2003 VOLVO XC90 Power Train Problems

TRANSFER CASE KEEPS LOCKING UP AND MESSING UP. IN PAST YEAR PAID 1500 TWO TIMES TO REPLACE TRANSFER CASE AND IS NOW IN SHOP AGAIN FOR SAME REASON. TRANSFER CASE LOCKING UP. FEB 2020, JULY 2020, AND NOW JANUARY 2021 FEB GOING SPEED OF 35-40, JULY ON HIGHWAY SPEED OF 70 IN MIDDLE OF FREEWAY, AND JAN SPEED OF 35

Mileage: 141,000

WHEN THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IT STARTED WITHIN 4 DAYS TO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION, AFTER THE TRANSMISSION THE TRANSFER CASE BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS, SO THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN THE SHOP BEFORE THE THIRTY DAYS TAGS COULD EXPIRE AND BOTH PARTS WERE REBUILT BY AN OUTSIDE COMPANY WHICH WAS ADDED TO THE ORIGINAL PRICE TAG OF THE VEHICLE. THEN A YEAR LATER THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN THE SHOP FOR THE TURBO'S HAD GONE OUT ON THE VEHICLE ON APRIL 11, 2015 UNTIL CURRENT DATE. THEY ARE NOW SAYING THE VEHICLE HAS A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND IT IS STILL IN THE SHOP.

Mileage: 114,687

TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. HERE'S THE STORY, MY XC90 WAS DEALER SERVICED A WEEK AGO (PM), TOOK ON A SHORT ROAD TRIP OVER WEEKEND, FORTUNATELY MADE IT HOME BEFORE IT BROKE DOWN. WENT TO WORK UPON RETURNING FROM TRIP AND WHILE I WAS PARKING THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO ENGAGE IN ANY GEAR. VERY UNSAFE! NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THERE WAS NO 'LIMP MODE.' THE RPMS ROSE AS IF IT WERE IN NEUTRAL. COULD HEAR A METALLIC RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM TRANSMISSION. HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED FROM WORK TO AAMCO. AAMCO STATED THE DAMAGE WAS INSIDE OF TRANSMISSION AND THEY WOULD NEED TO REMOVE AND TEAR DOWN TO SEE WHAT ISSUE IS, BUT MORE THAN LIKELY IT WAS A COMPLETE FAILURE. I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR IN NOVEMBER AND LUCKILY BOUGHT AN AFTERMARKET WARRANTY THAT 'SHOULD' COVER EVERYTHING. ISSUE IS THE WARRANTY COMPANY WILL MORE THAN LIKELY JUST REPLACE IT WITH A USED TRANS THAT WILL FAIL IN A SHORT TIME AND I WILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS AGAIN. THIS IS A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW ON THE PART OF VOLVO AND THEY SHOULD OWN UP TO IT. THE ENGINE PRODUCES TOO MUCH POWER AND THE VEHICLE IS TOO HEAVY FOR THE TRANSMISSION TO TAKE IT. THIS IS A T6 BTW, WITH THE 6 CYLINDER AND TWIN TURBO. VOLVO SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS TRANSMISSION. I HAVE SCOURED THE WEB AND SEE THIS IS AN ONGOING FREQUENT ISSUE WITH THE XC90 AND VOLVO IS LOSING WHAT WERE ONCE LOYAL CUSTOMERS. SEARCH THIS ISSUE ON THE WEB AND YOU'LL WONDER IF THERE ARE ANY XC90'S THAT DO NOT HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK ABNORMALLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE SHIFT GEAR LEVER WAS DEFECTIVE AND BOTH THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS WERE LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE AGE HAD EXCEEDED THE TIME FRAME IN WHICH THEY WERE WILLING TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Mileage: 500

I HAD THE TRANSMISSION SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE COOLANT HAS LEAKED INTO TO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO GIVE OUT. THEY SAID IT NEEDS REPLACED AT A COST OF 6000. THIS WOULD BE THE 3 RD TRANSMISSION IN THIS CAR ALONE. THEIR ARE MULTIPLE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS VOLVOX FAULT AND IT NEEDS REPLACED ON THEIR DIME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE FROM THE MAIN ROADWAY BUT AS SHE PROCEEDED INTO TRAFFIC, THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT DECREASE IN ENGINE RPMS AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE URGENT SERVICE TRANSMISSION WARNING LIGHT THEN ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

