NHTSA — Power Train Problems

2004 Volvo XC90 (Page 2 of 2)

CarComplaints.com Seal Of This Might Hurt

CarComplaints.com Notes: The XC90 took its “freshman 15” of transmission complaints and turned it into a “sophomore 45.” The 2004 XC90 saw 3X as many complaints about the transmission failing as it did in its inaugural North American model year! By the following year, transmission complaints fell back in line with the 2003. That sharp spike in complaints means we recommend avoiding the 2004.

On top of transmission complaints, the 2004 XC90 also has problems with a sudden loss of power. The lucky ones are met with a “reduced engine performance” message, while others are left stranded on the side of the road waiting for a tow.

1.2

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
144,566 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Volvo XC90 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2004 Volvo XC90:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2004 Volvo XC90 Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #17

Jul 212012

XC90 6-cyl

  • 170,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

At 65 mph wipers went on by themselves then followed by split second power failure, meaning dashboard light out, hazard lights could not be turned on, windows would not open, A/C out, in the message screen at that moment antilock brake failure was displayed before everything went out, driving another 20 miles till next exit at the dusk, after pulling over and restart ( to reset) SRS failure in the message screen. Car checked by Volvo dealer and statement from them:fault in cem is shutting down network and causing dim to black out. Replacement will run about $1500, this car had automatic transmission failure at 91822 miles and ignition failure recently, and many many other costly problems.

- Mokena, IL, USA

problem #16

Jun 052012

XC90

  • 86,000 miles
The transmission is slipping. Engine revs and the transmission won't upshift...eventual gear change cause the vehicle to lurch forward a bit, with a loud thud heard. The vehicle also fails to move off from a stop on occasion...with the engine revving for a while before moving forward. Display message in the cluster: "transmission service urgent"...goes off and on for days at a time.

- Lindenhurst, NY, USA

problem #15

Mar 092011

XC90

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving 50 mph, the transmission failed. The vehicle stopped accelerating and the speed dropped to zero. The contact pulled to the side of the road to restart the vehicle and the vehicle accelerated but would not exceed beyond second gear. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnosis where they informed the contact that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the issue. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Ham Lake, MN, USA

problem #14

Mar 122012

XC90 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Add to the very long list one more XC90 T6 owner with an automatic transmission failure. Transmission began slipping while driving. Repair estimate was $5800. This is the GM-sourced transmission issue that Volvo appears to be ignoring. Rest assured I will be participating in any class action suits that I can find until Volvo issues a recall or monetary compensation.

- Sheboygan Falls, WI, USA

problem #13

Jan 312012

XC90

  • 116,000 miles
We are owners of a 2004 Volvo XC90 T6 AWD and have experienced a transmission failure that will cost $6500 to replace. Upon further investigation, we have found that there are literally thousands of complaints regarding these transmissions failing yet Volvo has failed to step up and address the problem. In our case, my wife was driving the car, in traffic, when the car slipped out of gear and started slowing down! luckily she was able to get off on the shoulder before trailing traffic caught up to her, but imagine what may have happened if she wasn't able to get out of the way! Volvo knows this is a problem and should do something so that 1) no serious injuries come from this failure, and 2) to compensate the Volvo owners out there that have had to shell out thousands of dollars in repair costs for this problem. Please investigate this issue!!

- Westminster, CO, USA

Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...

problem #12

Sep 202006

XC90

  • 86,000 miles
There appears to be a problem with the XC90 Volvo transmission in all years. The message error code given is "transmission service required". the dealers claims it just has to update the car software to correct the problem. However, if you check the internet for problems reported on this same issue, you will find it is not just an isolated problem which need to be investigated.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #11

Nov 302011

XC90

  • 118,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission failed with no warning. Fluid is in great shape, bad transmission.

