2004 Volvo XC90

Above average

Owners filed 462 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the electrical system. It has been recalled 6 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
86,000 milesMedian miles at failure

409 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Electrical System124
211
Power Train › Automatic Transmission98
000
Fuel/Propulsion System31
000
Fuel System, Gasoline30
001
Power Train27
000
Exterior Lighting14
000
Air Bags12
100
Engine9
000
Vehicle Speed Control7
100
Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump7
000

6 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational System(global Positioning System)10V566000
Filed Nov 8, 2010416 vehiclesVolvo Cars Of N.a. Llc.

Defect. VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.

Risk. AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy. VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump09V483000
Filed Dec 18, 2009158,733 vehiclesVolvo Cars Of N.a. Llc.

Defect. VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2005 S80, MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 V70, S60, XC70 AND MODEL YEAR 2003-2005 XC90 VEHICLES SOLD IN OR REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, KENTUCKY, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, NORTH CAROLINA, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, TEXAS, UTAH, VIRGINIA AND THE U.S. TERRITORIES. WHEN EXPOSED TO CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS (HOT CLIMATE AND TEMPERATURE CYCLING) OVER TIME AND IN COMBINATION WITH VARYING FUEL QUALITY, THE FUEL PUMP CAN DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE.

Risk. IF THE CONDITION OCCURS VEHICLE OWNERS MAY NOTICE FUEL SMELL AND/OR FUEL LEAK WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP WITH A PART OF A MODIFIED DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly06V155000
Filed May 5, 2006126,743 vehiclesVolvo Cars Of N.a. Llc.

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES,THE OUTER TIE ROD BALL JOINT CAN DEFORM AT HIGH LOADS CAUSING A LOSS OF THE CLAMPING FORCE AND THE NUT MAY LOOSEN, WHICH MAY EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE OUTER TIE ROD BALL JOINT.

Risk. THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OUTER BALL JOINT TIE RODS WITH IMPROVED OUTER BALL JOINT TIE RODS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 23, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer06V144000
Filed Apr 28, 2006122,431 vehiclesVolvo Cars Of N.a. Llc.

Defect. ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, IF THE WIPER ARM IS ACTIVATED IN EXTREME WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS AND WITHOUT LIFTING THE WIPER ARMS AND CLEANING THE WINDSHIELD PRIOR TO MOVING, THE WIPER ARM MIGHT SLIP ON ITS DRIVESHAFT, RESULTING IN AN INABILITY TO MOVE THE WIPERS FROM THE PARK POSITION.

Risk. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER ARMS AND RETAINING NUTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.

Wheels03V434000
Filed Nov 4, 20032,586 vehiclesVolvo Cars Of N.a. Llc.

Defect. ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSORS MAY BE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING AN ERRONEOUS WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL.

Risk. THIS CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING BRAKE, ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND TORQUE DISTRIBUTION CONTROL WHICH RELY ON THIS SIGNAL FOR PROPER OPERATION.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT WHEEL SENSORS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.

Seat Belts › Rear/Other03V391000
Filed Oct 10, 200318,692 vehiclesVolvo Cars Of N.a. Llc.

Defect. ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE SEAT BELT ATTACHMENT(S) FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW SEAT(S) MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FITTED PROPERLY.

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE SECOND AND/OR THIRD ROW SEAT BELT ATTACHMENTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical System
Filed Mar 9, 2025CA

Instrument panel shuts down while driving on street. I believe it is the central electronic module that fails. It has happened numerous times and it is unsafe to drive without a speedometer, tachometer, odometer fuel gauge, and temperature gauge. It has now stopped altogether. Gauges just sit there and bounce

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Nov 22, 2024NV

Unsure of what the issue is with the vehicle but smells like gas in my garage and I found a recall I was never notified about I moved from Washington to Las Vegas and never received any info regarding the fuel pump recall as well as a noise that’s been going on for a year now when I drive at 60 miles an hour I’ve had it looked at and no one seems to know what that issue is

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed May 16, 2023CO

Few days ago I came home, parked the car inside the garage and went inside. An hour later I went to the garage for something and noticed a very strong gasoline odor coming from the car. It is not coming from the reservoir and I did not put any fuel recently, so it can't be explained with a fuel spill. I suspect it is coming from the fuel pump. I as hoping or it to goo away, but it did not. It has been a week already.

Structure › Body
Filed May 16, 2023CO

The rear right door cannot be open from inside the car. It opens fine from outside. I am aware there is a child safety lock, but in this case the problem is somewhere else. Regardless of the child safety lock position, the door cannot be open. This is a hazard, because in case oof an accident the passenger will e trapped inside the car.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 17, 2023CA

Unknown..but water accumulated under the passenger seat under the amp and electrical components after a storm or rainy day.and its a lot of water when I brake i can hear a water fall..and water rushing and moving along the bottom. Of the car as I am steering im worried that the wiring and electrical will be damaged by water exposure the battery always dies wires soaked and sitting in water underneath passenger and never can completely get the moisture smell out of front seat area..mildew..why is this water leaking or not draining correctly ??

