KnownCarProblems2003 Volvo XC90 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 93 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Volvo XC90, most often about the transmission (53% of complaints, typically around 76,000 miles). It is 4th of 22 XC90 model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2003 Volvo XC90 problems
Transmission
49 complaints · 53%Half of these problems showed up before 76,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, axle hubs, transfer case (4-wheel drive), driveline.
Transmission failure after 76,000 miles. Also high pitch squeal comes from rear wheels in slushy snow. Must slow or stop to halt squealing and grinding sound.
I have had this vehicle from 64,000 miles to 75,000 miles and have replaced the following - rear wheel bearings, low beam headlights 4 times, and now the angle gear has gone at 75,000 miles - not a very reliable used car.
Electrical
18 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 79,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, instrument cluster/panel.
2003 Volvo XC90 began displaying "SRS service urgent" message, took vehicle to dealer who knew right away what problem was, they cleaned the contacts of the instrument cluster (maybe the central electronic module)(cem) and error was removed. 3 weeks later same error returns. Sounds like a defect to me, according to…
The SRS light came on, which appears to be a common problem with my model. The dealer said they need to replace the entire SRS console for $1000. They cannot guarantee it, but it's possible my airbags will not deploy if they do not replace this.
Fuel system
10 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 111,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
The contact owns a 2003 Volvo XC90. While driving at approximately 55 MPH, fuel fumes emitted into the vehicle. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that fuel was all over the exhaust pipe and the bottom of the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the…
The contact owns a 2003 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that gasoline fumes were emitted into the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technician diagnosed that there was a leak in the fuel pump and it needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance…
Engine
9 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 99,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
Power train - automatic transmission failure. Days after completing a 90,000 mile service and other repairs (brakes, broken engine mount bracket) and trip to boston from washington dc, the "transmission service urgent" message came up for the first time since purchasing the vehicle new in 2003 from don beyer Volvo in…
My 2003 Volvo XC90 has been to the dealer several times including over 3 times for same problem when I purchased the vehicle in 2006. All recalls have been fixed, front axle, wipers etc. I have purchased 4 sets of tires, tires boston Volvo installed and my 17 year old son received a complete blow out because wrong…
Suspension
9 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 65,500 miles. Parts named most often: front, rear.
I have had this vehicle from 64,000 miles to 75,000 miles and have replaced the following - rear wheel bearings, low beam headlights 4 times, and now the angle gear has gone at 75,000 miles - not a very reliable used car.
Operating vehicle since oct '08, since that time there has been a noise emanating from front pass-side wheel area. Purchasing dealer(hall chevy, chesapeake, va) performed wheel-alignment to "fix" the noise which did not remedy. Volvo dealer in arvada, co diagnosed it as failed, or failing wheel hub, to be replaced at…
Brakes
7 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 47,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Volvo XC90. While driving 55mph, the vehicle suddenly lost power while merging between two large vehicles. The accelerator pedal would not respond when he tried to engage it. The dealer stated that the rear differential, the throttle and the disc brakes failed. The purchase date was unavailable.…
Tl contact owns a 2003 Volvo XC90. On june 10, 2008, while driving at an unknown speed and approaching a stop sign, the contact heard a loud noise. Shortly afterwards, the brakes failed to respond; however, she was able to bring the vehicle under control with the emergency brake. The contact slowly drove the vehicle…
Body and structure
6 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The consumer purchased new tires because of extreme wear at low mileage. The 2003 Volvo XC90 had numerous problems that had to be corrected on a regular basis. The lug nuts were replaced twice due to rust when the vehicle was delivered, unable to turn the ignition, radio was inoperative and the left door could not be…
Leaving a parking lot and heard loud sound car wouldn't move. Volvo says the following is broken: lower control arm, cv axle, rotor and damaged rim. We had been parked and were attempting to leaving parking lot(.barely moving) could have been killed if this happened at higher speed. We have constantly spent money on…
Equipment
5 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: electrical.
Multiple failures; door lock,tires were worn to the cord. * bf the lug nuts were replaced because they were rusted when the vehicle was delivered, the doors did not fit properly, the radio failed, the key would not turn in the ignition, the left rear door could not be opened due to the problem with the seat molding…
The consumer purchased new tires because of extreme wear at low mileage. The 2003 Volvo XC90 had numerous problems that had to be corrected on a regular basis. The lug nuts were replaced twice due to rust when the vehicle was delivered, unable to turn the ignition, radio was inoperative and the left door could not be…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 Volvo XC90 recalls
Equipment: navigational system(global positioning system)
Risk: An overheated battery could lead to a fire.
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 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.
Full defect summary
Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (GPS) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
Fuel system: fuel pump
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.
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 began on january 15, 2010. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Full defect summary
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.
Steering: tie rod assembly
Risk: The driver may notice that the vehicle is difficult to maneuver increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Visibility and wipers: windshield wiper/washer
Risk: Inoperative wipers under inclement weather conditions could cause a crash due to impaired visibility.
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.
Full defect summary
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.
Seat belts: rear/other
Risk: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles, the seat belt attachment(s) for the second and third row seat(s) may not have been fitted properly.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2003 Volvo XC90
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Volvo XC90?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (49 complaints, typically around 76,000 miles); electrical (18 complaints, typically around 79,000 miles); fuel system (10 complaints, typically around 111,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Volvo XC90 have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 8, 2010 (equipment). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2003 a bad year for the Volvo XC90?
- It is 4th of 22 XC90 model years by number of complaints, with 93 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.