Volvo XC90 Volvo XC90

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Volvo XC90 repairs by problem area

Engine (26%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (11%)

Brakes and Traction Control (8%)

Suspension and Steering (20%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (24%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (8%)

Other (5%)

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Chart based on 1441 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the Volvo XC90.

Volvo XC90 transmission repair cost distribution

$2500+ (17%)

$1000 - $2499 (18%)

$500 - $999 (14%)

$100 - $499 (18%)

< $100 (34%)

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Chart based on 145 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2017 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

twincharged 316hp 2.0L I4 8-speed shiftable automatic AWD

10000 mi Car has a dead spot in the throttle at tip-in. Transmission shifts clunky. Installing Polestar did not fix the problem. Uninstalling Polestar and resetting the computers fixed the problem for 3 days until the car began adapting back to the original state. Problem still exists. Regional Engineer has been brought in to capture more data for analysis in Sweden. No abnormality found in the sensors. Attempted to replace throttle body. No difference. 
10000 mi Dead spot in the throttle tip-in followed by a burst of acceleration. Dealer could not fix. Sold back as a lemon. 
42000 mi vibration in driveline 

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2017 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

twincharged 313hp 2.0L I4 Plug-in Hybrid 8-speed shiftable automatic AWD

45500 mi The two electrical motors in the rear were not operating properly due to a problem with the rear drive train, which had to be replaced under warranty to its failure. 

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2016 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

twincharged 316hp 2.0L I4 8-speed shiftable automatic AWD

Power was lost to all wheel drive. Only you had front wheel drive. Was a lose connection. Service All wheel drive light turned on. No physical issues were felt. It was an issue with the electrical connection to the AWD. 

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2010.5 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

turbocharged 197hp 2.4L I5 Diesel 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

37000 mi Gear lever front button cracked in half. Lever completely replaced. 
44000 mi

£360
Haldex unit motor failed replaced 60% paid by Volvo 

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2010 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

turbocharged 182hp 2.4L I5 Diesel 6-speed manual AWD

28000 mi Clutch occasionally slipping due to electrical fault. Update: clutch fine. 

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2010 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

235-horsepower 3.2L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

51000 mi popping sounds in half drive shafts 

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2008 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

311-horsepower 4.4L V8 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

116000 mi

US $200
Drive shaft spline needed to be tightened. 
52000 mi Angle gear went bad. There was a lound clunking sound when turning during slow speeds. 

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2008 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

235-horsepower 3.2L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

2000 mi Ashtray in back seat replaced after falling out several times. Thumping noise after cold start at 18mph. Dealer said they repaired but it still occurs. 

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2008 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

235-horsepower 3.2L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

100000 mi

US $200
Solenoid in valve body. Had to remove valve body and repair solenoid. 
77000 mi

US $468
message Anti-skid service required is gone now 

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2007 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

311-horsepower 4.4L V8 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

73780 mi

C $1400
"ANTI-SKID SERVICE REQUIRED" in diagnostic window, resulting in only front-wheel drive. Active-on-demand (AOD) coupler (Haldex) oil pump, temperature and pressure sender, filter, coupler oil replaced. 
117180 mi

C $500
"ANTI-SKID SERVICE REQUIRED" in diagnostic window, resulting in only front-wheel drive. Active-on-demand (AOD) coupler (Haldex) oil pump replaced. Same issue as was fixed 8 yrs previous. 
90520 mi

C $4000
Faulty valve body, replaced transmission, 6 speed Aisin transmission 
66000 mi

US $500
Vehicle started to hesitate when shifting gears. Normally between the lower gears. Volvo said that it is a known issue with this model and the only definite fix would be to replace the transmission at a cost of over $5,000. 
108000 mi

US $5800
Tranmission was acting wonky and failed completely a few days later. Dealer replaced Transmission. It failed. They replaced it again and it now seems to be OK. Hope so. Will be doing a long cross country drive soon. Axle replacement 
63300 mi trans solenoid/valve 
78400 mi

US $275
Replaced shifter lever because car wouldn't shift into park 
38440 mi AWD had not been functional for some time. Problem diagnosed and new part replaced in 45 minutes. 
161200 mi

C $4400
Rear end noise. Suspected rear wheel bearings, AWD or differential. Had a local garage remove/replace the differential. The actual bearing and seal replacement done by a specialty shop. 
97300 mi

US $400
The shift lever button fell out and the shifter locked in place 
118000 mi

US $200
4wd transfer case shot 
18000 mi vibration during acceleration; right front axle replaced, problem corrected. 
26900 mi

US $400
Vibration during acceleration; left front axle replaced. Right axle replaced previously for the same issue. Volvo looks down on doing both at the same time for some reason. 
27200 mi

US $1500
Replaced angle gear for AWD system and left front axle.  
72000 mi

US $7712
The trans cooler failed and coolant contaminated the trans fluid and cooked my transmission to the tune of $7700 for a new transmission and radiator. 
92000 mi

US $799
Repaired haldex AWD pump and computer (pump sized causing too much current in computer control circuit) 
59200 mi

US $4500
Transmission failed. Apparently inherent in the design of transmission such that no one will repair, only replace with reconditioned unit from Volvo. $3500 for the unit itself. Seems ridiculous to me a transmission fails in 59k miles. 

