2004 Volvo XC90: wrong fuel gauge reading

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 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 Jul 14, 2010 · Airbags · 60,731 miles · NY

At about 60,000 miles while the vehicle, a 2004 volvo xc 90 t6 was in operation at 55 MPH the power to the dash and all accessories went dead. The horn, the blinkers, the speedometer (radio, power windows etc.) all failed to work even as the car was in operation and was being driven on the highway. Later upon restart there was an error code in the dash, in the icm I believe they call it (infotainment control module), saying urgent SRS (supplemental support system- aka side airbags) service urgent ?or something to that effect. The dealer used their proprietary reader to decipher the error codes and we were told that the dim, or driver information module for the SRS system had gone bad, it had a short. They said if we did not replace it they said that the short could override communication of the other modules and electronics on that same circuit and we might lose other controls including possibly an unexpected engine shutdown or other operational abilities. $ 1532.00 later, and less than two days after we had the SUV repaired, we had a repeat of the complete dash power failure. This time we were too worried to turn the car off and instead drove directly to the dealer without a speedometer, horn, gas gauge or turn signals. We checked and the wipers remained operational. Upon restart at the dealership the same error message appears- SRS service urgent. But this time the dealer reads the diagnostic error codes and tells us that it is likely a cem, or central electronic module- (about $1200.00 + tax) but they add it might be the dem or differential electronic module. It seems ludicrous that necessary electronic controls would not have protection from cross failures, and that a bad dim or cem would place the operators and passengers at risk by knocking out other controls. Of course I am wondering how to determine if the dealer is right this time and even more concerned about experiencing another blackout.

Filed Jul 2, 2010 · Electrical · 45,000 miles · IL

I own a 2004 volvo xc-90. I have owned the car since april 2004. Approximately seven months ago, I started experiencing intermittent electrical problems (radio and navigation display disappearing, engine service alerts, etc). Since the initial problems with the radio, the problems have progressed to the point of complete electrical failures while driving on the highway at speeds of over 55mph. These incidents involved a complete shut down of the gauges (tachometer, speedometer, fuel gauge, as well as audio system). I have learned from online searches (specifically, www.aboutautomobile.com/complaint/2004/volvo/xc90/electrical+system) that these incidents are being experienced by many other volvo xc-90 owners. Such incidents have caused many owners to take the car to their volvo service department only to be told, as I was that determining the problem would be costly and that there have been not other complaints or recalls by volvo. The problems I am experiencing are now ongoing whether I am in town or on the highway. It was with an initial expenditure of nearly $400 and an expected upcoming expenditure of $1200. The latter amount is the price for labor and parts to replace the cem board. I told my mechanic of the findings from my online search and had to request the replacement of this part. The problems I am experiencing are not only dangerous at high speeds but I have found that I am now having problems with the latch that unlocks the hatchback trunk and access to the gas tank. My car has less than 50,000 miles and required service has been done at the same dealership since my purchase of the vehicle. I have talked with volvo customer service and they have not yet issued a recall. I have not found any records of deaths or injuries being caused by the electrical failures, but if the situations encountered by other owners are like mine it is only a matter of time. The vehicle literally can cause a slowdown and impair the ability of the driver to avoid accidents.

Filed Mar 1, 2010 · Airbags, Driver assistance · 46,000 miles · NY

My 2004 volvo xc90 has experience a sudden electrical failure. While driving in city conditions all internal electronics including speed & fuel gauges, turn light indicators, audio system, air circulation and supplemental restraint system have turned off while the engine continued to operate. This made the car impossible to drive as no feedback on speed or ability to indicate a turn or a stop was possible. This occurred suddenly and without any warning. I was unable to fix this by restarting the car. According to basic research, this is a common issue with volvo cars made circa 2003-4 and involve a defective cem (car electronics module). In other incidents engines have also shut down unexpectedly and brakes became inoperable. This is a serious safety issue that needs to be addressed.

Filed Jun 29, 2006 · Electrical · 45,000 miles · TX

My 2004 xc90 awd began experiencing odd electrical problems this spring at about 45000 miles. While driving at cruising speed, the vehicle would suddenly and without warning experience a hard jerk followed by activation of the windshield wipers and loss of power to the radio. First time, the dealer could not replicate the problem but downloaded electrical software updates. Same thing second time and back to dealer, again could not replicate, and they downloaded transmission updates focusing more on the jerking issue. Third time it happened, I continued to drive the car to the dealer so they could see what I was experiencing. On the way there, I had complete loss of electrical power: no power to speedometer, to gas gauge, to windows, to air conditioning, radio, etc. Also had less than full power to drive with. The dealer again downloaded electrical software updates and gave me the vehicle back. Same problem for 4th time this friday and they tell me they have put new computer into car. Fortunately there have not been any deaths or crashes, but this defect causes a serious safety problem without any warning.