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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2005 Volvo XC90Recalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 223 owner complaints for the 2005 Volvo XC90. Most complaints involve power train (62) and electrical system (51). The EPA rates it 15–18 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15–18mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Nov 2010
Owner complaints
223
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$4,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Equipment: navigational system(global positioning system)

Free remedy

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

EquipmentReported Nov 8, 2010NHTSA 10V566000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Dec 18, 2009NHTSA 09V483000

Electrical system: 12v

Free remedy

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.

Electrical systemReported May 25, 2007NHTSA 07V221000
See all 6 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

223 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2005 – Mar 2025
  1. Power train62
  2. Electrical system51
  3. Engine and engine cooling40
  4. Engine29
  5. Exterior lighting25
  6. Fuel/propulsion system22
  7. Fuel system, gasoline9
  8. Steering8
  9. Tires8

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each XC90 model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
200396
2004462
2005223
200653
200738
200829
20097
201012
201119
20123
201311
20144
2016197
201781
201852
201942
202034
202117
Crashes reported
1
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

62 reports
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLVO XC90. EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN NOVEMBER OF 2018, THERE HAD BEEN SEVERAL ELECTRICAL FAILURES. THE HEADLIGHTS, POWER DOOR LOCKS, AND POWER REARVIEW MIRROR FAILED TO OPERATE. ALSO, THE TRANSMISSION CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO JERK AND STALL WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN UNKNOWN VOLVO DEALER, BUT THEY REFUSED TO PROVIDE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL OR WARRANTY COVERAGE ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,042.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 1, 2019Power train, Electrical systemODI 11173516

Electrical system

51 reports1 crash2 fires
“I was getting off the highway and made a left turn. As I was accelerating the motor gentle cut off.. (You wouldnt even notice if you wasnt driving) Full Traffic was behind me, so luckily I was able to get out of the way and pull to shoulder. It was the day before Christmas and car hasn't ran since. Upon investigation I found the CEM was effected. When the car died I was in left hand lane and I had to make my way to right, the shoulder. Yes the problem was diagnosed by myself. However I did investigation and researched using all data at library. It has not been inspected by anyone else. There where no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure. It happened all of a sudden in the middle of traffic when I was getting off the highway.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 5, 2025Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Air bagsODI 11646424

Engine and engine cooling

40 reports
“WAS DRIVING ON FREE WAY, AS I WAS ACCELERATING I LOST ALL POWER AND STEERING.. THE ENGINE STALLED OUT AND I HAD TO VEER OFF TO SIDE SO THAT I WOULDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 12, 2013Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 10502431
All 2005 XC90 problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.5L 5-cyl turbo · 2.9L 6-cyl turbo · 4.4L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S5) · Automatic (S4) · Automatic (S6)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
XC90 FWD
Auto (S5), 5 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
162118$4,400494
XC90 AWD
Auto (S5), 5 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152017$4,700523
XC90 AWD
Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 2.9 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141916$5,000555
XC90 AWD
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131915$5,300592
  • XC90 FWD
    Auto (S5), 5 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    16 city · 21 hwy · $4,400/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • XC90 AWD
    Auto (S5), 5 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo
    15 city · 20 hwy · $4,700/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • XC90 AWD
    Auto (S4), 6 cyl, 2.9 L, Turbo
    14 city · 19 hwy · $5,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • XC90 AWD
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.4 L
    13 city · 19 hwy · $5,300/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Volvo XC90 as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 1559
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2005 XC90 questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Volvo XC90 have?

6 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2005 Volvo XC90 problems?

Owners filed 223 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (62), electrical system (51), engine and engine cooling (40). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Volvo XC90 get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Volvo XC90 at 15–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026