warning light came on and stayed on. For the remainder of the weekend trip the car would lurch like the tranny was slipping. Especially after taking off from a stop light. It still clunks once in awhile but we only drive it around town. It's currently at a certified Volvo specialist being serviced. This morning all lights stopped working and I couldn't get it out of the garage. The key stuck in the ignition. In conclusion, this mishap could have resulted in a serious injury or fatality. If every car of this make and model is doing this, they need to be recalled and repaired!
- Everett , WA, USA
While going up a hill about 45 mile per hour the lights on my dash as well as the radio turned off. I pulled over turned the car off and back on all the lights returned however my gas gauge no longer works as well as unlocking back doors and door to gas tank. There are many complaints about this part I don't see why there are no recalls this is very unsafe I could've easily crashed due to loss of power breaks and the car not making it up the hill.
- Newburgh, NY, USA
Driving vehicle at 45mph and key switched out of the "run" position while being driven. Vehicle's engine completely shut off, rendering power brakes, power steering and airbags as not operational.
- Kingwood, TX, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Volvo xc 90. The contact stated that while driving 60 mph, the windshield wipers activated independently and the instrument panel went completely dark. The vehicle started making a clicking noise and stalled. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road and the battery was disconnected. The vehicle was restarted and resumed its normal operations. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 86,000 and the current mileage was 93,000. Updated 10/1/14
- Pleasant Ridge, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2004 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that after several attempts the vehicle failed to start. The contact mentioned that for a moment the entire instrument panel illuminated, but then the check engine light continued to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the ce module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 18,000.
- Summerville, SC, USA
- Eden Prairie, MN, USA