2005 Volvo XC90 T6 AWD from North America - Comments

Transmission went @ 49000 miles. XC90 T6 AWD. It was slipping & I had taken it in previously & was told that they did some software upgrades that would increase the life of it. Then it only got worse & when I took it in they replaced the tranny & radiator. Glychol was leaking into the tramsmission. My friend had teh same year & model & had his transmission go, so I was on alert & wanted to make sure I got it in before the warranty was up. When I picked up the vehicle, I asked if it was a new transmission or rebuilt. Rebuilt as I suspected. This sucks. I asked what the warranty was on the rebuild. 1 year. I smell problems ahead. This should be a major recall item.

I like the vehicle, but it's just a car & I demand reliability from my car, escpecially such an expensive one. Now I wonder what the value is with it's problematic reputation.

I have the same car and my tranny went out last week at 55000 miles. A replacement has been ordered. I have been driving for over 30 years and never had a tranny fail except for my wife's POS Buick many years ago. Volvo is keeping very tight lipped about this problem but it appears to be very common. Here is a company all about safety covering up a major safety flaw. There is no doubt a transmission failure at the wrong time can cause a serious accident.

Thank you for the interesting comments. Yesterday at 47000 KMs I too was advised that the transmission and cooling system on my 2005 T6 XC90 had to be replaced. Glycol had leaked into the transmission and was found during a regular service. At that point the transmission had not failed but was damaged beyond repair.

I have to say it has been a tumultuous 3-1/2 years of ownership. Many small problems have plagued my vehicle while poor workmanship on the part of the dealer has also soured me against Volvo. At this point I believe my car will never be right. 68K is a lot of cash to swallow in a period of 3-1/2 years of ownership but I really think I am at the point of being ready to let her go. For what I am not sure? It seems like all manufactures have really jumped on the "the money is in the service" bandwagon.