2003 Volvo XC90 Complaint Log

2003 VOLVO XC90 TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

2003 VOLVO XC90 AWD. 55K MILES REPLACED LR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY, 72K MILES REPLACED RF WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY. *TR

VOLVO XC90 TAKEN INTO DEALERSHIP FOR AXLE REPLACEMENT ON 07/09/08 CONTACTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED THEN WHEN QUESTION GIVEN VAGUE STATEMENT NO WILL BE A TRANSMISSION FLUSH. CAR RETURNED ON 07/16/08 ADVISED GIVEN NEW TRANSMISSION. DRIVING CAR ON 07/19/08 COME TO A STOP TO CROSS 4 LANE PARKWAY WHEN HIT GAS PEDAL CAR DOES NOT RESPOND RECEIVE MESSAGE REDUCE ENGINE PERFORMANCE. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE VOLVO TRANSMISSION IN THIS MODEL MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFTER 76,000 MILES. ALSO HIGH PITCH SQUEAL COMES FROM REAR WHEELS IN SLUSHY SNOW. MUST SLOW OR STOP TO HALT SQUEALING AND GRINDING SOUND. *TR

1.FRONT AND REAR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY FAILURES ON VOLVO XC90. I HAVE MODEL YEAR 2003, BUT I UNDERSTAND THE FAILURE IN ALSO FOR OTHER MODEL YEARS 2. PARTS ARE KNOWN DEFECT TO VOLVO NORTH AMERICA. I HAVE REPLACED MINE THREE (3) TIMES WITHIN 40,000 MILES. 3. VOLVO DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGES THIS IS A SYSTEMIC SUPPLY CHAIN DEFECT, BUT NATIONAL CUSTOMER CARECENTER REFUSES TO MAKE A WRITTEN EXTENDED WARRANTY AVAILABLE TO VEHICLE OWNERS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. ON JUNE 10, 2008, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE. SHORTLY AFTERWARDS, THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND; HOWEVER, SHE WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CONTACT SLOWLY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE BRAKE BOOSTER POWER CYLINDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED; HOWEVER, THEY DECLINED TO ASSIST WITH THE $1,036.44 REPAIR COST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 49,271.

NORMAL DRIVING. BOUGHT CAR AT 50K. AT 58K INFORMATION MESSAGE CAME ON ABOUT URGENT TRANSMISSION SERVICE. HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. DROVE CAR FOR 1 MONTH. FOUND FLUID LEAK. DEALER IS NOW REPLACING THE ANGLE GEAR. *TR

IGNITION KEY IS REMOVABLE WHILE CAR IS IN GEAR THUS ALLOWING VEHICLE TO ROLL AFTER KEY HAS BEEN REMOVED. MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT, BUT DOES NOT CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY. MY CONCERN IS SOMEONE THINKING THE VEHICLE IS IN PARK, BUT IS IN GEAR AND THE VEHICLE POTENTIALLY HARMS SOMEONE. *TR

AT 92K MILES, THE DEALERSHIP BROKE THE NEWS ON APRIL 15, 2008, ABOUT SEEING LARGE CHUNKS OF METAL SHAVINGS WHEN CHANGING MY TRANSMISSION FLUID WITH MY 2003 VOLVO XC90. I GOT A BILL FOR $7500 (NEW TRANNY, NEW RADIATOR, LINES INCLUDING LABOR), BUT DEALERSHIP AGREED TO PAY 60% AFTER RELENTLESS COMPLAINTS AND DIRECTING THEM TO BELOW DISCUSSION FORUM ON ONGOING XC90 TRANSMISSION FAILURES HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/WEBX/.F18A651/14?@160.OA6TAMKCGP0@ REGARDLESS, I'M OBVIOUSLY EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED PAYING, CONSIDERING MY XC90 IS LESS THAN 5 YEARS, AND HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT WITH MY REGULAR MAINTENANCE. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THE SAFETY OF MY 2 SMALL CHILDREN (3 & 5 YRS OLD), WHO WE TAKE TO SCHOOL DAILY. VOLVO TOUTS 'VOLVO FOR LIFE' AND STRONG SAFETY CAPABILITIES. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. *TR

