RoadVitals

2006 Volvo XC90 Electrical Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Electrical reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
17
Latest Mar 23, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
32%
of 53 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Volvo XC90 submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 17 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming electrical

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Electrical
Filed Mar 23, 2026

Had to replace emission coil plugs.My mechanics said it has wiring issues

NHTSA ID
11726307
Incident
Mar 1, 2026
ElectricalExterior lightingSuspension
Filed Mar 16, 2025

Vehicle is slightly off-balance no matter if I do an alignment ball joints seem to always get affected. I’m not sure if the hydraulics are working correctly. Yesterday I just started leaking antifreeze fluid.

NHTSA ID
11648529
Incident
Mar 15, 2025
Electrical
Filed Apr 11, 2024

Awakened to lights flashing, horn going off, wipers running on a vehicle that was parked with keys removed. The cem underneath driver's side dash had gotten wet from rain water leaking into it and subsequently shorted out requiring $2350 replacement via dealer. This IS A Huge problem.... however, and wait for it. IT IS NOT DUE TO THE SUNROOF.... I know this with absolute certainty because I have 3 2006-2010 xc90's and NONE HAVE SUNROOFS but all 3 had to have CEM reprogrammed. I can't understand why NOTHING has been done about this... it's absurd.

NHTSA ID
11582404
Incident
Aug 5, 2021
ElectricalInterior & seats
Filed Nov 14, 2021

the drivers side electric seat controls are causing unsafe driving conditions. i drive with the seat all the way back and down. I have the memory sets all for that position. Problem is when I get back in the car it will be back up and forward al the way. So i will set it back down. Well while ia m driving it will automatically start raising back up and forward. As you can imagine this gets very uncomfortable and feels like i am getting choked to death. I will set it back and it will keep doing that . I will hear clicking and then it will start moving. sometimes. i will have to hold my finger on the down button to keep it from moving on me while im driving, sometimes it will still move all the way up while i am holding the button down. and then it will get all the way forward and the buttons will not work for me for a while. Im stuck in the forward up position choking and cant do anything about it. Eventually they will start working again nut its a very impossible position to be left in. I don't know why it is doing this. I feel like I have a Christine car(from the movie) . I haven't taken it anywhere and not sure where to go. I feel like the dealer would try to hide the problem.

NHTSA ID
11440370
Incident
Oct 13, 2021
Body & structureElectricalFuel system
Filed Apr 7, 2020

WATER LEAKING FROM AN UNKNOWN PLACE GATHERING IN PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR ! CAUSING MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS! VEHICLE WAS IN IDOL AND CUT OFF WILL NOT RESTART LEAVING MY YOUNG DAUGHTER AND I STRANDED! WHILE INVESTIGATING AND REMOVING CARPET CAME TO REALIZE THEY WERE 30 GALLONS OF WATER UNDER CARPET!! LOOKING INTO IT MORE ONLINE NOTICED MANY MANY MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPRESSED THIS SAME PROBLEM! WHY IS NOT AN IMPORTANT ISSUE TO VOLVO TO WANT TO FIX THIS PROBLEM?? WHY WASN'T THIS PROBLEM ISSUED FOR RECALL???? DOES SON HAVE TO DIE OF PHYSICALLY HARMED FOR THEIR TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS ONGOING PROBLEM

NHTSA ID
11320450
Incident
Apr 6, 2020
ElectricalSteeringSuspension
Filed Nov 8, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CRIPPEN VOLVO (8300 W. SAGINAW HWY, LANSING, MI), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER, WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT AND THE DRIVER NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD BALL JOINT FAILED AND THE WHEELS WERE NOT PROPERLY POSITIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND THE TIE ROD WAS DAMAGED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V155000 (STEERING) ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. ALSO, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE IMMEDIATELY STARTED. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND CAUSED THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. *TT*JB

NHTSA ID
11150156
Incident
Oct 1, 2017
Mileage
130,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed May 16, 2016
Fire reported

FIRE STARTED IN REAR NEAR BATTERY COMPARTMENT. WITHIN SECONDS, IT EXPLODED.

