NHTSA — Engine Problems

2005 Volvo XC90 (Page 1 of 2)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
156,974 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.

2005 Volvo XC90 engine problems

engine problem

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2005 Volvo XC90 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #28

Jul 022020

XC90

  • 2,187,660 miles

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

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 been parked every since cause I had my daughter in the car and that wasn't a pretty sight since the hit made her nervous now can't get her to get in the car so I need my car fixed and I see it has several recalls and all and it was on a county street once I got it crunk back up it smoked badly till I turned it off and it took four hours for me to get it out the road

- Greenville, SC, USA

problem #27

Jun 252019

XC90

  • miles
The known Volvo balance shaft failure in the 05 XC90 V8 B8444S engines sn up to 6833.Volvo has known the V8 engine on the 2005 XC90 is faulty since 2005.specifically, the counterbalance shaft bearing failing due to water intrusion & humidity.mine has not failed yet.I will be lucky if it fails while at idle.bergeron Volvo in metairie, la, sold me a ticking time bomb to drive my 4 year old son around in.there was no disclosure of the known cb shaft bearing failure!I would not have purchased this for me & my little boy!my entire engine will eventually seize up & my otherwise beautiful clean car will be a large & useless paperweight.if this happens while the car is moving at speed, it could cause a horrible accident!unless Volvo actively (and, I am one of them #1868) finds the remaining affected engines in service & fixes this problem, it remians a risk regardless of the mileage.my car currently has only 72K miles on it! I am trying to prevent this form happening, and needs to be paid for by Volvo.this is something that is impossible for me to preventatively maintain! appropriately, they should also reimburse anyone who was affected by this problem since they learned about it back in 2005. The bergeronvolvocars.com site states Mr. Denis bergeron has an open door policy, whereby customers can contact him directly, I emailed Mr. Bergeron my concern last week and have yet to hear back from him. I would like a call back & sit down with Mr. Bergeron to have this engine defect fixed before I am in a horrible accident or left without a car.some websites for reference: Https://workshop-manuals.com/Volvo/xc90_awd/V8-4.4L_vin_85_B8444S/engine_cooling_and_exhaust/engine/timing_components/balance_shaft_bearing/component_information/service_and_repair/ ; https://blog.fcpeuro.com/the-dark-side-of-Volvo-excellent-V8 ; https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?F=10&T=87848

- Denham Springs, LA, USA

problem #26

Aug 092017

XC90

  • 178,417 miles
My 2005 XC90 (odometer approx. 178,000 miles) throws check engine, reduced engine performance and engine service required dashboard warnings intermittently, despite the fact that it has a new cem and a second new throttle body in less than two months. It also issues a low beam headlight bulb failure warning, even when the bulb is lit, and the left turn blinker is sticky. Sometimes, the driver's seat and passenger side rear view mirror readjust simultaneously upon opening the driver's side door, with no key in the ignition and no one sitting in the seat. Recently while traveling on an expressway at 65 mph, the car abruptly lost speed (a terrifying experience) and struggled to accelerate to 40 mph. A few days later, it lost power in heavy city rush-hour traffic (also terrifying) as a red light turned green. It barely made it to 10 mph and came close to causing a chain reaction crash with the cars behind it (also terrifying). Luckily I was able to steer into a nearby bank parking lot, turn it off and restart it. It drove normally but the warning lights remained. I have taken the vehicle to the Volvo dealership multiple times, citing electrical system woes, which resulted in the two previously mentioned repairs. They identified a wiring short as the cause both times, yet act mystified as to why the problems have persisted despite those repairs. I reported the seat/mirror shifts and the ongoing low beam bulb failures to the service manager, who replied (without examining the car) that the bulb was either burnt out or loose in the socket, and that the seat shifting was simply the way the memory function works. I get the sense that Volvo does know what's wrong with this vehicle, and they don't want to tell me. I am extremely disappointed and frustrated with the lack of answers, and am afraid to drive this car.

- Bowie, MD, USA

problem #25

Jun 072017

XC90

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that the vehicle randomly stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed and parked on the contact's street due to the failure. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was not available.