THE VOLVO XC90 T6 MODEL HAS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. MY 2003 XC90 T6 WITH LESS THAN 65K MILES ON IT HAD THE TRANSMISSION FAIL. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY (HWY100 IN MINNEAPOLIS) WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I COULD NOT DRIVE OVER 30 MPH ON THIS FAST MOVING HIGHWAY. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, IT IS PAINFUL CLEAR THAT THIS MODEL HAS AN EXTENSIVE HISTORY OF TRANSMISSION FAILURES. TIME AND TIME AGAIN T6 OWNERS ARE HAVING TO REPLACE TRANSMISSIONS SOMETIMES TWICE WITH LESS THAN 120K MILES ON THEIR VEHICLES. VOLVO IS NOT STEPPING UP TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. IT IS GOING TO TAKE AN ACCIDENT OR GOD FORBID INJURY OR DEATH FOR THEM TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT'S CUSTOMER OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INITIALLY BROUGHT INTO HIS SHOP DUE TO A LEAK IN THE POWER STEERING PUMP. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE POWER STEERING PUMP PURCHASED FROM A DEALER. THE CUSTOMER RETRIEVED THE VEHICLE AND, APPROXIMATELY 3 WEEKS LATER, IT SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. THE SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 56,627.

I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FROM 64,000 MILES TO 75,000 MILES AND HAVE REPLACED THE FOLLOWING - REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS 4 TIMES, AND NOW THE ANGLE GEAR HAS GONE AT 75,000 MILES - NOT A VERY RELIABLE USED CAR. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING 55MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE MERGING BETWEEN TWO LARGE VEHICLES. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN HE TRIED TO ENGAGE IT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL, THE THROTTLE AND THE DISC BRAKES FAILED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 45,000.

ANGLE GEAR REPLACEMENT ON A 2003 VOLVO XC90 AWD. *TR

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 50,000 MILES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS OR PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. DEALER ADVISED JUST AN INTERNAL FAILURE. CHECK OF FLUID WAS GOOD, PROPER LEVEL AND NO METAL INDICATED. *TR

NO ACCIDENT. *JB

1. THERE IS A WHOOPING CRANE SOUND WHEN I STEP ON THE FOOT FEED AND THEN RELEASE. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS REPAIRED AND THEN WHEN I DROVE IT HOME IT WAS STILL MAKING THE NOISE. AFTER NO RESPONSE FROM MY COMPLAINT TO THEM I STOPPED THE PAYMENT VIA AE AND HAVE STILL HEARD NOTHING. I THINK I PUT THE WRONG YEAR OF MY VEHICLE IN THE BEGINNING AND IF I TRY TO GO BACK I LOOSE EVERYTHING. IT IS A 2003 XC90 PURCHASED IN 12/02. THANK YOU FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE. IF YOU CAN'T HELP, PLEASE AT LEAST SEND ME AN EMAIL AND TELL ME SO. THANKS. 2. ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT STARTED IN JULY 2006 IS A KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. AFTER NUMEROUS TRIPS TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD A NEW BOX FOR THAT PARTICULAR ITEM AND IT WOULD COST $2800.00 TO REPAIR. BUT THEY COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT WOULD FIX THE PROBLEM. MY XC90 HAD A 4 YR OR 50,000 WARRANTY. THIS PROBLEM STARTED IN JULY 2006 WITH 41800 MILES. I TOOK POSSESSION OF THE CAR IN 12/02 SO MY MATH SAYS THE WARRANTY EXPIRED 12/06 AND THAT MEANS IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY WHEN THIS WAS FIRST NOTICED. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN AT LEAST EVERY 4 MONTHS FOR SERVICE AND EACH TIME COMPLAINED ABOUT IT. ALSO I HAD IT IN AT LEAST 5 TIMES FROM JUNE THRU JULY 2007 WITH NO SATISFACTION. NOW THEY DON'T EVEN ANSWER MY EMAILS OR RETURN MY PHONE CALLS. I HAVE CONTACTED THE CONSUMER COMPLAINT DEPARTMENT OF VOLVO AND THEY HAVE NEVER ANSWERED ME. I AM AT A LOSS AS TO WHAT TO DO. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED AT POWER VOLVO OF CERRITOS (THEN IT WAS CALLED VOLVO OF CERRITOS) PLEASE HELP ME! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK ABNORMALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE SHIFT GEAR LEVER WAS DEFECTIVE AND BOTH THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS WERE LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE AGE HAD EXCEEDED THE TIME FRAME IN WHICH THEY WERE WILLING TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,000.

