2006 Volvo XC90: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 53 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (22% 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 53 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Vehicle is slightly off-balance no matter if I do an alignment ball joints seem to always get affected. I'm not sure if the hydraulics are working correctly. Yesterday I just started leaking antifreeze fluid.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Mar 2025
“The tensioner pulley for the serpentine belt seized up while traveling at 70 mph, melting the serpentine belt and causing an engine fire.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2023
“This has happened multiple times on the highway going 60 mph. And at slow speeds, last time on an entrance ramp onto the highway. The vehicle will shut off, as if the key has been turned off. But it hasn't been touched. Steering becomes difficult and I have to try and get off the road. Once I get pulled over and put it in park, it will start and run normally for a time. It most often happens when i turn to the right fairly tight. But not exclusively. Today after driving it approximately 120 miles with one shut off, my check engine light came on and it was difficult to get started again. This is absolutely a Hazzard to others and myself”Owner report · Engine · Mar 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2006 Volvo XC90. The contact stated while attempting to turn around, he saw a warning message transmission overheating message and the vehicle shut off. After an unknown amount of time, the vehicle was started up again and proceeded to fill the cabin with smoke and within 5 minutes the entire vehicle was on fire. The vehicle was extinguished on its own and a report was not taken. The contact sustained injuries to the lungs and burns to the face. The vehicle was not towed away. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Firerelated · Jan 2022
“Awakened to lights flashing, horn going off, wipers running on a vehicle that was parked with keys removed. The cem underneath driver's side dash had gotten wet from rain water leaking into it and subsequently shorted out requiring $2350 replacement via dealer. This IS A Huge problem.... however, and wait for it. IT IS NOT DUE TO THE SUNROOF.... I know this with absolute certainty because I have 3 2006-2010 xc90's and NONE HAVE SUNROOFS but all 3 had to have CEM reprogrammed. I can't understand why NOTHING has been done about this... it's absurd.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2021
“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 stated the failure was similar to NHTSA Campaign number 09V483000 (Fuel System, Gasoline).”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2021
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 volvo xc90. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking fuel from the fuel pump assembly. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel filter and fuel line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 244,777.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Apr 2021
“Tl* 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 failure was due to a worn suspension mount. Additionally, the mechanic also diagnosed the vehicle with a defective boost pressure sensor, a defective mass air flow sensor, and a defective vanos sensor which needed to be replaced. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 175,000.”Owner report · Engine · May 2020
“Water leaking from an unknown place gathering in passenger side floor ! Causing many electrical problems! Vehicle was in idol and cut off will not restart leaving my young daughter and I stranded! While investigating and removing carpet came to realize they were 30 gallons of water under carpet!! Looking into it more online noticed many many many others have expressed this same problem! Why is not an important issue to volvo to want to fix this problem?? Why wasn't this problem issued for recall???? Does son have to die of physically harmed for their to be a recall for this ongoing problem”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2006 volvo xc90. The contact stated that fuel was leaking from the fuel pump and there was an abnormal fuel odor inside the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,330.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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 2006 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 2006 Volvo XC90 reliable?
NHTSA has 53 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2006 Volvo XC90. The most complained-about area is electrical system (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2006 Volvo XC90 problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 90,000 miles or less.
Does the 2006 Volvo XC90 have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system). 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.