I PURCHASE A USED VOLVO XC90 ON 12/17/2010 FOR MY SON WITH A REGISTERED 104,555 MILES. ON 12/29/2010 THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. I GOT A COUPLE DIFFERENT ESTIMATES FROM $5,000 TO $7,000 TO REPAIR OR REPLACE. AFTER DISCUSSING WITH THE AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN, I FOUND OUT THAT VOLVO HAS HAD A SLEW OF PROBLEMS RELATING TO THE 03,04 & 05 XC90 ESPECIALLY WITH TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. I WAS TOTALLY DISAPPOINTED BECAUSE I PURCHASE THIS VEHICLE BASED ON VOLVO REPUTATION AND THE CAR RELIABILITY AND DUE TO THE FACT THAT I HAVE A 2000 VOLVO S80 AND HAVE HAD IT SINCE 2000 AND HAVE HAD FEW PROBLEMS. ALTHOUGH, MY SON WANTED TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE, I STEERED HIM TOWARDS THE VOLVO. THINKING THAT SINCE A VEHICLE (ESPECIALLY A VOLVO) SHOULDN'T EXPERIENCE THIS TYPE OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WITH RELATIVELY LOW MILEAGE, I CONTACTED VOLVO NORTH AMERICA AND TOLD THEM OF MY PLIGHT AND REQUESTED THAT THEY PAY FOR THE REPAIR OR AT LEAST PAY FOR A PORTION OF THE REPAIR AND THEY FLATLY DENIED MY REQUEST. I AM TOTALLY DISAPPOINTED IN VOLVO FOR NOT HONORING AND STANDING BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT, REMEMBER I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BASED ON THEIR REPUTATION FOR BUILDING A SOUND REPUTABLE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH MY SON WANTED TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY CONFIDENCE IN THIS COMPANY HAS BEEN TOTALLY SHATTERED. AND TO THINK THAT I WAS PLANNING ON REPLACING MY 2000 S80 WITH ANOTHER VOLVO THIS SUMMER. *TR

Mileage: 104,750

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55-65 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO JERK WITH EXCESSIVE HESITATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURES BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 58,000. UPDATED 07/20/11 *BF UPDATED 10/26/11

Mileage: 58,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND THE SAFETY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 120,000

LEAVING A PARKING LOT AND HEARD LOUD SOUND CAR WOULDN'T MOVE. VOLVO SAYS THE FOLLOWING IS BROKEN: LOWER CONTROL ARM, CV AXLE, ROTOR AND DAMAGED RIM. WE HAD BEEN PARKED AND WERE ATTEMPTING TO LEAVING PARKING LOT(.BARELY MOVING) COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHER SPEED. WE HAVE CONSTANTLY SPENT MONEY ON THIS VEHICLE AND I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE AND THAT WHEN THE RECALLS WERE MADE THERE COULD HAVE ALREADY BEEN A FRACTURE. THIS CAR IS ONLY DRIVEN TO WORK AND HOME ON A REGULAR BASIS. NO ROUGH ROADS. WE HAVE NOT CAUSED ANY DAMAGE. THIS WEBSITE DOES NOT ALLOW PROPER SELECTION UNDER VOLVO AND MAKE TO ALLOW SELECTION OF THE SUSPENSION/CONTROL ARM / ROTORS / AXLE / TIRE RIMS / BALL JOINT, ALL OF WHICH WERE DAMAGED IN THIS 4 MPH ACCIDENT. HAD THIS HAPPENED AT 65 MPH I HAVE NO DOUBT ME AND MY FAMILY WOULD NOT HAVE SURVIVED. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING AT 38 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING GEARS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REACH HER DESTINATION WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,914.

Mileage: 102,000

MY 2003 VOLVO XC90 HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES INCLUDING OVER 3 TIMES FOR SAME PROBLEM WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2006. ALL RECALLS HAVE BEEN FIXED, FRONT AXLE, WIPERS ETC. I HAVE PURCHASED 4 SETS OF TIRES, TIRES BOSTON VOLVO INSTALLED AND MY 17 YEAR OLD SON RECEIVED A COMPLETE BLOW OUT BECAUSE WRONG SIZE TIRES. I CONTINUE TAKING TO SAME DEALER AND SINCE OWNING THE CAR HAVE HAD THE SAME NOISES IN FRONT OF CAR. BOSTON VOLVO HAS STATED IN OCTOBER AND SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE CAN FIND NOTHING WRONG, APRIL DIAGNOSED WITH NEED NEW DRIVE SHAFT AFTER HAVING CAR FOR 2 DAYS BUT COULD NOT REALLY FINE ANYTHING BUT DRIVE SHAFT. A STRONG FUEL SMELL STATED FUEL PUMP DOES NOT NEED TO BE CORRECTED. I NEED NEW MUFFLER AND TAKING TO MY OWN MECHANIC THE REAL ISSUE IS TRANSMISSION SERVICE URGENT AND NEED NEW TRANSMISSION. VOLVO DID NOT DIAGNOSE THIS PROBLEM AND MY SON IS DRIVING THE CAR! MY SON IS DRIVING A LEMON THAT IS A DANGER TO HIMSELF. TAKING TO VOLVO DOES NOTHING, THEY CANNOT EVEN DIAGNOSE AND GIVE WRONG INFO GIVEN TO ME. I AM CURRENTLY UP TO OVER $8,000 IN DAMAGES AND STILL OWE ON THIS LEMON. I NEED NEW TRANSMISSION, MUFFLER, STILL CAR VIBRATES AND FRONT END NOISES FROM WHINING, THUMPING ETC. *TR

