2005 Volvo XC90: check engine light

Filed Feb 17, 2018 · Transmission · 95,000 miles · TN

In december of 2016, at approximately 95000 mileage, the "service transmission urgent" message and light came on and the car stopped functioning and making loud clanging and rattling noises. The car was taken back to "infinity of memphis" dealership where it was purchased with an extended warranty. The dealership asked us to contact "volvo cars of north america" for defective transmission, which we did, but volvo refused to honor our claim stating the car was too old, even though it was under the 100000 mile warranty. The car was taken to "volvo of memphis" dealership, which contacted volvo manufacturer and infinity of memphis dealership, and informed us that the extended warranty would pay $5000 maximum towards a new transmission, cost of which was 8000$, and we would have to pay the rest out-of-pocket, about 3000$. The other option was to put a refurbished transmission at aamco for 3000$, cost of which would be covered by the extended warranty. We elected the latter, since there was no out-of-pocket cost. At this time, we were told the "check engine" light and other messages would be gone, once the car was fixed. However, the "check engine" light continues to remain on. Additional complaints were filed, but aamco, volvo of memphis and infinity of memphis claim it is unrelated to the transmission problem. A letter was sent to volvo cars of north america llc, attached below, but volvo refused to look into our problem saying the car was too old. I spoke with a volvo rep over the phone with no resolution. We would like for volvo to install a new transmission in our vehicle, as numerous forums and online sites have people complaining about defective volvo transmissions in these earlier models.

Filed Aug 30, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 178,417 miles · MD

My 2005 xc90 (odometer approx. 178,000 miles) throws check engine, reduced engine performance and engine service required dashboard warnings intermittently, despite the fact that it has a new cem and a second new throttle body in less than two months. It also issues a low beam headlight bulb failure warning, even when the bulb is lit, and the left turn blinker is sticky. Sometimes, the driver's seat and passenger side rear view mirror readjust simultaneously upon opening the driver's side door, with no key in the ignition and no one sitting in the seat. Recently while traveling on an expressway at 65 MPH, the car abruptly lost speed (a terrifying experience) and struggled to accelerate to 40 MPH. A few days later, it lost power in heavy city rush-hour traffic (also terrifying) as a red light turned green. It barely made it to 10 MPH and came close to causing a chain reaction crash with the cars behind it (also terrifying). Luckily I was able to steer into a nearby bank parking lot, turn it off and restart it. It drove normally but the warning lights remained. I have taken the vehicle to the volvo dealership multiple times, citing electrical system woes, which resulted in the two previously mentioned repairs. They identified a wiring short as the cause both times, yet act mystified as to why the problems have persisted despite those repairs. I reported the seat/mirror shifts and the ongoing low beam bulb failures to the service manager, who replied (without examining the car) that the bulb was either burnt out or loose in the socket, and that the seat shifting was simply the way the memory function works. I get the sense that volvo does know what's wrong with this vehicle, and they don't want to tell me. I am extremely disappointed and frustrated with the lack of answers, and am afraid to drive this car.

Filed Dec 8, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 113,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volvo xc90. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, a fuel odor emitted from the rear of the vehicle as the vehicle lost power and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact also mentioned that fuel was leaking from the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that after the vehicle was restarted, the fuel odor recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 113,000.

Filed Mar 9, 2015 · Engine, Fuel system · 98,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volvo xc90. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated. In addition, the vehicle jerked and stalled while driving. The vehicle was taken to a independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump injector needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 98,000.

Filed Jan 16, 2015 · Engine · 120,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volvo xc90. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle emitted an abnormal noise and stalled. In addition, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wire cem needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Nov 22, 2014 · Electrical, Fuel system · 115,000 miles · MA

Driving at approximately 40 MPH, the check engine and oil warning lights appeared. The car completely died while I was on the road. The steering wheel and brakes froze up and the speed decreased to barely nothing. I could get the car to just make it off the road safely because I could not turn the wheel or use the brakes well. Thought it was my oil so I was able to get someone to add oil to it while on side of busy road. Started car up fine and drove for 5 more days until it happened again. Got it towed to mechanic who changed the fuel pump. Other electrical problems arouse while mechanic had it so brought to volvo who says I need a new control electric module in my car.

