Model year
2005 Volvo XC90
NHTSA lists 6 recalls and 223 complaints for the 2005 Volvo XC90 (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (50), POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION (38), ENGINE (29). NHTSA lists 4 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 15–18 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $4,550–$5,500, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2003 93 complaints
- 2004 462 complaints
- 2005 223 complaints
- 2006 53 complaints
- 2007 38 complaints
- 2008 29 complaints
- 2009 7 complaints
- 2010 12 complaints
- 2011 19 complaints
- 2012 3 complaints
- 2013 11 complaints
- 2014 4 complaints
- 2016 197 complaints
- 2017 80 complaints
- 2018 51 complaints
- 2019 42 complaints
- 2020 34 complaints
- 2021 40 complaints
- 2022 30 complaints
- 2023 41 complaints
- 2024 36 complaints
- 2025 29 complaints
- 2026 8 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
10V566000 · Nov 8, 2010
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
09V483000 · Dec 18, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2005 S80, MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 V70, S60, XC70 AND MODEL YEAR 2003-2005 XC90 VEHICLES SOLD IN OR REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, KENTUCKY, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW…
07V221000 · May 25, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT WHILE DOING BATTERY MAINTENANCE THE JACK'S CRANK HANDLE CAN BE MISPLACED UNDER A BRACKET WHICH RETAINS THE BATTERY.
06V155000 · May 5, 2006
STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES,THE OUTER TIE ROD BALL JOINT CAN DEFORM AT HIGH LOADS CAUSING A LOSS OF THE CLAMPING FORCE AND THE NUT MAY LOOSEN, WHICH MAY EVENTUALLY LEAD TO A FATIGUE FRACTURE OF THE OUTER TIE ROD BALL JOINT.
06V144000 · Apr 28, 2006
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, IF THE WIPER ARM IS ACTIVATED IN EXTREME WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS AND WITHOUT LIFTING THE WIPER ARMS AND CLEANING THE WINDSHIELD PRIOR TO MOVING, THE WIPER ARM MIGHT SLIP ON ITS DRIVESHAFT, RESULTING IN AN INABILITY TO MOVE THE WIPERS FROM THE PARK POSITION.
05V529000 · Nov 17, 2005
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:SOLENOID
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO AN ERROR IN THE FACTORY ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION, THE B+TERMINAL MAY BE IN CONFLICT WITH THE STARTER MOTOR SOLENOID. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE B+TERMINAL AND THE STARTER MOTOR SOLENOID MAY DEVELOP INTO A SHORT…
Complaints
223 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 1, fire flag on 3, injury field 1, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE05057 | VOLVO XC90 BATTERY CABLE FAILURES · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT… | Nov 2, 2005 | Mar 23, 2006 |
| PE05064 | WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM PERFORMANCE · VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES | Dec 2, 2005 | May 10, 2006 |
| EA06006 | VOLVO XC90 BATTERY CABLE FAILURES · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY:CABLES; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY; EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY… | Mar 21, 2006 | Jun 14, 2007 |
| PE10025 | Central Electronic Module Failure · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Jul 20, 2010 | Nov 22, 2010 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XC90 FWD · 2.5L · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 21 | 18 | — | — | $4,550 |
| XC90 AWD · 2.5L · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 15 | 20 | 17 | — | — | $4,850 |
| XC90 AWD · 2.9L · Automatic (S4) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 14 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $5,150 |
| XC90 AWD · 4.4L · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 13 | 19 | 15 | — | — | $5,500 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2005 Volvo XC90 at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.