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90, WHEN PRESSING THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH THE SWITCH SEEMED BACKWARD. WHEN PRESSING ON THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH TO PUT THE WINDOW UP SHE HAD TO PRESS THE SWITCH DOWN . TO PUT THE WINDOW DOWN SHE HAD TO PUT THE SWITCH UP. SHE INJURED HER ARM DUE TO THE MALFUNCTION OF THE POWER WINDOW SWITCH. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 35,000.*AK

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55-65 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK WITH EXCESSIVE HESITATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURES BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000. UPDATED 07/20/11 *BF UPDATED 10/26/11

WE HAD TRAVELED ABOUT 200 MILES IN THE MORNING WITH NO PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR. WE STARTED OUT AFTER LUNCH, WENT ABOUT 200 YARDS, AND SMELLED A FAINT BURNING SMELL WE THOUGHT WAS OUTSIDE THE CAR. AFTER ABOUT ANOTHER 200 YARDS, WE WERE AT A TOLL BOOTH ENTERING THE THROUGH WAY, AND THE BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND PROPERLY; THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHT. WE PULLED OVER IMMEDIATELY, AND THERE WAS SMOKE UNDER THE DASHBOARD. WE GOT OUT. WITHIN FIVE MINUTES THE CAR WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES, DESPITE ATTEMPTS TO PUT IT OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHERS. CAR WAS DESTROYED DESPITE FIRE TRUCK TRYING TO PUT OUT FLAMES. THANK GOD NO ONE WAS HURT. *JB

AN UPDATE TO ODI #10068267 REGARDING RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. THIS FAILURE ORIGINALLY OCCURRED AT 22K MILES. ANOTHER FAILURE OCCURRED IN MAY 2006 (SAME WHEEL) AT 52K MILES. I REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR WHICH WAS OVER $250. EVENTUALLY NEGOTIATED PAYING 50% OF THE LABOR AT DEALER COST (ABOUT $60) WITH VOLVO PICKING UP THE COST OF THE PART. WAS TOLD LATER BY A DIFFERENT DEALER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT 'WHEEL BEARING FAILURES ARE FREQUENT ON THE XC90' AND THAT 'THE PART IS NOT ROBUST ENOUGH FOR THE SIZE OF THE VEHICLE'.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC 90. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47000. THE VEHICLE IS HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE ACCELERATIONS DIES, MAKING THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO MOVE AS NEEDED. THIS INCIDENT OCCURED TWICE LAST YEAR, AND LAST WEEK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT HAVE THE VIN; HOWEVER SHE WILL ADD IT TO THE COMPLAINT WHEN SHE RECEIVES THE HARD COPY.

TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN 2004 VOLVO XC90 T6. VOLVO WELL AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE RATE IN THESE VEHICLES BUT FAILS TO ISSUE A TSB. MY VEHICLES TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 71,XXX MILES WITH MY WIFE AND KIDS IN THE CAR AT AN INTERSECTION. WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. HAD REPORTED INSTANCES OF "SLIPPING" TRANS TO DEALER SERVICE DEPT WITH NO RESOLUTION PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE. NEW TRANS WAS REPLACED OUT OF WARRANTY COST OVER $4700 WITH NO REFUND OR DISCOUNT FROM VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA OR THE DEALER. RESEARCH REVEALS "SQUEAKY WHEEL" POLICY TOWARD COMPENSATING OWNERS. I WAS REJECTED FOR COMPENSATION AND OFFERED 50% DISCOUNT ON PARTS AND LABOR FOR "NEXT TRANSMISSION FAILURE". *TR

FOLLOWING A LOUD "BANG", THE ENGINE STARTED MAKING A VERY LOUD AND SUSPICIOUS NOISE. MOOERS VOLVO IN RICHMOND, VIRGINIA CLAIMED THAT THEY "COULD NOT RECREATE THE NOISE" AND THEREFORE WOULD NOT PERFORM ANY WARRANTY REPAIRS. A LOCAL MECHANIC AGREED THAT THE ENGINE WAS INDEED MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE AND FOUND THAT THE PCV VACUUM TUBE ASSEMBLY WAS CRACKED. FURTHER INVESTIGATION FOUND THAT A SERVICE BULLETIN (#2-25-0038) HAD BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT MOOERS VOLVO REFUSED TO MAKE THE REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY. *JB

MY XC90 VOLVO IS VERY DISAPPOINTING THE DASH BOARD ON THE CAR COMPLETELY FAILS NO NOTHING NO GAS, SPEEDOMETER EVERY THINGS GOES OUT. IN THE NIGHT TIME ITS VERY SCARY ITS COMPLETELY DARK I DON'T KNOW HOW FAST I'M GOING HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE ITS SCARY. NOW THE FUEL PUMP IS GONE AND THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM BURNED OUT I CUT THE CAR ON HEARD A POP THEN I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM HASN'T WORKED SINCE. *TR

