2004 Volvo XC90: multiple warning lights

Filed May 7, 2018 · Driver assistance · 144,000 miles · CT

While driving, random massive electrical failure which shuts off all lights, gauges and accessories. Performance returns and then goes out again. Inevitably, car loses acceleration, brakes and steering. Check engine light comes on and car goes into "limp home" mode. Volvo dealership claims they can't find anything wrong. My research indicates that problems of this nature were uncovered as far back as 2004 and have been consistently report to volvo. However, no solution has been publicized.

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 Oct 11, 2015 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 140,000 miles · VA

While driving at any speed the vehicles electrical system completely shuts down with out warning as if the vehicle was off. The engine stays running with very minimal power. This happened to me at night while driving on the highway, it was raining and all the lights, wipers, every electrical part just shut off, I am lucky I did not crash. After researching I that a lot of owners have the same problems and that volvo is aware of the dangerous problem but does nothing about it.

Filed May 14, 2015 · Electrical, Fuel system · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volvo xc90. While in park, the contact heard a noise. All the warning lights on the instrument panel failed to illuminate and the vehicle stalled. In addition, the contact stated that the odometer displayed an incorrect reading and there was a fuel odor in the vehicle. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was towed back to the independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to another independent mechanic who diagnosed that the central electronic module and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Filed Aug 18, 2014 · Electrical, Lights · 104,500 miles · WV

2004 volvo xc90 2.5t ...driving at about 65 MPH with no warning aloud thump noise, windshield wiper comes on radio goes off dash lights go off, last for a sec. Then resumes to normal . This has happened several times now, while I have only owned this vehicle for a month. Today it happens again only worse ..after the initial thump and jerk it happens three more within 5 miles the last time I was going about 35 MPH, big thump and jerk, wipers comes on , radio goes off , all dash lights off ..no hazards available and I get several warnings on dash brake failure , SRS failure and anti skid failure. .I turn car off then back on and continue home...it happens again 5 minutes later at 15 MPH....I am reading many, many complaints like mine. This issue needs to be addressed asap. .I almost was rear ended twice. Volvo needs to take responsibility.

Filed Aug 4, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 155,000 miles · WA · crash

3 hours into a 3-1/2 hour weekend road trip there was a clunk in the engine compartment. Thinking I hit a pothole, I continued on cautiously. While continuing on these unfamiliar 2 lane windy roads going 43mph (the speed limit was 55) about 2 miles from where the clunk happened my entire dash cluster stopped working. All my dome lights and leg lights came on. The car clunked harder this time. I lost power to the engine, steering was like trying to turn a tank, and the brakes were very spongy. Still traveling on windy roads with large semi trucks behind me and cars passing by in the opposite lane I veered to the right to avoid being rear ended by a semi. Not being able to steer or stop as efficiently as before I coasted into a residents 2-3 man rock landscape traveling at about 5mph. I dented my front license plate and scratched the bumper. With my heart pounding, I turned the car off and got out to see the damage. I went to the residents home and told them my story. They were thankful my fianc and I were okay. Since I hit rock there was no damage done to their landscape. After 20 minutes I started the car. It was hesitant to start. The brake failure light was on for a few seconds then the SRS service warning light came on and stayed on. For the remainder of the weekend trip the car would lurch like the tranny was slipping. Especially after taking off from a stop light. It still clunks once in awhile but we only drive it around town. It's currently at a certified volvo specialist being serviced. This morning all lights stopped working and I couldn't get it out of the garage. The key stuck in the ignition. In conclusion, this mishap could have resulted in a serious injury or fatality. If every car of this make and model is doing this, they need to be recalled and repaired!

Filed Jul 15, 2014 · Electrical · 130,000 miles · NY

While going up a hill about 45 mile per hour the lights on my dash as well as the radio turned off. I pulled over turned the car off and back on all the lights returned however my gas gauge no longer works as well as unlocking back doors and door to gas tank. There are many complaints about this part I don't see why there are no recalls this is very unsafe I could've easily crashed due to loss of power breaks and the car not making it up the hill.

