Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Thoughts? Am I being paranoid? Should I just enjoy the car?
We bought our 2006 V8 in January '09; I believe it was a lease return. We now have about 49,000 miles on it and are happy so far....I hope this helps. Enjoy it! You just got a new ride!
of $ 8000 . Do we look like we have "stupid" written across our face? We thought Volvo's were indestructible. Thanks for the blogs, it shows that Volvo knew there was a problem but didn't want a recall. Information is power, hope it helps when dealing with the Volvo dealer to repair.
2005 XC90 2.5T purchased in November 2004. Currently have 115k miles. Car is used in city traffic and early in its life was also used for road trips. But you can see that we average about 20k miles a year, so it does get used a lot.
TIRES
The biggest surprise in ownership for me was the cost of keeping up with the tires. We are on our 4th set of tires. The Pirelli Scorpion that were originally on the car were terrible. Managed about 25k miles, but that was reall pushing it. And constantly dealt with the humming/vibration that has been reported numerous times here. Complained several times thru life of tires to dealer, but never got any compensation for what I thought were substandard tires. Second set was Continental Crosscontact LX which ended up giving us about 40k miles. A good tire, but speed/temp ratings are a notch down from top level. Third set Bridgestone Dueler HL Alenza gave us about 50k miles. Overall very pleased with this tire and currently am running our second set of Duelers.
We keep the tires rotated with each oil change. Had alignment checked several times, but alignment was never a real problem.
BRAKES
We have had better luck with our brakes than most have reported here. Front pads replaced at 65k miles. Back pads replaced at 94k miles. Front pads and rotors recently done at 112k miles.
I would consider myself a normal driver (if not a little aggressive) and am shocked at the life I got out of the original pads, but I am not complaining.
A real compalint though is the brake dust that builds up on the wheels. I have considered ceramic pads, but nobody at Volvo will recommend them (even though there are numerous here and on other boards that have not had any problems). I have decided that I can put up with the dust considering the life that I was able to get out of the standard pads.
REPAIRS
91k miles we had to replace a broken motor mount ($263)
91k miles we replaced the housing that protected the computer ($371) (there is a protective housing around the computer that keeps dirt and water out of the computer. The housing has some sort of drain mechanism that allows the water to drain off. This drain got plugged with leaves and dirt and caused water to get into the computer. Bad design probably, but computer was ok after dried out).
112k miles had to replace the bushings on the front control arms (caused a knocking noise when braking and turning). $722
MAINTENANCE
We have pretty well stayed up to date on the scheduled maintenance. Just had the timing belt replaced and opted to do the water pump as well even though Volvo did not recommend unless a leak was observed ($1068).
GAS MILEAGE
I keep track pretty close. I get about 17-18 in the city (mainly commuting to and from work mostly highways though stop and go traffic). On road trips generally get 22-24 mpg.
OTHER COMPLAINTS
The "leather" seats have been a bit of a disappointment. Cracking began at about 40k miles and continues to get worse. I took in and compained early, but the best that they would offer is to dye the affected areas (cracks would have remained). They claimed that this was normal wear, but I would expect more from a Volvo.
Overall my experience has been good. We have had a few bigger repairs recently, but not unlike what I would expect with any other car. I expect to continue driving this car for another 100k miles or more, so I will keep up the maintenance on it. I have recommended it to friends and continue to do so while pointing out the tire wear and potential brake wear frequency (though I have not seen the brake issues). And of course, I was infinitely lucky that I was too cheap to buy the T6 model and avoided the transmission issue that is a real problem. But the 2.5T is a great model.
Once in this state it is virtually impossible to switch to (W)inter mode. Switching to manual shifting seems also inconsistent.
If I start a drive in (W)inter mode the vehicle runs fine - no transmission or coolant problems. Since I am not used to manual shifting, I didn't try starting and continuing a drive using manual shifting.
All fluids are full, although the owner's manual does not specify how to check trans fluid.
No leaks observed, either right after driving or overnight.
Anyone seen this problem? I don't have a clue what's going on.
Thanks in advance.
armerm
I have an 2004 XC90 and today a problem started with the ignition. It's very hard to turn he key to start the car. it feels like the key is going to snap. It does start but you have to pull the key back a little otherwise it sticks in the starting position and makes the sound like when you turn the key when the car is already running.
I called the dealer and they said if it was what they think it is, the ignition part costs 300 and it comes custom made from Sweden based on my key. total cost for the job is 650, with labor.
has anyone ever experienced this? I should imagine this type of work wouldn't be for a regular mechanic??
thanks
Where did you get the drive belt replaced? THe Volvo dealer in San Antonio wants $925 to replace it. Seems very high to me.
replaced both rear whell bearings at about 60K miles.
currently at 110K miles - per my local Volvo Dealer - radio / ECM need replacement ($900), front main bearing leaks oil, timing belt needs replacement, front tie rods bad, breather box bad - $3000 repair cost, and the list goes on.
I expected far more from this car - parts are "Volvo Only" - very expensive
I am concerned about the overall mechanical quality of this vehichle - ready to blow it up.
