2003 Volvo XC90

■ Significantly worse — known issue year

2003 Volvo XC90
RENDERED 2026-08-02T10:38:27.355Z

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2003: 93 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
2003	93
2004	462
2005	223
2006	53
2007	38
2008	29
2009	7
2010	12
2011	19
2012	3
2013	11
2014	4
2015	0
2016	195
2017	73
2018	46
2019	37
2020	28
2021	32
2022	28
2023	39
2024	30
2025	26

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 42%

42% of complaints: power train — 39 distinct reports on file.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%

14% of complaints: electrical system — 13 distinct reports on file.

INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

I WAS NOT AWARE OF THE DESIGN DEFECT IN SUN ROOF & THE WATER DAMAGES THAT RESULT IN ELECTRICAL ISSUES. I HAD ALWAYS PARKED MY VEHICLE IN COVERED PARKING UNTIL MOVING THIS YEAR IN JANUARY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20131129

POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 7 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20210202

SUSPENSION 5%

5% of complaints: suspension — 5 distinct reports on file.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 4%

4% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 4 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

Fuel line was recalled in 2010. Volvo repaired it now it has the same problem. And is leaking fuel. Same line that they replaced in 2010. Please recall.

NHTSA ODI report, 20220620

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2003 — complaint volume: 93

R 20031208 — seat belts

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE SEAT BELT ATTACHMENT(S) FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW SEAT(S) MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FITTED PROPERLY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE SECOND AND/OR THIRD ROW SEAT BELT ATTACHMENTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Campaign 03V391000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060623 — steering

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OUTER BALL JOINT TIE RODS WITH IMPROVED OUTER BALL JOINT TIE RODS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 23, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.

Campaign 06V155000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060905 — visibility

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

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER ARMS AND RETAINING NUTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.

Campaign 06V144000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100115 — fuel system, gasoline

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, CALIF

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP WITH A PART OF A MODIFIED DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL

Campaign 09V483000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20101118 — equipment

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.

Remedy: VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A N

Campaign 10V566000 — check if this car was fixed