Mileage: 104,000

2003 VOLVO XC90 TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED TO GO INTO FIRST GEAR ON A LEFT HAND TURN. THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE LED TO AN ACCIDENT. AFTER THIS INCIDENT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THIRD GEAR. *TR

Mileage: 58,800

VOLVO XC 90 2003 T6 TRANSMISSION CATASTROPHIC FAILURE ON 10/23/09 I PURCHASE MY VOLVO XC 90 2003 T6 WITH 85000 MILES, ON 01/07/10 I HAD A TOTAL COLLAPSE OF MY TRANSMISSION AROUND $8,000.00! THANK'S GOD I BUY EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR TRANNY AND ENGINE. BUT TO HAVE MY TRANNY CERTIFY BY VOLVO I HAVE TO BUY A NEW RADIATOR, COST OVER $1,000.00! (INCLUDED REPLACEMENTS PARTS), NO SENSE AT ALL! IN MY UNDERSTANDING THIS VEHICLE HAS A CHRONIC TRANSMISSION PROBLEM AND I'M NOT SUPPOSED TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY OF THESE COST! *TR

Mileage: 85,000

OPERATING VEHICLE SINCE OCT '08, SINCE THAT TIME THERE HAS BEEN A NOISE EMANATING FROM FRONT PASS-SIDE WHEEL AREA. PURCHASING DEALER(HALL CHEVY, CHESAPEAKE, VA) PERFORMED WHEEL-ALIGNMENT TO "FIX" THE NOISE WHICH DID NOT REMEDY. VOLVO DEALER IN ARVADA, CO DIAGNOSED IT AS FAILED, OR FAILING WHEEL HUB, TO BE REPLACED AT COST OF $500. THIS VEHICLE ALSO HAD TRANS FAILURE AT APPX 76K MILES, AND THROTTLE CONTROL MODULE FAILURE IN OCT '09. I BELIEVE THERE ARE MANY CONCERNS ABOUT OPERATING AND HAVING CONFIDENCE IN ITS ABILITY TO OPERATE "SAFELY AND RELIABLY" THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP NEARLY AS MUCH AS ON-THE-ROAD SINCE IT'S I PURCHASED IT IN OCT '08. *TR

Mileage: 79,300

TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN 2004 VOLVO XC90 T6. VOLVO WELL AWARE OF THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE RATE IN THESE VEHICLES BUT FAILS TO ISSUE A TSB. MY VEHICLES TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 71,XXX MILES WITH MY WIFE AND KIDS IN THE CAR AT AN INTERSECTION. WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FROM A STOP. HAD REPORTED INSTANCES OF "SLIPPING" TRANS TO DEALER SERVICE DEPT WITH NO RESOLUTION PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE. NEW TRANS WAS REPLACED OUT OF WARRANTY COST OVER $4700 WITH NO REFUND OR DISCOUNT FROM VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA OR THE DEALER. RESEARCH REVEALS "SQUEAKY WHEEL" POLICY TOWARD COMPENSATING OWNERS. I WAS REJECTED FOR COMPENSATION AND OFFERED 50% DISCOUNT ON PARTS AND LABOR FOR "NEXT TRANSMISSION FAILURE". *TR