I don't know if I should invest $3k in this car or get rid of it.
Anyone with similar problems?
Car broke my heart because I loved driving it. We were also on our 3rd or 4th set of tires. Had other under carriage repairs. If the car was running I think we might have gotten between 10-12k for it. You'll have to decide when it isn't worth putting more money in. Good luck!
Hard to say exactly what happened because we didn't hit any potholes etc, but the firemen (who had to shut the road down to allow us to get the car towed, and who cleaned up all the transmission fluid that was split all over the road) and the tow truck operator thought that the front axel had detached from the transmission and that the ball joint then broken off. Looking at all these posts about xc90 tie rod problems and transmission/axel problems, does anyone have a similar experience or knowledge of what could have happened here ?
I'll list all the parts that have needed replacement since I bought the vehicle certified used in 05.
bushings on front right and left
rear wheel bearing
Electrical system failed twice- always in the summer
Switchblade keys- both don't work anymore
transmission
Air intake snorkel-company never created a fix left winter snorkel on continuously
garage door opener in visor- never worked, dealer couldn't get it to work
Headlights had water in them from rain or car wash. Dealer wouldn't replace seals
strut plate cracked
U joint on front axle both right and left
outer tie rods replaced
left front stabilizer link
blower fan motor replace
upper engine mount replaced
head gaskets were replaced
Please avoid this model if you can!
armerm
Avoid the dealer. Find a local guy who has a computer thingy that services Volvos. And go to Sears for all routine stuff. Oh yeah, when you buy tires at Sears you can bring them in every 4000 miles for a free rotation and balance. So every 4K miles I have them change my oil/filter (even thought Volvo says 7.5K) and rotate tires.
I feel very lucky...our 2005 XC90 has been very good. In the beginning Volvo sent us letters to go in for "Important Service." In other words they discovered a production defect and fixed it at no charge to me. I went in about 2-3 times for those fixes. AT 75K miles our's is still running very well. Feels nearly new.
At 500 miles the brand new tire blew and the spare was defective. Stranded in the desert for 4hr waiting for Volvo road side assistance. Got to dealer after 10pm, closed and I was stranded in Ontario. Nightmare.
Took 4 trips to dealer to fix the noise coming from the dashboard.. some kind of baffle problem. I spent all day waiting, got in my car and noice still there. Dealer "O yes, i see here that we didn't have the part...we've ordered part. You'll have to bring it back.." 2nd attempt, spent all day. They didn't have the loaner car i reserved. End of the day, 1/2 way home, noise started AGAIN. Dealer - ... "so sorry, it's hard to tell which baffle is making the noise. Come back and we'll replace the rest of them...." Long story short... 4 trips latter I gave up and now live with the noise.
The GPS system is a joke. Its CD driven, so in just 1yr it was completely out of date. And the charge a ridiculous amt to get and updated CD. I could buy a Tom_Tom for less than the cost of an updated CD. I live in growing area of S. CA. None of the new roads are recognized by the Volvo GPS. It's like having a 6yr old Thomas Guide
Next, just a miles beyond my sched. maintenance... (driving to dealership is over 100 miles) and they would not honor the warranty... I had to pay
Now at just 60,000 miles the transmission and drive shaft have to be replaced to the tune of $5000+. If the dealer does the repairs is $8000 . And Volvo won't help one bit.
Talking to my local mechanic and reading the blogs the Volvo SUV have had a lot of major mechanical problems.
Do your research... do not buy a Volvo SUV you will be sorry.
I am a Japanese living and working in Bangkok, Thailand for 10 years.
Now I have a plan to buy a used XC90, and choices are T6 or 2.5T.
Most of used XC90 in Thailand are model 2003 or 2004, but mileage are not shown on website. I guess most of them are more than 75k miles.
As I read comments and reviews in this site, T6 owners have negative reviews much more than 2.5T owners. So now I understand I should choose 2.5T to avoid any major problems.
So I would like to ask experienced owners;
"Which do you say T6 or 2.5T if you can get back to the time when you bought your XC90?"
Here is answer template
Model : T6 or 2.5T
Reason :
Thanks,
Kazu
I had a 2003 T6 for 100k miles. Everything from 2 transmission to, all wheel drive to the dash boards failed.
The car is gorgeous and drives like a dream but cost me tens of thousands of dollars to maintain it. I'm sure that the other models are better but I suggest you stay away from the 2003 T6.
I now drive a Hybrid Highlander with no issues other than a seat that is much more uncomfortabe than the volvo.
Good luck and I hop eyou get a chance to hear my neighbor in concert, guitarist, Tomo Fujita.
Confessions From the Dealership Service Department
It happens all the time....Sometimes 30 minutes to an hour after getting out of the car and parking it in our garage. We rarely lock the car in our garage but we almost always find it locked.
Some observations....
- Seems to happen more often in the cold
- Seems to be an issue with the car (educated guess) and not the key as it locks itself even when the key is completely out of range
Anybody have any ideas on how to test or narrow down the issue?
Thanks!