no report yet
Electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)
Risk. AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
2003 Volvo XC90Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 93 owner complaints about the 2003 Volvo XC90, most often about the power train. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 20, 2022. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2003 Volvo XC90 has problems
93 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
49Power train
18Electrical system2 crash/fire/injury
9Suspension
7Engine and engine cooling
6Structure
6Fuel system, gasoline
5Equipment
4Steering
4Fuel/propulsion system
3515 other systems5 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 49 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 18 | 2 |
| Suspension | 9 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 0 |
| Structure | 6 | 1 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 6 | 0 |
| Equipment | 5 | 0 |
| Steering | 4 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 |
| 15 other systems | 35 | 5 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
5 recalls
2003 Volvo XC90 recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Delivery: fuel pump
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.
no report yet
Linkages: tie rod assembly
Risk. THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
no report yet
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
Risk. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.
Show 1 more recall
no report yet
Seat belts: rear/other
Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volvo.
Mileage at failure
When do power train problems start?
76kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 45 power train complaints. 73% were reported before 100,000 miles.
4under 30k miles33under 100k miles12100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Power train
9 owners mentioned a cost$7,000median
Middle half: $5,000 – $7,500
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2003 vs. every other XC90 year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the XC90 median. How we score
'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2003 Volvo XC90 safety ratings
2003 Volvo XC90 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What XC90 owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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…
TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. HERE'S THE STORY, MY XC90 WAS DEALER SERVICED A WEEK AGO (PM), TOOK ON A SHORT ROAD TRIP OVER WEEKEND, FORTUNATELY MADE IT HOME BEFORE IT BROKE DOWN. WENT TO WORK UPON RETURNING FROM TRIP AND WHILE I WAS PARKING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ENGAGE IN ANY GEAR.…
Own a 2003 XC90?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.