9.5

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$3,550
Average Mileage:
101,500 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
  2. transmission replaced (1 reports)
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problem #4

Aug 202015

XC90 V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles

When my mother was driving she went to press the gas and it didn't go, at this time it said transmission service required.

- scotthartman303, Spring city, Tennessee, US

problem #3

Dec 272013

XC90 AWD V8

  • Automatic transmission
  • 158,000 miles

WELL, I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AS I HAD A BIG CRASH WITH MY BENZ. I CAME OUT FROM IT WITH NO HARM SO I DECIDED TO BUY SOMETHING CHEAPER AND SAFER. SO I FOUND THIS VOLVO XC90 AWD V8 2005 AND IT HAD 150K MIL ON IT.

FROM THE FIRST MONTH I STARTED TO FEEL THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS SHIFTING AND HAS A NOISE, IT COMES AND GOES !!! YOU DON'T HEAR IT ALL THE TIME. I TOOK THE CAR TO A LOCAL CERTIFIED VOLVO MECHANIC, I DON'T HAVE A DEALER NEARBY IN MY CITY ! SO I WAS TOLD THE CAR HAS SOME ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND MECHANIC TOLD ME ALSO THAT THE VOLVO COMPANY RECALLED THIS MODEL FOR THE SAME REASON. SO HE DID HIS BEST BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.

SO CAN ANYONE HELP WITH ADVICE !!!!! !!! REALLY, THE VOLVO COMPANY RECALLED THE CARS FOR THIS PROBLEM ????? IF SO CAN I STILL FIX THIS PROBLEM !!!!!!! PLZ ADVISE

Update from Jun 30, 2014: FORGOT TO MENTION THAT I LOST COMPLETELY POWER AS THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND I WAS ON THE I-10 HWY I HAD WITH DIFFICULTY TO PULL ASIDE AND OF-COURSE WAITED FOR ONE HR TO GET THE CAR TOWED TO THE MECHANIC !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! JUST NEED ADVICE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- matadoro, Biloxi, MS, US

problem #2

Dec 012010

XC90

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,000 miles

In the winter of 2010 I was stranded for over an 1 1/2 during a snowstorm on a very steep hill because the all wheel drive on my 2005 Volvo XC90 would not work. I brought the car to my mechanic and I had to replace the Transfer Case at a cost of $1900.00. The vehicle only had 75,000 miles on it. Since then I have read so many complaints regarding the transmission going on the XC90. It is now 2012 and I think the transmission is going again!!!

- Jennifer L., Coventry, CT, US

problem #1

Apr 232012

XC90

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65,000 miles

Do not buy this car. I bought brand new from the Ontario dealer. I have had one problem after another. Most were minor but annoying since my closest dealer is 1 1/2 hrs away and they don't offer authorized repair anywhere but at a Volvo dealership.

At 500 miles the brand new tire blew and the spare was defective. Stranded in the desert for 4hr waiting for Volvo road side assistance. Got to dealer after 10pm, closed and I was stranded in Ontario. Nightmare.

Took 4 trips to dealer to fix the noise coming from the dashboard.. some kind of baffle problem. I spent all day waiting, got in my car and noise still there. Dealer "O yes, i see here that we didn't have the part...we've ordered part. You'll have to bring it back.." 2nd attempt, spent all day. They didn't have the loaner car i reserved. End of the day, 1/2 way home, noise started AGAIN. Dealer - ... "so sorry, it's hard to tell which baffle is making the noise. Come back and we'll replace the rest of them...." Long story short... 4 trips latter I gave up and now live with the noise.

The GPS system is a joke. Its CD driven, so in just 1yr it was completely out of date. And the charge a ridiculous amt to get and updated CD. I could buy a Tom_Tom for less than the cost of an updated CD. I live in growing area of S. CA. None of the new roads are recognized by the Volvo GPS. It's like having a 6yr old Thomas Guide

Next, just a miles beyond my sched. maintenance... (driving to dealership is over 100 miles) and they would not honor the warranty... I had to pay

Now at just 60,000 miles the transmission and drive shaft have to be replaced to the tune of $5000+. If the dealer does the repairs is $8000 . And Volvo won't help one bit.

Talking to my local mechanic and reading the blogs the Volvo SUV have had a lot of major mechanical problems.

Do your research... do not buy a Volvo SUV you will be sorry.

- jennelle58, Murrieta, CA, US