NHTSA ID
10865118
Incident
May 10, 2016
Mileage
111,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Dec 15, 2014

THIS IS THEN SECOND TIME THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 2006 VOLVO XC 90 HAS FAILED. THE ORIGINAL WAS REPLACED WITH A NEW SWITCH AND NOW THAT REPLACEMENT SWITCH HAS ALSO FAILED. THIS SHOULD NOT BE A PART THAT FAILS TWICE IN 7 YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10664265
Incident
Dec 15, 2014
Mileage
122,432 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 27, 2012

OWNED CAR 2ND HAND FOR 2 YEARS NOW. THE PAST 2 WEEKS MY TURNING SIGNAL, DRIVERS SIDE MIRRORS, INTERIOR LIGHTS, DISPLAY COUNSEL FLASHES ON AND OFF. ESPECIALLY WHEN I USE TURNING SIGNAL. BEING TOLD ECM BOX WATER GETS INTO SYSTEM. VOLVO DOES NOT SUPPORT THEIR PRODUCT. SO DISAPPOINTED. I WAS READY TO BUY A NEW XC60. NOT A CHANCE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10482456
Incident
Oct 27, 2012
Mileage
100,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Jul 7, 2012

I DROVE HOME FROM WORK AND MESSAGES STARTED TO APPEAR WARNING ME OF THE ENGINE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, LOW BEAMS NOT WORKING. DROVE IT HOME. TURNED IT OFF & WIPERS WOULD NOT STOP. WE UNHOOKED THE BATTERY CABLE USING THE MANUAL. TOOK IT TO HAVE BATTERY TESTED, BAD CELL. REPLACED BATTERY & WIPERS QUIT WORKING, AIR BAG LIGHT WARNING CAME ON. TOOK TO MECHANIC TO HAVE WIPER MOTOR TESTED, IT WAS FINE. TOOK TO VOLVO, THEY WANTED TO REPLACE WIPER MOTOR, TOLD THEM THAT WAS NOT THE ONLY PROBLEM. TOOK TO DIFFERENT VOLVO AND THEY DIAGNOSED, AFTER THREE HOURS, THE CEM WAS CORRODED DUE TO A CRACK IN THE BOX THAT HOUSES IT. WANTED $3500 FOR THE REPAIR. I LEFT WITHOUT IT AND STARTED TO RESEARCH IT. FOUND OUT VOLVO ACKNOWLEDGED A FAULT IN THE SEAL IN A TRAFFIC SAFETY REPORT. CONTACTED VOLVO ABOUT THE REPAIR, STARTED DISCUSSIONS ABOUT A GOOD WILL REPAIR, THREE WEEKS LATER I RECEIVED A CALL STATING THEY WOULD NOT COVER ANY PART OF IT. THE VOLVO LOOSES POWER AND COULD BE UNSAFE AT ANY TIME. THERE ARE MANY DISCUSSIONS OF THIS ON DIFFERENT VOLVO. I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW VOLVO SAYS IT IS A FAULT OF THE PART AND THEN REFUSES TO REPLACE IT. I AM DRIVING IT AT THIS TIME, WHILE I FIGURE OUT A MORE ECONOMICAL ROUTE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10464528
Incident
Jul 11, 2011
Mileage
95,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 7, 2011

DRIVING IN HEAVY RAIN, CRUISE CONTROL FAILS, CAR GETS STUCK IN 5TH GEAR, LIGHTING FAILURE, CAR SAYS IN DRIVE WHEN IN PARK, ANTI-SKID SERVICE LIGHT COMES ON, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER WHEN THEY TEST DROVE IT. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, TWO KIDS IN THE CAR AND BOUGHT THE CAR FOR ITS SAFETY RATING. WILL COST $2500 TO REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10410916
Incident
Jul 3, 2011
Mileage
43,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jun 16, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS HAD MALFUNCTIONED AND WOULD NOT ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE COMFORT ELECTRONIC MODULE (CEM) WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER THE DIAGNOSIS, THE TECHNICIAN ADVISED THAT THE CEM ALSO WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 52,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10407115
Incident
Apr 17, 2011
Mileage
52,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Sep 30, 2010

ANTI-SKID ERROR KEEPS COMING UP ON MY 2006 8 CYL VOLVO XC90. DEALER UNSURE HOW TO DIAGNOSE. I AM CONCERNED MY ANTI LOCK BRAKING AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE WILL NOT WORK. IS THIS A KNOWN DEFECT IN VOLVO XC90'S OF THAT YEAR? *TR

NHTSA ID
10358506
Incident
Sep 30, 2010
Mileage
85,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Sep 16, 2010

