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U.S. public vehicle records

2004 Volvo XC90: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

462 owner complaints analyzed

6 distinct recall campaigns

86,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 410 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 152 of 462 complaints (32.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Transmission and shifting14731.8%
Braking behavior7917.1%
Electrical and battery issues7616.5%
Fuel system concerns5912.8%
Engine operation367.8%
Steering behavior357.6%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Electrical System
152
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
102
Power Train
37
Fuel/Propulsion System
34
Fuel System, Gasoline
32
Exterior Lighting
30
Engine
28
Air Bags
26
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Electrical System152
Power Train:Automatic Transmission102
Power Train37
Fuel/Propulsion System34
Fuel System, Gasoline32
Exterior Lighting30
Engine28
Air Bags26

Electrical System: 152; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 102; Power Train: 37; Fuel/Propulsion System: 34; Fuel System, Gasoline: 32; Exterior Lighting: 30; Engine: 28; Air Bags: 26

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
23
25,000 to 49,999
34
50,000 to 74,999
95
75,000 to 99,999
95
100,000 to 149,999
124
150,000 and above
39
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00023
25,000 to 49,99934
50,000 to 74,99995
75,000 to 99,99995
100,000 to 149,999124
150,000 and above39

Under 25,000: 23; 25,000 to 49,999: 34; 50,000 to 74,999: 95; 75,000 to 99,999: 95; 100,000 to 149,999: 124; 150,000 and above: 39

100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (124). 52 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2003
1
2004
14
2005
8
2006
13
2007
10
2008
47
2009
57
2010
84
2011
58
2012
31
2013
20
2014
30
2015
28
2016
17
2017
12
2018
8
2019
7
2020
2
2021
7
2022
3
2023
3
2024
1
2025
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20031
200414
20058
200613
200710
200847
200957
201084
201158
201231
201320
201430
201528
201617
201712
20188
20197
20202
20217
20223
20233
20241
20251

2003: 1; 2004: 14; 2005: 8; 2006: 13; 2007: 10; 2008: 47; 2009: 57; 2010: 84; 2011: 58; 2012: 31; 2013: 20; 2014: 30; 2015: 28; 2016: 17; 2017: 12; 2018: 8; 2019: 7; 2020: 2; 2021: 7; 2022: 3; 2023: 3; 2024: 1; 2025: 1

Pattern summary

Electrical System leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 147 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 79 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 76 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10049195 · 2003-12-04 (December 4, 2003)

XC90 DOES NOT START - THE PROBLEM PERSISTED FOR OVER 4 WEEKS AND DEALER COULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. *NLM

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10049195 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10053362 · 2004-01-05 (January 5, 2004)

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT NORMAL CONDITIONS BRAKES LOCKED UP. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED LEFT WHEEL PULLED TO THE LEFT. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEMS.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10053362 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10057016 · 2004-02-11 (February 11, 2004)

IN GENERAL IT SEEMS VERY EASY TO ACCIDENTALLY RELEASE THE SEAT BELT RESTRAINING A CRS WHEN AN ADULD SITTING NEXT TO THE CRS TRIES TO RELEASE THEIR OWN BUCKLE. I HAVE NOTED THIS IN SEVERAL VEHICLES AND OTHER ADULTS HAVE REMARKED ON IT AS WELL.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10057016 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10058314 · 2004-02-17 (February 17, 2004)

BRAKE LOCKUP. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10058314 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10058382 · 2004-02-18 (February 18, 2004)

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRES ON MY 2004 VOLVO XC90 (MICHELIN HXMXM4'S) ARE FRIGHTENING. THEY OFFER VERY LITTLE TRACTION IN THE BEST CONDITIONS; IN THE RAIN, UNINTENDED LANE CHANGES ARE COMMON DUE TO SLIDING.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10058382 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10062351 · 2004-03-16 (March 16, 2004)

MY VOLVO XC90 CONTINUES TO HAVE A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. AFTER 4 TRIPS TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE PROBLEMS WERE VERIFIED WITH THE AXLE, THE SPLINES, THE BRAKE PADS AND BRAKE CALIPERS, THE CAR STILL KNOCKS!! I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING IT! VOLVO CORPORATE HAS BEEN NO HELP. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10062351 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10063473 · 2004-05-11 (May 11, 2004)

UPON CLOSING THE HATCHBACK IT CAME DOWN WITH SUCH FORCE THAT IT STRUCK THE CONSUMER ON THE HEAD. CONSUMER SUSTAINED A HAIR LINE NECK FRACTURE WHICH WAS DIAGNOSED BY A DOCTOR. *AK *NM

Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10063473 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10072482 · 2004-05-12 (May 12, 2004)

VEHICLE AVERAGE GAS MILEAGE IS WELL BELOW EXPECTED MILEAGE.*AK

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10072482 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

6 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

03V391000 · Seat Belts:Rear/Other

Reported: 2003-10-10 (October 10, 2003)

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

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
03V434000 · Wheels

Reported: 2003-11-04 (November 4, 2003)

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

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
06V144000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer

Reported: 2006-04-28 (April 28, 2006)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
06V155000 · Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly

Reported: 2006-05-05 (May 5, 2006)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
09V483000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump

Reported: 2009-12-18 (December 18, 2009)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
10V566000 · Equipment:Electrical:Navigational System(Global Positioning System)

Reported: 2010-11-08 (November 8, 2010)

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

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