10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
96,144 miles

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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #10

Oct 182008

XC90

  • 33,193 miles
On October 18 at approximately 8pm we were traveling West bound on I-4 when we experienced a severe "jerk" of the vehicle and the interior seatbelts lights lit up. We continued to drive and experienced the same thing a few miles later. We decided to exit and then there was another "jerk" of the vehicle and we lost all interior electrical, no dash lights, no A/C, no windows, nothing! we limped to a parking lot and called road side assistance to have the vehicle towed. This is a serious issue with this vehicle and I have found multiple instances of the same on your website! Volvo needs to recall the vehicle and make the repairs before someone is killed! Volvo can't seem to replicate the problem and the computer in the car did not register an event! seems like the computer is the problem, but they won't "own" up to the fact that it's a Volvo problem!

- Saint Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #9

Aug 292008

XC90

  • 64,500 miles
While driving on I-10 at night at approximately 75mph with my family, we experience complete failure of the vehicle's electronics such as loss of braking, steering, odometer, speedometer, all instruments, and transmission. We had a total loss of every electrical function of the vehicle at the most dangerous point and time of our travel - at night, on an interstate, and far from major cities. After much stress and fear, we limped to our destination barely. In short, we had the car towed to a Volvo dealer. The dealership stated that the C.E.M. (one of few "brains" of the vehicle failed) needed to be replaced, and of course we did. I know for a fact that C.E.M failures are an common problem with this type of vehicle. Two dealerships have told me that they have dealt with this issue recently. This is a major issue. Our lives were at risk given our circumstance. I cannot imagine what others have experienced. A fire, property damage, crash, and report to police should not in this case be the genesis of a recall. The simple facts of our near grave experience should be sufficient to have a recall.

- Charleston, SC, USA

problem #8

Sep 042008

XC90

  • 60,000 miles
While driving my 2004 Volvo xc-90 at night I experienced a momentary loss of control, followed by the headlights pausing and then going from high beams to low. The instrument cluster lost some of it's displays and the door locks became inoperative. The data display warned me of an "urgent SRS failure". I was at low speed a block from home so I crept home and the next day sent the car to triad Volvo by roll-back wrecker. Problem was failure of central electronic module. I called Volvo corporate and they seemed disinterested.

- Statesville, NC, USA

problem #7

Sep 212007

XC90 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles
On June 15, 2007, while on a highway traveling 65 mph, my 2004 Volvo XC90 made a jerk, as if it had suddenly fallen out of gear. About 5 minutes later, the same thing happened. It felt as if something locked the tires for an instant, then let go. About another 5 minutes later, we received an error message that said "brake failure, stop safely". moments later, we lost all control of the car - total electronic shutdown. No lights, no hazards, no power steering, no brakes. My husband was able to glide to the breakdown lane, and we rolled until the car stopped. We had our two young children in the car, on the side of the highway, in the dark. It was a terrifying predicament, and we couldn't leave the car due to the danger of not being seen. We had the car towed, and a few days later, the Volvo dealer said it was a $60 software upgrade that needed to be done. After the car was returned to us, we took it to another Volvo dealer and had them perform a 45K check-up, had them reevaluate the situation, and also had a va state inspection done, and they told us everything was fine. Just barely 3 months later, in exactly the same scenario, the same exact thing happened. On 9/21/07, we were on a highway at night, and once again felt the car jerking, followed a few minutes later by total electronic failure. No lights, no hazards, nothing. Once again, we managed to get off the highway safely, but I fear the next time this happens, we may not get so lucky. All 3 dealers that have looked at this car have never heard of this problem before, which is very unsettling, as I can never be convinced it is fixed. I am terrified to ever drive my car again, even if they do "fix it". the car is currently still being evaluated, so we do not know the latest prognosis for it.

- Oakton, VA, USA

problem #6

Aug 102006

XC90 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 33,000 miles
2004 XC90 has had three computer/electrical problems, perhaps related. Urgent message appears on panel, "SRS needs attention - urgent". car taken to dealer with message active, dealer unable to diagnose problem, resets system. 3 months later, SRS message reappears, car won't start, no lights or other accessories left on. Battery diagnosed as dead, replaced, SRS message clears with new battery. 3 months later, SRS message reappears, two control modules replaced.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #5

Mar 012006

XC90 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,000 miles
My 2004 XC90 AWD began experiencing odd electrical problems this spring at about 45000 miles. While driving at cruising speed, the vehicle would suddenly and without warning experience a hard jerk followed by activation of the windshield wipers and loss of power to the radio. First time, the dealer could not replicate the problem but downloaded electrical software updates. Same thing second time and back to dealer, again could not replicate, and they downloaded transmission updates focusing more on the jerking issue. Third time it happened, I continued to drive the car to the dealer so they could see what I was experiencing. On the way there, I had complete loss of electrical power: No power to speedometer, to gas gauge, to windows, to air conditioning, radio, etc. Also had less than full power to drive with. The dealer again downloaded electrical software updates and gave me the vehicle back. Same problem for 4th time this Friday and they tell me they have put new computer into car. Fortunately there have not been any deaths or crashes, but this defect causes a serious safety problem without any warning.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #4

