2005 Volvo XC90: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Feb 1, 2019 · Electrical, Transmission · 14,042 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volvo xc90. Ever since the vehicle was purchased in november of 2018, there had been several electrical failures. The headlights, power door locks, and power rearview mirror failed to operate. Also, the transmission caused the vehicle to jerk and stall while driving. The contact took the vehicle to an unknown volvo dealer, but they refused to provide diagnostic testing and stated that there was no recall or warranty coverage on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 14,042.

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 Feb 6, 2016 · Lights · OK

Front head lamps go out while driving. This happened at night. The next day I drove the car and the lights were on but one is very dim. I have already replaced this light. It is still dim and I got a warning from a police officer on 01/30/16.he stated this is a safety hazard and next time I would get a ticket.

Filed Nov 3, 2015 · Body, Electrical · 162,189 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volvo xc90. The contact stated that when it rained, water entered the vehicle through the passenger side and onto the dashboard, causing the instrument panel lights to dim. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and the radio no longer worked. Additionally, the headlights turned on and off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failures. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 162,189.

Filed Apr 12, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 54,300 miles · CA

After rainfall we began experience power failures in our volvo. No windows were left open and the interior was not exposed to any water. But while driving the dashboard went out the needles for the fuel, miles per hour and everything went out. It came on shortly after then off again this time with the radio and windows could not roll down or up. Once the car was off it came back on only to repeat the same issue the dash and radio come on and off while driving and at one point will shut off everything until the car is turned off again. The headlights will flicker as well from time to time. This is extremely frightening considering I have a toddler and small child and while driving on a highway to have everything shut off was beyond frightening and extremely worrisome. I have been told it has something to do with the cem and I have read many forums with people with the same problem and even a friend whose car did the same thing. I am extremely frustrated that I don't feel safe driving my car and that I have to pay a lot of money for something that does not seem like a normal failure especially since my car does not even have many miles on it. Please investigate and look into this please. Thank you.

Filed Oct 24, 2014 · Acceleration, Electrical · 170,000 miles · VA

While driving vehicle at 55-60 MPH all dashboard lights came on and car lost power. This caused a frightening and extremely dangerous situation. Without headlights or tail lights I could not be seen by other drivers. I tried to cross 2 lanes and get onto the shoulder with no power steering or engine power. While I was very fortunate I was not in or did not cause a serious accident I had an extremely close calls. I changed lanes and almost collided with another vehicle traveling at 55. Once in the lane another driver who was unable to see my vehicle (no lights) came up behind me at a high rate of speed. Only a last minute swerve avoided a rear end collision that no doubt would have caused a terrible accident with very serious if not tragic results. Additionally other drivers had to swerve to avoid the vehicle-causing a very dangerous, chaotic situation. The loss of power and loss of lights came close to causing a major multi-vehicle accident. Many are aware of this problem. Please do not wait until people are killed to reopen the investigation and re-consider a safety recall.

Filed Apr 8, 2014 · Lights · 119,150 miles · WI

We purchased this 2005 volvo xc90 used in october 2011 and since that time have had to replace the headlamp module 3 times. The left headlights would sometimes work and other times not. Each time we took it in for diagnosis, we were told that the headlamp module needed to be replace. This is a $460 part, one that has a long history of failure. My wife is afraid to drive this vehicle at night, for fear that the headlights will go out. I can understand if the module failed once, or maybe even twice, but three times in only 2.5 years and less than 20,000 miles. It appears that this is a recurring problem with other volvo owners as well, yet volvo has not taken steps to remedy the issue. I consider this to be a significant safety issue, one that need to be addressed. I am very disappointed with volvo's lack of action to correct this problem. Checking online, I see that many other volvo xc90 owners have been experiencing the same problem. Any assistance will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Filed Jan 5, 2014 · Airbags, Electrical · 102,000 miles · MI

The central electronic module (cem) will not perform as intended. As a result, audio system, parking assist, and passenger airbag does not work. Audio system turns on sporadically by itself and runs continuously(I have to pull over, turn the engine off, then wait 3+ minutes to stop it). As a result, the front windshield wipers might run continuously when the ignition is on. Also, the turn signals, high beams, and headlight switch might not work. This issue was recall 2014 volvo s60, s80, xc60 and xc70. 2005 xc90 but it should be included in this recall because malfunctioning electronic system (passenger airbags, head lamps, and/or turn signals) increase the risk of a crash. It's not fair, when same problem is accepted as reason for recall for 2014 models(xc60, s60, s80, xc70) but not 2005 xc90s.

Filed Sep 11, 2013 · Lights, Transmission · 146,342 miles · WI

While driving back from work the passenger low beam went out. I bought a new bulb and the light still did not work l then checked. The wiring going into the headlight and there was no power for the low beam how does this happen it was bad enough I had to replace the whole transmission just 3months ago and now this I also read nonlinear they had problems with the trannys.

Filed Apr 29, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 117,000 miles · AZ

2006 volvo xc90 t6 awd april 21, 2013 approx 8:30 pm driving at approx 8:30 pm, traveling at about 55 miles per hour, remote 2-lane highway (us191, eastern arizona) on twisty mountainous road, switched from high-beam to low-beams to accommodate oncoming vehicle approaching around a bend. A moment or two after switching to low beams, the volvo's headlights lights flickered and went out all-together. Error message reading something to the effect of "low beam bulb failure" appeared on message screen. High-beams didn't appear to be operable either. I activated fog lamps and proceeded cautiously to destination (approx 25 miles away). Approx 15 miles from that point, I was pulled over by dps patrol advising I had no headlights...and that my license plate light was also not operating. The next morning, investigated further, discovered there were no issues with the headlight bulbs (low beam and high beam) or with license plate bulbs specifically (they were not burnt out), nor were there any issues with any blown fuses related to those exterior lights. I did discover that the drl (daytime running lights) were still operating as normal (which utilize the same bulb as the low headlights) confirming that there were no issues with those bulbs. All research since this event is pointing me to conclusion that this monumentally unsafe condition was caused by a bad/faulty cem design by volvo (online research, speaking with volvo mechanics and reviewing similar the federal safety agency complaints). There is no preventative maintenance that I could have done to prevent this from happening. This is not an owner maintenance issue, this is a design or materials issue. Volvo should be required to recall & repair to prevent this safety issue. I request the federal safety agency open (re-open?) investigation into this issue, as this very dangerous safety issue that needs addressing before much worse consequences result.

Filed Apr 8, 2013 · Engine, Lights · 107,000 miles · IL

I purchased a 2005 volvo xc90 for $16,000. 6 months later the engine freezes up. That cost $10,000.00 to replace the engine. Looked on google, very common for these v8 engines to freeze up. Now the headlights are acting up. Looked on google and found the headlight issue is very common. This will cost $3,000.00 to repair. This car is going to cost me almost as much to repair it as I paid for it!! Volvo is loosing control. I would like you to issue a recall for these engine issues and issue a recall for these headlight issues. Please google 2005 volvo xc90 v8 engine and google the same year and model about the headlight issue. You will be astounded by all the pages of complaints about what is supposed to be a great car. These cars where $62,000.00 brand new, what a joke they can sell this car with so many problems. Please issue a recall. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jan 2, 2013 · Electrical, Lights · 103,000 miles · IL · crash

Driving in pitch black night on backroads of charleston, sc. Lights went out after left headlight flickered for a few days. Lights went out and car went off road as we were in a curve. Regained control after spinning on wet grass. I need the headlights repaired by volvo at their expense and reimbursement for the failed engine I had to replace.