VEHICLE DRAINS WATER ON TO FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR, AND OCASSIONAL DRIVER SIDE AFTER IT RAINS. IT IS A KNOW PROBLEM THAT A CLASS ACTION SUIT WAS WON IN NEW JERSEY, INCLUDING 5 OTHER STATES. THE WATER IS FROM CLOGGED DRAIN TUBES IN SUNROOF AND SOMETIMES SHRINKIAGE OF DRAIN TUBE THAT DISLODGES. VEHICLE NOW HAS A MUSTY SMELL FROM THE FREQUENT WATER IN THE VEHICLE. NOT SURE IF HIGH MOISTURE INSIDE HAS CAUSED MY CD PLAYER TO MALFUNCTION. ALSO HAVE A SHORT IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT CAUSE ME TO REPLACE 3 BATTERIES IN THE VEHICLE. ALSO THE SUNROOF MOTOR SHORTED OUT MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO REPLACE THE DRAINAGE TUBES THAT WOULD HELP CORRECT THE WATER ISSUES. HOPE SOMEONE CAN HELP.

DURING THE PAST 2 WEEKS THE LOS ANGELES AREA HAS HAD A LOT OF RAIN. AFTER THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF RAIN, MY WIFE AND DISCOVERED THAT BOTH OF THE REAR PASSENGER DOORS WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE OUTSIDE, EVEN THOUGH THE LOCK PULL KNOBS ON ALL 4 DOORS POP UP WHEN YOU CLICK "UNLOCK" ON THE REMOTE.*AK

MULTIPLE FAILURES; DOOR LOCK,TIRES WERE WORN TO THE CORD. * BF THE LUG NUTS WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE RUSTED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED, THE DOORS DID NOT FIT PROPERLY, THE RADIO FAILED, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION, THE LEFT REAR DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED DUE TO THE PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT MOLDING AND THE TIRE DISPLAYED UNUSUAL WEAR AND WERE WORN SMOOTH TO THE CORD. THE LUG NUTS THAT WERE INSTALLED RUSTED AGAIN. (TIRES/PERRILLI SCORPIAN) *SC *JB

WHEN SHIFTING VEHICLE FROM PARK TO DRIVE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OR DECELERATED FOLLOWED BY A NOISE. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE BACKING PUT OF A PARKING LOT POWER STEERING FAILED, VEHICLE SMOKED THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. DRIVER SUFFERED FROM SMOKE INHALATION. *AK PRIOR TO THE VEHICLE CATCHING ON FIRE THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT THE YEAR BEFORE (JULY 12, 2003). THE CONSUMER WAS PRESSING ON THE HORN WHEN THE CRASH OCCURRED. THE CONSUMERS HAND WAS ON THE WHEN THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED SEVERAL BROKEN ONES IN HER RIGHT HAND WHICH REQUIRED 2 SURGERIES, EXTENSIVE PHYSICAL THERAPY AND MANY OTHER MEDICAL PROCEDURES. *NM *LA

RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILED. SYMPTOMS WERE THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 35 MPH. DASHBOARD WARNING LIGHT INDICATED THAT VEHICLE WAS AT RISK OF TIPPING. CAR WAS STRANDED ON HIGHWAY WHILE RETURNING FROM VACATION SOME 400 MILES FROM HOME. WAS ABLE TO LIMP OFF AND INVOKE VOLVO ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER WITHIN 30 MINUTES. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM FOR 2 DAYS BECAUSE NO FAULT INFORMATION WAS PROVIDED BY ON-BOARD DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER. INITIAL SUSPICION WAS A FUEL PRESSURE PROBLEM. DEALER EVENTUALLY DETERMINED THAT RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILED, WHICH CAUSED ABS SYSTEM FAULT, WHICH SIGNALED ENGINE NOT TO EXCEED 35 MPH. BEARING REPLACED. STILL WORKING THROUGH DETAILS WITH MY LOCAL DEALER AND VOLVO ZONE REP. I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED MANY OF THE ELECTRICAL, TURBO BACK-PRESSURE "HOWL", AND FIT-AND-FINISH PROBLEMS (LOOSE MOLDINGS, DRIVER'S DOOR HANDLED) THAT HAVE BEEN REFERENCED BY OTHERS. NOT WHAT I EXPECTED FOR A VEHICLE IN THIS CATEGORY. *AK

