Model year record

2003 Volvo XC90

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 149 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 10V566000

Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)

Component
Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)
Manufacturer
VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.
Vehicles affected
416
Reported to NHTSA
2010-11-08
Owners notified
2010-11-18

Defect description

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

Safety risk

AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 09V483000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
Manufacturer
VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.
Vehicles affected
158,733
Reported to NHTSA
2009-12-18
Owners notified
2010-01-15

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 06V155000

Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly

Component
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
Manufacturer
VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.
Vehicles affected
126,743
Reported to NHTSA
2006-05-05
Owners notified
2006-06-23

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 06V144000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
Manufacturer
VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.
Vehicles affected
122,431
Reported to NHTSA
2006-04-28
Owners notified
2006-09-05

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V391000

Seat belts: rear/other

Component
Seat belts: rear/other
Manufacturer
VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.
Vehicles affected
18,692
Reported to NHTSA
2003-10-10
Owners notified
2003-12-08

Defect description

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

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission3976,000 mi
Electrical system1397,000 mi
Power train785,000 mi
Suspension540,000 mi
Air bags479,300 mi
Equipment485,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system4111,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)379,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine362,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline3150,000 mi
Parking brake314,000 mi
Structure315,090 mi
Electrical system: ignition215,090 mi
Engine2114,687 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system294,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system245,500 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump267,131 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch2
Seats215,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic249,271 mi
Steering2500 mi
Suspension: front255,000 mi
Suspension: rear255,000 mi
Tires215,000 mi
Unknown or other2114,687 mi
Vehicle speed control245,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel1103,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood130,200 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling145,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.115,090 mi
Exterior lighting179,300 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights1
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch175,500 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery1108,000 mi
Power train: axle hubs152,000 mi
Power train: driveline1
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)175,500 mi
Seat belts112,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner12,500 mi
Service brakes, air1104,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: differential proportional valve145,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum145,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system131,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump156,627 mi
Structure: body1
Structure: body: door18,000 mi
Structure: frame and members185,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing122,300 mi
Tires: markings1
Traction control system179,300 mi
Visibility179,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Wheels185,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs115,000 mi

The 2004 model has about a quarter as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.