Volvo XC90 knocking problems

Filed Jun 1, 2025 · Electrical · VA

The Emergency Flashers on occasion and randomly malfunctions with the red triangle button flashing but the green arrows intermittently blink on the dash screen and the ticking sound also intermittently working. I have a video clip of the issue but can’t upload on this webpage.

Filed May 21, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · NC

1. When the air condition is turned on there is knocking/banging/thumping noise. It starts with a whinning noise and then gets thumping noise and then starts again with a whinning noise followed my a thumping noise. It can go over 15 to 20 mins and then stops and restarts again. Yes, it can easily be reproduced. 2. The whinning and thumping noise while the car is driving can cause a safety issue where something could explode (the way it sounds) or air condition can simply not working as we approach summer. 3. Yes, its been reproduced, I've sent them the videos, i was at the dealership to reproduce and they acknowledge there is an issue. Weaver brother volvo had created an internal case to Volvo Technical Assistance, case number: RTS-US831535. The reply was they are aware about this issue and they are investigating it. The issues seems to be on the expansion valve and they are still investigating it. This was dated August 6th, 2024. 4. No warning lamps or messages or other symptoms. June 26th, 2024. The issue was reported to dealer around July, 25th 2024.

Filed Nov 23, 2023 · Brakes · CA

During cold weather, and when backing up, the vehicle makes a loud knocking noise as if an accident has occurred. This is an intermittent problem. The vehicle is equipped with Auto-hold brakes. The dealership stated that this might be the issue where the auto-hold is engaging without warring. The dealership tested the brakes and stated that it was operating per manufacturing specs. This issue happened several times so far since 2022. It is a scary moment when feeling as if I had hit some one or some thing.

Filed Jul 1, 2019 · Engine · LA

The known volvo balance shaft failure in the 05 xc90 v8 b8444s engines sn up to 6833.volvo has known the v8 engine on the 2005 xc90 is faulty since 2005.specifically, the counterbalance shaft bearing failing due to water intrusion & humidity.mine has not failed yet.I will be lucky if it fails while at idle.bergeron volvo in metairie, la, sold me a ticking time bomb to drive my 4 year old son around in.there was no disclosure of the known cb shaft bearing failure!I would not have purchased this for me & my little boy!my entire engine will eventually seize up & my otherwise beautiful clean car will be a large & useless paperweight.if this happens while the car is moving at speed,it could cause a horrible accident!unless volvo actively (and, I am one of them #1868) finds the remaining affected engines in service & fixes this problem, it remians a risk regardless of the mileage.my car currently has only 72k miles on it! I am trying to prevent this form happening, and needs to be paid for by volvo.this is something that is impossible for me to preventatively maintain! Appropriately,they should also reimburse anyone who was affected by this problem since they learned about it back in 2005. The bergeronvolvocars.com site states mr. Denis bergeron has an open door policy, whereby customers can contact him directly,I emailed mr. Bergeron my concern last week and have yet to hear back from him. I would like a call back & sit down with mr. Bergeron to have this engine defect fixed before I am in a horrible accident or left without a car.some websites for reference: https://workshop-manuals.com/volvo/xc90_awd/v8-4.4l_vin_85_b8444s/engine_cooling_and_exhaust/engine/timing_components/balance_shaft_bearing/component_information/service_and_repair/ ; https://blog.fcpeuro.com/the-dark-side-of-volvos-excellent-v8 ; https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=87848

Filed Feb 12, 2014 · Steering, Suspension · 11,700 miles · VA

I bought this car at 12/12/2013 when I test drove the car the dealer had the radio on and I never suspected any noise at the time.after I bought the car I kept hearing this knocking noise at first I thought is was the ski rack making the noise then when my husband drove it he said it was coming from the tires so I took the car to my mechanic and he check it a out and found multiple problems the suspension,inner tie rods,axles,sway bar, steering,bushings etc his reply was how did this car pass inspection with all the problems available take the car back and ask the dealer to fix the problems.I took the car back and ask the dealer to comply they would not I told them they had received a faulty inspections on the car so I took it to another mechanic same response. I then called the safety inspectors and they came out to check out the car and found nothing. I then took it to another dealer and they reported the same problems and added a cracked engine mount. I then asked the inspector to come and look at all the things that volvo found that the safety inspectors missed he agreed and saw but only wrote a report I still have a broke car that was faulty inspected. I want the dealer to fix my problem and they have refused I could sue them for getting a faulty inspection and selling a lemon but I fell like I am stuck I need to know what to do from here I have already paid for several things the rack and pinion is the most important I have to fix but expensive and the bushings and tie rods are going to be the next thing I repair I really don't have the money to fix them I am paying 7000.00 for a used car and I fell that the dealer and the inspectors are crooks and used a faulty inspection to sell a broke car please help.