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Nov 9, 202230,000 milesCA

The contact owns a 2004 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, his wife noticed an abnormally strong gasoline odor. The contact's wife was able to continue driving the vehicle; however, the failure would return after refueling or on rainy days. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V483000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Oct 3, 2022212,000 milesMN

The contact owns a 2004 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that after his wife started the vehicle, she smelled the odor of gasoline. The contact had been advised by his wife that the vehicle was taking longer to start up and sometimes required two or three attempts to start the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V483000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The failure mileage was approximately 212,000.

Electrical System
Filed Jun 1, 2022NJ

On May 26, 2022, I was stuck in traffic for four hours, and the car's CEM (central electronic module) overheated causing the dashboard to shut down three times, meaning I lost all instrument readings. After each time the dashboard shut down, I had to pull over and reset fuse #27 to have the dashboard come back online temporarily. Because the CEM was already overheated due to its design flaw with improper ventilation, the dashboard would shut down again and again. A Google search would show this is a very common issue for 2004 Volvo models and before. Driving without any instrument readings is totally unsafe. I strongly urge you to force Volvo to issue a recall for 2004 and before models and fix the CEM overheating problem.

Exterior Lighting
Filed Nov 12, 2021NH

While driving on the highway "SRS urgent" text came on, also hear clicking sounds under dash on driver side, then dashboard indicator lights completely disappear (speed, fuel, temperature, etc) . Extremely hot under driver side dash. Fortunately, still able to steer and brake. This has happened twice now. Mechanic believes most likely CEM failure or DIM failure. My vehicle also has a wet A-pillar fabric (Volvo forums indicate possible cause of failure). I removed drivers A-pillar and found a clogged drain tube from the sunroof. However, did not notice any obvious signs of water inside the vehicle, though it hasnt rained for over a month when this happened.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 22, 2021CO

Is been stolen

Engine
Filed Jun 22, 2021CO

Is been stolen form my home and trying to fine it

Steering
Filed May 19, 2021CA

STEERING-LINKAGES: TIE ROD ASSEMBLY ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE OUTER TIE ROD BALL JOINT CAN DEFORM AT HIGH LOADS CAUSING A LOSS OF THE CLAMPING FORCE AND THE NUT MAY LOOSEN, WHICH MAY EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE OUTER TIE ROD BALL JOINT. CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE THAT HTE VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. WHEELS: ON CERTAIN SUV'S THE FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSORS MAY BE DEFECTIVE. CAUSING AN ERRONEOUS WHILL SPEED SIGNAL. CONSEQUENCES OF THE DEFECT: THIS CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING BRAKE, ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND TORQUE DISTRIBUTION CONTROL WHICH RELY ON THIS SIGNAL FOR PROPER OPERATION. VISIBILTY: WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, IF THE WIPER ARM IS ACTIVATED IN EXTREME WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS AND WITHOUT LIFTING THE WIPER ARMS AND CLEANING THE WINDSHIELD PRIOR TO MOVING, THE WIPER ARM MIGHT SLIP ON ITS DRIVERSHAFT, RESULTING IN AN INABILITY TO MOVE THE WIPER FROM THE PARK POSIIOT FROM THE PARK POSITION. CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY. SEATS BELTS: REAR ON CERTAIN SUV'S, THE SEAT BELT ATTACHMENT FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW SEATS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FITTED PROPERLY. CONSEQUENCES OF DEFECT: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY. CORRECTIVE ACTION: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE DEFECTS FREE OF CHA

Seat Belts
Filed May 9, 2021CA

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE OUTER TIE ROD BALL JOINT CAN DEFORM AT HIGH LOADS CAUSING A LOSS OF CLAMPING AND THE NUT MAY LOOSEN, WHICH MAY EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FRACTURE OF THE OUTER ROD BALL JOINT. THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE THE VEHICLE IS DIFFCULT TO MANEUVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. WHEELS: ON CERTAIN SUV'S, THE FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSORS MAY BE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING AN ERRONEOUS SPEED SIGNAL THIS CAN ADVERSELY AFFECT A NUMBER OF VEHICLE FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING BRAKE, ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, AND TORQUE DISTRIBUTION CONTROL WHICH RELY ON THIS SIGNAL FOR PROPER OPERATION. SEAT BELTS: REAR ON CERTAIN SUV'S, THE SEAT BELT ATTACHMENT FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FITTED PROPERLY. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY. CORRECTIVE ACTIONS: DEALER WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE. IN MY CASE, THE MANUFACTURER HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE, THEREFORE, THE VOLVO DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR DEFECTS ON MY SUV.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 8, 2021137,000 milesNY

INSIDE SMELLS OF GASOLINE AFTER STARTING, AND WHILE DRIVING. PERSISTENT. NAUSEATING WHILE DRIVING. WINDOWS MUST BE LET DOWN WHILE DRIVING.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 16, 2021FL

THE FUEL PUMP UNDER THE BACK SEAT IS CRACKED AND LEAKING FUEL. THIS IS REFERENCED IN NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 09V483000. O'STEEN VOLVO IN JACKSONVILLE REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THERE WAS EVER A PROBLEM WITH THIS. IT IS ALL OVER THE INTERNET.THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEABLE AS IS. THE CAR IS SOAKED WITH GASOLINE. APPARENTLY THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING DRIES OUT FROM HEAT AND CRACKS. WE NEED SOME HELP HERE. IT WOULD BE BETTER IF SOMEONE IN SAINT AUGUSTINE FLORIDA COULD DO THIS RECALL WORK FOR US AS WE REALLY DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH O'STEEN AFTER THEY HAVE BLOWN US OFF.

