2004 Volvo XC90: check engine light

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 Apr 1, 2018 · Fuel system · 108,000 miles · GA

We smelled a gasoline odor and the "check engine" light came on so we took our volvo to a dealer to inspect. They said that there was a crack in the top of the fuel tank. I am the original owner and have taken meticulous care of this vehicle so that sounded very strange. The car only has 108,000 miles in 15 years. I now see where this model was recalled for fuel pump replacement several years ago but it was while I was out of the country for two years (2004-2006) on a project for my employer. I had my parents keep the car while I was gone and none of us received the notice about the recall. Shouldn't volvo still have to honor this recall since I was not aware of it at the time? According to your recall campaign 09v‑483 my car would have been included in the recall group, although my VIN number doesn't show up under the recalls now...could it be that the campaign is over so it doesn't show up now? Volvo customer care knew about this problem when I called them on friday but are hemming and hawing about doing anything about it. It seems a cracked fuel tank could catch fire.

Filed Sep 18, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 117,000 miles · MN

Exiting driveway in reverse, upon switching to drive the dashboard lights started flickering and a jerk was felt in the transmission. Soon the dashboard gauges and the indicators went dead. Several error messages quickly "scrolled" (brake failure, airbag failure, ABS failure, engine failure) then the check engine light came on and remained on. No power to dashboard controls (gauges dead, no lights/turn signals, no radio). Front windows work, but not rear. Vehicle drives as if in low gear. Unsafe to drive so had towed to dealer. They are running diagnostics so tbd on specific issue and cost to repair. Concerned as no recall and situation is so dangerous (what if I'd been on freeway!) volvo should recall all the 2004 xc90 as others report same defect

Filed Aug 12, 2015 · Electrical · 137,600 miles · CA

I was heading towards a supermarket on a expressway on a an afternoon where there was a clicking sound near the dashboard on drivers side. And then suddenly the dashboard lights started flickering and a jerk was felt in the transmission. Soon the dashboard gauges and the indicators went dead while driving and that too without any warning. There was several error messages that were popping up like brake failure, airbag failure, ABS failure, engine failure and then the check engine light came on. The power was totally cut off and the steering was very hard. It appeared as if the vehicle is in a low gear. Ibhad to take the next exit to come to a safe stop as no indicators were working. I tried to turn off the ignition and then tried to restart. The vehicle started but all the gauges on the dash were down. Had to push the gas pedal hard since the vehicle was behaving as if it was in low gear. Power windows, power steering, indicators, lights, gear shift indicator, audio was totally cut off. I called a local technician and to check the problem, but he could not find the fault. However he cleared the errors and check engine message. The vehicle was restored after almost 1 hour. Then I tried to return back to home. The next day, the same problem occurred, and it kept occurring several times. I heard several reviews from several customers about the same issue with 2004 xc90. And every issue is related to cem. The module costs $1200+ which is a very high cost. This situation is so dangerous while you are on freeways and may cause accidents. Volvo should recall all the 2004 xc90s and replace these modules and also compensate all the owners who have replaced their cems.

Filed Apr 28, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 143,000 miles · NC

My 2004 volvo xc90 with a 2.5t engine, 7 pass, intermittently and inadvertently stalls while driving it. It is scary because all electrical goes off, instrument panel, radio, lights, etc, several warning messages appears, such ABS, air bags failure, brake failure, engine failure, etc. It won't respond to acceleration and brakes are very hard to push, the engine does not stop. I have to stop, turn it off, wait few minutes, then start it, everything comes to normal again but with the check engine and the air bags message, then after some minutes of driving the same stalling and electrical issues happen again. This is serious because you are on freeway and you loose brakes and engine control, no information in instrument panel, etc. I found that the relays in the cem (control electronics module) are super hot possibly due to loose connections, in the video below you will see the problems and infrared pictures of the cem. Please help!!!!!! Please help!!!!!! Please help!!!!!! Please help!!!!!! Please see my youtube video and other videos with the same issue search for xc90 issues, xc90 stalling, xc90 electrical problems, etc. Https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwulb1sksie&feature=youtu.be thank you

Filed Jan 30, 2015 · Fuel system · 145,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volvo xc90. The contact stated that while in park, the contact noticed fuel vapors emitting from inside and outside the vehicle. In addition, the service engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was made aware of the federal safety agency campaign number: 09v483000 (fuel system, gasoline) but the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000.