Filed Nov 6, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 90,000 miles · WI

While driving on the highway with my two small children, the car made a knocking noise and driver console/dash stopped working. The lights went out, and all gauges went to "zero." I no longer had turn signals either. I feared for our lives. I have done research, and have found that others have this same issue with 2004 xc90s.

Filed Dec 5, 2011 · Engine · 67,000 miles · NJ

The balancer bearing and shaft on the 2005 volvo xc90 SUV is defective in the first 6000 vehicles manufactured for that model year. The balancer shaft bearing can go bad at any time without warning, causing catastrophic engine damage. If this happens on a highway while traveling at a high rate of speed, the results could be deadly. Volvo north america is aware of this and does nothing to address this serious, potentially deadly situation. We have been working to get volvo of north america to recognize this issue and they have doing nothing to date except point to maintenance, which has no impact on the problem. There is no maintenance procedure to insure this does not happen and volvo will not pay for damages. The remedy in most cases is an engine replacement which costs about $15,000 , and as mentioned, volvo will not pay for it. Volvo must be forced to recall these vehicles and fix the problem and compensate owners who have been impacted. These vehicles must be recalled and the problem must be fixed before countless lives are put at risk by this ticking time bomb that will go off. At 70 miles an hour , a failed engine could lead to death. There are 6000 volvo xc90's with this problem. *tr the dealer diagnosed the problem as a complete engine failure due to the balancer becoming damaged and causing catastrophic engine failure. The consumer was informed it would cost $ 14,700 to replace the engine. Updated ivoq 03/09/12

Filed Sep 16, 2011 · Engine · 86,330 miles · MA

Heard loud ticking noise coming from engine at 86330k miles. Vehicle ride became somewhat rough. Diagnosed at volvo dealership as balance shaft bearing "part failure". Est. To fix: ~$3800. Volvo agreed to compensate for the parts, approx $1500. Balance of $2325.50 paid by vehicle owner. Took 1 week for volvo to obtain parts as they are not commonly stocked or were back ordered. On line research revealed this to have been a problem with early 2005 xc90 v8's. Water/condensation/vapor is able to get in and rust the bearing leading to engine failure. A tsb was issued (? When) for a fix to drill a "weeping hole" in engine block to drain water from the bearing.

Filed Jun 3, 2011 · Engine · 85,000 miles · FL

I have a 2005 volvo xc90 v8 the car has been developing a shake, I brought it to volvo for a check up, nothing was reported as unusual. Yesterday I heard knocking in the engine and immediately flatbedded it to the dealership, the went to diagnose and the engine has froze. The dealer is researching and explained it is out of warranty with a new engine costing $14,000.00, reading other bulletins I suspect this is a counterbalance shaft bearing failure and is occurring with all 2005 v8 xc90's as they increase in age and exit any warranty period. I hope someone can do something, a new engine cost as much as it's trade-in value. Such a know issue should be investigated with volvo picking up the cost.

Filed Apr 4, 2011 · Engine · 58,070 miles · OH

Out of the blue a well-maintained and well cared for 2005 volvo xc90 v8 SUV developed a severe engine knocking/banging sound (all service records completed at required time periods). Actually sounded like ball bearings rolling around inside the engine compartment. 58,000 miles on the vehicle. Engine was shut down immediately and vehicle flatbedded to the service dealer. Upon inspection, the counterbalance bearing and shaft failed. If engine had not been shut down there was a very real possibility of the bearing seizing and the shaft hits the inside of the engine block breaking the timing chain bending all the valves(I.e. Catastrophic engine failure)! As the manufacturer, volvo should bear the full monetary responsibility when it come to this repair. A serious design flaw in their engine is the cause of this failure. The service tech must tear you engine apart (literally remove the engine from the vehicle and open the engine block!) to properly complete the repair. Volvo should be picking up the entire cost of this fiasco. Parts and labor. Period. To date volvo making owners pay for the replacement parts. The parts are between $1200-2000. It is not the correct way for a so-called 'quality automobile manufacturer' to handle the situation. When customers pay $45000-$55,000 for an automobile, they expect the car (and the engine!) to last a wee longer than 55,000-75,000 miles (sarcasm intended). Frankly, this will be my last volvo.