Volvo XC90 2003–2014 problems by year and mileage
1st generation · Volvo P2
NHTSA data through 24 September 2026955 complaints, 821 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
- 200375kmedian
- 200486kmedian
- 200586kmedian
- 200685kmedian
- 200775kmedian
- 2008—too few
- 2009—too few
- 2010—too few
- 2011—too few
- 2012—too few
- 2013—too few
- 2014—too few
The 2003 Volvo XC90
Close- Median failure report
- 75,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 93
- Recalls naming this year
- 5
Most reported on the 2003
- Transmission and driveline49 reports · median 76,000 mi
- Electrical system18 reports
- Suspension9 reports
5 recall campaigns name the 2003: Equipment — electrical; Fuel system, gasoline — delivery; Steering — linkages. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2004 Volvo XC90
Close- Median failure report
- 86,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 462
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2004
- Electrical system158 reports · median 94,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline145 reports · median 78,000 mi
- Fuel system40 reports · median 75,000 mi
6 recall campaigns name the 2004: Equipment — electrical; Fuel system, gasoline — delivery; Steering — linkages. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2005 Volvo XC90
Close- Median failure report
- 86,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 223
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2005
- Transmission and driveline62 reports · median 72,000 mi
- Electrical system51 reports · median 95,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system40 reports · median 73,000 mi
6 recall campaigns name the 2005: Equipment — electrical; Fuel system, gasoline — delivery; Electrical system — 12v/24v/48v battery. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2006 Volvo XC90
Close- Median failure report
- 85,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 53
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2006
- Electrical system16 reports
- Tyres8 reports
- Engine6 reports
3 recall campaigns name the 2006: Equipment — electrical; Steering — linkages; Visibility — windshield wiper/washer. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2007 Volvo XC90
Close- Median failure report
- 75,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 39
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2007
- Electrical system14 reports
- Transmission and driveline5 reports
- Engine4 reports
2 recall campaigns name the 2007: Equipment — electrical; Visibility — defroster/defogger/hvac system. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2008 Volvo XC90
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 29
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2008
- Electrical system8 reports
- Engine6 reports
- Transmission and driveline4 reports
3 recall campaigns name the 2008: Equipment — electrical; Engine and engine cooling — engine; Visibility — defroster/defogger/hvac system. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2009 Volvo XC90
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 7
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2009
- Electrical system3 reports
- Brakes2 reports
- Engine1 report
1 recall campaign names the 2009: Equipment — electrical. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2010 Volvo XC90
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 12
- Recalls naming this year
- 3
Most reported on the 2010
- Fuel and propulsion system3 reports
- Steering2 reports
- Body structure2 reports
3 recall campaigns name the 2010: Steering; Equipment — electrical; Fuel system, gasoline — delivery. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2011 Volvo XC90
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 19
- Recalls naming this year
- 1
Most reported on the 2011
- Electrical system5 reports
- Engine5 reports
- Transmission and driveline3 reports
1 recall campaign names the 2011: Steering. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2012 Volvo XC90
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 3
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 2012
- Reversing camera and sensors1 report
- Electrical system1 report
- Equipment1 report
The 2013 Volvo XC90
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 11
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 2013
- Airbag system3 reports
- Electrical system2 reports
- Engine2 reports
The 2014 Volvo XC90
Close- Median failure report
- too few reports to time
- Complaints filed
- 4
- Recalls naming this year
- 0
Most reported on the 2014
- Airbag system1 report
- Engine1 report
- Transmission and driveline1 report
Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. The 2004 reports latest and the 2003 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 2003 has had 1 more year on the road to accumulate mileage. 7 of these years carry fewer than 30 reports with an odometer reading and show no median at all, rather than one computed from a handful.
The short answer
“Is the 2003–2014 Volvo XC90 reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 84,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 140,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 821
- Recalls
- 12
Most reported
- Electrical system28.9% of complaints · median 92,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline28.6% of complaints · median 75,000 mi
- Engine8.9% of complaints · median 108,000 mi
Documented problems
- Automatic Transmission (gm 4T65-E) on the T62003–2005
- AWD Angle Gear / Driveshaft2003–2014
Owners filed 955 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003–2014 Volvo XC90; the electrical system leads with 28.9% of them, and half of the 821 that record an odometer reading came by 84,000 miles. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 58,000 and 113,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2003–2014 Volvo XC90 last?
Complaint records can’t measure how long a car lasts; they show when reported failures happened. On the 2003–2014 Volvo XC90, half of the 821 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 84,000 miles and 90% by 140,000 miles.
