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.
Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
2006 Volvo XC90Recalls, problems, MPG & safety
NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 53 owner complaints for the 2006 Volvo XC90. Most complaints involve electrical system (16) and tires (9). The EPA rates it 15–18 mpg combined.
Combined MPG
15–18mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Nov 2010
Owner complaints
53
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$4,400est.
EPA estimate, best version
Safety recalls
3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN
Steering: tie rod assembly
Free remedy
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.
Visibility: windshield wiper
Free remedy
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.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
Owner complaints by component
53 complaints filed with NHTSA · May 2006 – Mar 2026
- Electrical system16
- Tires9
- Engine6
- Exterior lighting4
- Suspension3
- Fuel system, gasoline3
- Structure3
- Wheels3
- Power train3
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 year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 96 |
| 2004 | 462 |
| 2005 | 223 |
| 2006 | 53 |
| 2007 | 38 |
| 2008 | 29 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 12 |
| 2011 | 19 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2013 | 11 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2016 | 197 |
| 2017 | 81 |
| 2018 | 52 |
| 2019 | 42 |
| 2020 | 34 |
| 2021 | 17 |
- Crashes reported
- 4
- Fires reported
- 4
- Injuries reported
- 3
- Deaths reported
- 0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
What owners report most
Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component
Electrical system
16 reports1 fire
“Vehicle is slightly off-balance no matter if I do an alignment ball joints seem to always get affected. I’m not sure if the hydraulics are working correctly. Yesterday I just started leaking antifreeze fluid.”
Tires
9 reports
“WE OWN A 2006 VOLVO XC90. IT CAME WITH PIRELLI TIRES WHICH LASTED LESS THAN 17,000 MILES. TIRES WERE REPLACED, PARTLY BY VOLVO, BUT LASTED ONLY 20,000 MILES. SO, TWO COMPLETE SETS OF TIRES AND THE CAR HAS ONLY 37,000 MILES. I HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO REPLACE THEM. *TR”
Engine
6 reports1 fire
“This has happened multiple times on the highway going 60 mph. And at slow speeds, last time on an entrance ramp onto the highway. The vehicle will shut off, as if the key has been turned off. But it hasn't been touched. Steering becomes difficult and I have to try and get off the road. Once I get pulled over and put it in park, it will start and run normally for a time. It most often happens when i turn to the right fairly tight. But not exclusively. Today after driving it approximately 120 miles with one shut off, my check engine light came on and it was difficult to get started again. This is absolutely a Hazzard to others and myself”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 28, 2026
Engines, transmissions & drive
3 versions rated by the EPA
- EPA class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Engines
- 2.5L 5-cyl turbo · 4.4L 8-cyl
- Transmissions
- Automatic (S5) · 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
EPA fuel economy by version
City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| XC90 FWD Auto (S5), 5 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 18 | $4,400 | 494 |
| XC90 AWD Auto (S5), 5 cyl, 2.5 L, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | $4,700 | 523 |
| XC90 AWD Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.4 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 | 19 | 15 | $5,300 | 592 |
- 18mpg comb.
- 17mpg comb.
- 15mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 28, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Volvo XC90 as of Oct 28, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 28, 2026Vehicle 1815
Maintenance basics
General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat 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.
2006 XC90 questions
How many recalls does the 2006 Volvo XC90 have?
3 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 2006 Volvo XC90 problems?
Owners filed 53 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (16), tires (9), engine (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
What MPG does the 2006 Volvo XC90 get?
The EPA rates the 2006 Volvo XC90 at 15–18 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).
Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 28, 2026