1.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
88,902 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.

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problem #9

Jul 152023

XC90

  • miles
I-??ve had to change my fuel injection pump and catalytic convert twice on one year.

- Parkville, MD, USA

problem #8

Oct 012017

XC90

  • miles
2005 Volvo XC90 has many problems. Transmission jumps and jerks when switching to higher gears. Almost throws the car off the road at times. Also, vehicle has many electrical problems due to car not being sealed properly. This leads to electrical issues including faulty air bag codes, brake lights and rear turn signals going out. Car has no brake lights nor rear turn signals at all. Dealership can not find problem says it is due to the 2005 Volvo XC90 not having relays at all. And also from water being introduced to electrical parts.

- Chapmansboro, TN, USA

problem #7

Jul 282017

XC90

  • 131,000 miles
My car is a 2005, transmission never had a indicator light showing it needed service, now my transmission needs replacing at 131,000 miles. I know of several others with the same situation. Volvo claims they are the only ones that can service the transmission. I don't trust them and now it's being served at aamco.

- Livermore, CA, USA

problem #6

Aug 152015

XC90

  • 210,000 miles
My Volvo XC90 also has been diagnosed with cem problems after various symptoms began to arise. After going through a car wash, the display began showing various messages. The biggest problem is the the windshield wipers stopped working. I have ordered a new cem and intend to replace it. I am an attorney. If this vehicle continues to fail after the cem is replaced, I intend to take further legal action, especially in light of the reports and complaints I have read on this website. I intend to call the local dealer tomorrow to put them on notice of the problems with my vehicle. I cannot believe a reputable company like Volvo does not take care of the customers who have purchased their vehicles. I am formally requesting that the investigation into these problems be reopened as the problems caused by the cem design flaws cause dangerous problems that can threaten the safety and even the lives of those who drive and ride in the Volvo XC90

- Wetumpka, AL, USA

problem #5

Aug 252015

XC90

  • 170,000 miles
My spare tire fell off the under body carriage while I was driving, bounced, and rolled down the busy road! the cable holding it on appears to have broken.

- Castro Valley, CA, USA

problem #4

Dec 122013

XC90 6-cyl

  • 11,700 miles
I bought this car at 12/12/2013 when I test drove the car the dealer had the radio on and I never suspected any noise at the time.after I bought the car I kept hearing this knocking noise at first I thought is was the ski rack making the noise then when my husband drove it he said it was coming from the tires so I took the car to my mechanic and he check it a out and found multiple problems the suspension, inner tie rods, axles, sway bar, steering, bushings etc his reply was how did this car pass inspection with all the problems available take the car back and ask the dealer to fix the problems.I took the car back and ask the dealer to comply they would not I told them they had received a faulty inspections on the car so I took it to another mechanic same response. I then called the safety inspectors and they came out to check out the car and found nothing. I then took it to another dealer and they reported the same problems and added a cracked engine mount. I then asked the inspector to come and look at all the things that Volvo found that the safety inspectors missed he agreed and saw but only wrote a report I still have a broke car that was faulty inspected. I want the dealer to fix my problem and they have refused I could sue them for getting a faulty inspection and selling a lemon but I fell like I am stuck I need to know what to do from here I have already paid for several things the rack and pinion is the most important I have to fix but expensive and the bushings and tie rods are going to be the next thing I repair I really don't have the money to fix them I am paying $7000 for a used car and I fell that the dealer and the inspectors are crooks and used a faulty inspection to sell a broke car please help.

- Manassas, VA, USA

problem #3

Jun 042013

XC90

  • 108,000 miles
Just purchased this car and found that there were recalls. I would like to find out if my car has had them fixed. Thank you.

- Stockton, CA, USA

problem #2

Nov 142012

XC90 8-cyl

  • 115,000 miles
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.

- Oakton, VA, USA

problem #1

Feb 042008

XC90

  • 54,414 miles
While driving my 2005 Volvo XC90 (54,414 miles) on a busy California freeway (the 405), the engine stopped suddenly with no warning or warning light. Fortunately, I was able to make it over to the side of the road to call for a tow without injury (although I was almost rear ended since the failure was so sudden and without warning) and had it towed to a Volvo dealer in torrance, ca. It is a transmission problem. Since then, we have found hundreds of other consumers who have had the same problem with their XC90 Volvo too. Volvo has not recalled or provided any notice to consumers of the problem. Volvo has provided replacement trades and cash to some consumers who complained, but no overall notice to consumers. We didn't find out until it happened to us and started to research. Additionally, the week before, the front left tire blew out when my wife was driving and I was out of town. Uneven tire wear, uneven wear even with constant realignment, is another common issue with the 18" tires on Volvo. They know of the issue, but not how to fix it. Volvo did at least send a tow truck to put the spare on and my wife was not injured (fortunately). We didn't know of the safely flaws in the XC90 which was purchased because of Volvo's marketing campaign of "safety" and "Volvo for life" campaign. Volvo is advertising falsely and the XC90 has safety issues. Please help protect others!

- Palos Verdes Estates, CA, USA