Had to replace emission coil plugs.My mechanics said it has wiring issues
The worst 2006 Volvo XC90 problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical16
- Tires8
- Engine6
- Fuel system5
- Lights4
- Body3
- Brakes3
- Driver assistance3
- Suspension3
- Transmission3
- Wheels3
- Seat belts2
- Steering2
- Acceleration1
- Locks1
- Seats1
- Visibility1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 Volvo XC90
Recalls 3
Equipment: electrical: navigational system(global positioning system)
- What is wrong
- Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (GPS) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
- Risk
- An overheated battery could lead to a fire.
- Remedy
- Volvo advises owners to please stop using the garmin portable GPS device immediately, and visit the garmin website to determine if their unit is affected. The unit's battery will be replaced with a new battery and a spacer will be inserted on top of the battery next to the pcb. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on november 18, 2010. Owners may contact garmin at 866‑957‑1981 or visit garmin's website at www.garmin.com/nuvibatterypcbrecall.
Recall number 10V566000 · Recall details
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- The driver may notice that the vehicle is difficult to maneuver increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the outer ball joint tie rods with improved outer ball joint tie rods free of charge. The recall began on june 23, 2006. Owners may contact volvo at 1‑800‑458‑1552.
Recall number 06V155000 · Recall details
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer
- What is wrong
- 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 driveshaft, resulting in an inability to move the wipers from the park position.
- Risk
- Inoperative wipers under inclement weather conditions could cause a crash due to impaired visibility.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the wiper arms and retaining nuts. The recall began on september 5, 2006. Owners may contact volvo cars at 1‑800‑458‑1552.
Recall number 06V144000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2006 Volvo XC90 216
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 2 PDFs and 1 .PNG Oil Consumption test
- This is a TJ text only
- This is a Technical Journal
- This is a Technical Journal: Remote connection, BOMGAR application
- Unknown or other
- This is a Technical Journal: Vehicle/Connectivity report checklist
- Information about valid Software partnumbers to order and download Software for "PDS" Pre-Delivery Service
- This is a Technical Journal: 12V Battery Testing Method
- Complimentary upgrade C00009 description.
- Rubber cushion
2006 Volvo XC90 fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 5‑cyl | FWD | 15 | 21 | 18 |
| 2.5L 5‑cyl | 4WD | 15 | 20 | 17 |
| 4.4L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 13 | 19 | 15 |
What 2006 Volvo XC90 owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Vehicle is slightly off-balance no matter if I do an alignment ball joints seem to always get affected. I’m not sure if the hydraulics are working correctly. Yesterday I just started leaking antifreeze fluid.
Awakened to lights flashing, horn going off, wipers running on a vehicle that was parked with keys removed. The cem underneath driver's side dash had gotten wet from rain water leaking into it and subsequently shorted out requiring $2350 replacement via dealer. This IS A Huge problem.... however, and wait for it. IT IS NOT DUE TO THE SUNROOF.... I know this with absolute certainty because I have 3 2006-2010 xc90's and NONE HAVE SUNROOFS but all 3 had to have CEM reprogrammed. I can't understand why NOTHING has been done about this... it's absurd.
The tensioner pulley for the serpentine belt seized up while traveling at 70 mph, melting the serpentine belt and causing an engine fire.
The contact owned a 2006 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal to park the vehicle when the vehicle's RPMs revved up causing the vehicle to unintentionally accelerate and crash into the wall in front. The air bags did not deploy. After the crash occurred, the low coolant warning light failed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to their scrotum and rib area. The contact was a physician and therefore provided their own medical care. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. The contact stated their insurance diagnosed that the vehicle experienced sudden acceleration. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000
This has happened multiple times on the highway going 60 mph. And at slow speeds, last time on an entrance ramp onto the highway. The vehicle will shut off, as if the key has been turned off. But it hasn't been touched. Steering becomes difficult and I have to try and get off the road. Once I get pulled over and put it in park, it will start and run normally for a time. It most often happens when i turn to the right fairly tight. But not exclusively. Today after driving it approximately 120 miles with one shut off, my check engine light came on and it was difficult to get started again. This is absolutely a Hazzard to others and myself
The contact owns a 2006 Volvo XC90. The contact stated while attempting to turn around, he saw a warning message transmission overheating message and the vehicle shut off. After an unknown amount of time, the vehicle was started up again and proceeded to fill the cabin with smoke and within 5 minutes the entire vehicle was on fire. The vehicle was extinguished on its own and a report was not taken. The contact sustained injuries to the lungs and burns to the face. The vehicle was not towed away. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000. The VIN was not available.
the drivers side electric seat controls are causing unsafe driving conditions. i drive with the seat all the way back and down. I have the memory sets all for that position. Problem is when I get back in the car it will be back up and forward al the way. So i will set it back down. Well while ia m driving it will automatically start raising back up and forward. As you can imagine this gets very uncomfortable and feels like i am getting choked to death. I will set it back and it will keep doing that . I will hear clicking and then it will start moving. sometimes. i will have to hold my finger on the down button to keep it from moving on me while im driving, sometimes it will still move all the way up while i am holding the button down. and then it will get all the way forward and the buttons will not work for me for a while. Im stuck in the forward up position choking and cant do anything about it. Eventually they will start working again nut its a very impossible position to be left in. I don't know why it is doing this. I feel like I have a Christine car(from the movie) . I haven't taken it anywhere and not sure where to go. I feel like the dealer would try to hide the problem.
The contact owns a 2006 Volvo XC90. The contact stated there was an abnormal odor of fuel detected in the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000. The contact stated the failure was similar to the federal safety agency Campaign number 09V483000 (Fuel System, Gasoline).
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 volvo xc90. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking fuel from the fuel pump assembly. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the fuel filter and fuel line needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 244,777.
Compare the 2006 Volvo XC90
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2006 Volvo XC90
Is the 2006 Volvo XC90 reliable?
Owners have filed 53 complaints about the 2006 Volvo XC90, 1.3 times a typical XC90 model year.
What is the 2006 Volvo XC90 year score?
The 2006 Volvo XC90 scores 59 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volvo XC90: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Volvo XC90?
Electrical system, with 16 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles. Next is tires (8).
How many recalls does the 2006 Volvo XC90 have?
3 recalls, covering equipment, steering and visibility.
What year does the Volvo XC90 have the most electrical problems?
The Volvo XC90 model years with the most electrical complaints are 2004 (158 complaints), 2016 (56 complaints) and 2005 (51 complaints).
Is there a class action lawsuit over the Volvo XC90?
Yes. New class action says Volvo's Google-based infotainment screens freeze and take climate and rearview camera with them (November 9, 2026).
What gas mileage does the 2006 Volvo XC90 get?
Official estimates for the 2006 Volvo XC90 range from 15 to 18 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 5-cyl, FWD) gets 15 city and 21 highway.
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