The 2003 Volvo XC90 has 5 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 427,015 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 149 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
EQUIPMENT10V5660002010-11-08416 affected
Defect
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Consequence
AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
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 NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE…
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…
Consequence
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.
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 BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
STEERING06V1550002006-05-05126,743 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
VISIBILITY06V1440002006-04-28122,431 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.
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.
SEAT BELTS03V3910002003-10-1018,692 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE SEAT BELT ATTACHMENT(S) FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW SEAT(S) MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FITTED PROPERLY.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
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.
Complaints by component
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
39
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
13
1injuries
POWER TRAIN
7
SUSPENSION
5
AIR BAGS
4
1crashes1fires1injuries
EQUIPMENT
4
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
4
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
3
1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
3
Total complaints149
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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.”
“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…”
“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),…”
“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),…”
“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),…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volvo xc90. While driving at approximately 55 mph, fuel fumes emitted into the vehicle. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that fuel was all over the exhaust pipe and the bottom of the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volvo xc90. The contact stated that fuel fumes emitted in and around the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The technician diagnosed that there was a leak in the fuel pump. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and…”
“Transmission failed without warning. Here's the story, my xc90 was dealer serviced a week ago (pm), took on a short road trip over weekend, fortunately made it home before it broke down. Went to work upon returning from trip and while I was parking the transmission failed to engage in any gear.…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Volvo XC90 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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