2005 Volvo XC90 Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Volvo XC90 has a complaint index of 80, the 5th worst among 21 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 223 complaints, 6 recalls, and 3 fires, with Engine problems the top complaint area at 33% of reports.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 80/100
- #5 of 21 XC90 years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 223
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 6
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 3
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16.5
- 14.5 city / 19.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2005 Volvo XC90 problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine73 (33%)
- Electrical System63 (28%)
- Transmission & Powertrain62 (28%)
- Fuel System33 (15%)
- Other14 (6%)
- Brakes8 (4%)
- Steering8 (4%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires8 (4%)
- Visibility & Wipers7 (3%)
- Structure & Body6 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Electrical wiring under the hood has caught fire while driving at low speed, with smoke appearing before flames without any warning indicator.
- Headlights have flickered and then failed at night, causing loss of vehicle control on wet or dark roads.
- The engine has stalled repeatedly during cranking, requiring multiple attempts to keep it running.
- The front wheel has separated after hitting a curb or black ice, prompting a full suspension repair.
- Steering assemblies have vibrated when turning and needed full replacement shortly after purchase.
- Brakes have worn out quickly and needed replacement as early as 13,000 miles, with heavy dust buildup.
2005 Volvo XC90 recalls
6 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 10V566000Nov 8, 2010Other416 vehicles
Equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system)
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.
- NHTSA 09V483000Dec 18, 2009Fuel System158,733 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 s80, model year 2001-2004 v70, s60, xc70 and model year 2003-2005 xc90 vehicles sold in or registered in the states of alabama, arizona, arkansas, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, kentucky, louisiana, mississippi, nevada, new mexico, north carolina, oklahoma, south carolina, tennessee, texas, utah, virginia and the u.s. Territories. When exposed to certain environmental conditions (hot climate and temperature cycling) over time and in combination with varying fuel quality, the fuel pump can develop cracks in the fuel pump flange.
Risk: If the condition occurs vehicle owners may notice fuel smell and/or fuel leak which, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel pump installed in the vehicle, and if necessary replace the fuel pump with a part of a modified design. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on january 15, 2010. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
- NHTSA 07V221000May 25, 2007Electrical System42,211 vehicles
Electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables
On certain passenger vehicles, it has been determined that while doing battery maintenance the jack's crank handle can be misplaced under a bracket which retains the battery.
Risk: Misplacement of the jack's crank handle can pose a safety risk as it can result in a short circuit of the battery which could then lead to a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and ensure proper placement of the jack crank handle and a warning label with approved text will be affixed to the bracket which retains the battery. This warning label will inform an operator not to place the jack crank handle between the bracket and the battery free of charge. The recall began on july 7, 2007. Owners may contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
2005 Volvo XC90 fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14.5 MPG
- Highway
- 19.5 MPG
- Combined
- 16.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,850
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other XC90 years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Volvo XC90 reliable?
- Compared to other XC90 model years, the 2005 ranks poorly, with a complaint index of 80 and rank 5 of 21 worst years, earning an Avoid verdict from NHTSA complaint and recall data.
- What problems does the 2005 Volvo XC90 have?
- NHTSA data shows Engine complaints lead at 33% of the 223 total complaints, followed by Electrical System at 28% and Transmission & Powertrain at 28%. The median mileage at failure across all issues is 85,812.
- Does the 2005 Volvo XC90 have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2005 XC90, covering the fuel system, electrical system, steering, visibility/wipers, and a GPS battery issue, with none marked do-not-drive.
- What year Volvo XC90 should I avoid?
- Among the years with data, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2024, and 2025 also carry Avoid verdicts, with 2016 having the highest complaint index at 100. The 2005 XC90 ranks 5th worst overall with an index of 80.
- Which XC90 years are better than the 2005?
- Years like 2010 and 2013 earn a Best verdict with complaint indexes of 20 and 15, and 2007 through 2011 mostly earn Good verdicts, all lower risk than the 2005 model year.