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2004 Volvo XC90 electrical problems

158 complaints (34% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 94,500. 3 crashes reported.

owner complaints
158
of this car's complaints
34%
typical mileage
94,500
crashes
3
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Ignition
    4
  • Wiring: front underhood
    1
  • Software
    1
  • Ignition: switch
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Volvo XC90 electrical problems in other years

2003200520202025

Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Volvo XC90 electrical

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Warning lights 19

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Related investigations

Central Electronic Module FailureOpened July 20, 2010, closed November 22, 2010

Volvo acknowledged a problem affecting some subject vehicles involving water seepage into the plenum box area in the engine compartment.When this occurs water may enter into the interior / passenger compartment and track along the wiring harness for the Central Electronic Module (CEM), the device that controls many of the vehicle's electrical functions including wiper operation, lighting, and transmission operation.If the water reaches the CEM connector electrical faults may result.In response to such faults the CEM, a microprocessor controlled device, will attempt to reset by temporarily shutting down (for 100 milliseconds, or 0.1 seconds) and restarting; this effects various CEM functions including the instrument panel (IP) display, gauges, wipers and also the transmission gear (if it is in the overdrive range).During the reset owners may experience temporarily loss of the IP displays and an abnormal 'jerking' in the transmission/drivetrain.If the problem persist for 6 consecutive restart attempts, the CEM will enter a 'Limp Home' mode that disables non-essential electrical functions yet maintain safety critical functions such as low-beam headlights, low-speed wiper operation, brake lights, and non-overdrive transmission operation.Warning and error messages will also be illuminated in the IP display.Consumers reported experiencing conditions consistent with CEM resetting and the limp mode operation in their reports to both ODI and Volvo.No reports or allegations of crash or injury associated with possible CEM failures have been reported by Volvo or otherwise identified by ODI.Volvo revised the design of the wiring grommet (sealing device) and the plenum cover starting in May 2005 and October 2005 production dates respectively, the occurrence of the condition effectively ended after these changes.A technical service bulletin (TNN 37-35) has been published to diagnose and repair earlier production vehicles using the improved wiring grommet and/or new plenum cover.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

PE10025

What 2004 Volvo XC90 owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Mar 9, 2025 · Electrical · CA

Instrument panel shuts down while driving on street. I believe it is the central electronic module that fails. It has happened numerous times and it is unsafe to drive without a speedometer, tachometer, odometer fuel gauge, and temperature gauge. It has now stopped altogether. Gauges just sit there and bounce

Filed Nov 22, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · NV

Unsure of what the issue is with the vehicle but smells like gas in my garage and I found a recall I was never notified about I moved from Washington to Las Vegas and never received any info regarding the fuel pump recall as well as a noise that’s been going on for a year now when I drive at 60 miles an hour I’ve had it looked at and no one seems to know what that issue is

Filed Mar 17, 2023 · Electrical · CA

Unknown..but water accumulated under the passenger seat under the amp and electrical components after a storm or rainy day.and its a lot of water when I brake i can hear a water fall..and water rushing and moving along the bottom. Of the car as I am steering im worried that the wiring and electrical will be damaged by water exposure the battery always dies wires soaked and sitting in water underneath passenger and never can completely get the moisture smell out of front seat area..mildew..why is this water leaking or not draining correctly ??

Filed Jun 1, 2022 · Electrical · NJ

On May 26, 2022, I was stuck in traffic for four hours, and the car's CEM (central electronic module) overheated causing the dashboard to shut down three times, meaning I lost all instrument readings. After each time the dashboard shut down, I had to pull over and reset fuse #27 to have the dashboard come back online temporarily. Because the CEM was already overheated due to its design flaw with improper ventilation, the dashboard would shut down again and again. A Google search would show this is a very common issue for 2004 Volvo models and before. Driving without any instrument readings is totally unsafe. I strongly urge you to force Volvo to issue a recall for 2004 and before models and fix the CEM overheating problem.

