2003 Volvo XC90 T6 from North America - Comments

Make sure your local mechanic does the software upgrade and the tranny upgrade.

I too have been bitten by Volvo and the dealer. The "Check Engine" light has been on for a year and the dealer can't figure it out. I've been told the computer has to reset itself so many times. The last time it came on two minutes after leaving the dealer.

I replaced both turbos with only 57,000 miles last June at a price of over $6,000.00 for parts and labor (not counting the month it was at the dealer). The transmission started slipping last month and kept getting stuck in 3rd gear. Dealer said that the tranny was faulty and they could replace it for $5,000.00.

The car started blowing smoke again last week. Guess what? It needs two new turbos again! I cannot and will not spend $11,000.00 to repair a car that is only worth $14,000.00 (to me the car is WORTHLESS)!

I was offered by Volvo Customer Care a coupon for 30% off on parts (good for up to $250.00. HA! HA!)

I would like to know if anyone is starting a lawsuit of Volvo Cars North America, I would definitely join in. In reading the comments of all you guys, it seems that we all have had the same problems.

This is a tremendous burden on my family.

Here is another one. We live in Australia, bought our Volvo XC90 2004 T6 just 11 months ago 78K kms. This weekend the dreaded Service Transmission Urgent message came on. We rang the dealer who suggested we have the car towed to them.. Now we have been informed the transmission needs to be replaced at a cost of Aus$8K.

After reading all these comments, we shall be having words with both Volvo and the dealer. We did take out extended warranty, but that will only cover $3K. It seems some of you have been successful in getting Volvo to pay for parts. This surely sets a precedent. We love the car and are very disappointed.

We would be interested in joining a class action too.

Add me to the list.

XC90 T6 2004, transmission service urgent at 127 000km. The price is 5500 parts and service. Very disappointed with Volvo, it won't be Volvo for life for us and everyone we know!

Can we do something!!

padesl@hotmail.com

Replaced T6 transmisson last year at a cost of 4k. The car lasted 12k miles. The tranny went out again. Apparently there is a fix. The new 6 cylinder XC90 have a different tranny that is bulletproof. But it is too expensive to put in T6 XC90.

2004 XC90 T6 here with 52,000 miles, which I purchased new in Tacoma, WA. Have babied and maintained well.

Tranny light came on so took it to dealer. Said needed new tranny for $7k and out of warranty (48 months or 50k). Called Volvo N. America and had a call from dealer the next day saying they would cover it. Tranny has been on backorder for over 1 month. Finally came in and dealer called after a week saying needed to replace radiator also as part of recall. Radiator is also on backorder. Been without for 1 1/2 months now.

At 48k heard a humming noise so took it to dealer. Had to replace both rear hubs for 1k. Was told I was lucky because they have seen the hubs frozen to the axle, and the entire axle also needed to be replaced.

I, too, now belong to the XC90 Transmission club! At 74,000 miles the "urgent transmission service" message appeared. The dealer informed us that we needed the new transmission and front left axle. As a result of this website, we contacted Volvo North America. We are currently waiting for them to talk with the dealer and get back to us. Our expectation is for Volvo to repair this problem at no expense to us! Our family has been driving Volvo's since 1968. This is an incredible disappointment to us! If this is not resolved to our satisfaction, we WILL contact the media AND pursue class action. I will post again when we receive a decision...

Add me to the list. 2003 XC90 T6 tranny replaced at 84,000 miles. Other woes are radiator replaced, rear wheel bearing (twice now), control arms, and bevel gear. If you ever get a Volvo, get an extended warranty! We will never get another Volvo and are recommending people not get a Volvo. This last dealer service will come in just under $10,000; all covered by the extended warranty.

Another one bites the dust. 04 D5 XC90 with 86k miles, full Volvo history, started missing the odd gear here and there, then today got the urgent transmission light on dash coupled with what felt like the brakes binding on, which was very dangerous indeed. Now the car limps in forward gears, but there's no reverse. It's in the garage now, but expecting the worst. What a total piece of utter junk, will never buy a Volvo again.

Hello.

To all Volvo owners, if you need parts you can order them in Sweden. They make the cars, shipping is not a problem.

Volvo is owned by Ford.

Add me to the list of truly disgusted Volvo XC90 T6 owners who are still having transmission issues.

My Volvo is a 2003 with over 100K miles. My Volvo has been ridden with problems from the day I purchased it. You name it, it has failed on my car; power steering rack replaced, axle replaced, transmission replaced, ball joints replaced, oil pan airraded, oil pump replaced along with several other repairs... all happening in under 100K miles.

Most recently the car has lost power, "SERVICE TRANSMISSION URGENT" light came on. On initial inspection by dealer I was told "gear 3 incorrect ratios" need new tranny. Upon further inspection by the dealer I was told the car has multiple failures. The current list of issues include breather box and mass air flow sensor due to oil leak, turbo replacement needed (I'm told), the transmission code issue has all of a sudden NOT A PROBLEM any longer and does not need a new tranny (the dealer just cleared the code to erase the problem).

I was initially told Volvo was to cover all repairs "needed to get my car running again", which was include all of the above except the turbo because the service mgr did not tell Volvo of the problem, so it is now not part of the "good will" offer. What happen to the failed tranny I was told of, BIG???, now that dealer has rescinded the tranny replacement offer.

I have been a loyal Volvo owner for more than 10 year and currently own 3 Volvo's. The XC90 was my LAST Volvo purchase. These cars are NOT Swedish Volvo's. They are JUNK.

My light is on again!! 2005 XC90 T6.

I posted on August 16th, 2009 and now my urgent service transmission light is on. The car still drives fine? I think I'm going to have the dealer turn it off and wait another 3 months till it comes on again. It's very frustrating. I like the vehicle, but it makes me uneasy when I have the family in the car or take it on trips. That little red exclamation point is always sitting in the back of my mind.

Anyway, till next time.