Filed Jun 2, 2014 · Engine · 103,000 miles · VA

Good morning, I purchase a 2005 volvo xc90 from drive time on march 29, 2013, prior to purchasing this vehicle it was my dream automobile, on april 17, 2013 my check engine light came on, I was late for work because I went to drive time to find out where to take it since I did purchase the drive care package. I called the claim department and because of miles I travel daily the warranty mileage had expire, which was confusing because on the sale slip on the car it stated 30 day warranty, I was told to take it a volvo dealer for service, I took it to mooers volvo in richmond, va and the diagnostic test indicate there were misfire in the spark plugs ($500) later, they also stated they were the original plugs and needed to be changed and my drive care package didn't cover maintenance. Four days later the check engine light was back on, indicating the same problem (misfire in plugs 6 &8) again missing time from work to have this checked out because I don''t want to be broke down on the highway. This time they change the fuel filter and put a gas treatment in my car ($154) later, stating that it was something to do w/fuel tank. I have spent a little over $1000, in repairs and car rental and my car was two months old at that time. I got my car serviced on time and still my check engine is still on.I went to a shop recently because of the (a year later) check engine light is still on. They suggest I look up the recall safety because now one side b1 has a misfire reading. No one seems to know how to fix the problem and I travel an hour each way to work and would hate for something terrible to happen. I'm hoping you would guide me in the right direction to have my car repaired or who I need to direct my concerns to. Thank you in advance for any assistance.

Filed Sep 23, 2013 · Engine · 111,000 miles · CT

2005 volvo xc90 v8 - engine number 6163 - counter balance shaft failure due to engine design defect. No recall by volvo despite very high volume of incidents and the safety risk to drivers and passengers of their vehicles. No check engine lights. Volvo knows about this issue and chooses to ignore it, authorities are a aware of it and chose not to enforce safety standards on volvo- "volvo for life"...I think not.

Filed Aug 26, 2013 · Engine · 80,560 miles · CA

I own a 2005 v8 xc90. Like so many others I am a recent member to the cb failure club. Yep. It's a club. The counter balance shaft failure club. This is a design defect that volvo is aware of and does nothing to remedy the poor saps who own a 2005 with the first 6883 engines produced by yamaha for volvo. After 6883 volvo made changes to the design of the counter balance shaft, by drilling a weep hole to let moisture out. Unfortunately, my engine was in the 4000s. I live in southern california. About the driest climate you can get, but yet rust has destroyed my counter balance and thus destroyed my engine with only 80000 miles on it.btw, I have had my engine serviced regularly. But the counter balance shaft is something that can not be serviced without tearing the engine apart. It lies in the valley of the v8. In my case, and in all the other cases I am reading about, the bearings rusted and the shaft rusted and it tore apart my engine block. Had I been driving on a freeway with my children and lost power it could have been fatal. How is it that this design flaw which causes catastrophic engine failure can be allowed not to be recalled? In fact, thanks to a overcharged alternator, I had just put a new $1400 computer in the car. Yet, the computer never read check engine. Why? Because the computer is not monitoring the lubrication in a sealed bearing. And it is impossible without tearing the engine down for 10 hours (1200.00 in labor) to get to the counter balance shaft to see the condition of it. Please, for the sake of others who might be unfortunate enough to drive this car and find themselves on a freeway when the engine blows due to cheap rusted bearings -- issue a recall!!!

Filed Dec 31, 2012 · Fuel system · 131,244 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volvo xc90. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated that he took the vehicle to a mechanic for inspection where they advised that the fuel pump module needed to be replaced. The contact notified the dealer three times but they did not complete the repair. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 9/4/13

Filed Jan 28, 2012 · Engine · 86,000 miles · SC

2005 volvo xc90 v8 engine number 5569. Balance shaft failure. Or counter balance shaft failure. Due to engine defect. Balance shaft bearings in closed, non-lubricated area. Bearings rest in an area that retains moisture and the bearings eventually deteriorate and fail. When this happens there is catastrophic engine failure. There are approximately 7000 vehicles with this defect. The defect was realized after engine 6883. We are very lucky that the failure did not occur the previous day on our 200 mile interstate trip. Engine destruction at 75 MPH could have proved fatal. Loud popping and rattling from the engine was the only warning...no check engine light. Volvo is aware of this defect and has sent service memos to drill holes to allow water in this area to drain and prevent rusting of bearings. There are many documented cases on this site and other traffic safety sites. A recall needs to be issued!

Filed Jan 31, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 131,000 miles · VA

2005 xc90 v8-many problems with check engine light coming on and car losing power. Lost power on interstate-car would lose power and speed-needed tow-happened twice. Current issue check engine light came on followed by all lights coming on stating brake failure, power overload, limp mode and brake failure. Dealer replaced alternator at cost of $1006. 10 days later check engine light and anti skid light came on followed by brake failure light. Car lost headlights and windshield wipers-9 pm and sleeting. Dealer now says need to replace cem and battery at a cost of $3,000 due to water in cem. It was raining or sleeting both times the check engine light came on. Volvo redesigned the cover to prevent water intrusion but needs to issue recall. Very dangerous- ticking time bomb. Someone will have an accident on rainy night on interstate. Please consider requiring recall-owners of this vehicle are spending thousands of dollars due to volvo xc90 v8 design flaws. How can volvo be allowed to sell vehicles that should not be driven outside/or in the rain.