- 2004-'05 Volvo XC90 is being investigated for intermittent electronics defects.
- Affected components include headlights and turn signals.
- A recall has not yet been issued.
WASHINGTON — The U.S. government is looking into 21 consumer complaints about the 2004-'05 Volvo XC90 for intermittent electronics defects in components such as headlights and turn signals.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the complaints allege "intermittent malfunctions of various electrical system components such as the headlights, brake lights, turn signal lights, hazard lights, wipers and the instrumentation cluster lighting occurring at roadway and highway speeds."
In its defects investigations summary, NHTSA said: "Four complainants reference the loss of engine power along with the loss of lighting functions. Seven vehicles required towing assistance. Some complainants specifically indicate that when the Central Electronic Module was replaced, the repair corrected the problems. Loss of headlights, brake lights, turn signal, hazard signal functions and the loss of engine power increase the risk of a vehicle crash."
Such an investigation is sometimes the precursor to a recall.
"We are working with NHTSA to provide information for model year 2004-'05 XC90s as they have requested," said Volvo spokesman Dan Johnston on Wednesday in reply to an e-mailed query from Inside Line.
There are no crashes or injuries related to the investigation, according to NHTSA. The model years include an estimated 93,487 vehicles, the agency said.
Inside Line says: Be aware that the feds are looking into these complaints, but no action by consumers is needed at this point. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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xc901192 says:
08:52 AM, 12/06/2011
Exuse my language.. but this is BULLSH**. We have owned our xc90 used since 50,000 miles on it . PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM. There is more then several XC90s with this problem. Today for an example my computer was acting up .. i lost power to the rear wheels. As i was going up a hill my car front wheels started spinning out of control. I dont have the effort and time to write everything that has been going wrong with this car, but there is too many problems to list. SAFETY is an issue to myself and many xc90 owners out there.
safedrive says:
12:28 PM, 08/01/2011
Reading these comments, especially @snapjag, I could have wtitten them myself. Our family has also experienced this issues just a few months after purchasing this vehicle from an independent dealer. We agree, that these vehicles should not be on the road, period. They are a fatal accident waiting to happen. We also believe the pervious owners traded in this vehicle after experiencing this issue as they only owned it for about 3 months. We were the unfortunate ones who got "stuck" with this defective Volvo XC90. So far I am not at all impressed with Volvo and reading the forums and blogs about this issue and Volvos lack of responsibility makes me realize that for them "safety" is just a marketing message. Here is the complaint my husband registered with the NHTSA: MOVING ABOUT 70MPH IN CRUISE WE FELT A SEVERE JERK FOLLOWED BY NEAR INSTANTANEOUS HARD ACCELERATION. THE JERK/THUD ACTION SO EXTREME IT WAS ALMOST LIKE THE VOLVO TRIED TO REVERSE GEAR BY ITSELF. IT'S STRANGE HOW AN 'EVENT' CAN CONJURE UP COMMON THOUGHTS.AFTER THE UNCONTROLLED HARD ACCELERATION, I HAD THOUGHTS OF THAT STATE PATROL OFFICER DRIVING THE LEXUS IN CALIFORNIA WHO WAS KILLED ALONG WITH HIS FAMILY WHEN HE COULDN'T CONTROL THE BIZARRE BEHAVIOR OF THE CAR. TURNS OUT IT WAS THE SAME THOUGHTS MY BROTHER HAD. ? AS WE PULLED OVER AND CALL FOR HELP OUR VOLVO DID SOMETHING BIZARRE AGAIN. WE THOUGHT THE REAR WHEEL GOING BACKWARD AT THIS TIME, ALMOST AT THE SAME TIME MOST ALL THE POWER IN THE VOLVO WENT DEAD. O GAUGES INCL. SPEEDOMETER, THE TACK, THE GAS, THE BATTERY, ALL OUT. O THE WINDOWS STUCK IN THE UP POSITION. O NO TAILLIGHTS, NO BRAKE LIGHTS, NO DIRECTIONAL. O THE TRANSMISSION STUCK IN A GEAR - EITHER 4 OR 5TH. ? WHILE WAITING FOR HELP AT THE AUTO ZONE, I SEARCHED WHAT THIS ISSUE MIGHT BE. I FOUND A VOLVO FORUM THAT SHOWS MANY PEOPLE THAT HAD SIMILAR, DRAMATIC ISSUES WITH SAME YEAR SAME MODEL VOLVO. ? AFTER RE-CONNECTING THE BATTERY, THE POWER CAME BACK ON O ABOUT ½ HOUR LATER THE VOLVO REPEATED A VERY DRAMATIC THUMP-JERK AND THE POWER STARTED TO GO OUT. THE TACK AND SPEEDOMETER