- Arvada, CO, USA

problem #10

Feb 242011

XC90

  • 125,000 miles
In the winter of 2011 while driving my car in heavy rush hour traffic in the Chicago area the transmission failed suddenly and lost all power which was very dangerous and concerning. I was barley able to get to the side of the road without power and without endangering the other vehicles around me. The repairs required that my transmission be rebuilt, drive train gears replaced, and my radiator replaced which took four weeks and cost $7,000. The transmission failed because coolant from the radiator leaked into the transmission fluid. My vehicle was maintained per the manufactures requirement including a transmission fluid change less than a year earlier. It is obvious from a simple google search that this is a common problem due to defective parts and manufacturing. Even more obvious because Volvo will only warranty a replacement transmission if the radiator and other transmission parts are replaced. I also had to replace both rear wheel bearings earlier (about $400 each) only to find out that this also is a common problem suspected to be due to over tightening of straps during shipment. Contacted Volvo on 10/31/11 and they refused any responsibility for the repairs even though it is well document that there are manufacturing defects with several vehicles and this is not an isolated incident. I was told since it is not a recall they will not address it.

- Crystal Lake, IL, USA

problem #9

Oct 262011

XC90 6-cyl

  • 126,025 miles
I purchased this vehicle thinking it would be a life long vehicle considering I had already purchased a reliable Volvo car in the past, the urgent service transmission appeared and I took it to a local transmission shop (being that there is no local dealership) as soon as the message appeared the transmission started to skip constantly causing a hazard, and then confirmed that the transmission needs to be replaced. I have done extensive research on the internet and I came to find that many of your XC90 transmissions fail and I would like to know how Volvo North America stands behind their vehicles in these situations. I would like to continue being a Volvo owner but being that I will be forced to spend thousands on a defect from Volvo it will make me think twice. I hope somebody can help me with this.

- Weslaco, TX, USA

problem #8

Sep 212011

XC90 6-cyl

  • 101,861 miles
My recently bought 2004 Volvo XC90 T6 transmission failed while I was driving on a major highway during rush hour. It took the entire length of the light to cross the intersection and several near-misses by other cars. Volvo refuses any responsibility for the faulty transmission and after further research, I found that the transmission was replaced at 50,093 miles in 2008 while under warranty by a previous owner.

- Freehold, NJ, USA

problem #7

May 182011

XC90

  • 132,694 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission failure, loss of power and power steering. Updated 07/28/11

- Chico, CA, USA

problem #6

Jun 252011

XC90 5-cyl

  • 130,342 miles
Moving about 70mph in cruise we felt a severe jerk followed by near instantaneous hard acceleration. The jerk/thud action so extreme it was almost like the Volvo tried to reverse gear by itself. It's strange how an 'event' can conjure up common thoughts. After the uncontrolled hard acceleration, I had thoughts of that state patrol officer driving the Lexus in California who was killed along with his family when he couldn't control the bizarre behavior of the car. Turns out it was the same thoughts my brother had. 'as we pulled over and call for help our Volvo did something bizarre again. We thought the rear wheel going backward at this time, almost at the same time most all the power in the Volvo went dead. O gauges incl. Speedometer, the tack, the gas, the battery, all out. Othe windows stuck in the up position. Ono taillights, no brake lights, no directional. Othe transmission stuck in a gear - either 4 or 5th. 'while waiting for help at the auto zone, I searched what this issue might be. I found a Volvo forum that shows many people that had similar, dramatic issues with same year same model Volvo. 'after re-connecting the battery, the power came back on oabout hour later the Volvo repeated a very dramatic thump-jerk and the power started to go out. The tack and speedometer started dropping - dash lights dimmed and all of sudden the power came back - lights back and gauges popped back up. Oonly to be followed by another thump about one minute later and this time the power failure was similar to above (not sure about taillights as I was moving on the highway and not about to get out and check.) oon our next trip even at the reduced speeds - 5 or 6 times he Volvo did some bizarre jerk maneuver with 3 of the times followed by power failure. 'we talked about options and we agreed that selling this vehicle to someone and possibly putting another family at risk. It is not the right thing to do and not a christian thing to do.

