Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.
2003 Volvo XC90 recalls
Equipment: electrical, navigational system(global positioning system)
NHTSA campaign 10V566000 · reported November 8, 2010 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. · 416 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
- The risk
- An overheated battery could lead to a fire.
- The fix
- 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 new battery and a spacer will be inserted on top of the battery next to the pcb. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 18, 2010. Owners may contact garmin at 866-957-1981 or visit garmin's website at www.garmin.com/nuvibatterypcbrecall.
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump
NHTSA campaign 09V483000 · reported December 18, 2009 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. · 158,733 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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 mexico, north carolina, oklahoma, south carolina, tennessee, texas, utah, virginia and the u.s. Territories. When exposed to certain environmental conditions (hot climate and temperature cycling) over time and in combination with varying fuel quality, the fuel pump can develop cracks in the fuel pump flange.
- The risk
- If the condition occurs vehicle owners may notice fuel smell and/or fuel leak which, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
- The fix
- 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 began on january 15, 2010. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
Steering: linkages, tie rod assembly
NHTSA campaign 06V155000 · reported May 5, 2006 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. · 126,743 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- The driver may notice that the vehicle is difficult to maneuver increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- 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.
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
NHTSA campaign 06V144000 · reported April 28, 2006 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. · 122,431 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- 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.
- The risk
- Inoperative wipers under inclement weather conditions could cause a crash due to impaired visibility.
- The fix
- 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.
Seat belts: rear/other
NHTSA campaign 03V391000 · reported October 10, 2003 · VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC. · 18,692 vehicles potentially affected
- The problem
- On certain sport utility vehicles, the seat belt attachment(s) for the second and third row seat(s) may not have been fitted properly.
- The risk
- In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.
- The fix
- 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.
What owners report
Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.
Jun 20, 2022 · Fuel/propulsion system
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.
Feb 2, 2021 · Power train · 141,000 miles
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
Dec 15, 2015 · Electrical system · 230,000 miles
DRIVING THE XC90 AND SUDDENLY THERE IS A HUGE THUMP AND CLICKING FROM THE DASHBOARD. ALL THE DIALS AROUND THE SPEDOMETER STOP WORKING.. IF WE KEEP DRIVING THERE ARE MORE THUMPS AND WE QUICKLY LOSE ENGINE POWER - IT IS EXTREMELY SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENS.. ALL THE LIGHTS COME ON (INSIDE THE CAR), DASHBOARD GOES DEAD ETC…
Aug 31, 2015 · Power train · 114,687 miles
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…
Aug 19, 2015 · Structure
VEHICLE DRAINS WATER ON TO FRONT PASSENGER FLOOR, AND OCASSIONAL DRIVER SIDE AFTER IT RAINS. IT IS A KNOW PROBLEM THAT A CLASS ACTION SUIT WAS WON IN NEW JERSEY, INCLUDING 5 OTHER STATES. THE WATER IS FROM CLOGGED DRAIN TUBES IN SUNROOF AND SOMETIMES SHRINKIAGE OF DRAIN TUBE THAT DISLODGES. VEHICLE NOW HAS A MUSTY…
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received June 20, 2022.