STARTED DROPPING - DASH LIGHTS DIMMED AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE POWER CAME BACK - LIGHTS BACK AND GAUGES POPPED BACK UP. O ONLY TO BE FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER THUMP ABOUT ONE MINUTE LATER AND THIS TIME THE POWER FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO ABOVE (NOT SURE ABOUT TAILLIGHTS AS I WAS MOVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOT ABOUT TO GET OUT AND CHECK.) O ON OUR NEXT TRIP EVEN AT THE REDUCED SPEEDS - 5 OR 6 TIMES HE VOLVO DID SOME BIZARRE JERK MANEUVER WITH 3 OF THE TIMES FOLLOWED BY POWER FAILURE. ? WE TALKED ABOUT OPTIONS AND WE AGREED THAT SELLING THIS VEHICLE TO SOMEONE AND POSSIBLY PUTTING ANOTHER FAMILY AT RISK. IT IS NOT THE RIGHT THING TO DO AND NOT A CHRISTIAN THING TO DO.
msc8210 says:
08:13 PM, 05/23/2011
Have there been any further investigations for this? This is rediculous as so many people are encountering this problem. The dealer can't be charging us a fortune for replacing this unit as it's the manufacturer's fault.
beersmack says:
08:18 AM, 10/09/2010
My situation mirrors your situation. I just bought my XC90 2 weeks ago from a private owner and I'm having the issue when I hit the gas.
Not cool. If you find a resolve, please post it.
snapjag says:
03:19 PM, 09/06/2010
This has been my exact issue since having purchased this vehicle recently. It is a used vehicle, 100K miles 2004. While over the last week of ownership, and in the works with the independent dealer, the Volvo dealership, and a few secondary mechanics to find and resolve this issue. I am confident that the car was possibly "traded-in" because of these issues. I, and I'm sure the independent dealer I purchased it from, couldn't, in good conscience put this vehicle back into the market for an unaware buyer, like myself.
Two separate instances have I had the situation where the engine will, for 1/2 a second, falter, and losing power. This happens sporadically, about 3-5 times, with the final result being that the engine stays on, but all the instrument panels fail, the transmission sticks in one gear, the current gear, and then I must travel "blind" until I reach my destination. Fortunately, I haven't had an accident.
My family has been with me, my wife is worried, she won't drive it, I will, to try and resolve the issue, as I am a professional computers systems architect who does systems analysis and design, testing, and architecture. In essence, it's my job to troubleshoot and find the answers to problems of any type in any industry. However, I lack specific automotive knowledge, the systematic troubleshooting is the same.
It first has appeared to be a batter, and possibly in combination with the alternator, now as I am reading in forums, it may be the CEM (Central Equipment Module). I have replaced the battery.
I will be visiting the Volvo dealership for an appointment under the fortunate advice and as a benefactor of the independent dealer I purchased the vehicle from, but it's a very big concern for us and our family to not say something, to not relay worry and alarm to others that this is happening. And especially, that there is no HELP and FEEDBACK and TAKING OWNERSHIP by Volvo.
I was advised by many to consider a Volvo and have always heard of great service and support, but until recently, may situations are surfacing that cause great concern and alarm.
I CAN'T in good conscience allow my wife and family to ride with my in this vehicle when the power cuts out on the freeway. I hope to find some help and resolution from the Volvo dealership, NHSTA (where I have filed a complaint), and any other that might be reading this.
I love the car, the safety history, the durability ... but my faith in the product is now wavering, it's not functioning as advertised and by public expectation. Where is the FIDUCIARY RESPONSIBILITY to the public for safety!? Apparently the cost to fix these kinds of issues is a great burden on the public and shouldn't be withheld.
This is an effort to reach out to the public voice, and petition for VOLVO and NHTSA to get involved. Where are you when consumers need you? Just because it's a few who speak out, what must be said to get one's attention; isn't there a recourse of action to support the community? The online forums are littered with people, who may have not come forward yet, but are in need of help. GOOGLE for "xc90 electrical engine power failure". You'll see well enough some horror stories.