69 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 11 past 200,000 — each one proof that a XC90 reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Volvo XC90 2003–2014 · 821 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 10,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 90 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 11 complaints (1.3%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 28,000
- 25%
- 58,070
- Median
- 84,000
- 75%
- 113,000
- 90%
- 140,094
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–10,000 | 33 | 4.0% |
| 10,000–20,000 | 27 | 3.3% |
| 20,000–30,000 | 25 | 3.0% |
| 30,000–40,000 | 24 | 2.9% |
| 40,000–50,000 | 48 | 5.8% |
| 50,000–60,000 | 58 | 7.1% |
| 60,000–70,000 | 90 | 11.0% |
| 70,000–80,000 | 88 | 10.7% |
| 80,000–90,000 | 57 | 6.9% |
| 90,000–100,000 | 65 | 7.9% |
| 100,000–110,000 | 71 | 8.6% |
| 110,000–120,000 | 59 | 7.2% |
| 120,000–130,000 | 41 | 5.0% |
| 130,000–140,000 | 46 | 5.6% |
| 140,000–150,000 | 20 | 2.4% |
| 150,000–160,000 | 17 | 2.1% |
| 160,000–170,000 | 14 | 1.7% |
| 170,000–180,000 | 11 | 1.3% |
| 180,000–190,000 | 11 | 1.3% |
| 190,000–200,000 | 5 | 0.6% |
| 200,000+ | 11 | 1.3% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Common XC90 problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Volvo XC90 2003–2014
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Engine and its cooling system77 reports71,00056,000–94,000Engine and its cooling system: 77 reports, median 71,000 miles, middle half 56,000 to 94,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline273 reports75,00060,000–104,000Transmission and driveline: 273 reports, median 75,000 miles, middle half 60,000 to 104,000 miles.
- Fuel system60 reports75,00056,000–116,000Fuel system: 60 reports, median 75,000 miles, middle half 56,000 to 116,000 miles.
- Electrical system276 reports92,00062,000–116,000Electrical system: 276 reports, median 92,000 miles, middle half 62,000 to 116,000 miles.
- Exterior lighting69 reports100,00070,000–120,000Exterior lighting: 69 reports, median 100,000 miles, middle half 70,000 to 120,000 miles.
- Engine85 reports108,00087,000–134,000Engine: 85 reports, median 108,000 miles, middle half 87,000 to 134,000 miles.
- Fuel and propulsion system73 reports131,000108,000–150,000Fuel and propulsion system: 73 reports, median 131,000 miles, middle half 108,000 to 150,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 276 | 28.9% | 92,000 | 62,000–116,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 273 | 28.6% | 75,000 | 60,000–104,000 |
| Engine | 85 | 8.9% | 108,000 | 87,000–134,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 77 | 8.1% | 71,000 | 56,000–94,000 |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 73 | 7.6% | 131,000 | 108,000–150,000 |
| Exterior lighting | 69 | 7.2% | 100,000 | 70,000–120,000 |
| Fuel system | 60 | 6.3% | 75,000 | 56,000–116,000 |
| Airbag system | 47 | 4.9% | 94,000 | 68,000–116,000 |
| Steering | 45 | 4.7% | 72,000 | 25,000–134,000 |
| Problems owners could not categorise | 44 | 4.6% | 110,000 | 54,000–138,000 |
System by system, in words
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 84,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
The electrical system accounts for 28.9% of complaints (276 reports, 246 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 92,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 62,000 and 116,000 miles.
A single system taking 28.9% of all complaints is a concentration worth noting. It means that for this generation, most of what owners reported came back to one area of the car rather than being distributed across many small faults.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 28.6% of complaints (273 reports, 259 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 75,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 60,000 and 104,000 miles.
The engine accounts for 8.9% of complaints (85 reports, 68 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 108,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 87,000 and 134,000 miles.
The engine and its cooling system accounts for 8.1% of complaints (77 reports, 72 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 71,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 56,000 and 94,000 miles.
The fuel and propulsion system accounts for 7.6% of complaints (73 reports, 50 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails late — a median of 131,000 miles, considerably beyond the vehicle's overall median. That pattern is consistent with normal service life rather than a defect, though it matters for anyone buying an example already near that mileage. The middle half of these reports falls between 108,000 and 150,000 miles.
The exterior lighting accounts for 7.2% of complaints (69 reports, 59 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 100,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 70,000 and 120,000 miles.
