2003 Volvo XC90: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 93 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (47% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 93 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Fuel line was recalled in 2010. Volvo repaired it now it has the same problem. And is leaking fuel. Same line that they replaced in 2010. Please recall.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2022
“Transfer case keeps locking up and messing up. In past year paid 1500 two times to replace transfer case and is now in shop again for same reason. Transfer case locking up. Feb 2020, july 2020, and now january 2021 feb going speed of 35-40, july on highway speed of 70 in middle of freeway, and jan speed of 35”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2021
“Tl* 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 fuel pump was crack and leaking fuel. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN number was not included in NHTSA campaign: 09v483000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 111,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volvo xc90. The contact stated that fuel fumes emitted in and around the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that there was a leak in the fuel pump. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and confirmed that the VIN was not associated with NHTSA campaign number: 09v483000 (fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 141,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2015
“Tl* 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 since the vehicle was not included in NHTSA recall campaign 09v483000 (fuel system). The vehicle was repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 108,000. The current mileage was 109,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2014
“When this vehicle was purchased it started within 4 days to have problems with the transmission, after the transmission the transfer case began to have problems, so the vehicle was placed in the shop before the thirty days tags could expire and both parts were rebuilt by an outside company which was added to the original price tag of the vehicle. Then a year later the vehicle was placed in the shop for the turbo's had gone out on the vehicle on april 11, 2015 until current date. They are now saying the vehicle has a blown head gasket and it is still in the shop.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Apr 2014
“Fuel fumes present when the car was turned off. More pronounced in parking and home garages. Daily highway driving (55 miles one way) may be related to recall of xc 90 in warm states as highway mileage similar in nature. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Mar 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volvo xc90. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the instrument panel lights stopped illuminating and all of the gauges failed. The vehicle was neither diagnosed nor repaired. The failure and current mileage was 145,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2013
“While driving home from school the windshield wipers automatically came on and about the same time the battery light and electrical warning side came on. It also affected the power steering and air condition. Had to pull over on a busy street which was not easy. Had the battery tested and it was good, replaced it 15 months ago. Car is still sitting in the garage! *tr”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2012
“I had the transmission service engine light come on. I took it to the mechanic and he said the coolant has leaked into to the transmission causing the transmission to give out. They said it needs replaced at a cost of 6000. This would be the 3 rd transmission in this car alone. Their are multiple people with the same problem. This is volvox fault and it needs replaced on their dime. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2011
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE SEAT BELT ATTACHMENT(S) FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW SEAT(S) MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FITTED PROPERLY.
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.
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2003 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact XC90 by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Volvo XC90 reliable?
NHTSA has 93 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Volvo XC90. The most complained-about area is power train (47% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Volvo XC90 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 74,825 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Volvo XC90 have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:rear/other. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.