KnownCarProblems2006 Volvo XC90 Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 53 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Volvo XC90, most often about the electrical (30% of complaints, typically around 85,000 miles). It is 6th of 22 XC90 model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2006 Volvo XC90 problems
Electrical
16 complaints · 30%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition.
Anti-skid error keeps coming up on my 2006 8 cyl Volvo XC90. Dealer unsure how to diagnose. I am concerned my anti lock braking and 4 wheel drive will not work. Is this a known defect in Volvo XC90's of that year?
I drove home from work and messages started to appear warning me of the engine not working properly, low beams not working. Drove it home. Turned it off & wipers would not stop. We unhooked the battery cable using the manual. Took it to have battery tested, bad cell. Replaced battery & wipers quit working, air bag…
Wheels and tires
11 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 17,500 miles. Parts named most often: tread/belt.
Sunday,june 29, 2008 driving on I-83 south approaching md 695, rear right tire shredded and blew. Tire driven less than 18,000 miles. Returned to dealership next day. We were informed tires were defective and had to replace both rear tires at a cost of $489. We now have concern for the safety of the front tires. We do…
2006 Volvo XC90 tires - pirelli scorpion zero 104h tire tread wore very early. Tires had 15,000 miles on them with one tire less than 3/32's tread left. Volvo was aware of this early tread wear problem as early as may 2006. In the three weeks we had to wait for our replacement tires the one tire had almost no tread…
Engine
6 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 160,000 miles.
The contact owns a 2006 Volvo XC90. The contact stated there was an abnormal odor of fuel detected in the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.…
The contact owns a 2006 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal popping sound emitted from the vehicle. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the…
Fuel system
5 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: delivery.
My 2006 XC90 has been stalling while driving on the freeway. It is very alarming and dangerous. The fuel pump and multiple electronic components have been replaced three times.
My Volvo XC90 (2006) abruptly stalls and dies on freeway when using cruise control (typically at 70-75 MPH). Have had two repeated incidents, so far lucky have not been hit. Dealership found no problem., car died again. First incident was at about 59,000 miles, second was next time I used cruise on freeway. I always…
Other or unspecified
5 complaints · 9%For the second time in 6 months, the vehicle lost all power without warning while in transit. Yesterday, it occurred on a major highway at 60 MPH. The car died without warning with resultant loss of power stearing, breaking, dash, etc. We were able to coast into a breakdown lane, but it could have been disasterous.…
Lights
4 complaints · 8%Intermittent lighting failure in the Volvo XC90 2006 model. The headlamps just fail. Volvos are supposed to be safe. My family and I could have been seriously injured or worse. I have spent thousands of dollars to fix the issue and I still have the problem. I can not drive at dusk or at night because of this.
2006 Volvo XC90 headlamp failure. Wa.state Volvo rep. Denies intermittent headlamp failure exists. This is a huge safety issue. The Volvo headlights just fail when the vehicle is being driven! I and many others approx.93,487 owner's of this vehicle have spent thousands of dollars having Volvo service dealer's unable…
Body and structure
3 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: body.
Transmission
3 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: automatic transmission.
Driving in heavy rain, cruise control fails, car gets stuck in 5th gear, lighting failure, car says in drive when in park, anti-skid service light comes on, check engine light comes on. Had to be towed back to the dealer when they test drove it. Very dangerous situation, two kids in the car and bought the car for its…
Have researched this car after I bought it used from a small dealership and seems like a large problem with all types of Volvo's. I had my car for a couple days, shop noticed there was an oil leak. Turned out to be the rear main seal. Dealership would not fix it even though it was within warranty. Saved up for 2…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2006 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.
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.
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 2006 Volvo XC90
- What are the most common problems with the 2006 Volvo XC90?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (16 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles); wheels and tires (11 complaints, typically around 17,500 miles); engine (6 complaints, typically around 160,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2006 Volvo XC90 have?
- 3 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 2006 a bad year for the Volvo XC90?
- It is 6th of 22 XC90 model years by number of complaints, with 53 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.