2003 Volvo XC90 T6 from North America - Comments

Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90, 91-105, 106-120, 121-135, 136-150, 151-165, 166-180, 181-195, 196-207

28th May 2008, 11:05

I'll ask again.

Has anyone had the gearbox fail on the diesel version? Or is it just the T6? I know this is a serious question (and not offering to take legal action), but I would like to know if the D5 is a safe bet? Luckily, the T6 version is rare here in the UK, and I have never heard of any gearbox issues here and about to buy a D5. Please let me know... Thanks!

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29th May 2008, 02:48

Unfortunately, I just joined the club. My 2004 XC90T6 is in need of a new transmission after only 54k miles. I have owned sevral other vehicles including MBZ, Lexus, Ford, Honda, Chevy and have never had to replace a transmission under 100k miles. Reading this site there is clearly a problem with the vehicle that volvo is trying to cover up or brush under the table. I have enjoyed owning this vehicle but the maintenance costs are ridiculously high. Now with this I will never purchase another Volvo again. Is there a class action lawsuit regarding this transmission problem that I can join?

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1st Jun 2008, 12:10

Add another dead T6 transmission to the list... Never had this happen to any other car I've owned. Mine made it 92K miles, which sounds lucky compared to the rest of the group.

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3rd Jun 2008, 21:48

Add another 04 xc90 with 58,000 to the list. I am the 2nd owner so I have no previous maintenance records. Called Volvo customer care and they informed me that warranty work was done on the transmission @ 43,000. Would I still be covered under warranty even though the mileage is over? Any suggestions? Thanks

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4th Jun 2008, 10:24

I am also a second owner of an xc90 with a failed transmission at 70K miles. I posted earlier. Fortunately, I had purchased an after-market warranty, so a majority of my expenses will be covered. But, here's what I learned from Volvo -- once they put a new transmission in (assuming it's a new Volvo transmission) the parts and labor are covered by Volvo for up to 12K miles. Just goes to show how much faith they have in their own vehicles and parts!

None of us should have to deal with this headache! And furthermore, I just found out that the transmission is on backorder until the end of JUNE!

Good luck to all of you and please do keep me in the loop should one of us try to pursue some retribution from Volvo. It's my understanding that they are well aware of the problem, but ignoring it...

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4th Jun 2008, 10:47

You should be covered under the warranty if Volvo have done the work. Volvo should also keep records of the servicing done. Ask them! I'm sure you will be fine. ps - my XC90 is great!

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4th Jun 2008, 14:10

My '04 XC90 T6's transmission went at 56K miles. Volvo ended up paying for a new tranny even though it was outside the warranty. I figured maybe Volvo was relaxing their policies on this because of all the issues. I don't know if I was lucky or what. I had bought it used about 9 months earlier (in Massachusetts) but didn't have any extended warranty in place. They should have some kind of consistent policy on this. Good luck to all...

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10th Jun 2008, 17:45

I have a 2003 XC-90 T6 (first model year) and the transmission utterly failed at 15,000 miles. We first experienced two occasions of slippage where the dealer made computer software adjustments instead of replacement. Finally, the trani failed and car was towed to service at 15,000 miles. Under warranty, they gave us a "rebuilt" transmission AND NOW at 69,000 miles, we are having problems with it. Under an extended warranty they are doing a repair on a "leak inside the transmission"...who knows if this will be an effective fix or just a temporary repair that will cause a trani failure shortly down the road (when the extended warranty expires?!!). I just bought a 2008 Porsche Cayenne V-6 base model. We've had 7 Volvos over the past 30 years, but probably no more, when we replace this XC-90.

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12th Jun 2008, 08:56

And still, Volvo North America refuses to acknowledge there is a problem...

When I called to formally file a complaint, they said they're not aware that this is a large scale problem.

I really encourage everyone on this list to write or call:

Attn: Volvo Customer Care Center

1 Volvo Drive

Rockleigh, New Jersey 07647.

Tel: 1-800-458-1552.

Maybe collectively we can get them to start assuming some responsibility!

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16th Jun 2008, 23:23

Looks like I can be added to the transmission woes club. The transmission service urgent light on our XC90 just came on tonight while my daughter was driving, and she said it acted funny driving up the driveway, so I assume it was in a limp mode at a higher gear. From reading here, I'm almost thankful we got 71,000 miles out of it. I'll see what the dealer says tomorrow... I can hardly wait..

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17th Jun 2008, 13:08

Don't let Volvo try to tell you that this is an "unusual" problem. I'd highly suggest contacting Volvo Customer Cares and demanding that they cover your expenses.

The more they hear about it, the more they are going to realize that this problem not going away...

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18th Jun 2008, 10:29

I am in the same sinking boat as many of you are. I have a 2003 Volvo xc90 T6 at 70,000 miles that the transmission started slipping. My Volvo mechanic said I needed to take it to the dealership because it probably needed a new transmission. I am going to do some research first because this WRONG!!!

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19th Jun 2008, 08:10

FYI: Write to these folks and let them know what is going on! It's 20 minutes of your time and maybe, just maybe, we can get them to make good on their promise of quality and safety!

Doug Speck, president and CEO, Volvo Cars North America.

Gerry Keaney, senior vice president of Marketing, Sales & Service.

Volvo Customer Care Center

1 Volvo Drive

Rockleigh, New Jersey 07647.

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24th Jun 2008, 15:08

To 28th May 2008:

Only T6 transmissions were faulty. D5 as the 2.5T uses AW transmissions, that are known to be fairly good. Mine was great (I sold my XC90 2.5T with 300.000km on the clock and geartronic still worked great).

T6 uses American tranny's (GM). These apparently aren't so good.

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24th Jun 2008, 15:39

Info on the Volvo XC90 T6 trans; did you now it's a Cadillac in Ford with a Volvo emblem on the hood?

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