Aug 152005

XC90 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 24,600 miles
I parked my vehicle in my driveway on the evening of Friday, August 12, 2005. I left on vacation the following morning leaving my vehicle in the driveway. I returned from vacation late on the evening of August 21, 2005. The following morning when I went out to leave for work, the vehicle would not start. I called aaa in order to have the car jumped. It would not jump. I then called the Volvo dealership and they told me to call the Volvo hot line for a tow. The vehicle was towed to the gengras Volvo dealership in East hartford, ct on the morning of August 22, 2005 and it remains there at this time. The dealership service department reports that all of the computers are malfunctioning. They report this to be "an act of god" as in the car was struck by lightening. I was advised to report this to my insurance company which I did. An appraiser was dispatched to look at the vehicle and then special engineers from North eastern technical services. Inc in fall river, MA went to the Volvo dealership to view the vehicle. They removed two computer modules with permission of the service department and microscopically examined them to determine if any connectors, circuit board or component damage was present. Neither module showed any indicators of damage. At this point the claim has been denied by my insurance company saying that the problem is a warranty problem. Volvo disputes this saying it is "an act of god". the vehicle is less than two years old and has less than 24,000 miles on it. I have not been able to drive the vehicle since August 12, 2005. It does qualify for the lemon law, but more importantly, I found that there have been other reported electrical system failures of this model. I am concerned that this is indeed a problem with this particular model and the Volvo is trying to cover it up.

- Storrs, CT, USA

problem #3

Oct 012004

XC90 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles
I have had numerous failures with my 1990 Volvo: I am on my third set of tires, and I have 30,000 miles. I have had several shock absorbers replaced, a tie rod break, and many electrical problems.

- Roscoe , NY, USA

problem #2

Aug 302004

XC90 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles
Since I have owned this car I have had small electrical problems - moonroof won't open or close, G door opener not working after 3 days, must press unlock button several times to unlock doors. Also, the car bounces at all speeds, and shifts late. Labor day, 2004, I was driving the car when all gages went out - speed od, gas, oil press, entire ABS system, etc. I found it was fuse 24 and replaced it. This fuse blew 4 more times over the next 3 days - once it blew when replacing it. The dealership said this was not a safety issue and scheduled repair for 2 weeks later. (the ABS system still reported warnings on the message display). Once the dealership finally worked on it, they replaced the central electrical box and ordered a new transmission which still needs to be installed. I still have the above electrical problems along with the other problems which the dealership claims are all related. There is 10,000 miles on this car. Previously, I owned a 1999 xc. I continued to have electrical problems with this car until I started it at a daycare to have the battery explode. Solution to this problem was to upgrade me to the 2004 with the assurance the problems I had on the 1999 were "highly unusual and unheard of". due to my past experience, and the very similar problems I am having with the 2004, I feel very unsafe in this vehicle.

- Grand Haven, MI, USA

problem #1

Aug 262004

XC90

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
On August, 26, 2004 there was a major malfunction in our Volvo XC90 (2004). While driving with 2 small children in car seats and 2 adults on a major highway; suddendly, there was no acceleration in the gas pedal and the stearing wheel did not function. We managed to slowly move to the side of the road from what momentum was left in the car, and avoid an accident. We were obviously very shaken up, and find this car completely unsafe. It has been 3 weeks now getting the run around with the cherry hill, New Jersey Volvo dealer. They said "there's nothing wrong with the car". the car is unsafe for our family, and presents a danger for others on the road. We are afraid it will stop dead again on a major highway with death or injuries occuring to either ourselves or others. The dealer asked us what we wanted "we finally said, (after they said they'd get us a new SUV and did not) that we want our money back ($3,000 deposit) and we don't want this car they sold us. Today, they made us take this car back and they are refusing our request to refund our money. Also, the car was towed on a flat bed truck in to the dealer on July 13th, 2004 as the car did not start.. "relays were loose in the icm and cem etc.," [we have the service order] on this day, the message on the car said something to the effect "urgent malfunction in SUV air bags..." and we unloaded the family and it was towed to the Volvo dealership. And the car's 2 side mirrors work one day and not the next. Tomorrow I take matthew to his first day at pre-school, and I'm half thinking what if something happens to the car when we're driving. It's amazing to me that Volvo can let me leave their parking lot with this car this evening, and the aren't taking safety seriously at all. So, at 11:00 pm I am up letting the NHTSA know what's going on. We are willing to help in anyway we can. Sincerely, the lawrence family.

- Medford, NJ, USA