VehicleVerdict

2003 Volvo XC90 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 149 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 2.9 times the median XC90 year — the 2003 model ranks #4 of 23 XC90 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 10 injuries in total across these filings.

Transmission leads the complaint categories with 49 reports (33% of the total).

149

NHTSA complaints

5

Recalls

0

Investigations

3

Crash-involved

3

Fires reported

10

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2003 compare to other XC90 years?

XC90 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted669 complaints2003: 149 complaints2004: 669 complaints2005: 304 complaints2006: 73 complaints2007: 59 complaints2008: 44 complaints2009: 11 complaints2010: 16 complaints2011: 30 complaints2012: 6 complaints2013: 13 complaints2014: 7 complaints2015: 0 complaints2016: 307 complaints2017: 114 complaints2018: 64 complaints2019: 53 complaints2020: 45 complaints2021: 56 complaints2022: 46 complaints2023: 69 complaints2024: 52 complaints2025: 34 complaints
XC90 NHTSA complaints by model year, 2003 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all XC90 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2003 Volvo XC90 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission4933%
Electrical System2315%
Engine117%
Suspension107%
Fuel System107%
Brakes85%
Body & Structure64%
Other64%
Tires & Wheels53%
Airbags43%
Steering43%
Seats32%
Lighting32%
Visibility & Wipers21%
Latches & Locks21%
Speed Control21%
Seat Belts11%

Does the 2003 Volvo XC90 have recalls?

5 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

10V566000Electrical SystemNovember 8, 2010 · 416 units

Defect

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.

Consequence

AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy

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.

09V483000Fuel SystemDecember 18, 2009 · 158,733 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

06V155000SteeringMay 5, 2006 · 126,743 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

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.

06V144000Visibility & WipersApril 28, 2006 · 122,431 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.

Remedy

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.

03V391000Seat BeltsOctober 10, 2003 · 18,692 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE SEAT BELT ATTACHMENT(S) FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW SEAT(S) MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FITTED PROPERLY.

Consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING AT 38 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING GEARS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REACH HER DESTINATION WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · June 14, 2010

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 12, 2006 · fire

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. HE ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE SUCCESSFULLY BUT BEFORE HE COULD MOVE THE VEHICLE, IT STALLED AGAIN. THE "MAINTENANCE REQUIRED" WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · February 26, 2010

“CRACKED FUEL PUMP. STRONG GAS SMELL. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR SEVERAL VOLVOS. MY PARTICULAR VOLVO WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. I'M EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE OTHER 136,000 RECALLED VOLVOS FOR CRACKED FUEL PUMPS. I SURE THERE ARE SEVERAL OUT THERE. PLEASE EXTEND THE RECALLED VEHICLES. *TR”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · January 1, 2010

“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…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Suspension · June 15, 2008

2003 Volvo XC90 — common questions

Is the 2003 Volvo XC90 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 149 complaints put the 2003 model at #4 of 23 XC90 years. It is one of the XC90 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2003 XC90 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (49 complaints), electrical system (23 complaints), engine (11 complaints).

Does the 2003 Volvo XC90 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns affecting the 2003 Volvo XC90. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Volvo XC90 years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the XC90 years to avoid are 2004, 2016, 2005, 2003, 2017. The cleanest record among XC90 years belongs to 2015.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.