Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 223 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Volvo XC90, and it carries 6 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Power train | 46 | 21% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 30 | 13% |
| Electrical system | 19 | 9% |
| Engine | 16 | 7% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 11 | 5% |
| Electrical system | 9 | 4% |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 3% |
| Fuel system | 6 | 3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 5 | 2% |
| Power train | 4 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I was getting off the highway and made a left turn. As I was accelerating the motor gentle cut off.. (You wouldnt even notice if you wasnt driving) Full Traffic was behind me, so luckily I was able to get out of the way
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
I’ve had to change my fuel injection pump and catalytic convert twice on one year.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
ADAS, AIR BAR Warning lights/urgent and High Gas fumes coming out from the rear seats when fully filled gas. We had called 800-458-1552 and guided us to plug in our VIN [XXX] on www.volvocars.com and nothing showed as f
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
Water is leaking from the windshield into the driver and passenger side inside on the window obstructing my view while driving. Cannot drive the vehicle while it’s raining. Serious safety problem! Please recall and fix a
NHTSA complaint: Visibility/wiper
I HAD FILLED AN EARLIER COMPLAINT AND THIS TO BE ADDED TO THE EARLIER FORM THAT I HAD FILLED NEEDS TO GO TO THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT. SEE PHOTO THE ELECTRICAL COMPLAINT FROM THE MAGNETIC ELECTRICAL BEINGS IN ME AND IN
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
WHEN CRANKING IT STALLS AND CUTS OFF AND AFTER DOING IT AROUND 10 TIMES IT FINALLY CRANKS THEN I HAVE TO HURRY TO PUT IN DRIVE TO GET THE MOTOR GOING IN ORDER TO KEEP HER CRUNK AND COUPLE WEEKS AGO BECAUSE THIS PROBLEM
NHTSA complaint: Engine
BOUGHT CAR AND BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS EVERY SINCE I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS I KEEP FUEL INJECTION IN IT SO I CAN MOVE THE CAR TO POINT A AND B
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
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
NHTSA complaint: Engine
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 2005 Volvo XC90. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 JOINT.
Risk: THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OUTER BALL JOINT TIE RODS WITH IMPROVED OUTER BALL JOINT TIE RODS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 23, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
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. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE B+TERMINAL AND THE STARTER MOTOR SOLENOID MAY DEVELOP INTO A SHORT CIRCUIT OF THE BATTER
Risk: SMOKE MAY APPEAR FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND IT MAY BE IMPOSSIBLE TO START THE CAR. IF THE SHORT CIRCUIT HAPPENS DURING DRIVING, ELECTRICAL POWER COULD BE LOST RESULTING IN THE WARNING LAMPS BEING DEACTI
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND INCREASE DISTANCE BETWEEN THE B+TERMINAL AND THE STARTER MOTOR SOLENOID BY ADJUSTING THE TERMINAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 31, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-45
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.
Fix: 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 N
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 CAROLIN
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.
Fix: 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
| Reliability raw | 69 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 70 | good |
| Maintenance | 64 | average |
| Depreciation | 53 | average |
| Performance | 67 | good |
| Efficiency | 30 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 223 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and power train is the most reported area with 46 of them (21%). There are 6 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 69/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 70/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 62/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.