2004 Volvo XC90: windshield wiper failure

Filed May 19, 2021 · Seat belts, Steering · CA

Steering-linkages: tie rod assembly on certain passenger vehicles, the outer tie rod ball joint can deform at high loads causing a loss of the clamping force and the nut may loosen, which may eventually lead to a fatigue fracture of the outer tie rod ball joint. Consequences of defect: the driver may notice that hte vehicle is difficult to maneuver increasing the risk of a crash. Wheels: on certain SUV's the front wheel speed sensors may be defective. Causing an erroneous whill speed signal. Consequences of the defect: this can adversely affect a number of vehicle functions, including brake, engine, transmission, and torque distribution control which rely on this signal for proper operation. Visibilty: windshield wiper/washer on certain vehicles, if the wiper arm is activated in extreme winter weather conditions and without lifting the wiper arms and cleaning the windshield prior to moving, the wiper arm might slip on its drivershaft, resulting in an inability to move the wiper from the park posiiot from the park position. Consequences of defect: inoperative wipers under inclement weather conditions could cause a crash due to impaired visibility. Seats belts: rear on certain SUV's, the seat belt attachment for the second and third row seats may not have been fitted properly. Consequences of defect: in the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury. Corrective action: dealers will inspect and repair the defects free of charged. In my case, the manufacturer has declined to repair the defects even when the dealer has diagnosed my SUV with the power steering problem, plus the defects already mentioned. Therefore,the dealer will not repair free of charge. Number of vehicles affected: 122431 dates manufactured: feb 2003 to jun 2004

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 Nov 3, 2016 · Airbags, Brakes · 137,500 miles · PA

While driving any distance over 60 minutes the car warning comes on saying sudden loss of brakes, stop safely. Airbag check light comes on. Within a few seconds all the electronics shuts down; all dash, stereo, lights, wipers, windows and lack of power to engine but car stays running. This was almost a deadly crash while driving in pouring rain and there were cars everywhere. No way to signal or flashers, I honestly thought me and my family were gonna get in an accident. I have read other stories online so my question is, what is the cause of this? How do I fix it before some gets hurt or even worse killed!

Filed Feb 8, 2016 · Electrical · 84,500 miles · WA

After driving for at least an hour the vehicle suddenly shuts down for a split second. All gauges go out, loss of power briefly, wipers sometimes kick on and fog lights reset and shut off and there is a thump from the transmission. This happens mainly at freeway speeds but has happened a few times at 30 MPH and slower. Can happen several times on a 2.5 hour trip. Once it happens it can happen anytime. Doesn't do it on trips around town. Called volvo of north america and they denied any problems with the cem and said since it's an '04 with 85,000 miles that I'm out of warranty and they can offer no help.

Filed Jan 20, 2016 · Acceleration, Electrical · 160,000 miles · WA

I had this problem a few times a year ago and now it has returned. I was driving my car at night in the rain on a two lane freeway when all of a sudden I lost the headlights, dash lights, speedometer, radio, power windows, electric transmission, and much more function of the car. The engine is still running but it seems to almost reset or something then start shutting stuff down. I see on your website someone put this in as a complaint also this is very dangerous you cant see at night the car is hard to drive its obviously this same problem with water getting into the ECM. I read through your information and it seems like volvo knew something was up with ones produced before or after march. It seems like they have been well aware of the problem and still want to charge you $2000 to fix it! People shouldn't have to pay to fix a problem volvo has been well aware of and has had a cheap and easy solution for years. I called my local volvo dealers and not one of them had any information or knowledge of this problem. When volvo has a service notice about this problem and has obviously spent a lot of time looking into it. The problem seems to be really bad when it rains or I use the wipers further leading me to see that it is the same thing in investigation pe-10-025. These are only the people who are complaining to you this seems to be a very common issue that volvo is sweeping under the rug to make a buck. It's disgusting.

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 Aug 28, 2014 · Electrical · 104,000 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volvo xc90. While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled intermittently. The contact stated that the instrument panel and radio would shut off and the windshield wipers activated. Also, the ABS and anti skid traction control warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing, but was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 104,000. Updated 10/8/14*cn the consumer stated the manufacturer was notified and did not offer any assistance due to the vehicles age. Updated 3/23/15

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 12, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 76,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volvo xc90. While driving various speeds, the vehicle would stall and unknown warning indicators would illuminate. It took the contact numerous attempts to restart the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the windshield wipers activated independently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000.

Filed Jul 8, 2014 · Electrical · 86,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volvo xc 90. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the windshield wipers activated independently and the instrument panel went completely dark. The vehicle started making a clicking noise and stalled. The vehicle was merged to the side of the road and the battery was disconnected. The vehicle was restarted and resumed its normal operations. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 86,000 and the current mileage was 93,000. Updated 10/1/14

Filed Jun 18, 2014 · Airbags, Brakes · 90,000 miles · WA

While on the interstate at 60mph, experienced temporarily loss of power, the ip displays and an abnormal 'jerking' in the transmission/drivetrain. The SRS airbag and brake failure error messages appeared in the ip error display. The wipers momentarily came on. Lights dimmed. Power failure was only for a split-second (at 60mph) before returning to normal. After normal power was restored, error messages continued to be shown in the ip error display. The brake failure message instructed me to pull over and bring the vehicle to a safe stop. Upon bringing the vehicle to a safe stop and turning off ignition, I heard excessive electrical clicking under the dash (like relays clicking). All ip displays were non-responsive (dark). I locked the car (alarm armed) and later returned with a tow-truck. Upon return to the car, I was unable to unlock it or disarm the alarm. Car was unresponsive. Alarm was armed (unable to be disarmed) and the engine bypass feature of the alarm prevented me from starting the car. Could only gain entry into the car from the driver's side door with physical key. Car was placed in neutral and loaded onto a flatbed truck for tow back to volvo dealership. Temperature at time of failure was 110f.

Filed Sep 5, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 74,000 miles · OR

While driving at highway speeds, the vehicle experienced a complete systems failure of engine, lighting, wipers, interior lighting (dash), brake failure message and SRS airbag service warnings. This has begun to happen repeatedly. This problem appears to be the same that many other xc90 owners have been experiencing.