Filed Dec 28, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 144,010 miles · IL

Last night my 2004 volvo xc90 left me on the side of the road interstate 88 near rock falls, il weather 7:00 pm 28 humidity: 73% wind: nne dew point: 22 pressure: 30.16 in bone dry while driving 65mph felt a "thump" in the front end, followed by a split second where all dashboard lights, went black. While trying to push the gas pedal the car would not accelerate. Then normal function resumed. A minute or two later, same thing and all lights internally completely went out, I pulled over immediately and turned the car off. Hazard lights could not be turned on. After calling for a tow truck, and waiting about 45 minutes I restarted it. There were 2 messages on the dash, the yellow exclamation point dashboard icon/alert lit up, a service message flashed referring to the anti-lock brake failure, the SRS needed urgent attention. I purchased this vehicle in early november 2012 I called the closest volvo dealership and was told there were no open recalls and they had to have the vehicle for diagnosis because of the different symptoms I reported not a single mention of the federal safety agency defect investigations for the 2004 volvo xc90 that seems specifically related to my symptoms experienced. From: erica henry [mailto:[xxx]] sent: friday, december 28, 2012 11:55 am to:[xxx] subject: re: service request - yes I would like to make an appointment for jan 10th. There are no open recalls on your vehicle. Because of the different symptoms that you experienced, we really need to have the car here to perform a diagnosis. There should have been some trouble codes stored in the system, and those will help my technician further diagnose the problem. If you'd like to schedule still please let me know. [xxx], service advisor -[xxx]world auto direct line 815‑991‑2770 information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Oct 23, 2012 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 88,013 miles · FL

While driving between 65 and 70 miles on a major interstate my 2004 volvo xc 90 has a severe "thump" in the front end, which is then followed by a very brief (split second) internal (meaning all dashboard lights, hi-fi, dome lights, radio air condition, oil gage, fuel gage clock ) power failure. While trying to push the gas the car would not accelerate. At first I hit something on the highway. A minute or two later the "thump" was harder and the lights internally completely went out, hazard lights could not be turned on, blinkers could not be switched on, hi-fi went out, the door locks would not work, the windshield wipers would not cut on or the electric windows. I pulled over immediately and turned the car off, waited 10 minutes and restarted it. There were 3 messages on the dash, the yellow exclamation point dashboard icon/alert lit up, a service message flashed referring to the anti-lock brake failure, the SRS needed to be checked, and check engine. The next day I took it to a volvo dealership, they couldn't diagnose the problem. They assured me that the car was ok to drive. Four days later the problem starts again. So after doing a little research I find out that this is a common occurrence on the volvo xc 90 and there was an investigation on this same issue in november 2010 in which volvo is fully aware of and "acknowledges 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, the device that controls many of the vehicles electrical functions including wiper operation, lighting, and transmission operation. If the water reaches the central electronic module connector electrical faults may result." this is a $1200.00 repair which volvo should pay.

Filed Oct 7, 2012 · Brakes, Electrical · 104,789 miles · CA

My wife and I were driving to a friend's how's when suddenly the radio started acting up ,it would go on and off . After we noticed that I slowed down a bit then all of a sudden my hole dash board went out . I tried pulling over but the transmission would not respond ,then the dashboard came back on but I had all these warnings like brake failure ,SRS airbag service urgent , engine system service urgent . After all the happens the truck died ,luckily I was able to get off the road before other cars hit us .after a couple a minutes I tried turning it on and it came back on but I still had the warning lights on but the truck was running fine ,after we gotto our friends house I turned it off and left it their because I felt it wasn't safe to drive , the next morning I went over to pick up the truck , turned it on and all the lights were of and it ran fine . I looked itup online and it seems I'm not the only one who's had this problem ,it seems its happened a lot but volvo doesn't want to do anything about it . I like my volvo but I am also concerned about how safe it really is.

Filed Jun 19, 2011 · Electrical · 80,000 miles · NY

I was driving my 2004 xc90 on the highway when suddenly all the lights in the dashboard went out. The car slowed down. Everything electrical in the car stopped working. I could still start the car however. But acceleration wasn't the same, the car crawled. Took the car to the volvo dealership who say this is a cem problem. A computer defect the car is barely 7 years old and this is apparently a problem with many other xc90 owners and a real safety issue. And to replace this cemchip is 1400 dollars. Lease look into this matter.

Filed Jun 7, 2011 · Electrical · 80,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volvo xc90. The contact stated that when driving the vehicle for more than one hour, the vehicle would exhibit electrical failures. The instrument panel would fail and when the vehicle was turned off and then restarted, there were several warning lights illuminated sporadically. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the vehicle would need a software upgrade. The contact stated that the upgrade temporarily corrected the problem, but the failure recurred when the weather became warmer. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 91,000.