VehicleVerdict

2003 Volvo XC90 electrical system problems

The 2003 Volvo XC90 has 23 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 15% of the year's total, and the first year with meaningful reports in this category.

23

Electrical System complaints

15%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

XC90 electrical system complaints by model year172 complaints2003: 23 complaints2004: 172 complaints2005: 56 complaints2006: 19 complaints2007: 16 complaints2008: 11 complaints2009: 3 complaints2011: 5 complaints2012: 2 complaints2013: 3 complaints2016: 63 complaints2017: 16 complaints2018: 12 complaints2019: 11 complaints2020: 7 complaints2021: 8 complaints2022: 13 complaints2023: 9 complaints2024: 15 complaints2025: 5 complaints
XC90 electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 2003 Volvo XC90 have?

NHTSA has 23 complaints about the 2003 Volvo XC90 electrical system — 15% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Volvo XC90 electrical system?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the electrical system: 10V566000.

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.