2004 Volvo XC90: adaptive cruise control problems

Filed Jun 7, 2016 · Electrical, Lights · 130,000 miles · VA

2004 volvo xc90 sudden engine stall with lose of headlights: I was traveling on the interstate at night with the cruise set at 75 MPH when suddenly it was like someone turned the ignition key to off for about 3 seconds, and then turned the key back on without restarting the engine. With all the warning lamps illuminated, and the engine at a stall I pulled into the emergency lane, and stopped. I then shifted to park and attempted to start the vehicle, where it took several attempts to start. The headlights did not stop working while pulling over, and when I stopped I switched the lights off before I restarted the engine. The first thing at mind was a fuel pump that was starting to act up. After restarting I revved the engine up a few quick times (to clear the engines throat). I then got back on the interstate accelerating to 75 MPH , but doing so manually this time(no cruise control). About 10 min had passed when suddenly the engine started losing power as I was having to press the accelerator harder to maintain speed. While still coasting at 65 MPH or so I placed the transmission into neutral, and attempted to restart the engine, when I turned the key to the start position I lost all the lights, I quickly released the key to the on position, and the lights remained off. I quickly pulled to the emergency lane and used the force to avoid the guardrail and the ditch. All the warning light were illuminated, and the engine was at a stall. I then turned the ignition key off and then back on, and that restored the headlights. It took 5-8 attempts to restart the engine, and again I'm thinking fuel pump acting up. Each time I attempted to restart the engine it would spit and sputter like if the fuel pump were only delivering half the pressure needed for the fuel injectors. After the engine restarted I made it home, and the problem has not arisen since,

Filed Nov 20, 2015 · Acceleration, Electrical · 133,000 miles · WA

This report is about a hazardous situation with our 2004 xc90. The engine shut down without warning on the i5 freeway! The car suddenly lost power and we had to coast to the side in the dark. We were lucky to not get hit! The display showed the following error code: ECM-981a. We are aware of the fact that this problem is not new to the federal safety agency and that you have received several reports on it already. It appears that the problem has to do with the cruise control, and ever since the incident we have been driving the car without engaging it without any problems. The mileage on the car is 138,000 miles. The problem occurred when engaging the cruise control on an uphill slope. We speculate that it might be caused by engaging the cruise control at the same instant as the car shifts down automatically. I talked to a volvo service technician who aid that he had experienced the same problem with his own 2004 xc90 but he was unable to find what had caused it.

Filed Mar 19, 2013 · Brakes · 167,000 miles · PA

Driving approximately 55-60 MPH when having to make a quick braking stop the brake pedal was hard and the brakes eventually stopped the vehicle but, seemed to be without assistance from ABS. Also, after the veh is in cruise control and stepping on the brake to take out of cruise the pedal is hard.

Filed Sep 20, 2012 · Acceleration, Body · 90,000 miles · WA

The sunroof drain has a design flaw that can cause water to enter the passenger compartment and/or electrical systems. This can present simply as water on the floor boards. But it can also present in more subtle ways with water coming in contact with electrical systems and being drawn throughout the car through copper wires acting as conduit (this effects speaker quality, radio function, cruise control function etc). Most importantly, water can accumulate in the compartment under the front passenger seat that houses the dynamic stability traction control system putting safety at risk. We have experienced this with our xc90 but see many complaints regarding other volvo models. This is a significant safety concern but most concerning because of its subtle nature, slow progression, and prohibitive costs to repair. Many people are driving around with compromised systems and are not yet aware, unable to recognize the cause, or unable to fund the repair.

Filed May 31, 2011 · Electrical · 124,500 miles · WA

2004 xc-90 awd: for over two years the vehicle has been experiencing the same issue which appears to be an electrical problem. The vehicle will suddenly seem to stall or "hiccup" while driving. This occurs at any speed but it is most prevalent at highway speeds. It normally happens at speeds of 65mph or higher. The windshield wipers will engage for one sweep (they will be selected ?off?), the radio (if on) will turn off and on again, the gauges on the panel will go dead and then come to life. The most unsafe thing is a loud ?thump? That occurs in the front of the vehicle. It feels like someone has suddenly slammed on the brakes and then released them. This all happens in a matter of seconds. The engine does not stop during this sequence and the brakes appear to keep working. This has occurred with and without the cruise control engaged. There are no warnings, lights, or caution messages associated with this during or after it occurs. None of the dealerships we've taken it to have discovered the cause. I recently discovered a the federal safety agency investigation that was completed in november 11, 2010 on 20 cases involving similar issues with 2004 xc-90s. The investigation number is pe10-025. It appears the problem may be electrical but neither I nor the dealerships can narrow it down. The vehicle has approximately 125k miles on it. I have been the only owner of the vehicle and all required maintenance has been kept up to date with volvo dealerships in wichita, ks, stockton, ca and now tacoma, wa. Most recently this occurred three times during a day trip which covered approximately 288 miles.

Filed Dec 24, 2010 · Electrical · 115,089 miles · VA

During long durations(>4hrs) of driving my 2004 volvo xc90, it seems to have electrical problems that have caused me and the passengers to be put into dangerous situations. For example, driving on a long trip with the cruise control enabled and trying to accelerate up a hill and suddenly the car will go into an engine protection mode and reduce power to the extent that I can't accelerate and have to pull over on the side of the road--(boost control module has been replaced and the engine control module has been replaced.) as long as I don't use the cruise control this will not occur. Also, there was a software update in 2009. Next, after trying to accelerate up a hill, there seems to be intermittent reduction in engine power, not allowing the car to accelerate. After trying to accelerate the "check engine" light has appeared and will not go off (waiting to have this problem diagnosed)...