The Lemon Index
200420061st generation
30 owner complaints, first 3 years 15–18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
What breaks most on the 2005 Volvo XC90
- Engine stalling28 complaintsmostly at 67,000–120,000 miles (108,000–193,000 km)
- Transmission failure24 complaintsmostly at 60,000–84,000 miles (97,000–136,000 km)
- Headlights22 complaintsmostly at 70,000–130,000 miles (113,000–209,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 223 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 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 14,000 and 62,000 miles (22,000–100,000 km) (the middle half of the 23 complaints, of all 30 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K miles (97K km) Right in the range where most owners reported problems.
- At 100K and 150K miles (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 07V221000 (electrical) done? It has 6 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Volvo sent dealers 219 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Infotainment control module software”?
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 30 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 13K to 62K miles (22K to 100K km) on the car (23 of all 30 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
Transmission went out at 62k miles and had to be replaced. Checking on edmunds website, this appears to be a very common problem with this vehicle.
2005 Volvo XC90 owner · NHTSA complaint 10214202
More owner reports
I have a 2005 Volvo XC90 t6. The transmission failed at 60,000 miles and will cost $4600+ to repair. The transmission should last longer than 60,000 miles unless there is a defect in design.
NHTSA complaint 10234240
Dt*: the contact stated while routine maintenance at 15,000 miles was performed, it was determined all four tires were 60% worn, and should be replaced. These are pirelli scorpion tires.
NHTSA complaint 10168086
Problems Volvo told dealers about
Volvo sent dealers 219 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Infotainment control module software
- 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…
- Electrical · recall issued 2007
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.
Show all 6 recalls
- 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…
- 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…
- Electrical · recall issued 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO AN ERROR IN THE FACTORY ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION, THE B+TERMINAL MAY BE IN CONFLICT WITH THE STARTER MOTOR SOLENOID.
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
- ClosedVolvo xc90 battery cable failures2006–2007
- ClosedVolvo xc90 battery cable failures2005–2006
- 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 $4,200–$5,000 (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, 4.4L 8-cyl.
Every Volvo XC90 year. 2005 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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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2005 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/volvo-xc90/?y=2005" 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-xc90/2005/">Lemon Index</a> (2005 Volvo XC90 reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2005 Volvo XC90 reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew a bit more than the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 120; 100 is average, lower is better). The Volvo XC90 year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2019.
What are the most common 2005 Volvo XC90 problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (27%), tires (17%) and electrical (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 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 2005 Volvo XC90 get?
15 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Volvo XC90 problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 14,000 and 62,000 miles (22,000–100,000 km) (the middle half of the 23 complaints, of all 30 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K miles, a 2005 is right in the range where most owners reported problems. At 100K and 150K miles, a 2005 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 2005 Volvo XC90 have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 27% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Volvo XC90 cost in fuel a year?
About $4,200 to $5,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Volvo XC90 have?
2.5L 5-cyl, 2.9L 6-cyl, 4.4L 8-cyl.
What Volvo XC90 year is better than the 2005?
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