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2007 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

235-horsepower 3.2L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic FWD

22000 mi SUV was shaking when put in overdrive, found out the front axle was broken, being fixed under warranty. 
45800 mi

US $240
Left rear HUB / axle boot making a grinding noise 

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2007 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

235-horsepower 3.2L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

C $1729 all wheel drive not engaging repld transmission pump 
199800 mi

US $600
RF axle replace 
155000 mi

US $795
Anti skid service requested light on. Replaced AWD pump 
123000 mi

US $195
Torque converter began to shudder, so transmission specialist decided to first replace very dirty transmission fluid. 
30000 mi car was brought in for 30k service and during last month of factory warranty. mechanic discovered vibrations during acceleration. they ended up replacing drive/axle shafts all under warranty. 

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2006 Volvo XC90

Engine not specified

63300 mi

US $2000
Big noise at the bottom. A part controling 4 wheel drive was broken and replaced. 

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2006 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

turbocharged 208hp 2.5L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

121000 mi

US $350
Removed and repaired Rear Electronic Module and replaced. ABS and park assist warning lights came on. Also think it disabled AWD. 
82140 mi

C $500
Angle gear resealed and rear driveshaft coupler 
87200 mi Replaced leaking transmission cooler. 
62000 mi

C $400
Road noise proportional to road speed. Dealer diagnosed problem to transfer case. Stripped spline shaft; replace transfer case. Problem remains. Rediagnose at local mechanic. Identified bad wheel bearing; replaced. Problem resolved. 
141000 mi

US $1200
Replaced front Angle Gear. AWD stopped functioning 

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2006 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

turbocharged 182hp 2.4L I5 Diesel 6-speed manual AWD

76000 mi Rear prop shaft and transfer box replaced because of leaking seals. 
76000 mi Prop shaft whining when traded car in. Started doing this after the repair. 

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2006 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

311-horsepower 4.4L V8 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

78300 mi

US $900
Transmission stay in first gear too long then jump directly to 3rd and skip the 2nd gear. Dealer update the software then problem is gone. 
93000 mi

US $1500
rear axle replaced 
99000 mi

US $4000
Replaced transmission 
73000 mi

US $700
Replace unknown fluid with Volvo spec fluid 
73000 mi Dealer said the transmission had to be replaced after a previous 2500 was spent on transmission repairs. 
114700 mi Gear Box Repair 
108000 mi

£680
Replace Transmission Shift Lever Cables 
79000 mi transmission would kick and get stuck in neutral, transmission service urgent light came on; transmission valve body was replaced; cost of $2400 was covered by the extended warranty 
176700 mi replaced worn out bolt joins 
77000 mi

US $500
Pressure sensor in haldex failed, AWD would not engage 
84500 mi

US $2400
Oil leak from main bearing seal and valve cover gaskets. 

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2006 Volvo XC90 4-door

turbocharged 6-cylinder automatic AWD

60760 mi Transmission service urgent warning came on. Transmission flushed and warning reset. Gearbox broke down completely one week later. 
60760 mi After transmission flush less than two weeks passed. Suddenly lost reverse gear and on way to shop lost first gear. Transmission extensively rebuilt 
74400 mi Tapping sound from drivetrain diagnosed as worn propshaft replaced at cost of US$2000 but covered by extended warranty 

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2005.5 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

311-horsepower 4.4L V8 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

127000 mi Transmission stutters between 2nd and 3rd and 3rd and 4th gears. Probably a valve body at a minimum looking at another $2000k in repairs or if the whole trans need to be replaced $6000-8000. 

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2005 Volvo XC90

Engine not specified

135000 mi

US $3050
The GM transmission that volvo put in the XC models don't last much longer after the vehicle hits the 133000 mile marker. Don't fall for a $600-1000 software update. Volvo knows dam well about the problems with the GM transmissions 

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2005 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

turbocharged 268hp 2.9L I6 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD

42022 mi new transmission - still in shop 
95700 mi The transmission had been replaced just before we acquired it. Found a large leak of Transmission Fluid. Car was returned for repair. Seal was replaced. software updated.  
183000 mi

US $400
Passenger side CV axle going bad, had it replaced. 
65000 mi

US $8000
At just 65,000 I am told I need a new transmission and drive shaft.... I've had one problem after another. This is the worst car I've ever owned. Do not buy this car. You will be sorry. 
98000 mi

