2004 Volvo XC90: engine failure

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 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 6, 2011 · Engine · 42,000 miles · CA

Early catastrophic engine failure. We bought this car new in 2004. Last year, at approx 35,000 miles, we had to replace the head gasket ($5000). Today I was told by our volvo service center that the engine was blown and we needed a new one. ($12,500) this car has always been gently driven, has extremely low mileage yet has demonstrated that it's engine is a lemon.

Filed Dec 14, 2010 · Engine, Transmission · 104,000 miles · IL

A rubbing noise began in late september. I had an inspection and diagnostic at the dealership on september 23rd. They told me the front bearings and the lower engine mount pad should be replaced. The next day, while I was driving, the transmission seized. The car was towed and the dealership said they had to replace the transmission and entire coolant system. Their diagnostic specialist was unable to detect such a catastrophic failure the day before it happened. Who knows what would have happened if I was on the highway. Volvo acknowledged the problem but only paid for half of the parts and labor. I still had to come out of pocket $3000+.

Filed Sep 11, 2010 · Electrical · 94,500 miles · NH

My 2004 volvo xc90 sef has been experiencing intermittent engine failures/power shortages for the past several months. After driving for approximately 1 hour, often at highway speeds, the car will make a large sound and intermittently jerk, and simultaneously the gauges go down, exterior lights go out, interior lights may go on, radio shuts off, wipers cycle once, air/heat goes off. This lasts approximately one second, however, at times the interior lights will not shut off until the car is restarted. Once the problem begins, it happens intermittently (5+ times) until the car is shut off and not used for a period of time.

Filed Nov 5, 2009 · Engine · 85,000 miles · PA

Engine failure. Symptoms started with starting difficulty. Replacement of RPM and cam sensors followed. Symptoms continued with trouble shooting leading to discovery of damage to flywheel and bell housing. Crankshaft out of spec for front to back movement. Dealer recommendation to replace engine. Dealer believes most likely cause related to thrust bearing failure. Engine and car always maintained to manufacturer's recommended schedules. Car is out of warranty. Although no claim of owner failure, volvo refuses to stand behind product or assist in any way with major product failure.

Filed Jan 16, 2009 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · VA

I have a 2004 volvo xc90 t6 awd SUV that I purchased from a volvo dealer. While on a cross country trip the transmission seized and had to be replace. The vehicle was still under warranty (lucky), but the mechanic told me that this model and year had a engineering flaw and he had seen a number of these with this same problem. The flaw, the turbo engine puts too much torque on the 4 speed gm tranny in the car. I asked if volvo had a recall on this issue and he said no. This first tranny went out at 60,000. At 66, 000 miles the second tranny went out. When I asked why this one went out, he explained that they do not know b/c when it is under warranty, volvo tells the dealerships to just replace it and then send it to them and they will try and diagnosis the problem. I have been told that since gm does not make the transmission any longer they have to put a rebuilt into it. I have done some research on this issue and there seems to be 100's of xc 90 owners with the same problem. I have contacted volvo customer service and they have been nice but not very willing to address this issue and I don't have very much confidence in this recent tranny. I was lucky when the first one went out, b/c I was not drive at 70 MPH when it seized, I was just getting back on the hwy. The second one went out also at a slow speed. I searched through your site and did not find any mention of this issue so I thought I would post with you and see what happened. If you need further details please let me know. Thanks

Filed Jul 21, 2008 · Transmission · 70,000 miles · CT

Vehicle unable to shift properly, computer reading "transmission urgent service" locks in third gear in "limp mode". Vehicle caused very near fatal accident when stopped on a hill and after initially moving out into traffic, seized to operate. Towed to dealer, dealer first flushed out transmission at $240.00, then without road testing, suggested we try again. Vehicle failed once again while in the dealership parking lot and was told the transmission needed to be replaced, $6,000 later.

Filed Apr 14, 2008 · Transmission · 59,000 miles · FL

Grinding noise in drive train rf wheel bearing seized , replaced for 257.50 labor charge. Vehicle is making noise again now.

Filed Jun 28, 2005 · Engine · NY

Thank you letter regarding volvo's response to consumer problem.***no answer required***. *mr the vehicle's engine failed at only 10500 miles due to sludge in the engine. The manufacturer claimed that the vehicle was improperly maintained although the consumer provided them with service receipts.