- Sturgeon Bay, WI, USA

problem #5

Dec 192010

XC90 6-cyl

  • 35,000 miles
2004 Volvo xc 90 T6 transmission. Purchased this vehicle new from dealer. @ 35,000 the transmission failed. Prior to the failure transmission began to slip and the vehicle was non responsive. Due to the delay of the transmission catching and propelling the vehicle forward we were in a near collision with another vehicle. Unit was replaced with a refurbished one from the dealer. @ 85,000 the vehicle began to show symptoms of transmission failure again. This time it was corrected with a software update. Now vehicle has 125,000 miles and transmission failure again. Vehicle showed no signs of transmission wear and tear. Just all of the sudden vehicle came non responsive to drivers gas inputs. This could be a huge hazard in high traffic conditions and potentially resulting in serious injuries and even death. Volvo refuses to recall this units. They only offered to cover 50% of the cost to repair. Volvo knows that these vehicles are prone to premature transmission failure and should recall and replace this units at no cost to the consumer. A quick inter net search and you will find thousands of people like me experiencing transmission problems on these vehicles. townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.F18A651/ www.matthewsvolvosite.com/2009/03/transmission-problems/ volvoforums.com/forum/showthread.php?T=7573&page=2 something needs to be done before someone gets hurt.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #4

Sep 242010

XC90

  • 104,000 miles
A rubbing noise began in late September. I had an inspection and diagnostic at the dealership on September 23rd. They told me the front bearings and the lower engine mount pad should be replaced. The next day, while I was driving, the transmission seized. The car was towed and the dealership said they had to replace the transmission and entire coolant system. Their diagnostic specialist was unable to detect such a catastrophic failure the day before it happened. Who knows what would have happened if I was on the highway. Volvo acknowledged the problem but only paid for half of the parts and labor. I still had to come out of pocket $3000+.

- Oak Forest, IL, USA

problem #3

Jul 042010

XC90

  • 76,751 miles
We just purchased a 2004 Volvo XC90 T6 on June 2, 2010 from a private seller who originally purchased the vehicle and have it maintained fully at rickenbaugh Volvo in denver. We are first time owners of a Volvo vehicle. The car currently has 76,783 miles on it. After just owning the vehicle for 4 weeks and adding just 400 miles on the vehicle, the check engine light went on and while driving to the rickenbaugh Volvo service station, a message came up with 'urgent transmission service required'. we were told by the service manager that the car needs new transmission with radiator, oil cooler and oil cooler lines in the amount of $7,800. My wife and I were shocked and decided to take the vehicle home because we cannot afford this expense after just saving money for a year to purchase the vehicle 4 weeks ago. The vehicle was fully serviced at rickenbaugh and a 75,000 mile service was done on may, 2010. We went and searched the internet for problems with 2004 Volvo XC90 and found that there are a lot of reports of transmission issues/problems. Please call me at [xxx]. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Aurora, CO, USA

problem #2

Jul 082008

XC90

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that he experienced tons of failures with the vehicle. The rack and pinion was replaced at 52,000 miles. The struts failed on the rear of the vehicle and the dealer had to repair the U joint. While driving 60 mph, the vehicle would not shift gears and the dealer stated that a new transmission was needed. Later, the contact discovered hundreds of complaints in regards to the same year, make, and model vehicle. The seals for the power transfer unit failed. Recently, the entire thermostat unit had to be replaced and the transmission failed. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 75,000 and current mileage was 76,500.

- Cortemadera, CA, USA

problem #1

Sep 262007

XC90 5-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 59,000 miles
Grinding noise in drive train rf wheel bearing seized, replaced for $257.50 labor charge. Vehicle is making noise again now.

- St. Augustine, FL, USA

Not what you are looking for?