Mileage: 71,000

I PURCHASED MY 2003 VOLVO XC90 IN APRIL OF 2005 WITH 36K MILES. FOR THE LAST 3 YEARS, I HAVE COMPLAINED ON VARIOUS ISSUES WITH THE CAR'S PERFORMANCE RELATED TO THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION. PULLING AND JERKING OF THE CAR WHEN I PROCEED TO ACCELERATE, SLOW ACCELERATION FROM STOP, NOT BEING ABLE TO PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE, CAR ONLY WANTING TO DRIVE IN THIRD GEAR, AND A HIGH PITCH NOISE. FROM OCT 05 TO MARCH 2008 I MADE 8 VISITS TO THE DEALER REGARDING THESE ISSUES FOR WHICH I WAS BLOWN OFF AND TOLD THAT UNLESS THE LIGHT APPEARED THEY COULD NOT REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION. AT 87K MILES I HAD IT AND TOOK THE CAR RIGHT TO THE SERVICE MGR WHO IN TURN TOLD ME THAT "VOLVO IS AWARE OF THIS FACTORY DEFECT AND REGARDLESS OF WHETHER I AM IN OR OUT OF MY WARRANTY, THEY WOULD REPLACE IT ONCE THE LIGHT COMES ON. 4 MONTHS LATER, THE DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM (GWINNETT PLACE VOLVO IN DULUTH, GA) WENT OUT OF BUSINESS. ON WEDNESDAY, OCT 7, 2009, THE "SERVICE TRANSMISSION URGENT" LIGHT CAME ON MY 2003 VOLVO XC90 WITH 116K MILES. AFTER WHICH I NOTICED THE GEAR AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTING INTO 3RD GEAR. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL DEALER DYER & DYER VOLVO. THEY'VE KEPT THE CAR FOR 2 WEEKS OFFERING TO REQUEST A "GOOD WILL" REQUEST TO VOLVO NORTH AMERICA TO FIX THE CAR. VOLVO NORTH AMERICA HAS REFUSED TO FIX THE CAR WHICH COSTS $7500 SIGHTING THAT IT IS NOW OF WARRANTY. I CONTACTED THE EXECUTIVE OFFICE WHO TOLD ME THAT UNLESS THE CAR IS RECALLED THEY WILL NOT FIX MY CAR. YESTERDAY I FOUND APPROXIMATELY 1,973 COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE ON THIS MAKE/MODEL FOR YEARS 2003-2006. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE RECALL THIS CAR AND FINE VOLVO AS THEY HAVE OFFERED NO REMORSE WHATSOEVER ON THIS ISSUE AND ARE OPENLY ADMITTING 2 THIS FACTORY DEFECT BUT REFUSE TO FIX IT. IT'S A HARD PILL TO SWALLOW WHEN YOU PURCHASE A CAR FOR $40K TO ONLY BE ABLE TO DRIVE IT 75K MILES WITH COUNTLESS ISSUES AND TRIPS TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. VOLVO'S MARKETING PITCH OF DEPENDABILITY IS FRAUD. *TR

Mileage: 116,000

TRANSMISSION SERVICE URGENT LIGHT. THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS TYPE OF SUV FROM VOLVO THE 2003 XC90. THE DEALER ARE ONLY REPLACING THE TRANS AT OUTRAGES PRICE SOME AS MUCH AS 8000.00. IF THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WHY WILL VOLVO NOT HAVE A RECALL. THIS IS THE THIRD VOLVO THAT I HAVE OWN. *TR

Mileage: 112,000

WE BOUGHT OUR 2003 VOLVO XC90 T6 IN JULY OF 2005 WITH 40,000 MILES FROM A DEALER WHO STATED IT WAS A LOCAL TRADE IN. I MET THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR AFTER WE PURCHASED IT AND WAS TOLD THEY GOT "RID OF IT" BECAUSE OF SO MANY TRIPS TO THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT. WE HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE SAME VOLVO DEALER WHO DID NORMAL MAINTENANCE AT FIRST, BUT THEN THINGS STARTED TO GO DOWNHILL FROM THERE. WE HAD A "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT THAT WOULD NOT GO OFF AFTER NUMEROUS COMPUTER DOWNLOADS. WE WERE TOLD THE COMPUTER HAD TO RESET ITSELF FOR THIS TO GO OFF. IT IS STILL ON AS OF TODAY. WE REPLACED BOTH TURBOS ON THIS MODEL IN JUNE OF '08 FOR OVER $6,000.00 AND ONLY 70,000 MILES. THE CAR SAT AT THE DEALERS SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR OVER A MONTH AND THEY HAD TO BRING IN A VOLVO EXPERT FOR THIS REPAIR. IN SEPT. OF THIS YEAR THEY ARE BOTH NEEDING TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT I COULD ONLY GET 25,000 MILES FROM THIS REPAIR. IF I HAD KNOWN THEN, I WOULD HAVE TRADED IT IMMEDIATELY. ALSO IN '08 THE "SERVICE TRANSMISSION URGENT" LIGHT CAME ON. THERE WAS CLUNKING AND GRINDING IN THE TRANSMISSION SO WE TOWED IT TO THE DEALER (AGAIN). THE PROBLEM WAS A YAW SENSOR FAILURE WITH WAS REPLACED AT THE DEALER. THIS IS WHERE I BELIEVE OUR NEW PROBLEM STARTED. WE NOW HAVE THE LIGHT ON AGAIN. IT SLIPS IN 1ST GEAR AND SOMETIMES GETS CAUGHT IN 3RD AND WON'T COME OUT. THIS, AS WE HAVE NOW FOUND OUT IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. I HAVE FOUND OVER 1,800 XC90 OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. WE ARE LOOKING AT OVER $11,000.00 FOR BOTH OF THESE REPAIRS AND I HONESTLY CANNOT SEE SPENDING THIS ON A CAR THAT IS WORTH ONLY $14,000.00!!!!! I NEED HELP WITH THIS PROBLEM FROM VOLVO NORTH AMERICA OR FROM THE DEALER. I HAVE FRIENDS WITH VOLVOS WITH OVER 300,000 MILES. I WANTED TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE MINE THAT LONG, BUT I GUESS MY SLOGAN IS "FIX FOR LIFE" NOT "VOLVO FOR LIFE" . *TR

