2005 Volvo XC90: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2005 Volvo XC90: 6 recalls, 223 owner complaints and up to 18 mpg combined.
_LE_2.5_T_wagon_(2009-09-17).jpg){kind=link}
Recalls
6 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Electrical Vehicle recall #05V529000 · 2005 · 10,259 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 circuit of the battery cable to ground.
Why it matters: Smoke May appear from under the hood and it May be impossible to start the car. If the short circuit happens during driving, electrical power could be lost resulting in the warning lamps being deactivated. An electrical short could result in a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and increase distance between the b+terminal and the starter motor solenoid by adjusting the terminal. The recall began on January 31, 2006.
Visibility (wipers, glass) Vehicle recall #06V144000 · 2006 · 122,431 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
Steering Vehicle recall #06V155000 · 2006 · 126,743 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
Electrical Vehicle recall #07V221000 · 2007 · 42,211 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Misplacement of the jack's crank handle can pose a safety risk as it can result in a short circuit of the battery which could then lead to a fire.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and ensure proper placement of the jack crank handle and a warning label with approved text will be affixed to the bracket which retains the battery. This warning label will inform an operator not to place the jack crank handle between the bracket and the battery free of…
Fuel system Vehicle recall #09V483000 · 2009 · 158,733 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
Equipment Vehicle recall #10V566000 · 2010 · 416 vehicles
What's wrong:
Why it matters: 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…
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Transmission & drivetrain (62): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (18), stalls / loses power (11), warning light on (11).
- Electrical (51): the most common themes are electrical failure (20), stalls / loses power (19), warning light on (7).
- Engine & cooling (40): the most common themes are noise or vibration (12), stalls / loses power (8), rust / corrosion (6).
- Engine (29): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (9), warning light on (8), noise or vibration (4).
The 2005 Volvo XC90 has 223 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 23 XC90 model years for complaints (3.4× the average XC90 year). Complaints peaked in 2011 (39 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 85,755 miles. Neighboring years: 2004 (462 complaints, 6 recalls), 2006 (53 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 5-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | Premium |
| 2.5 L 5-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | Premium |
| 2.9 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S4) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Premium |
| 4.4 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 19 | 15 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2005 Volvo XC90.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2005 Volvo XC90 have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 vehicle recalls for the 2005 Volvo XC90. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2005 Volvo XC90 problems?
Owners have filed 223 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are transmission & drivetrain (62), electrical (51), engine & cooling (40).
What gas mileage does the 2005 Volvo XC90 get?
EPA ratings run up to 18 mpg combined (2.5 L, Automatic (S5)), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2005 Volvo XC90 repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.