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 53 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Volvo XC90, and it carries 3 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tires | 8 | 15% |
| Electrical system | 6 | 11% |
| Engine | 6 | 11% |
| Unknown or other | 4 | 8% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 6% |
| Electrical system | 3 | 6% |
| Power train | 2 | 4% |
| Suspension | 1 | 2% |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 2% |
| Firerelated | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
Had to replace emission coil plugs.My mechanics said it has wiring issues
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Vehicle is slightly off-balance no matter if I do an alignment ball joints seem to always get affected. I’m not sure if the hydraulics are working correctly. Yesterday I just started leaking antifreeze fluid.
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
Awakened to lights flashing, horn going off, wipers running on a vehicle that was parked with keys removed. The cem underneath driver's side dash had gotten wet from rain water leaking into it and subsequently shorted o
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The tensioner pulley for the serpentine belt seized up while traveling at 70 mph, melting the serpentine belt and causing an engine fire.
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owned a 2006 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal to park the vehicle when the vehicle's RPMs revved up causing the vehicle to unintentionally accelerate and crash into the wal
NHTSA complaint: Vehicle speed control
This has happened multiple times on the highway going 60 mph. And at slow speeds, last time on an entrance ramp onto the highway. The vehicle will shut off, as if the key has been turned off. But it hasn't been touched.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The contact owns a 2006 Volvo XC90. The contact stated while attempting to turn around, he saw a warning message transmission overheating message and the vehicle shut off. After an unknown amount of time, the vehicle was
NHTSA complaint: Firerelated
the drivers side electric seat controls are causing unsafe driving conditions. i drive with the seat all the way back and down. I have the memory sets all for that position. Problem is when I get back in the car it wil
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2006 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.
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
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, RESULTING IN AN INABILITY TO MOVE THE WIPERS FROM THE PARK POSITION.
Risk: INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER ARMS AND RETAINING NUTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
| Reliability raw | 77 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 76 | good |
| Maintenance | 64 | average |
| Depreciation | 53 | average |
| Performance | 73 | good |
| Efficiency | 27 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 53 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and tires is the most reported area with 8 of them (15%). There are 3 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 77/100 (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 76/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2006 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 65/100. 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.