Mileage: 107,000

THE TRANSMISSION (WITHOUT WARNING) IN MY 2003 VOLVO XC90 T6 WENT OUT (NO REVERSE & WONT SHIFT OUT OF 3RD GEAR). IT IS AN AUTOMATIC. THERE ARE MANY OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM IT HAS BEEN INDEPENDENTLY DIAGNOSED AS A DEFECT WITH THE PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION THAT VOLVO CHOOSE TO PUT IN THIS MODEL VEHICLE. MOST OWNERS HAVE BEEN TOLD BY DEALERS THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE FOR THEM (MOST PROBLEMS OCCUR BETWEEN 40 - 60,000 MILES & ARE OUT OF WARRANTY) EXCEPT SELL THEM A NEW OR REBUILT TRANSMISSION (APPROX. $5,000). MY VEHICLE HAS 75K MILES & I HAVE MY VEHICLE AT A REPAIR SHOP WAITING TO SEE WHAT MY OPTIONS ARE. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY TWO MECHANICS THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 75,000

I OWN A 2003 VOLVO XC90 T6. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ONCE AT 66,000 MILES AND WAS REPLACED. AT THAT TIME VOLVO PAID 50% OF THE COST. MY COST WAS $2,700. IT HAS NOW FAILED AGAIN AT 107,000 AND IS NOW AWAITING ITS THIRD TRANSMISSION. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT AT VOLVO CUSTOMER SERVICE ON THE WEBSITE . VOLVO IS OFFERING TO PROVIDE THE PARTS IF I PAY FOR THE LABOR. THE CAR FAILED ON THE NEW YORK TURNPIKE CREATING A DANGEROUS, SCARY SITUATION. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A VOLVO DEALER IN ALBANY, NY. I LIVE IN COLUMBUS OHIO. I NEEDED TO RENT A CAR @ A COST OF $355 TO RETURN TO COLUMBUS. THE CAR IS IN ALBANY AWAITING REPAIR. I HAVE RECEIVED A CALL FROM BETTY WITH VOLVO, TELEPHONE 800-458-1552 X 1977. VOLVO WILL COVER THE PARTS IF I COVER LABOR. THE LABOR WILL COST $1,800. I WILL ALSO NEED TO INCUR THE COST OF A PLANE TICKET TO RETURN TTO ALBANY. DUE TO THE HIGH COSTS I WILL NEED TO INCUR TO FIX THE CAR UNDER VOLVO'S CURRENT OFFER, I WOULD LIKE TO CONSIDER MY OPTIONS. THANKS VERY MUCH FOR YOUR HELP IN THIS MATTER. *TR

Mileage: 107,000

2003 VOLVO XC90 - TRANSMISSION IS "STUCK" IN 3RD GEAR. I JUST FOUND OUT THE TRANSMISSION IS BUILT BY GM. NO WONDER THERE IS A PROBLEM! THE DEALER SAID TO "FIX" THE PROBLEM WOULD BR $6K+. HE SAID THE AXLE HAD LEAKED GREASE INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND IS CAUSING THE ISSUE. GM BUILT THE TRANSMISSION AND THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HEARD OR READ ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM. THE CAR IS SLUGGISH FROM A DEAD STOP WHICH IS DANGEROUS AND WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. IF VOLVO CARES ABOUT THEIR REPUTATION THIS MUST BE ADDRESSED AND OF COURSE GM SHOULD WORK OUT SOMETHING WITH THE DRIVE TRAIN MANUFACTURE. FAITH IN VOLVO HAS BEEN DAMAGED. NONE OF THE DEALERSHIPS SEEM TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE ISSUE IS OR HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITHOUT REPLACING THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION. THERE WILL BE AN ACCIDENT DUE TO LACK OF PERFORMANCE IF NOT ALREADY. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. ALSO, ONE WOULD THINK THE TRANSMISSION COULD SEIZE UP AT FREEWAY SPEEDS. MY COMPLAINT IS THIS IS A PURE PRODUCT QUALITY CONTROL ISSUE. PLEASE ADDRESS AND/OR ADVISE HOW TO RESOLVE. *TR