US $2700
Had to replace driveshaft. 
99000 mi Transmission began slipping, putting car into limp mode. Mechanic advised getting rid of car. Replacement transmission would have been $7500 with no guarantee it would last. Mechanic noted the T6 transmission has a bad history. 
75000 mi

US $320
Told needed a new Transmission. Took to independent shop for second opinion. Independent shop reset Transmission light and changed fluid. No problems found. 
94000 mi Urgent Transmission Service light. Told needs a new transmission by dealer. Flushed fluid at home and still driving. 
99500 mi

US $1680
Transmission failure. Replaced transmission. Manufacturer paid for parts, customer paid labor. 
40000 mi Trans shift vibration. 
45000 mi T6 transmission and transmission oil cooler replaced. 
61000 mi

US $675
Front axle u joint replaced. 

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2005 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

turbocharged 208hp 2.5L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD

111000 mi

US $1600
Leaking boot 

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2005 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

turbocharged 208hp 2.5L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

40000 mi

US $330
Angle gear leak; sealed. 
37000 mi

US $100
DS spline in front axle loose and was glued (loctite). Made loud knock before repair. OK after repair. 
95000 mi

US $2300
AWD stopped working. Angle gear worn out some time since last year. AWD stopped working for no reason. Dealer states this is an angle gear and want to replace the whole unit. 
39060 mi

$1050
wheel bearings were replaced on both rear wheels. 
51000 mi All-too-common transfer case rear seal leak. Volvo dealer quoted $1800 to repair. Sold car to dealer. 

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2005 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

turbocharged 161hp 2.4L I5 Diesel 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

97000 mi

£750
Bevel gear oil leak plus wear on drive shaft seals. replaced 

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2005 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

311-horsepower 4.4L V8 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD

34000 mi Replace rear differential 
85000 mi

US $1000
All Wheel Drive stopped working. Problem noticed b/c front tires were bald. Front tires were just over a year old, so we knew the problem was beyond bald tires. 
49000 mi

US $200
Transmission valve body replaced. Corrected funky shifting. 
106000 mi

US $600
Slight hesitation in shifting. Some minor shift flare. 
109400 mi

US $600
Rear hub assembly worn. Required replacement of rear axle which was rusted to hub, 
58000 mi Vibrations coming from the transmission at certain speeds. Dealer replaced transmission on the third visit to their service department. 
106000 mi

US $450
Transmission was failing. Transmission fluid was flushed and filled and the computer systems were reset. 

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2005 Volvo XC90 4-door

turbocharged 5-cylinder diesel automatic AWD

137000 mi

£40
Excessive clutch wear warning and limp home mode engaged locking transmission into 4th gear. 
93000 mi

£1000
Jerk going into gear 4 and 5. Replaced transmission fluid, reset adaptive setting, fluid counters and updated gearbox software 

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2004 Volvo XC90

Engine not specified

86000 mi

US $1500
Transmission went, stuck in third gear. 
71300 mi

$2000
Replaced the solenoid and master kit of transmission. Fault codes: TCM-002B 4th gear. Incorrect gear ratio. TCM-000B Shift solenoid S1. Hydraulic fault. BCM-0115 Communication between control modules. BCM-0103 Pedal position sensor. Faulty signal.  
86000 mi

US $800
Had to replace front right axle. 

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2004 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

turbocharged 268hp 2.9L I6 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD

80000 mi The transmission was rebuild and fully paid for by Volvo under Goodwill agreement. 
64000 mi awd didn’t work at all – probably electronic problem, costs ~ 2000$ to fix, dealer said whole rear differential needed changing ~ $4500 
160000 mi

US $5000
failed transmission again. This is the second time 80k miles apart. 
75200 mi at 75K miles the 'transmission service urgent' warning light came on. The Volvo dealership diagnosed a faulty transmission that needed total replacement--evidently this is a known issue which is why Volvo paid for the replacement. 
140700 mi

US $800
replaced rear drive shaft 
47000 mi

US $241
Transmission developed a significant bearing noise  
60800 mi

US $60
Transmission Output shaft seal was leaking, according to TSB and repair history was likely caused by the dealers replacement of the transmission. 
70000 mi

US $125
Leaking seal replaced 
60140 mi Transmission require urgent message incidator appeared. 
84000 mi Transmission services light was on. Dealer installed software, which made light go off. Because of this, I did not have transmission further inspected. 
138000 mi

US $160
Front bearing boot at driveshkaft connection to rear was completely worn and no grease inside; car made metal clicking sound on acceleration and deceleration; prop shaft may need replaced eventually 
128000 mi Main drive shaft was clicking, starting to fail 
39000 mi Replaced entire drivetrain. Took 5 months for parts to be shipped and clear customs. 
130200 mi

$5000
Gear Box Serviced Prop Shaft replaced Head Gasket Serviced Aircon Radiator Replaced Radiator Replaced 
97200 mi

US $1500
Volvo warrantied a complete new transmission and cooling lines and radiator 
106000 mi

US $1800
Car had been doing a light whistling noise under moderate acceleration usually between 5 and 20 MPH. Then transmission alert came on. After restart, transmission worked fine. Took to transmission specialist. Replaced all wearable for $1,800. 
93000 mi

US $5200
"Service Transmission Urgent" light came on, had been having no problems but all of a sudden seemed to be starting in 2nd gear and not shifting into first. Dealer said I need a new transmission, total cost, $5200.00 
141000 mi

US $874
Bad left front Axle. 

