Model year record

2006 Volvo XC90 recalls & problems

The 2006 Volvo XC90 has 3 safety recalls and 53 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (16 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls

Complaints53filed by owners

Crashes · fires4 · 4reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints

2006 Volvo XC90 in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

EquipmentNov 8, 2010

Electrical › Navigational system(global positioning system)

Recall 10V566000416 vehicles

Problem: 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 NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.

SteeringMay 5, 2006

Linkages › Tie rod assembly

Recall 06V155000126,743 vehicles

Problem: 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.

VisibilityApr 28, 2006

Windshield wiper/washer

Recall 06V144000122,431 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2006 Volvo XC90 4-DR. w/SAB

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	★★★★★
Rollover risk	17.9%

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

XC90 FWD

18mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.5 L · 5 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel

XC90 AWD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.5 L · 5 cyl · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,850/year to fuel

XC90 AWD

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

4.4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S6) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,500/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemIgnition › Switch	16	0	1	0	85,000 mi
TiresTread/belt	8	0	0	0	17,600 mi
Engine	6	0	1	0	160,000 mi
Unknown or other	5	0	2	0	133,000 mi
Fuel system, gasolineDelivery › Fuel pump; Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	4	0	0	0	152,338 mi
Exterior lighting	4	0	0	0	40,000 mi
Wheels	3	0	0	0	—
StructureBody	3	1	1	1	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission	3	1	0	0	—
Suspension	3	0	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Warning light/devices	2	0	0	0	—
Fuel/propulsion system	2	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electrical system
Had to replace emission coil plugs.My mechanics said it has wiring issues
Mar 1, 2026
Electrical system
Vehicle is slightly off-balance no matter if I do an alignment ball joints seem to always get affected. Iâm not sure if the hydraulics are working correctly. Yesterday I just started leaking antifreeze fluid.
Mar 15, 2025
Electrical system
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 out requiring $2350 replacement via dealer. This IS A Huge problem.... however, and wait for it. IT IS NOT DUE TO THE SUNROOF.... I know this with absolute certainty because I have 3 2006-2010 xc90's and NONE HAVE SUNROOFS but all 3 had to have CEM reprogrammed. I can't understand why NOTHING has been done about this... it's absurd.
Aug 5, 2021
Unknown or otherFire
The tensioner pulley for the serpentine belt seized up while traveling at 70 mph, melting the serpentine belt and causing an engine fire.
May 5, 2023
Vehicle speed controlCrash1 injury
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 wall in front. The air bags did not deploy. After the crash occurred, the low coolant warning light failed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to their scrotum and rib area. The contact was a physician and therefore provided their own medical care. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. The contact stated their insurance diagnosed that the vehicle experienced sudden acceleration. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure…
Jul 29, 2022 · 110,000 miles
Engine
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. Steering becomes difficult and I have to try and get off the road. Once I get pulled over and put it in park, it will start and run normally for a time. It most often happens when i turn to the right fairly tight. But not exclusively. Today after driving it approximately 120 miles with one shut off, my check engine light came on and it was difficult to get started again. This is absolutely a Hazzard to others and myself
Mar 2, 2022
FirerelatedFire1 injury
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 started up again and proceeded to fill the cabin with smoke and within 5 minutes the entire vehicle was on fire. The vehicle was extinguished on its own and a report was not taken. The contact sustained injuries to the lungs and burns to the face. The vehicle was not towed away. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000. The VIN was not available.
Jan 19, 2022 · 190,000 miles
Seats
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 will be back up and forward al the way. So i will set it back down. Well while ia m driving it will automatically start raising back up and forward. As you can imagine this gets very uncomfortable and feels like i am getting choked to death. I will set it back and it will keep doing that . I will hear clicking and then it will start moving. sometimes. i will have to hold my finger on the down button to keep it from moving on me while im driving, sometimes it will still move all…
Oct 13, 2021

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.