2006 VOLVO XC90 HEADLAMP FAILURE. WA.STATE VOLVO REP. DENIES INTERMITTENT HEADLAMP FAILURE EXISTS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. THE VOLVO HEADLIGHTS JUST FAIL WHEN THE VEHICLE IS BEING DRIVEN! I AND MANY OTHERS APPROX.93,487 OWNER'S OF THIS VEHICLE HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS HAVING VOLVO SERVICE DEALER'S UNABLE TO CORRECT THE SERIOUS PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE A PRIORITY SAFETY RECALL AND VOLVO SHOULD IMMEDIATELY SEND OUT A SERVICE BULLETIN TO ALL DEALERSHIPS. APPARENTLY VOLVO DOES KNOW THIS PROBLEM EXISTS AND HAS PURPOSELY CHOSEN TO NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM OR TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. VOLVO OWNER'S ARE AT RISK OF SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. WHILE DRIVING THE VOLVO THE HEADLAMPS FLICKER AND FAIL . THE DRIVER USUALLY A MOTHER WITH CHILDREN IN THE CAR IS SUDDENLY PLUNGED INTO DARKNESS AT ANY GIVEN SPEED AND AT NIGHT. PLEASE HELP ALL OF US MOTHERS WHO BELIEVE WE MADE THE BEST DECISION TO PROVIDE" SAFETY FIRST" FOR OUR FAMILY'S . THIS NEEDS TO BE A PRIORITY SAFETY RECALL . HAVING THE HEADLIGHTS FAIL WHILE DRIVING IS PUTTING INNOCENT LIVES IN GRAVE DANGER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10355979
Incident
Mar 14, 2010
Mileage
40,000 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Sep 16, 2010

INTERMITTENT LIGHTING FAILURE IN THE VOLVO XC90 2006 MODEL. THE HEADLAMPS JUST FAIL. VOLVOS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE SAFE. MY FAMILY AND I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR WORSE. I HAVE SPENT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX THE ISSUE AND I STILL HAVE THE PROBLEM. I CAN NOT DRIVE AT DUSK OR AT NIGHT BECAUSE OF THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10355968
Incident
Sep 15, 2010
Mileage
40,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed Mar 7, 2007
Crash reported

3/7/2007. 2006 VOLVO X90. CONTACT HAS A REAR BACK UP SENSOR AND SIRRIUS RADIO AND BLUETOOTH PHONE INSTALLED CONTACT STATES THAT THE REAR SENSOR WOULD GO OFF FOR LONG PERIODS WHEN NOTHING WAS VISIBLY NEAR THE VEHICLE. *MC THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SOMETIMES THE REAR BACK UP SENSOR WOULD NOT RESPOND AT ALL WHEN AN OBJECT WAS NEAR THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED HE STRUCK A WOODEN POLE THAT WAS INVISIBLE THROUGH THE REAR VIEW OR SIDE MIRRORS. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE SENSOR, BUT THERE WAS A 20 SECOND DELAY AFTER IGNITION START UP. IT WAS NEVER MENTIONED TO THE CONSUMER THAT THE BLUETOOTH WOULD OVERRIDE THE SENSOR NOR WAS HE TOLD ABOUT THE 20 SECOND DELAY. *JB

NHTSA ID
10184807
Incident
Jan 16, 2007
Mileage
3,900 mi
Electrical
Filed May 9, 2006

I BOUGHT A 2006 VOLVO XC90 OCEAN RACE (LIMITED EDITION) SUV ON 3/21/06. THE MORNING OF 3/25/06, MY CAR WOULD NOT START. VOLVO ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE JUMP STARTED THE VEHICLE, WHICH I THEN DROVE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE BATTERY TESTED FINE, AND THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME. ON 4/27/06, AGAIN THE CAR WOULD NOT START. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME ON 4/29, NO-CHARGE INVOICE SAYS "REPLACE ENGINE MANAGEMENT AND STARTER RELAYS. RECHECKED NUMEROUS TIMES, O.K." CAR AGAIN FAILED TO START 5/3/06. IT IS NOW 5/9 AND 'SPECIAL' VOLVO FIELD TECH SEEM CLUELESS AS TO THE PROBLEM. THEY CLAIM TO HAVE CHECKED "EVERYTHING THOROUGHLY", AND NOW SAY THEY WANT TO PUT 20 -40 MILES ON MY NEW VEHICLE, ATTEMPTING TO "RECREATE THE DEAD BATTERY SCENARIO". SOUNDS MIGHTY DESPERATE AND ILLOGICAL, CONSIDERING THE CAR INTERMITTENTLY AND UNPREDICTABLY FAILED TO START ONLY AFTER 10-24 HOURS OF BEING PARKED. I FEEL THAT ALL THAT $ I SPENT HAS PROVIDED ME WITH LITTLE MORE THAN VARIOUS LOANER CARS, TRIPS TO AND FROM THE DEALERSHIP, MAJOR INCONVENIENCES, HEADACHES, AND A GROWING UNEASINESS WITH VOLVO'S RELIABILITY AND SERVICE TECHS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10157037
Incident
Mar 25, 2006
Mileage
50 mi

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.

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