Filed Nov 12, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · NH

While driving on the highway "SRS urgent" text came on, also hear clicking sounds under dash on driver side, then dashboard indicator lights completely disappear (speed, fuel, temperature, etc) . Extremely hot under driver side dash. Fortunately, still able to steer and brake. This has happened twice now. Mechanic believes most likely CEM failure or DIM failure. My vehicle also has a wet A-pillar fabric (Volvo forums indicate possible cause of failure). I removed drivers A-pillar and found a clogged drain tube from the sunroof. However, did not notice any obvious signs of water inside the vehicle, though it hasnt rained for over a month when this happened.

Filed Jun 22, 2021 · Airbags, Electrical · CO

is been stolen

Filed Dec 5, 2019 · Airbags, Electrical · 116,000 miles · SC

While I'm motion the SRS airbag light came on transmission urgent light came on and ABS light the battery keeps bubbling like its gone blow up in my trunk I have to jump it off every morning I paid alot for this SUV can you please help me keep my only car in working order I have had all maintains done in past now the coolant system is leaking what is going on with this volvo xc90 t6 awd [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'

Filed Jul 2, 2018 · Electrical, Lights · 168,000 miles · IA

Similar to many others, while driving our 2004 volvo xc90, we hear a click, then the climate, radio and windshield wipers (if on) shut off and their display lights black out, then another click in a fraction of a second and they come back on. This was happening randomly, and nothing else was affected, until this weekend, while on a trip. We were driving on highways, outside temp in the 80's, no rain, average speed about 70mph. It happened a few times over about 45 minutes, then began happening every 5 miles or so. When I turned up the AC fan, within about a minute it clicked and we lost the usual things, but they did not come back on. Then we heard another click and lost all dashboard lighting and controls; we could not see the instrument panel, the climate control was blowing hot air and could not be shut off or turned down, and we had no idea what speed we were going as it was nighttime. Extremely frightening and dangerous. We made it to the first exit that had a gas station and stopped. The car was very hard to accelerate when we got off at the exit as well. I was able to open the windows but when I opened the moon roof, it stopped half way and then would not close or open. We were stranded for hours awaiting a family member to come get us and then hours longer waiting for the vehicle to be towed. Our mechanic researched this and encouraged me to report, as he said there seem to be hundreds of reports of similar things happening with this year, make and model vehicle.

Filed Dec 21, 2017 · Airbags, Electrical · 78,000 miles · NY

Tl-contact owns a 2004 volvo xc90 ---- contact called volvo dealer in white plains ny... Contact stated airbag light came on while driving and was on for a month.... Vehicle stalled going 50mph ... Power steering went out on main highway vehicle lost power and shut off.... Vehicle restarts and then shuts off again after going a couple miles...spoke with mechanic at dealership who stated that airbags are recalled....mechanic by the name of anthony.... Told contact that airbag light being on was not a big deal....that airbag was faulty so it would not deploy in accident........ 0 recalls associated with this VIN.. Cb

Filed Sep 4, 2017 · Driver assistance, Electrical · CA

Hi, when driving my car up any slight little hill, I have no power and it doesn't seem to want to drive. It's very frustrating!! I have read there are recalls in the fuel pumps and also other recalls with the model volvo xc90. I hope they can repair it and pay for it!!

Questions about the 2004 Volvo XC90 electrical

Does the 2004 Volvo XC90 have electrical problems?

Owners have filed 158 complaints about the electrical of the 2004 Volvo XC90, 34% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2004 Volvo XC90 electrical problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 94,500 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Volvo XC90 electrical?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Volvo XC90 have the most electrical problems?

The Volvo XC90 model years with the most electrical complaints are 2004 (158 complaints), 2016 (56 complaints) and 2005 (51 complaints).

Is there a class action lawsuit over the Volvo XC90?

Yes. New class action says Volvo's Google-based infotainment screens freeze and take climate and rearview camera with them (November 9, 2026).

Other 2004 Volvo XC90 problems

Transmission 145Fuel system 77Engine 52Lights 33Airbags 31Suspension 23Steering 20Brakes 19Acceleration 17Body 14Driver assistance 12Wheels 10Seat belts 6Tires 6Visibility 6Locks 4Seats 2

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