- West Hollywood, CA, USA

problem #24

Apr 082016

XC90

  • 99,800 miles
Please review my write up about the complaint in the attached pdf document.

- Atlantic Beach, FL, USA

problem #23

Nov 072016

XC90

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Volvo XC90. While driving 40 mph, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and it was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Merrillville, IL, USA

problem #22

May 012015

XC90

  • 113,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph, a fuel odor emitted from the rear of the vehicle as the vehicle lost power and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also mentioned that fuel was leaking from the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that after the vehicle was restarted, the fuel odor recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

- Patterson, CA, USA

problem #21

Dec 172014

XC90

  • 98,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the vehicle jerked and stalled while driving. The vehicle was taken to a independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump injector needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000.

- Lynn, MA, USA

problem #20

Jan 152015

XC90

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Volvo XC90. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle emitted an abnormal noise and stalled. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wire cem needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

- Sophia, NC, USA

problem #19

Dec 232014

XC90 8-cyl

  • 129,300 miles
The bearing for the counter balance shaft has failed on my vehicle, causing over $3,000 in repairs needed. Volvo has admitted that this is a known issue with older 2005 XC90's with the V8, but are not willing to cover my repairs costs. I feel there should be a recall. If this bearing fails while driving the engine could seize causing an accident.

- Franklin, WI, USA

problem #18

Oct 212014

XC90 8-cyl

  • 85,000 miles

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

I was just driving along at 30 mph or less when I heard a pretty load noise and then felt a vibration on the floor board. I was just a block away from my destination and when I got there the noise continued. I originally thought the noise was coming from under the car but after further investigation later in the day after letting the car sit for awhile I realized the noise was coming from the engine. I had the car originally towed to my mechanic who informed me that the engine was blown. I could not believe this I had the car a little under one year and the previous owner always had the car serviced through a Volvo dealership from day one to 60,200. I took over the car and at the time of the incident my car had a little over 85,000 miles. Engines are not suppose to fail at under 100,000 miles. There is something seriously wrong with these engines. The internet is full of these stories just like mine and Volvo is doing nothing about it! they do not care, they do not stand behind their cars. Something has to be done about this a lot of innocent people are being hurt financially by Volvo. A recall on these car should be issued...Volvo needs to be held accountable for this! Volvo made the determination not to help me...without even seeing the car and the service records. Action needs to happen and they need to be forced to help me and the hundreds if not thousands of people that have been affected by this.

- Mahopac, NY, USA

problem #17

Sep 262011

XC90

  • 45 miles
This is a 2005 Volvo that has a history of transmission failure in all cars of this model and year. If one googles the model and make of this car one will find forum after forum of people who have had to replace these failed transmissions before or shortly after warranty is up. The dealers and services have largely put this item which should have been a recall issue on to the customer. My transmission failed when trying to accelerate on to a freeway. I was nearly in a likely fatal collision due to the transmission failing to go out of 2nd gear. There was a class action suit surrounding this issue in this model, but few Volvo owners were notified of it. Please help us and demand that Volvo recall these cars, repay for failed transmissions and lost value of the cars......one cannot even give them away no and these were 45K$ cars!!!!!!!!!!furious.

- Menlo Park , CA, USA

problem #16

Apr 082014

XC90 6-cyl

  • miles
I purchase a used 2005 Volvo on April 19, 2013 from C& M auto sales corporation. In December of 2013 I received a recall notice from Volvo. They notified me that all 2004-2005 Volvo XC90- were recalled. I was informed to take it to a Volvo dealer. I drove the vehicle to white plains, N Y. dealer there I was told they took care of the problem. Upon returning home I noticed all lights were on the dashboard & return the vehicle to the dealer. There were many issues claimed by the dealers and was told to pick it up which I did ever since then vehicle has been parked and not driven.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #15