Mileage: 102,000

THE VOLVO XC90 T6 MODEL HAS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION. MY 2003 XC90 T6 WITH LESS THAN 65K MILES ON IT HAD THE TRANSMISSION FAIL. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY (HWY100 IN MINNEAPOLIS) WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. I COULD NOT DRIVE OVER 30 MPH ON THIS FAST MOVING HIGHWAY. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM, IT IS PAINFUL CLEAR THAT THIS MODEL HAS AN EXTENSIVE HISTORY OF TRANSMISSION FAILURES. TIME AND TIME AGAIN T6 OWNERS ARE HAVING TO REPLACE TRANSMISSIONS SOMETIMES TWICE WITH LESS THAN 120K MILES ON THEIR VEHICLES. VOLVO IS NOT STEPPING UP TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. IT IS GOING TO TAKE AN ACCIDENT OR GOD FORBID INJURY OR DEATH FOR THEM TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

MY 2003 VOLVO XC90'S TRANSMISSION WENT OUT JUST TEN DAYS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. VOLVO CUSTOMER SERVICE OFFERED A GOOD FAITH REPAIR BUT STILL COST ME SEVERAL THOUSAND OUT-OF-POCKET IN REPAIR COSTS. SIX WEEKS AFTER REPAIR, I HAVE A PUDDLE ON MY GARAGE FLOOR. THIS PROBLEM, WITH THE T6 TRANSMISSION, IS RATHER COMMON AND WELL-DOCUMENTED. IF THE PROBLEM IS SO PREVALENT, WHY IS THERE NOT A FULL RECALL OR BETTER FIX? I AM NOT SATISFIED WITH THIS CAR. *TR

Mileage: 77,344

RECEIVED A TRANSMISSION URGENT SERVICE WARNING LIGHT. TOOK THE CAR TO DEALER AND THEY STATED I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. CAR HAS 62,000 MILES AND HAS ALWAYS BEEN SERVICED AT VOLVO. I DID A SEARCH ONLINE AND FOUND OVER 200 COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME FAILURES I STATED. VOLVO WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

Mileage: 62,000

POWER TRAIN - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. DAYS AFTER COMPLETING A 90,000 MILE SERVICE AND OTHER REPAIRS (BRAKES, BROKEN ENGINE MOUNT BRACKET) AND TRIP TO BOSTON FROM WASHINGTON DC, THE "TRANSMISSION SERVICE URGENT" MESSAGE CAME UP FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE PURCHASING THE VEHICLE NEW IN 2003 FROM DON BEYER VOLVO IN FALLS CHURCH, VIRGINIA. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON NEW YEAR'S EVE DURING A SNOW STORM IN THE BOSTON AREA. THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP WAS CLOSED FOR THE HOLIDAY. ON JANUARY 2, 2009, WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO DALZELL VOLVO IN DEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS. AFTER CONDUCTING A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING AND THAT RADIATOR FLUID HAD MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. I WAS QUOTED A PRICE OF $7000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AND RELATED EQUIPMENT. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I DISCOVERED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE IS WIDESPREAD FOR XC90 MODEL YEARS 2003-2004 AND THAT THIS SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE IS WELL-KNOWN BY VOLVO. THE VEHICLES COVERING THESE MODEL YEARS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSIONS. *TR

Mileage: 94,000

2003 VOLVO XC 90. TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 30,000 MILES, NO UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES AND CAR WELL MAINTAINED. TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN AT 46,000 MILES. REPLACED AGAIN BY DEALERSHIP. CAR NOT YET AT 50,000 MILES ALREADY SHOWING SIGNS OF TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AGAIN. DEALERSHIP REPLACING ORIGINAL VOLVO TRANSMISSION (NO LONGER IN PRODUCTION) WITH A FORD MODEL TRANSMISSION THAT THE DEALERSHIP ACKNOWLEDGED VERBALLY WAS NOT STRONG ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE VOLVO XC 90. INTERNET SEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WIDE SPREAD. *TR

Mileage: 30,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE VEHICLE, A WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED STATING THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE CHECKED. SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT WANTS TO FILE A CLASS ACTION LAW SUIT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

VOLVO XC90 65,000 MILES - REGULARLY FACTORY MAINTENANCE AT VOLVO DEALERSHIP - TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT ACCELERATING WHEN TRANSMISSION SLIPPED BETWEEN 3 AND 4TH GEAR AND CAR SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL. VOLVO AGREES TO PAY FOR PARTS, BUT NOT FOR LABOR WHICH IS EXPENSIVE ON THIS LUXURY VEHICLE. MANY OTHERS (EDMUNDS.COM) HAVE THIS SAME ISSUE AND IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN SURGING ON ITS OWN. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL, AS WELL AS AN ERROR MESSAGE STATING, "TRANSMISSION SERVICE URGENT." THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION ALONG WITH SHARDS OF METAL IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT AN ALIGNMENT WAS NEEDED, ALTHOUGH ONE HAD JUST BEEN PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ESTIMATED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD COST OVER $6,000. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 93,000.