Power Train
Filed Apr 14, 2020195,000 milesIN

I AM CONCERNED THESE 2 ISSUES MAY POSE A SAFETY RISK. I RECENTLY PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A FRIEND AND HAVE HAD IT ABOUT A MONTH. I NOTICE THE STEERING IS VERY STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. I WAS TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THERE WERE ANY RECALLS ON THIS BUT HAVING NO LUCK. ALSO, WHEN THE CAR IS IN GEAR "DRIVE", WHEN STOPPED ON AN INCLINE (EVEN THE SLIGHTEST HILL) I NOTICE THAT WHEN I TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE PEDAL THE CAR ROLLS BACKWARDS! IT SHOULDN'T DO THAT. THE TRANSMISSION NOTICE ON THE DASH IS SAYING IT NEEDS SERVICE BUT MY FRIEND I BOUGHT IT FROM SAID SHE HAD IT CHECKED TWICE AND WAS TOLD THERE IS NO TRANSMISSION ISSUE. IS THERE A RECALL ON POWER-TRAIN/TRANS PARTS? THE CAR SHOULD NOT ROLL BACKWARDS WHEN IN GEAR "DRIVE", EVEN IF I AM STOPPED ON A HILL. EVEN A SLIGHT INCLINE AND THE CAR ROLLS BACK. NOT NORMAL. THANK YOU FOR ANY AND ALL HELP YOU CAN OFFER. THIS ISN'T AN "INCIDENT" BUT I DO NOT KNOW WHO ELSE TO CONTACT FOR HELP. *TR

Power Train
Filed Jan 10, 2020125,000 milesCA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF THIRD GEAR. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO ALERTED TO A MESSAGE DISPLAY WHICH INDICATED A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WOULD INDEPENDENTLY SHIFT TO NEUTRAL. NIELLO VOLVO CARS SACRAMENTO LOCATED AT 4609 MADISON AVE, SACRAMENTO, CA 95841, (916) 488-2400), WAS CONTACTED BY PHONE. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 03V434000 (WHEELS). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 125,000.

Air Bags
Filed Dec 5, 2019116,000 milesSC

WHILE I'M MOTION THE SRS AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON TRANSMISSION URGENT LIGHT CAME ON AND ABS LIGHT THE BATTERY KEEPS BUBBLING LIKE ITS GONE BLOW UP IN MY TRUNK I HAVE TO JUMP IT OFF EVERY MORNING I PAID ALOT FOR THIS SUV CAN YOU PLEASE HELP ME KEEP MY ONLY CAR IN WORKING ORDER I HAVE HAD ALL MAINTAINS DONE IN PAST NOW THE COOLANT SYSTEM IS LEAKING WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THIS VOLVO XC90 T6 AWD [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM

Engine
Filed Nov 9, 2019FL

TRANSMISION IS STRUGGLING ON 3RD OR 4TH SHIFT, I READ ON INTERNET MANY COLVOS THIS TRIM FAILING AND BEEN REBUILTED AND STILL FAILING

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 16, 2019188,900 milesID

A FEW YEARS AGO I RECEIVED A EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR A FUEL PUMP RECALL. MY FUEL PUMP IS NOW LEAKING GAS AND FILLING THE CAR WITH GAS FUMES. WHEN I CALLED THE VOLVO DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS NO LONGER VALID AND IT WOULD COST $1,000.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I CALLED THE VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AND WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN NUMBER WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND I WOULD NEED TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE CAR IS 16 YEARS OLD AND IS IN GOOD CONDITION I FEEL THAT AS VOLVO KNOWS THAT THE FUEL PUMP IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT ALL CARS THAT HAVE THE SAME FUEL PUMP ISSUE THAT ARE STILL DRIVING THE HIGHWAYS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. NOTHING HAPPENED OTHER THAN THE HEAVY FUEL SMELL THAT FILLS THE CAR WHEN DRIVING AND THE FUEL CAN BE SMELLED OUTSIDE OF THE CAR AFTER IT HAS BEEN TURNED OFF. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FIXED BUT THINK THAT THE FUEL PUMP ISSUE SHOULD STILL BE ADDRESSED. I DIDN'T HAVE AN ACCIDENT AND THERE WAS NO FIRE, BUT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN.

20 of 462 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2004
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202527200Routine
202436300Routine
202339600Routine
202229410Routine
202134600Routine
202031720Routine
201941630Routine
201850310Routine
201776770Routine
20161978100Routine
20150100Routine
20144000Routine
201311010Routine
20123000Routine
201119110Routine
201012300Routine
20097100Routine
200829310Routine
200738250Routine
200653340Routine
2005223630Above average
2004 — this page462630Above average
200393520Routine

Compare every XC90 year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Nov 8, 2010. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.