KnownCarProblems2005 Volvo XC90 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 223 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Volvo XC90, most often about the engine (31% of complaints, typically around 85,500 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about XC90 model year since 2000 and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2005 Volvo XC90 problems
Engine
69 complaints · 31%Half of these problems showed up before 85,500 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.
I have a 2005 Volvo XC90 v8 the car has been developing a shake, I brought it to Volvo for a check up, nothing was reported as unusual. Yesterday I heard knocking in the engine and immediately flatbedded it to the dealership, the went to diagnose and the engine has froze. The dealer is researching and explained it is…
2005 Volvo XC90 v8 engine number 5569. Balance shaft failure. Or counter balance shaft failure. Due to engine defect. Balance shaft bearings in closed, non-lubricated area. Bearings rest in an area that retains moisture and the bearings eventually deteriorate and fail. When this happens there is catastrophic engine…
Transmission
62 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 71,500 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive), driveline, manual transmission.
I have a 2005 Volvo XC90 t6 with 71000 miles on it. On 7/23/09 the transmission began to "slip" and I took it to the Volvo dealership on 7/24/09 for them to diagnose the problem. The transmission on this 4 year old vehicle need to be replaced at a cost of $5,300.00. Volvo has been aware of the problem and so far has…
I purchased a 2005 XC90 v8 AWD with 65000, after a month or so I noticed hard shifting, yesterday we took a trip up the mountain and I actually lost my transmission for a min, it slipped out of place while passing a vehichle, RPM shot up to 5-6k, it kicked back in again once we slowed and we pulled to the side to make…
Electrical
51 complaints · 23%Half of these problems showed up before 95,500 miles. Parts named most often: 12v/24v/48v battery.
I'd like to add my complaint to the list of those already reporting the abrupt loss of all electronics, including windshield wipers and all dashboard gauges, during a rainstorm. My issue was also identified as a prematurely corroded central electronic module (cem) caused by a design flaw allowing water to access the…
This complaint relates to pe10025. I have to replace cem and casing for wiring cost 5500.00. Volvo should be responsible for part or all of this repair. It is water seepage into the cem case. Water drips down through hood of the car and corrodes the wires. Causes major electrical shorts. I consider this to be a…
Fuel system
33 complaints · 15%Half of these problems showed up before 115,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
Driving at approximately 40 MPH, the check engine and oil warning lights appeared. The car completely died while I was on the road. The steering wheel and brakes froze up and the speed decreased to barely nothing. I could get the car to just make it off the road safely because I could not turn the wheel or use the…
The contact owns a 2005 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, a fuel odor emitted from the rear of the vehicle as the vehicle lost power and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also mentioned that fuel was leaking from the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated…
Lights
26 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 96,500 miles. Parts named most often: turn signal.
A complaint was previous filed regarding to turn signal problem. Situation getting worse. Volvo XC90 v8 2005; replaced cem unit two years back. Recently following problems happened. 1. Turn signal stop working 2. No high beam 3. No windshield washing 4. No cruise control 5. No vehicle information function problems…
Driving in pitch black night on backroads of charleston, sc. Lights went out after left headlight flickered for a few days. Lights went out and car went off road as we were in a curve. Regained control after spinning on wet grass. I need the headlights repaired by Volvo at their expense and reimbursement for the…
Other or unspecified
9 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 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…
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.
Steering
8 complaints · 4%Half of these problems showed up before 14,000 miles. Parts named most often: linkages, rack and pinion.
- the contact owns a 2005 XC90 Volvo. The contact stated that there was a safety recall on the vehicle which was issued may 3 2006. She was not notified of the safety recall until she took the vehicle to dealer for scheduled maintenance in january 2007. The contact believed that the problems she currently had with the…
The contact owns a 2005 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving various speeds, the vehicle would jerk and the turning signals failed. The contact stated that the electronic power steering system, SRS air bag service, anti-skid, and the immobilizer warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a…
Visibility and wipers
7 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 122,000 miles. Parts named most often: windshield wiper/washer, sun/moon roof assembly.
The contact owns a 2005 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that water leaked into the vehicle through the sun roof. The water caused damaged to the headliner and floorboard carpet. The failure also caused the seats to move independently and a growth of mold and mildew inside the vehicle. The contact also stated that there…
The contact owns a 2005 Volvo XC90. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH the windshield wipers became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the mechanic diagnosed that the central electronic module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 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.
Electrical: cables
Risk: 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.
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 inform an operator not to place the jack crank handle between the bracket and the battery free of charge. The recall began on july 7, 2007. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Full defect summary
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.
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.
Electrical: solenoid
Risk: 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 deactivated. An electrical short could result in a fire.
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 1-800-458-1552.
Full defect summary
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 develop into a short circuit of the battery cable to ground.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Central electronic module failure
Summary
Volvo acknowledged a problem affecting some subject vehicles involving water seepage into the plenum box area in the engine compartment.when this occurs water may enter into the interior / passenger compartment and track along the wiring harness for the central electronic module (cem), the device that controls many of the vehicle's electrical functions including wiper operation, lighting, and transmission operation.if the water reaches the cem connector electrical faults may result.in response to such faults the cem, a microprocessor controlled device, will attempt to reset by temporarily shutting down (for 100 milliseconds, or 0.1 seconds) and restarting; this effects various cem functions
Volvo xc90 battery cable failures
Summary
During pe05-057 and ea06-006 odi identified two conditions involving the positive battery cable in model year (my) 2005 volvo xc90 sport utility vehicles that could result in a vehicle fire:(1) positive battery cable grounding to the starter solenoid housing; and (2) misplaced jack crank handles under the battery bracket after battery service/maintenance.during pe05-057 volvo initiated a safety recall to correct the first condition in approximately 10,529 my 2005 xc90 and s80 vehicles equipped with six-cylinder engines (NHTSA recall no. 05v-529).in a may 18, 2007 letter, volvo notified NHTSA that it would be conducting a service campaign to address the second condition in approximately 42.21
Windshield wiper arm performance
Summary
The manufacturer notified NHTSA by letter dated april 21, 2006, that a safety recall has been initiated for correction of this problem on certain model year 2003 - 2006 volvo xc90 vehicles. The recall affects approximately 122,400 subject vehicles produced between august 2002 and october 2005.NHTSA has assigned no. 06v-144 to this recall action.the corrective action will consist of replacing the existing windshield wiper arms with a new reinforced design.based on this action, the subject pe has been closed.
Volvo xc90 battery cable failures
Summary
The office of defect investigations opened a preliminary evaluation, pe05-057 based on early warning data submitted to odi by volvo. The data contained field reports of thermal failures of the positive battery cable. On november 17, 2005, volvo notified odi that it had identified a safety defect in the positive battery cables in approximately 9,000 my 2005 volvo xc90 vehicles with six cylinder engines that could result in a fire.volvo recalled the affected vehicles to address the potential grounding condition (NHTSA recall #05v-529).there were 13 complaints, including 4 fires, and 10 warranty claims related to the condition addressed by 05v-529.during pe05-057, volvo also provided odi with i
Questions about the 2005 Volvo XC90
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Volvo XC90?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (69 complaints, typically around 85,500 miles); transmission (62 complaints, typically around 71,500 miles); electrical (51 complaints, typically around 95,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Volvo XC90 have?
- 6 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 2005 a bad year for the Volvo XC90?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about XC90 model year since 2000, with 223 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.