Filed Jul 7, 2014 · Electrical · 18,000 miles · SC

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volvo xc90. The contact stated that after several attempts the vehicle failed to start. The contact mentioned that for a moment the entire instrument panel illuminated, but then the check engine light continued to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who diagnosed that the ce module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 18,000.

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 Jun 29, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 109 miles · CA

Driving on street and engine just died, no reason can think of, no engine light or message in text. Happened again 2-3 weeks (yesterday) while slowing down for street accident, lost all power, had to stop car without power steering or brakes, put in park and started again. No problem afterwards and drove home. Took to volvo dealer today where I regularly go and of course no reason found for two time failure. Luckily not driving on freeway or may have been rear-ended due to engine failure. Quite scared now to drive - when is it gonna happen again? 111,500 miles - has had new transmission 2 years ago and major service several months ago. Service manager has no idea, recommended throttle cleaning for $400+ dollars and not even sure that is close to problem.

Filed Jun 17, 2012 · Acceleration, Airbags · 122,500 miles · AZ

Driving from phx to tus at 75 mi out of phx at about 2200hrs. The car completely failed for fraction of a second then resumed normal operation until arriving at destination 10 mi. Later. The second time a week later was traveling to phx at 1800 hrs. 70mi out of tus. The car failed like the first time then a few seconds later did it again reached destination about 15mi. Later. When this happens the lights, radio, windows, dash light and gauges all stop working the mess. Comes on ABS,SRS. Its happened 5 or 6 times now with the worst being yesterday 16 june 2012 . I got off loop 202 and pulled in a parking lot and shut down the car and then attempted to restart 4 times before it restarted. The A/C,windows, lights, gauges,turn signals all failed. The mess. Abs, SRS, check engine came on. I drove about 5 mi to destination. I'm now scared to drive it if the SRS, ABS warning are on are they working? If in an accident will the passengers and driver be protected ?

Filed Jan 30, 2012 · Acceleration, Airbags · 68,000 miles · CA

While driving, the electronic panel all shut down and I got msg regarding brake failure and to stop safely. I was on left-most lane of highway and my signals and hazard lights would not turn on!!! Even my power window would not work so I couldn't open for me to make hand-signals. Lucky my father-in-law next to me had window open so I told him to make motions to surrounding cars for me to change lanes safely. When I was able to stop, I turned off car, turned on again and got SRS airbag urgent msg on panel. Since car started ok but with msg, I took side streets home but it shut off again 2 times. I did same thing (stop/restarted) and made it home. I had my in-laws with me and my 3 young kids when it first happened on 12/23/11. Because of holidays/vacation and since nearest dealer is 20 miles away (an hour drive with traffic) and service department only open on weekdays, we couldn't take to dealer right away. Since it was an airbag message, my husband not too concerned - he wasn't with me when it first happened so I don't think he realized the gravity. He used it few times and 2 wks later, it happened to him. This time when restarted, there was also check engine msg and noticed difficulty steering. He took to dealer, and both technician and manager could not diagnose problem! They just reset to remove the SRS msg and did a software update. We thought/hoped it was fixed but then yesterday the same thing happened (all shut down)! Last night we started checking on-line and found many similar complaints! We are devastated because we love/take care of this car, which we use primarily on weekends and trips. We thought it's safe for our family but now aren't comfortable that taking back to dealer will fix problem. I am very surprised there has been no recall. Something needs to be done because it's only a matter of time before there are fatalities.

Filed May 9, 2011 · Electrical, Lights · 110,000 miles · CA

Engine warning light alerted a "bulb failure". Replacement of the headlamp cartridge did not fix the problem. Since the incident happened, I noticed several other xc90 SUV's with same daylight lamp out on the driver side.