I OWN A VOLVO XC90 T6 AWD. THIS CAR HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TWIN TURBO-CHARGERS, THE WARNING LIGHTS, A TIRE BLOWOUT, VIBRATIONS IN THE STEERING WHEEL, ALIGNMENT ISSUES, SHORT CIRCUIT IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE CONTROL PANEL, POOR FIT AND FINISH OF THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR PANEL AND A HOST OF OTHER FIT AND FINISH PROBLEMS. THE MOMENTUM VOLVO DEALERSHIP IN HOUSTON, TEXAS AND VOLVO NORTH AMERICA SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE DENIED ANY PROBLEMS BEING A SERIOUS OR RECURRING PROBLEM. THIS ALL TOOK PLACE IN A SPAN OF LESS THAN 10 MONTHS FOR A BRAND NEW VEHICLE.THE CAR SPENT MORE TIME IN THE SHOP THAN IN OUR POSSESSION INITIALLY. THE DEALERSHIP CONTINUED TO FIX THE RECURRING PROBLEMS AND DENIED ANY CHRONIC ISSUES EXISTED. I WISH TO ALERT NHTSA IN THE EVENT ANY OTHER OWNER OF VOLVO XC 1990 HAS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS OR A TRAGEDY OCCURS AS A RESULT OF THE PROBLEMS I HAVE LISTED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING UNDER SNOWING CONDITIONS EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED AUTOMATICALLY, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO TEMPORARILY LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.*AK WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED IT ONLY LOCKED THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED TWICE IN THE SAME DAY. *NM

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH REAR PASSENGER DOOR OPENED WITHOUT WARNING. *AK

WE BOUGHT A 2003 VOLVO XC 90 IN JANUARY 2003, THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD AND HAS ABOUT 12,600 MILES. IN THE LAST SIX WEEKS, WE HAVE HAD FOUR SYSTEM PROBLEMS, BRAKES, CRUISE CONTROL, AC/ DEFROSTER AND MOST RECENTLY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I BELIEVE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS THE MOST SERIOUS PROBLEM SINCE IT FAILED TO OPERATE WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE STATING THAT A CORRUPT SOFTWARE WAS THE CAUSE. VOLVO USA STATED THAT THE "NEW " SOFTWARE WAS A MODIFICATION/UPGRADE WHICH IS BEING PUT IN THE 2004 VEHICLES. MY QUESTION TO VOLVO USA AS TO WHETHER THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 CAUSED THE DESIGN OF THE MODIFICATION WAS NOT AN ADEQUATELY RESPONDED TO. VOLVO USA CLAIMED THAT THERE WERE NO FIGURES AVAILABLE TO ADVISE MYSELF ON HOW MANY 2003 XC 90 HAVE HAD THIS OR OTHER PROBLEMS. I ADVISED VOVLO USA THAT WE ARE VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THE QUALITY AND SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. *LA

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION, SEAT BELTS DO NOT LATCH, DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINES BY ITSELF. *MR THE RADIO WENT OUT AND THE ENGINE MADE A GRINDING NOISE *SCC *JB

I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR-END COLLISION WITH MY 2 CHILDREN IN A VOLVO XC90. MY SEAT BACK FAILED DURING THE ACCIDENT AND I AM NOT REFERRING TO THE WHIPS SYSTEM. I SUSTAINED MULTIPLE INJURIES INCLUDING A WHIPLASH INJURY AS WELL AS INJURIES OF MY BACK AND LEFT SHOULDER THAT I BELIEVE WERE EXACERBATED BY THE SEAT BACK ASSUMING A FAIRLY RECLINED POSITION. I ALSO FEAR THAT IF EITHER OF MY CHILDREN HAD BEEN SITTING BEHIND THE DRIVERS SEAT (ESPECIALLY IN A REAR-FACING INFANT SEAT) THEY COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE OF THE SEAT BACK. THE VOLVO DEALER/REPAIR SHOP HAS IMPLIED THAT MY WEIGHT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH THIS FAILURE. I WEIGHED ABOUT 218-222 POUNDS AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. *LA

