2005 Volvo XC90 recalls and problems

The 2005 Volvo XC90 has 6 safety recalls and 223 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Volvo dealer.

Recalls
6
Complaints
223
Crashes / fires
1 / 3
Injuries / deaths
1 / 0

Recalls may cover only some 2005 Volvo XC90 vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2005 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 07V-221: Electrical System

Reported May 25, 2007 · 42,211 vehicles affected · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, it has been determined that while doing battery maintenance the jack's crank handle can be misplaced under a bracket which retains the battery.

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.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and ensure proper placement of the jack crank handle and a warning label with approved text will be affixed to the bracket which retains the battery. This warning label will inform an operator not to place the jack crank handle between the bracket and the battery free of charge. The recall began on july 7, 2007. 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 05V-529: Electrical System

Reported Nov 17, 2005 · 10,259 vehicles affected · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.

Problem: On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, due to an error in the factory assembly instruction, the b+terminal may be in conflict with the starter motor solenoid. If this occurs, the conflict between the b+terminal and the starter motor solenoid may develop into a short circuit of the battery cable to ground.

Risk: Smoke may appear from under the hood and it may be impossible to start the car. If the short circuit happens during driving, electrical power could be lost resulting in the warning lamps being deactivated. An electrical short could result in a fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect and increase distance between the b+terminal and the starter motor solenoid by adjusting the terminal. The recall began on january 31, 2006. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.

2005 Volvo XC90 problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Power Train64
Electrical System51
Engine and Engine Cooling40
Engine29
Exterior Lighting25
Fuel/Propulsion System22
Steering9
Fuel System, Gasoline9
Unknown or Other9
Tires6
Equipment5
Visibility4

Most reported parts

  • Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 38
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 12
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System — 5
  • Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly — 3
  • Power Train › Transfer Case (4-Wheel Drive) — 3
  • Tires › Tread/Belt — 2
  • Visibility › Windshield Wiper/Washer — 2
  • Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly — 2

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 85,812 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 2005 Volvo XC90 complaints

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

Electrical System · reported Mar 5, 2025
I was getting off the highway and made a left turn. As I was accelerating the motor gentle cut off.. (You wouldnt even notice if you wasnt driving) Full Traffic was behind me, so luckily I was able to get out of the way and pull to shoulder. It was the day before Christmas and car hasn't ran since. Upon investigation I found the CEM was effected. When the car died I was in left hand lane and I had to make my way to right, the shoulder. Yes the problem was diagnosed by myself. However I did investigation and researched using all data at library. It has not been inspected by anyone else. There…
Visibility/Wiper · reported Jan 17, 2023
Water is leaking from the windshield into the driver and passenger side inside on the window obstructing my view while driving. Cannot drive the vehicle while it’s raining. Serious safety problem! Please recall and fix all Volvos with this problem.
Electrical System · at 138 miles · reported Jul 21, 2020
I had filled an earlier complaint and this to be added to the earlier form that I had filled needs to go to the engineering department. See photo the electrical complaint from the magnetic electrical beings in me and in this picture I believe is about design of the fuses in vehicle and what they are tryin to communicate here I believe would be the distance between the positive and negative connections like what it is doing to them as it goes through those types of fuses. What I believe to be what happens to them in those plastic fuses and would like them the fuse to be designed further apart a…
Engine · reported Jul 18, 2020
When cranking it stalls and cuts off and after doing it around 10 times it finally cranks then I have to hurry to put in drive to get the motor going in order to keep her crunk and couple weeks ago because this problem she stalled out and I hit a hole in the road and busted the oil pan so she has been parked every since cause I had my daughter in the car and that wasn't a pretty sight since the hit made her nervous now can't get her to get in the car so I need my car fixed and I see it has several recalls and all and it was on a county street once I got it crunk back up it smoked badly till I…
Fuel/Propulsion System · at 216,000 miles · reported Mar 27, 2020
Bought car and been having problems every since I have had problems I keep fuel injection in it so I can move the car to point a and b

Other Volvo XC90 years

Compare all Volvo XC90 years · All Volvo models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Volvo XC90 have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2005 Volvo XC90: 10V-566 (equipment), 09V-483 (fuel system, gasoline), 07V-221 (electrical system), 06V-155 (steering), 06V-144 (visibility) and more. Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2005 Volvo XC90?

Owners report power train problems most often (64 reports), followed by electrical system (51). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 85,812 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.