Mileage: 93,000

MY VEHICLE HAS 61,400 MILES AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. OUT OF THE BLUE IT STARTED SLIPPING OUT OF GEAR CAUSING EXTREMELY HIGH REVVING AND THE A TRANSMISSION FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON. VEHICLE IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS OF THIS DEFECT. DEALER SAYS A NEW TRANSMISSION IS NEEDED. *TR

Mileage: 61,300

2003 VOLVO XC90 - TRANSMISSION FAILURE @ ~ 30,000. RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER AND ACCELERATION. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. AT ~80,000 WAS INFORMED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS AGAIN FAILING (DURING ROUTINE SERVICE) AND AGAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFTER 76,000 MILES. ALSO HIGH PITCH SQUEAL COMES FROM REAR WHEELS IN SLUSHY SNOW. MUST SLOW OR STOP TO HALT SQUEALING AND GRINDING SOUND. *TR

Mileage: 76,000

RIGHT WHEEL AXEL BEARING FAILED. VEHICLE MILES 61,000. *TR

2003 VOLVO XC90 TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR

Mileage: 84,000

VOLVO XC90 TAKEN INTO DEALERSHIP FOR AXLE REPLACEMENT ON 07/09/08 CONTACTED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WILL BE REPLACED THEN WHEN QUESTION GIVEN VAGUE STATEMENT NO WILL BE A TRANSMISSION FLUSH. CAR RETURNED ON 07/16/08 ADVISED GIVEN NEW TRANSMISSION. DRIVING CAR ON 07/19/08 COME TO A STOP TO CROSS 4 LANE PARKWAY WHEN HIT GAS PEDAL CAR DOES NOT RESPOND RECEIVE MESSAGE REDUCE ENGINE PERFORMANCE. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE VOLVO TRANSMISSION IN THIS MODEL MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE. *TR

Mileage: 54,000

NORMAL DRIVING. BOUGHT CAR AT 50K. AT 58K INFORMATION MESSAGE CAME ON ABOUT URGENT TRANSMISSION SERVICE. HAD TO REPLACE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION. DROVE CAR FOR 1 MONTH. FOUND FLUID LEAK. DEALER IS NOW REPLACING THE ANGLE GEAR. *TR

Mileage: 58,429

AT 92K MILES, THE DEALERSHIP BROKE THE NEWS ON APRIL 15, 2008, ABOUT SEEING LARGE CHUNKS OF METAL SHAVINGS WHEN CHANGING MY TRANSMISSION FLUID WITH MY 2003 VOLVO XC90. I GOT A BILL FOR $7500 (NEW TRANNY, NEW RADIATOR, LINES INCLUDING LABOR), BUT DEALERSHIP AGREED TO PAY 60% AFTER RELENTLESS COMPLAINTS AND DIRECTING THEM TO BELOW DISCUSSION FORUM ON ONGOING XC90 TRANSMISSION FAILURES HTTP://TOWNHALL-TALK.EDMUNDS.COM/WEBX/.F18A651/[email protected]@ REGARDLESS, I'M OBVIOUSLY EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED PAYING, CONSIDERING MY XC90 IS LESS THAN 5 YEARS, AND HAVE BEEN CONSISTENT WITH MY REGULAR MAINTENANCE. MY BIGGEST CONCERN IS THE SAFETY OF MY 2 SMALL CHILDREN (3 & 5 YRS OLD), WHO WE TAKE TO SCHOOL DAILY. VOLVO TOUTS 'VOLVO FOR LIFE' AND STRONG SAFETY CAPABILITIES. THIS IS NOT THE CASE. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FROM 64,000 MILES TO 75,000 MILES AND HAVE REPLACED THE FOLLOWING - REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS 4 TIMES, AND NOW THE ANGLE GEAR HAS GONE AT 75,000 MILES - NOT A VERY RELIABLE USED CAR. *TR

Mileage: 75,500

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 50,000 MILES. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS OR PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH TRANSMISSION. DEALER ADVISED JUST AN INTERNAL FAILURE. CHECK OF FLUID WAS GOOD, PROPER LEVEL AND NO METAL INDICATED. *TR

Mileage: 50,000

NO ACCIDENT. *JB

Mileage: 64,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC90. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS NEEDED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 42,000.

Mileage: 42,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLVO XC 90. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47000. THE VEHICLE IS HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE, THE ACCELERATIONS DIES, MAKING THE VEHICLE UNABLE TO MOVE AS NEEDED. THIS INCIDENT OCCURED TWICE LAST YEAR, AND LAST WEEK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DOES NOT HAVE THE VIN; HOWEVER SHE WILL ADD IT TO THE COMPLAINT WHEN SHE RECEIVES THE HARD COPY.