Known problems with the 2003–2014 XC90
Automatic Transmission (gm 4T65-E) on the T6 2003–2005
The GM 4T65-E fitted behind the 2.9 twin-turbo T6 is undersized for the vehicle's weight and torque; a failing internal transmission oil cooler lets engine coolant (glycol) contaminate the ATF, destroying clutches. Result is slipping, overheating and total failure, frequently just after the warranty period. Volvo settled a class action over these failures with repair coverage.
AWD Angle Gear / Driveshaft 2003–2014
The angle (bevel) gear unit and its splined coupling to the propshaft wear and seize, a well-known P2 AWD service item causing driveline noise, vibration and loss of rear drive; often traced to inadequate lubrication/fluid service.
Before you buy a 2003–2014 XC90: the 3-minute check
Generated from 821 mileage-tagged complaints, 12 recall campaigns, 2 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 12 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check automatic transmission (gm 4T65-E) on the T6 on 2003–2005 (T6 only) cars. The GM 4T65-E fitted behind the 2.9 twin-turbo T6 is undersized for the vehicle's weight and torque; a failing internal transmission oil cooler lets engine coolant (glycol) contaminate the ATF, destroying clutches.…
- Check AWD angle gear / driveshaft on 2003–2014 (AWD) cars. The angle (bevel) gear unit and its splined coupling to the propshaft wear and seize, a well-known P2 AWD service item causing driveline noise, vibration and loss of rear drive; often traced to inadequate…
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 58,000 and 113,000 miles, with a median of 84,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, the electrical system and the transmission and driveline are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. The transmission and driveline in particular shows a median failure mileage of 75,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
XC90 problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi26% below | At 90k mi55% below | At 120k mi79% below | At 150k mi92% below | At 200k mi99% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 62,000–116,000 | later | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 60,000–104,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Engine | 87,000–134,000 | later | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Engine and its cooling system | 56,000–94,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel and propulsion system | 108,000–150,000 | later | later | in window | in window | earlier |
| Exterior lighting | 70,000–120,000 | later | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Fuel system | 56,000–116,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Volvo XC90 2003–2014 · 821 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 26% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 55% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 79% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 92% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 99% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it above
The staircase tops out at 99%: the remaining 1.3% of reports (11) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
2003–2014 Volvo XC90 recalls (12)
NHTSA records 12 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the steering (2), the fuel system (2), visibility equipment (2). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
May 2011 · 2010–2011 · SteeringThis condition could lead to a sudden loss of power steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Volvo is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 XC90 vehicles manufactured from january 29, 2010, through august 16, 2010. The power steering fluid may leak from the oil pipe connection at the steering gear valve housing.
What can happen. This condition could lead to a sudden loss of power steering, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the oil pipes on the power steering rack free of charge. The recall is scheduled to begin during june 2011. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Nov 2010 · 2003–2010 · EquipmentAn overheated battery could lead to a fire.
The defect. Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
What can happen. An overheated battery could lead to a fire.
The free fix. 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…
Apr 2010 · 2010 · Fuel System, GasolineFuel odor may be detected.
The defect. Volvo is recalling certain model year 2010 XC90 vehicles. A leak may develop in the fuel line between the line and a connector.
What can happen. Fuel odor may be detected. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can lead to a fire at the right front wheel.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the date code printed on the fuel line and replace the fuel pressure line if it falls within the recalled range free of charge. The recall began on april 23, 2010. Owners may…
Dec 2009 · 2003–2005 · Fuel System, GasolineIf the condition occurs vehicle owners may notice fuel smell and/or fuel leak which, in the presence of an…
The 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…
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. 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…
May 2008 · 2008 · Engine and Engine CoolingThe aluminum bracket for the engine mount could break due to lack of adequate clamping force.
The defect. Volvo is recalling 102 my 2008 XC90 and s80 vehicles equipped with v8 engines. These vehicles may have been built with incorrect bolts to the engine mount.
What can happen. The aluminum bracket for the engine mount could break due to lack of adequate clamping force. This could cause the engine to come in contact with the sub-frame, ultimately resulting in a reduced…
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the engine mount bolts for specific markings. If any of the bolts contain the incorrect markings, the bracket and bolts will be replaced. All owners have been contacted and…
Dec 2007 · 2007–2008 · VisibilityInoperative defrosters under inclement weather conditions could cause impaired visibility which has the…
The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles, under certain conditions, the climate control module (ccm) may receive a 'shut-down signal' from the engine control module (ecm) after ignition key insertion. If this condition occurs, the climate control functions will not…
What can happen. Inoperative defrosters under inclement weather conditions could cause impaired visibility which has the potential to result in personal injury and/or vehicle and property damage.