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2004 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

turbocharged 208hp 2.5L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD

520000 mi

US $4200
repair/replace transmission 
134000 mi

US $1900
All wheel drive broke 

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2004 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

turbocharged 208hp 2.5L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

70000 mi

US $220
Reseal angle gear 
59380 mi

C $3300
Part that comes off the transmission that runs the rear wheels was leaking oil and making noise. Was replaced due to being worn out. 
72000 mi In this trip our XC90 received a new transmission and angle/bevel gear. 
54000 mi

US $1000
Leak at transmission 
90000 mi under warranty, replace transmission 
106000 mi

US $4000
replace front differential after major breakdown. Replaced under courtesy warranty chain box 
110000 mi

US $35
Replaced shifter knob button with an upgraded part from ebay 
147700 mi

US $1400
Rebuild differential control module and replace anti-skid module. 
112840 mi Haldex DEM PCB burned beyond repair due to water ingress (poor sealing) 
130000 mi Driveshaft making noise and needed replacement ($1900.00). Since tranny replaced twice (Volvo paid for total repair 1st time and 2nd time and I paid for labor at $2200.00) decided enough was enough and traded it. 
88000 mi

US $980
Vibration upon acceleration. Replaced right front axle. Is an apparent problem with this vehicle. 
127000 mi

US $4000
replaced front axle 
132000 mi

US $150
Worn axle 
82000 mi

US $500
AWD not working (DEM and spline sleeve issue) 
72000 mi

US $380
According to the dealer, there is a design problem with the transmission in the 2004 Volvo XC90. They "commonly fail" somewhere around 70K miles. Took them a week to replace the non-working transmission with a "refurbished" one. 

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2004 Volvo XC90 4-door

turbocharged 5-cylinder diesel automated manual AWD

73500 mi

£1588
Rear wheel drive sleeve stripped common problem 
76000 mi

£4088
Gearbox had problem again of Transmission service required on dashboard as this is now third time decided to go for complete gearbox replacement told by service staff they had done a lot of gearbox changes recently. 

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2004 Volvo XC90 4-door

5-cylinder automatic AWD

140000 mi

US $2487
Replace 2 front axels, 

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2003 Volvo XC90

Engine not specified

121000 mi replaced driveshaft 

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2003 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

turbocharged 268hp 2.8L I6 4-speed shiftable automatic AWD

67000 mi

US $1200
Transmission cannot be flushed, only drained and refilled.Shop in Fl has done 2x on this vehicle. Volvo has a class action suit for 2003,4, &5 against these trans for this prob. trans doesn't malfun but fluid is burnt & metal shavings prest 
154000 mi

US $4100
Rebuilt transmission (will be 3rd transmission) after roughly 75,000 miles (first transmission replaced at 75,000. 
154000 mi

US $650
Axle installed incorrectly when transmission rebuilt. Axle failed and caused leakage of transmission. 
146800 mi Software update 
168000 mi Leak determined. Waiting to see if under Aamco warranty. 
168000 mi Oil leak not repaired. 
90000 mi

US $2500
Something in the rod was leaking transmission fluid into the wheel area. Sounds like BS to me, but who knows. 
153000 mi

US $4000
Final drive failed and shift valves failed. Second transmission repair, first at 105k. Partially fixed, found would require more work, so replaced the car. So much for Volvo being reliable. 
139000 mi

US $2800
Infamous trans issue. Dead pressure control valve. 
150800 mi

US $2100
The all familiar failed transmission. Not only did the pressure control solenoid fail but the torque converter clutch came apart as well. 
120000 mi

US $100
Not shifting properly. 

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2003 Volvo XC90 4dr SUV

turbocharged 208hp 2.5L I5 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD

219480 mi

A $140
transmission shift problem - requires overhaul 
76000 mi

US $450
CV boot busted for a while/was easier to replace axle.  
107500 mi

US $1500
AWD angle gear failed damaging right front axle in the process. Replaced angle gear & axle. 
42782 mi Inner CV Boot Clamp - was loose had it repaired at same time of Angle Gear reseal 

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Volvo XC90 Transmission Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently Volvo XC90 problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.