Apr 172013

XC90 8-cyl

  • 103,000 miles
Good morning, I purchase a 2005 Volvo XC90 from drive time on March 29, 2013, prior to purchasing this vehicle it was my dream automobile, on April 17, 2013 my check engine light came on, I was late for work because I went to drive time to find out where to take it since I did purchase the drive care package. I called the claim department and because of miles I travel daily the warranty mileage had expire, which was confusing because on the sale slip on the car it stated 30 day warranty, I was told to take it a Volvo dealer for service, I took it to mooers Volvo in richmond, va and the diagnostic test indicate there were misfire in the spark plugs ($500) later, they also stated they were the original plugs and needed to be changed and my drive care package didn't cover maintenance. Four days later the check engine light was back on, indicating the same problem (misfire in plugs 6 &8) again missing time from work to have this checked out because I don''t want to be broke down on the highway. This time they change the fuel filter and put a gas treatment in my car ($154) later, stating that it was something to do w/fuel tank. I have spent a little over $1000, in repairs and car rental and my car was two months old at that time. I got my car serviced on time and still my check engine is still on.I went to a shop recently because of the (a year later) check engine light is still on. They suggest I look up the recall safety because now one side B1 has a misfire reading. No one seems to know how to fix the problem and I travel an hour each way to work and would hate for something terrible to happen. I'm hoping you would guide me in the right direction to have my car repaired or who I need to direct my concerns to. Thank you in advance for any assistance.

- N. Chesterfield, VA, USA

problem #14

May 012014

XC90

  • miles
2005 Volvo XC90. Consumer writes in regards to engine breakdown. An initial independent mechanic believed the problem was due to a declared design flaw by Volvo in their 2005 models. The mechanic advised the consumer, to have the vehicle towed to the dealer. The dealer had the vehicle for 3 weeks and determined the cause of the engine break down was in fact a design flaw. Corporate Volvo stated the issue was not problematic enough for them to issue a recall, as problems were evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Volvo informed the dealer to re-build the engine, instead of replacing it.

- Acworth, GA, USA

problem #13

Jan 152014

XC90 8-cyl

  • 99,000 miles
The motor failed on my 2005 Volvo XC90 as a result of the counterbalance shaft bearings failing due to moisture in the motor. I was not aware this motor was subject to failure at less than or even around 100K miles. Volvo dealership said this was the cause of the motor failure and they said there was no recall done. After this happened I went to some Volvo websites(swedespeed) only to find this same exact motor failure has happened to very many of these 2005 Volvo XC90's because of the counterbalance shaft bearings failing. In face there's a forum category titled "V8 counterbalance shaft failure thread" where people talk about this exact problem happening over and over and Volvo knows about this engine problem but will not do a recall. Something has to be done where Volvo back their products, especially the engine in a vehicle.

- North Providence, RI, USA

problem #12

Feb 032014

XC90

  • miles
This car has been a constant problem - I am the original owner and the cost to repair is extremely high.. I am a recent widow and a single mother of 3 children on a fixed income... I am so tired of this car being so unreliable and the repair costs are bankrupting me. I have no where to turn this car has been a lemon from day one and the manufacturer and dealer could care less.

- Glen Mills , PA, USA

problem #11

Dec 042013

XC90

  • 99,000 miles
Volvo is aware of the balancer shaft defect that causing a very pricey and serious problem. The fix was to drill a hole but not to repair any damage caused by the design flaw. I was informed by the Volvo dealership that this is a design flaw in the 2005 CX90 and the cost would be around $4000 to fix the damage done to the balance shaft because of the design flaw.

- Chandler , AZ, USA

problem #10

Oct 142013

XC90

  • 150,000 miles
The counterbalance shaft broke resulting in engine failure. Volvo estimates repair at $5,0000. Ridiculous. Why doesn't Volvo fix this well known issue for loyal customers. I have had 5 Volvo in my life starting back in the 1980's and love the cars but this lack of care for customer welfare is just wrong. It may be my last Volvo if this is how they treat customers now days.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #9

Sep 222013

XC90

  • 111,000 miles
2005 Volvo XC90 V8 - engine number 6163 - counter balance shaft failure due to engine design defect. No recall by Volvo despite very high volume of incidents and the safety risk to drivers and passengers of their vehicles. No check engine lights. Volvo knows about this issue and chooses to ignore it, authorities are a aware of it and chose not to enforce safety standards on Volvo- "Volvo for life"...I think not.

- Norwalk, CT, USA

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