2004 Volvo XC90 recalls and problems

The 2004 Volvo XC90 has 6 safety recalls and 462 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Volvo dealer.

Recalls
6
Complaints
462
Crashes / fires
9 / 3
Injuries / deaths
8 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2004 Volvo XC90 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2004 Volvo XC90 recalls

Recall 10V-566: Equipment

Reported Nov 8, 2010 · 416 vehicles affected · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

Problem: Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (Gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.

Risk: An overheated battery could lead to a fire.

Fix: 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.

Recall 09V-483: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Dec 18, 2009 · 158,733 vehicles affected · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

Problem: 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.

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.

Fix: 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.

Recall 06V-155: Steering

Reported May 5, 2006 · 126,743 vehicles affected · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

Problem: 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.

Risk: The driver may notice that the vehicle is difficult to maneuver increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 06V-144: Visibility

Reported Apr 28, 2006 · 122,431 vehicles affected · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

Problem: 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.

Risk: Inoperative wipers under inclement weather conditions could cause a crash due to impaired visibility.

Fix: 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.

Recall 03V-434: Wheels

Reported Nov 4, 2003 · 2,586 vehicles affected · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, the front wheel speed sensors may be defective, causing an erroneous wheel speed signal.

Risk: This can adversely affect a number of vehicle functions, including brake, engine, transmission, and torque distribution control which rely on this signal for proper operation.

Fix: Dealers will replace the front wheel sensors. Owner notification began on december 8, 2003. Owners should contact volvo cars at 1-800-458-1552.

Recall 03V-391: Seat Belts

Reported Oct 10, 2003 · 18,692 vehicles affected · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, the seat belt attachment(S) for the second and third row seat(S) may not have been fitted properly.

Risk: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.

Fix: 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.

2004 Volvo XC90 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Electrical System159
Power Train148
Fuel System, Gasoline41
Fuel/Propulsion System34
Exterior Lighting32
Air Bags31
Engine28
Suspension26
Engine and Engine Cooling24
Steering21
Vehicle Speed Control17
Unknown or Other15

Most reported parts

  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 102
  • Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump — 8
  • Suspension › Rear — 7
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 6
  • Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing — 5
  • Electrical System › Ignition — 4
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System — 4
  • Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly — 3

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 86,000 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2004 Volvo XC90 complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Electrical System · reported Mar 9, 2025
Instrument panel shuts down while driving on street. I believe it is the central electronic module that fails. It has happened numerous times and it is unsafe to drive without a speedometer, tachometer, odometer fuel gauge, and temperature gauge. It has now stopped altogether. Gauges just sit there and bounce
Fuel/Propulsion System · reported Nov 22, 2024
Unsure of what the issue is with the vehicle but smells like gas in my garage and I found a recall I was never notified about I moved from Washington to Las Vegas and never received any info regarding the fuel pump recall as well as a noise that’s been going on for a year now when I drive at 60 miles an hour I’ve had it looked at and no one seems to know what that issue is
Fuel/Propulsion System · reported May 16, 2023
Few days ago I came home, parked the car inside the garage and went inside. An hour later I went to the garage for something and noticed a very strong gasoline odor coming from the car. It is not coming from the reservoir and I did not put any fuel recently, so it can't be explained with a fuel spill. I suspect it is coming from the fuel pump. I as hoping or it to goo away, but it did not. It has been a week already.
Structure · reported May 16, 2023
The rear right door cannot be open from inside the car. It opens fine from outside. I am aware there is a child safety lock, but in this case the problem is somewhere else. Regardless of the child safety lock position, the door cannot be open. This is a hazard, because in case oof an accident the passenger will e trapped inside the car.
Electrical System · reported Mar 17, 2023
Unknown..but water accumulated under the passenger seat under the amp and electrical components after a storm or rainy day.and its a lot of water when I brake i can hear a water fall..and water rushing and moving along the bottom. Of the car as I am steering im worried that the wiring and electrical will be damaged by water exposure the battery always dies wires soaked and sitting in water underneath passenger and never can completely get the moisture smell out of front seat area..mildew..why is this water leaking or not draining correctly ??

Other Volvo XC90 years

Compare all Volvo XC90 years · All Volvo models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Volvo XC90 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2004 Volvo XC90: 10V-566 (equipment), 09V-483 (fuel system, gasoline), 06V-155 (steering), 06V-144 (visibility), 03V-434 (wheels) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2004 Volvo XC90?

Owners report electrical system problems most often (159 reports), followed by power train (148). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 86,000 miles.

Are Volvo recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Volvo dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.