EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
2004 Volvo XC90
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 462 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Volvo XC90, most frequently naming the electrical, transmission and fuel system categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 222 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| May 2014 | 1 | 349 |
| Jun 2014 | 4 | 353 |
| Jul 2014 | 4 | 357 |
| Aug 2014 | 7 | 364 |
| Sep 2014 | 2 | 366 |
| Nov 2014 | 4 | 370 |
| Dec 2014 | 3 | 373 |
| Jan 2015 | 3 | 376 |
| Feb 2015 | 3 | 379 |
| Mar 2015 | 3 | 382 |
| Apr 2015 | 2 | 384 |
| May 2015 | 4 | 388 |
| Jul 2015 | 2 | 390 |
| Aug 2015 | 2 | 392 |
| Sep 2015 | 2 | 394 |
| Oct 2015 | 5 | 399 |
| Nov 2015 | 2 | 401 |
| Jan 2016 | 2 | 403 |
| Feb 2016 | 3 | 406 |
| Mar 2016 | 1 | 407 |
| Apr 2016 | 1 | 408 |
| May 2016 | 1 | 409 |
| Jun 2016 | 4 | 413 |
| Jul 2016 | 1 | 414 |
| Oct 2016 | 1 | 415 |
| Nov 2016 | 2 | 417 |
| Dec 2016 | 1 | 418 |
| Jan 2017 | 1 | 419 |
| Mar 2017 | 2 | 421 |
| May 2017 | 1 | 422 |
| Jun 2017 | 1 | 423 |
| Jul 2017 | 1 | 424 |
| Sep 2017 | 1 | 425 |
| Nov 2017 | 3 | 428 |
| Dec 2017 | 2 | 430 |
| Feb 2018 | 1 | 431 |
| Mar 2018 | 1 | 432 |
| Apr 2018 | 1 | 433 |
| May 2018 | 1 | 434 |
| Jun 2018 | 1 | 435 |
| Jul 2018 | 3 | 438 |
| Jan 2019 | 1 | 439 |
| Apr 2019 | 3 | 442 |
| Oct 2019 | 1 | 443 |
| Nov 2019 | 1 | 444 |
| Dec 2019 | 1 | 445 |
| Jan 2020 | 1 | 446 |
| Apr 2020 | 1 | 447 |
| Feb 2021 | 1 | 448 |
| Apr 2021 | 1 | 449 |
| May 2021 | 2 | 451 |
| Jun 2021 | 2 | 453 |
| Nov 2021 | 1 | 454 |
| Jun 2022 | 1 | 455 |
| Oct 2022 | 1 | 456 |
| Nov 2022 | 1 | 457 |
| Mar 2023 | 1 | 458 |
| May 2023 | 2 | 460 |
| Nov 2024 | 1 | 461 |
| Mar 2025 | 1 | 462 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical15824.5%
- Transmission10516.3%
- Fuel system7711.9%
- Engine528.0%
- Powertrain (other)426.5%
- Exterior lighting325.0%
- Airbags314.8%
- Driver assistance294.5%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
6 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Central Electronic Module Failure
Volvo acknowledged a problem affecting some subject vehicles involving water seepage into the plenum box area in the engine compartment.When this occurs water may enter into the interior / passenger compartment and track along the wiring harness for the Central Electronic Module (CEM), the device that controls many of the vehicle's electrical functions including wiper operation, lighting, and transmission operation.If the water reaches the CEM connector electrical faults may result.In response to such faults the CEM, a microprocessor controlled device, will attempt to reset by temporarily shutting down (for 100 milliseconds, or 0.1 seconds) and restarting; this effects various CEM functions including the instrument panel (IP) display, gauges, wipers and also the transmission gear (if it is in the overdrive range).During the reset owners may experience temporarily loss of the IP displays and an abnormal 'jerking' in the transmission/drivetrain.If the problem persist for 6 consecutive restart attempts, the CEM will enter a 'Limp Home' mode that disables non-essential electrical functions yet maintain safety critical functions such as low-beam headlights, low-speed wiper operation, brake lights, and non-overdrive transmission operation.Warning and error messages will also be illuminated in the IP display.Consumers reported experiencing conditions consistent with CEM resetting and the limp mode operation in their reports to both ODI and Volvo.No reports or allegations of crash or injury associated with possible CEM failures have been reported by Volvo or otherwise identified by ODI.Volvo revised the design of the wiring grommet (sealing device) and the plenum cover starting in May 2005 and October 2005 production dates respectively, the occurrence of the condition effectively ended after these changes.A technical service bulletin (TNN 37-35) has been published to diagnose and repair earlier production vehicles using the improved wiring grommet and/or new plenum cover.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
FUEL PUMP LEAK
VOLVO HAS DETERMINED THAT DUE TO EXPOSURE TO CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS (HOT CLIMATES AND TEMPERATURE CYCLING) AND VARYING FUEL QUALITY, THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE IN THE XC90 VEHICLES CAN DEVELOP CRACKS.OWNERS MAY NOTICE FUEL SMELL AND/OR FUEL SEEPAGE.DUE TO SIMILAR MATERIAL USAGE, THIS ISSUE ALSO AFFECTS OTHER MY2001-2005 S60/S80/V70/XC70 AND MY2003/2005 XC90 VEHICLES.REVIEW OF THE VOLVO DATA INDICATE THE FREQUENCY OF COMPLAINTS/REPAIRS IS HIGHER IN THE HOT CLIMATE STATES. VOLVO WILL RECALL AND REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP WITH A PART OF A MODIFIED DESIGN/MATERIAL IN APPROXIMATELY 136,100 MY2001-2004 S60/V70/XC70, MY2001-2005 S80 AND MY2003-2005 XC90 VEHICLES IN 19 STATES.THESE STATES INCLUDE AL, AZ, AR, CA, FL, GA, HI, KY, LA, MS, NV, NM, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA AND THE US TERRITORIES.IN ADDITION, VOLVO WILL EXTEND THE WARRANTY COVERAGE TO 10 YEARS/150,000 MILES ON APPROXIMATELY 190,000 VEHICLES FOR THE REMAINING STATES.THIS RECALL/EXTENDED WARRANTY PROGRAM SUPERSEDES PREVIOUS 07V-152/TNN 23-198 PROGRAM ON MY2001-2002 VEHICLES.THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 09V-483).
WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM PERFORMANCE
THE MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED NHTSA BY LETTER DATED APRIL 21, 2006, THAT A SAFETY RECALL HAS BEEN INITIATED FOR CORRECTION OF THIS PROBLEM ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003 - 2006 VOLVO XC90 VEHICLES. THE RECALL AFFECTS APPROXIMATELY 122,400 SUBJECT VEHICLES PRODUCED BETWEEN AUGUST 2002 AND OCTOBER 2005.NHTSA HAS ASSIGNED NO. 06V-144 TO THIS RECALL ACTION.THE CORRECTIVE ACTION WILL CONSIST OF REPLACING THE EXISTING WINDSHIELD WIPER ARMS WITH A NEW REINFORCED DESIGN.BASED ON THIS ACTION, THE SUBJECT PE HAS BEEN CLOSED.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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
- NHTSA ID
- 11647245
- Incident
- Mar 6, 2025
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
- NHTSA ID
- 11626848
- Incident
- Nov 8, 2024
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11522373
- Incident
- Apr 7, 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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11522371
- Incident
- May 9, 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 ??
- NHTSA ID
- 11512307
- Incident
- Mar 10, 2023
The contact owns a 2004 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that after refueling the vehicle, his wife noticed an abnormally strong gasoline odor. The contact's wife was able to continue driving the vehicle; however, the failure would return after refueling or on rainy days. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V483000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not under recall. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11492882
- Incident
- Nov 9, 2012
- Mileage
- 30,000 mi
The contact owns a 2004 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that after his wife started the vehicle, she smelled the odor of gasoline. The contact had been advised by his wife that the vehicle was taking longer to start up and sometimes required two or three attempts to start the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 09V483000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The failure mileage was approximately 212,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11487737
- Incident
- Sep 17, 2022
- Mileage
- 212,000 mi
On May 26, 2022, I was stuck in traffic for four hours, and the car's CEM (central electronic module) overheated causing the dashboard to shut down three times, meaning I lost all instrument readings. After each time the dashboard shut down, I had to pull over and reset fuse #27 to have the dashboard come back online temporarily. Because the CEM was already overheated due to its design flaw with improper ventilation, the dashboard would shut down again and again. A Google search would show this is a very common issue for 2004 Volvo models and before. Driving without any instrument readings is totally unsafe. I strongly urge you to force Volvo to issue a recall for 2004 and before models and fix the CEM overheating problem.
- NHTSA ID
- 11466954
- Incident
- May 26, 2022
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ENGINE
This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test. Perform the test. Follow service procedure Description and Service sections updated to clarify that vehicle reports are not required.
This is a TJ text only - The purpose of this TJ is to be a master reference list to easily identify any components that are on prior approval. This TJ will be regularily updated as items are added or removed from prior approval. Current items under prior approval are listed in the "Service" section
This is a Technical Journal. Vehicle type and platform identification.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
This is a Technical Journal: Remote connection, BOMGAR application. Before joining a remote session: •Connect a suitable battery maintainer/charger and verify that the battery voltage indicated in VIDA is between 12.5V and 14.9V. •Connect to the vehicle over a wired connection using a VOE (Volvo OBD to Ethernet) adapter and perform a NEW vehicle readout.
Volvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has decided to launch Service Action S10303 on certain model year 2025 EX90 vehicles. Volvo Car Investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob. As a result, there is a possibility that the customer’s key fob is not paired to the vehicle. The corrective action is to download SP Software. S10303 affects 151 vehicles in the U.S and 5 in Canada.
Volvo Cars USA LLC and Volvo Car Canada LTD on behalf of the Volvo Car Corporation has decided to launch Service Action S10303 on certain model year 2025 EX90 vehicles. Volvo Car Investigations have identified that there is a pairing issue with the key fob. As a result, there is a possibility that the customer’s key fob is not paired to the vehicle. The corrective action is to download SP Software. S10303 affects 151 vehicles in the U.S and 5 in Canada.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 27 | 2 | 0 | 58.9 |
| 2024 | 34 | 3 | 0 | 61.2 |
| 2023 | 39 | 6 | 0 | 55.7 |
| 2022 | 29 | 4 | 1 | 55.3 |
| 2021 | 32 | 6 | 1 | 67.9 |
| 2020 | 29 | 7 | 1 | 72.3 |
| 2019 | 38 | 6 | 1 | 74.0 |
| 2018 | 47 | 3 | 1 | 66.2 |
| 2017 | 75 | 7 | 1 | 71.9 |
| 2016 | 196 | 8 | 1 | 64.1 |
| 2015 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2014 | 4 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2013 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 34.3 |
| 2012 | 3 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2011 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 45.9 |
| 2010 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 39.1 |
| 2009 | 7 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2008 | 29 | 3 | 0 | 50.0 |
| 2007 | 38 | 2 | 0 | 52.2 |
| 2006 | 53 | 3 | 0 | 54.3 |
| 2005 | 223 | 6 | 4 | 54.2 |
| 2004Viewing | 462 | 6 | 3 | 54.9 |
| 2003 | 93 | 5 | 0 | 47.0 |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.