MAXIMUM TIRE PRESSURE DISCREPANCY BETWEEN TIRE MANUFACTURER AND THE TIRE PRESSURE USED BY THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER.THE MICHELIN PILOT HXMXM4 (235/60-18) WHICH ARE THE DEFAULT 18" TIRES ON THE VOLVO XC90 FROM THE FACTORY HAS A MAX 35PSI WHILE OTHER TIRES OF THE SAME SIZE HAS UPTO 51PSI MAX. THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS 39PSI FOR FULL LOADS WHICH IS ABOVE THE MAX PSI.CONTACTED MICHELIN CUSTOMER SERVICE 1-800-847-3435 DIRECTLY TO INQUIRE. THEIR RESPONSE WAS "THE WRONG TIRE WAS INSTALLED." STILL WAITING FOR A RESPONSE FROM VOLVO.SO FAR NO OFFICIAL WORD FROM EITHER. NO ONE SEEMS TO BE AWARE OF THIS DISCREPANCY BUT WE RUN THE RISK OF OVER-INFLATING OR UNDER-INFLATING WHICH IS HUGE SAFETY HAZARD. *AK

FOR BOTH OUR 2001 VOLVO S60 2.4T AND OUR 2003 VOLVO XC90 2.5T AWD THERE HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR A TRANSMISSION DEFECT (ESSENTIALLY SAME TRANSMISSION IN BOTH VEHICLES PER VOLVO TECH SUPPORT). BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD THERE IS INTERMITTENT/UNPREDICTABLE FAILURE TO ENGAGE 3RD IN TIMELY FASHION WITH RESULTANT LOSS OF ACCELERATION AS VEHICLE IS FUNCTIONALLY IN NEUTRAL WITH ENGINE RACING FOR ~0.5-2.5 SECONDS. THIS CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN PULLING ON TO A HIGHWAY. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED 2 NEAR COLLISIONS (ALMOST BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND). VOLVO TECH SUPPORT ACKNOWLEDGES A FLAW IN ENGINEERING WHEREBY SERVO FLUID AIR LOCK OCCURS IN THE 2001. A NEW TRANSMISSION IS SCHEDULED TO BE REPLACED FOR OUR S60, BUT IF THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURING IN OUR 2003, WILL THIS REALLY CORRECT THE PROBLEM AS THE TRANSMISSIONS ARE BASICALLY IDENTICAL? THE 2003 XC90 VOLVO SAYS CAN BE REPAIRED WITH "UPGRADED SOFTWARE" (WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR THAT VEHICLE) BUT THIS REMEDY FAILED WHEN PERFORMED ON OUR 2001 S60. WE HAVE LET THE DEALER KNOW WE FEEL BOTH VEHICLES ARE UNSAFE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND WE ARE NOW STUCK WITH THEM TRYING TO REMEDY BOTH VEHICLES' GLARING DEFECTS. WE ARE NOT AWARE OF A FEDERALLY MANDATED RECALL TO REPAIR THIS VOLVO ACKNOWLEDGED (SAFETY) DEFECT. CAN NHTSA PURSUE THIS? *AK

THE SIDE MIRRORS FAILED TO STAY IN THE POSITION THEY WERE SET IN, WHICH MADE IT DIFFICULT TO SEE WHILE DRIVING. *JB

PROBLEMS WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SYSTEM. CAR WAS IN THE SHOP THREE TIMES FOR A TOTAL OF SIX WEEKS. ENTIRE SYSTEM WAS REPLACED USING PARTS THAT WILL BE AVAILABLE ON THE 2005 MODELS. *AK

THE CONSUMER PURCHASED NEW TIRES BECAUSE OF EXTREME WEAR AT LOW MILEAGE. THE 2003 VOLVO XC90 HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS THAT HAD TO BE CORRECTED ON A REGULAR BASIS. *BF THE LUG NUTS WERE REPLACED TWICE DUE TO RUST WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED, UNABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION, RADIO WAS INOPERATIVE AND THE LEFT DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED DUE TO THE PROBLEM WITH THE SEAT MOLDING. AFTER 15K PLUS MILES, THE TIRES HAD WORN SMOOTH TO THE CORD. (TIRE-PERRILLI SCORPION) *SC

2003 VOLVO XC90 ENGINE CUT OFF SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING ~70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. WAS LUCKY I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT BEING HIT OR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROADWAY. DEALER UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY CAUSED A FATAL ACCIDENT CONSIDERING THE SPEEDS AT WHICH OTHER CARS WERE TRAVELLING AND THE POTENTIAL TO BE STRANDED IN THE ROAD. CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY. *TT

2003 VOLVO XC90 SPARE TIRE PROBLEM. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING ON A SECONDARY ROAD, THE SPARE TIRE FELL FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE SPARE TIRE HAD NEVER BEEN REMOVED. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE A FRAYED CABLE THAT BROKE WHICH HELD THE SPARE TIRE TIGHT AGAINST THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. *JB