The Lemon Index
200320051st generation
46 owner complaints, first 3 years 16–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 Lexus RX 1702004 Acura MDX2004 BMW X5
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2004 Volvo XC90
- Transmission failure70 complaintsmostly at 64,000–106,000 miles (103,000–171,000 km)
- Fuel pump47 complaintsmostly at 62,000–130,000 miles (99,000–209,000 km)
- Engine stalling36 complaintsmostly at 77,000–130,000 miles (124,000–209,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 462 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Volvo XC90 (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 9,800 and 45,000 miles (16,000–72,000 km) (the middle half of the 33 complaints, of all 46 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 10V566000 (equipment), 09V483000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 06V155000 (steering) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any clunks over bumps or uneven tire wear? Were struts, shocks or control arms replaced?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Volvo sent dealers 222 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Rear suspension popping/spring noise”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Volvo's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 46 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 9K to 45K miles (16K to 72K km) on the car (33 of all 46 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Vehicle fire in the front passenger side of the engine compartment - looking for any problems noted with this make / model - only the computer system and headlight for the vehicle is located in this area.
2004 Volvo XC90 owner · NHTSA complaint 10160147
More owner reports
Xc90 does not start - the problem persisted for over 4 weeks and dealer could not fix the problem.
NHTSA complaint 10049195
I have had numerous failures with my 1990 Volvo: I am on my third set of tires, and I have 30,000 miles. I have had several shock absorbers replaced ,a tie rod break, and many electrical problems.
NHTSA complaint 10100120
Problems Volvo told dealers about
Volvo sent dealers 222 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Rear suspension popping/spring noise
- The 5 speed automatic transmission, aw55-50/51, has a bolt on top that anchors the b4 band, which
- On some vehicles, the software for transmission control module (tcm) fails to contain optimal
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 6
- Equipment · recall issued 2010
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2009
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, GEOR…
- Steering · recall issued 2006
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 J…
Show all 6 recalls
- Visibility · recall issued 2006
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, RESULTIN…
- Wheels · recall issued 2003
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT WHEEL SPEED SENSORS MAY BE DEFECTIVE, CAUSING AN ERRONEOUS WHEEL SPEED SIGNAL.
- Seat belts · recall issued 2003
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE SEAT BELT ATTACHMENT(S) FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW SEAT(S) MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FITTED PROPERLY.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedCentral electronic module failure2010
- ClosedFuel pump leak2009
- ClosedWindshield wiper arm performance2005–2006
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,950–$4,700 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.5L 5-cyl, 2.9L 6-cyl.
Every Volvo XC90 year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average, too new (2023+: a partial score, marked “partial”) or too few complaints to score.
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<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/volvo-xc90/?y=2004" title="Volvo XC90 reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="514" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/volvo-xc90/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Volvo XC90 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 Volvo XC90 reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about one and a half times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 138; 100 is average, lower is better). 2004 is one of the weaker years of a model that usually draws a bit over half as many complaints as the average car. The Volvo XC90 year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2019.
What are the most common 2004 Volvo XC90 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are suspension (33%), electrical (26%) and transmission & drivetrain (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Volvo XC90 have?
6 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Volvo XC90 get?
16 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Volvo XC90 problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 9,800 and 45,000 miles (16,000–72,000 km) (the middle half of the 33 complaints, of all 46 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2004 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2004 Volvo XC90 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Volvo XC90 cost in fuel a year?
About $3,950 to $4,700 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Volvo XC90 have?
2.5L 5-cyl, 2.9L 6-cyl.
What Volvo XC90 year is better than the 2004?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2019 drew the fewest (about a fifth as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works