Mileage: 47,000

AN UPDATE TO ODI #10068267 REGARDING RIGHT REAR WHEEL BEARING FAILURE. THIS FAILURE ORIGINALLY OCCURRED AT 22K MILES. ANOTHER FAILURE OCCURRED IN MAY 2006 (SAME WHEEL) AT 52K MILES. I REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR WHICH WAS OVER $250. EVENTUALLY NEGOTIATED PAYING 50% OF THE LABOR AT DEALER COST (ABOUT $60) WITH VOLVO PICKING UP THE COST OF THE PART. WAS TOLD LATER BY A DIFFERENT DEALER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT 'WHEEL BEARING FAILURES ARE FREQUENT ON THE XC90' AND THAT 'THE PART IS NOT ROBUST ENOUGH FOR THE SIZE OF THE VEHICLE'.

Mileage: 52,000

WHEN SHIFTING VEHICLE FROM PARK TO DRIVE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OR DECELERATED FOLLOWED BY A NOISE. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK

FOR BOTH OUR 2001 VOLVO S60 2.4T AND OUR 2003 VOLVO XC90 2.5T AWD THERE HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR A TRANSMISSION DEFECT (ESSENTIALLY SAME TRANSMISSION IN BOTH VEHICLES PER VOLVO TECH SUPPORT). BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD THERE IS INTERMITTENT/UNPREDICTABLE FAILURE TO ENGAGE 3RD IN TIMELY FASHION WITH RESULTANT LOSS OF ACCELERATION AS VEHICLE IS FUNCTIONALLY IN NEUTRAL WITH ENGINE RACING FOR ~0.5-2.5 SECONDS. THIS CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ESPECIALLY WHEN PULLING ON TO A HIGHWAY. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED 2 NEAR COLLISIONS (ALMOST BEING STRUCK FROM BEHIND). VOLVO TECH SUPPORT ACKNOWLEDGES A FLAW IN ENGINEERING WHEREBY SERVO FLUID AIR LOCK OCCURS IN THE 2001. A NEW TRANSMISSION IS SCHEDULED TO BE REPLACED FOR OUR S60, BUT IF THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURING IN OUR 2003, WILL THIS REALLY CORRECT THE PROBLEM AS THE TRANSMISSIONS ARE BASICALLY IDENTICAL? THE 2003 XC90 VOLVO SAYS CAN BE REPAIRED WITH "UPGRADED SOFTWARE" (WHICH IS SCHEDULED FOR THAT VEHICLE) BUT THIS REMEDY FAILED WHEN PERFORMED ON OUR 2001 S60. WE HAVE LET THE DEALER KNOW WE FEEL BOTH VEHICLES ARE UNSAFE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND WE ARE NOW STUCK WITH THEM TRYING TO REMEDY BOTH VEHICLES' GLARING DEFECTS. WE ARE NOT AWARE OF A FEDERALLY MANDATED RECALL TO REPAIR THIS VOLVO ACKNOWLEDGED (SAFETY) DEFECT. CAN NHTSA PURSUE THIS? *AK

Mileage: 9,000

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION, SEAT BELTS DO NOT LATCH, DRIVER'S SEAT RECLINES BY ITSELF. *MR THE RADIO WENT OUT AND THE ENGINE MADE A GRINDING NOISE *SCC *JB

Mileage: 12,000

WE BOUGHT A 2003 VOLVO XC 90 IN JANUARY 2003, THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN A YEAR OLD AND HAS ABOUT 12,600 MILES. IN THE LAST SIX WEEKS, WE HAVE HAD FOUR SYSTEM PROBLEMS, BRAKES, CRUISE CONTROL, AC/ DEFROSTER AND MOST RECENTLY AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. I BELIEVE THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS THE MOST SERIOUS PROBLEM SINCE IT FAILED TO OPERATE WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY.THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE STATING THAT A CORRUPT SOFTWARE WAS THE CAUSE. VOLVO USA STATED THAT THE "NEW " SOFTWARE WAS A MODIFICATION/UPGRADE WHICH IS BEING PUT IN THE 2004 VEHICLES. MY QUESTION TO VOLVO USA AS TO WHETHER THIS PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 CAUSED THE DESIGN OF THE MODIFICATION WAS NOT AN ADEQUATELY RESPONDED TO. VOLVO USA CLAIMED THAT THERE WERE NO FIGURES AVAILABLE TO ADVISE MYSELF ON HOW MANY 2003 XC 90 HAVE HAD THIS OR OTHER PROBLEMS. I ADVISED VOVLO USA THAT WE ARE VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THE QUALITY AND SAFETY OF THIS VEHICLE. *LA

Mileage: 12,600