VehicleVerdict

2005 Volvo XC90 problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 304 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 5.9 times the median XC90 year — the 2005 model ranks #3 of 23 XC90 years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (69), transmission (64), and electrical system (56), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

304

NHTSA complaints

6

Recalls

4

Investigations

2

Crash-involved

4

Fires reported

2

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2005 compare to other XC90 years?

See all XC90 years to avoid →

What are the most common 2005 Volvo XC90 problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine6923%
Transmission6421%
Electrical System5618%
Fuel System3311%
Lighting269%
Other145%
Steering93%
Visibility & Wipers72%
Tires & Wheels72%
Body & Structure41%
Airbags41%
Speed Control41%
Brakes31%
Latches & Locks21%
Suspension21%

Does the 2005 Volvo XC90 have recalls?

6 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.

07V221000Electrical SystemMay 25, 2007 · 42,211 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

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.

05V529000Electrical SystemNovember 17, 2005 · 10,259 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 2, 2020 · fire

WE HAVE RECENTLY HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2005 VOLVO XC90 T6 AWD AT 59,700 MILES. WE ARE 2ND OWNER AND BOUGHT 12/31/09 WITH 59,074 AND CARFAX CHECK WAS STELLAR. THE VEHICLE IS JUST 9,700 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. WE HAVE CONTACTED VOLVO USA CONCERNING 'GOODWILL POLICY' AND VEHICLE IS AT TULSA…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · January 1, 2010

DRIVING IN PITCH BLACK NIGHT ON BACKROADS OF CHARLESTON, SC. LIGHTS WENT OUT AFTER LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERED FOR A FEW DAYS. LIGHTS WENT OUT AND CAR WENT OFF ROAD AS WE WERE IN A CURVE. REGAINED CONTROL AFTER SPINNING ON WET GRASS. I NEED THE HEADLIGHTS REPAIRED BY VOLVO AT THEIR EXPENSE AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · December 27, 2012 · crash

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · July 2, 2020 · fire

DRIVING IN PITCH BLACK NIGHT ON BACKROADS OF CHARLESTON, SC. LIGHTS WENT OUT AFTER LEFT HEADLIGHT FLICKERED FOR A FEW DAYS. LIGHTS WENT OUT AND CAR WENT OFF ROAD AS WE WERE IN A CURVE. REGAINED CONTROL AFTER SPINNING ON WET GRASS. I NEED THE HEADLIGHTS REPAIRED BY VOLVO AT THEIR EXPENSE AND…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Lighting · December 27, 2012 · crash

2005 Volvo XC90 — common questions

Is the 2005 Volvo XC90 reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 304 complaints put the 2005 model at #3 of 23 XC90 years. It is one of the XC90 years to avoid.

What are the most common 2005 XC90 problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (69 complaints), transmission (64 complaints), electrical system (56 complaints).

Does the 2005 Volvo XC90 have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns affecting the 2005 Volvo XC90. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2005 Volvo XC90 under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 4 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

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.