The free fix. The ecm software will be upgraded. The recall began on january 28, 2008. Owners may contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
May 2007 · 2005 · Electrical SystemMisplacement of the jack's crank handle can pose a safety risk as it can result in a short circuit of the…
The defect. On certain passenger vehicles, it has been determined that while doing battery maintenance the jack's crank handle can be misplaced under a bracket which retains the battery.
What can happen. Misplacement of the jack's crank handle can pose a safety risk as it can result in a short circuit of the battery which could then lead to a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and ensure proper placement of the jack crank handle and a warning label with approved text will be affixed to the bracket which retains the battery. This warning label will…
May 2006 · 2003–2006 · SteeringThe driver may notice that the vehicle is difficult to maneuver increasing the risk of a crash.
The 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.
What can happen. The driver may notice that the vehicle is difficult to maneuver increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. 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.
Apr 2006 · 2003–2006 · VisibilityInoperative wipers under inclement weather conditions could cause a crash due to impaired visibility.
The 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…
What can happen. Inoperative wipers under inclement weather conditions could cause a crash due to impaired visibility.
The free fix. 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.
Nov 2005 · 2005 · Electrical SystemSmoke may appear from under the hood and it may be impossible to start the car.
The defect. On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, due to an error in the factory assembly instruction, the b+terminal may be in conflict with the starter motor solenoid. If this occurs, the conflict between the b+terminal and the starter motor solenoid may…
What can happen. Smoke may appear from under the hood and it may be impossible to start the car. If the short circuit happens during driving, electrical power could be lost resulting in the warning lamps being…
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and increase distance between the b+terminal and the starter motor solenoid by adjusting the terminal. The recall began on january 31, 2006. Owners may contact Volvo at…
Nov 2003 · 2004 · WheelsThis can adversely affect a number of vehicle functions, including brake, engine, transmission, and torque…
The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles, the front wheel speed sensors may be defective, causing an erroneous wheel speed signal.
What can happen. 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.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the front wheel sensors. Owner notification began on december 8, 2003. Owners should contact Volvo cars at 1-800-458-1552.
Oct 2003 · 2003–2004 · Seat BeltsIn the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.
The 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.
What can happen. In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. 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.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 955 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 17 (1.8%)
- Fires
- 20
- Injury reports
- 17
- Fatality reports
- 0
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
XC90 problems by model year
The 2004 drew the most complaints of this generation, 462, most of them about the electrical system, and the 2008 the fewest among the 6 years with at least 20 complaints, 29. A typical year drew about 73.
That makes the 2004 stand out at roughly 6.3 times a typical year. A count like this follows how many cars of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as how often they failed, so it is not by itself evidence of a worse year; what each year's reports name, in its card and row, is the useful part.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 93 | 79 | 75,000 | Transmission and driveline (49) | 5 |
| 2004 | 462 | 409 | 86,000 | Electrical system (158) | 6 |
| 2005 | 223 | 194 | 86,000 | Transmission and driveline (62) | 6 |
| 2006 | 53 | 41 | 85,000 | Electrical system (16) | 3 |
| 2007 | 39 | 31 | 75,000 | Electrical system (14) | 2 |
| 2008 | 29 | 25 | under 30 reports | Electrical system (8) | 3 |
| 2009 | 7 | 5 | under 30 reports | Electrical system (3) | 1 |
| 2010 | 12 | 10 | under 30 reports | Fuel and propulsion system (3) | 3 |
| 2011 | 19 | 13 | under 30 reports | Electrical system (5) | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 | 3 | under 30 reports | Reversing camera and sensors (1) | 0 |
| 2013 | 11 | 10 | under 30 reports | Airbag system (3) | 0 |
| 2014 | 4 | 1 | under 30 reports | Airbag system (1) | 0 |
What XC90 owners reported
The contact owns a 2007 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that the air bag warning light was illuminated on the instrument cluster. The local dealer was contacted, and it was diagnosed that the failure was due to the air bag module. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an…
2007 · 80,000 miles · Airbag system
The contact owns a 2010 Volvo XC90. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but the failure persisted. Due to failure, the vehicle was towed to the residence. An independent mechanic arrived at the…
2010 · 125,000 miles · Fuel system
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…
2004 · 30,000 miles · Fuel system
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…
2004 · 212,000 miles · Fuel system
Built from 821 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-09-26 · open data · how it is built
Other XC90 generations
- XC90 2016–2025 179 reports with mileage, most about the electrical system