no report yet
Electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)
Risk. AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
2005 Volvo XC90Problems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 223 owner complaints about the 2005 Volvo XC90, most often about the power train. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 5, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2005 Volvo XC90 has problems
223 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
62Power train
51Electrical system3 crash/fire/injury
40Engine and engine cooling
29Engine1 crash/fire/injury
25Exterior lighting1 crash/fire/injury
22Fuel/propulsion system1 crash/fire/injury
9Fuel system, gasoline
8Steering
6Tires
4014 other systems2 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 62 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 51 | 3 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 40 | 0 |
| Engine | 29 | 1 |
| Exterior lighting | 25 | 1 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 22 | 1 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 9 | 0 |
| Steering | 8 | 0 |
| Tires | 6 | 0 |
| 14 other systems | 40 | 2 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
6 recalls
2005 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
12v/24v/48v battery: cables
Risk. MISPLACEMENT OF THE JACK'S CRANK HANDLE CAN POSE A SAFETY RISK AS IT CAN RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT OF THE BATTERY WHICH COULD THEN LEAD TO 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.
Show 2 more recalls
no report yet
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
Risk. INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.
no report yet
Starter assembly: solenoid
Risk. SMOKE MAY APPEAR FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND IT MAY BE IMPOSSIBLE TO START THE CAR.
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?
71kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 60 power train complaints. 77% were reported before 100,000 miles.
3under 30k miles46under 100k miles14100k 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.
Engine and engine cooling
11 owners mentioned a cost$14,000median
Middle half: $3,400 – $15,000
Power train
11 owners mentioned a cost$5,200median
Middle half: $4,800 – $5,750
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
2005 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
2005 Volvo XC90 safety ratings
2005 Volvo XC90 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 4 stars (17.9% risk)
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
4 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2005 Volvo XC90, and the recalls they led to.
- VOLVO XC90 BATTERY CABLE FAILURESLed to recall 07V-221
- VOLVO XC90 BATTERY CABLE FAILURESLed to recall 05V-529
- WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM PERFORMANCELed to recall 06V-144
- Central Electronic Module FailureNo recall
In owners' words
What XC90 owners report
Recent power train complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO XC90. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER OF 2018, THERE HAD BEEN SEVERAL ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THE HEADLIGHTS, POWER DOOR LOCKS, AND POWER REARVIEW MIRROR FAILED TO OPERATE. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JERK AND STALL WHILE DRIVING. THE…
IN DECEMBER OF 2016, AT APPROXIMATELY 95000 MILEAGE, THE "SERVICE TRANSMISSION URGENT" MESSAGE AND LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR STOPPED FUNCTIONING AND MAKING LOUD CLANGING AND RATTLING NOISES. THE CAR WAS TAKEN BACK TO "INFINITY OF MEMPHIS" DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED WITH AN EXTENDED WARRANTY.…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE…
Own a 2005 XC90?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.