2003 Volvo XC90 Recalls, Complaints & Specs
5 safety recalls list the 2003 Volvo XC90, and owners have filed 93 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
5 safety recalls for the 2003 Volvo XC90
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Navigational system(global positioning system) (equipment)
Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.
Remedy: 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…
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Fuel pump (fuel system)
Volvo is recalling certain model year 2001-2005 s80, model year 2001-2004 v70, s60, xc70 and model year 2003-2005 xc90 vehicles sold in or registered in the states of alabama, arizona, arkansas, california, florida, georgia, hawaii, kentucky, louisiana, mississippi, nevada, new mexico, north carolina, oklahoma, south carolina,…
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the fuel pump installed in the vehicle, and if necessary replace the fuel pump with a part of a modified design. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on january…
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Tie rod assembly (steering)
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.
Remedy: 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.
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Windshield wiper/washer (visibility)
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.
Remedy: 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.
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Seat belts: rear/other
On certain sport utility vehicles, the seat belt attachment(s) for the second and third row seat(s) may not have been fitted properly.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair the second and/or third row seat belt attachments. Owner notification began on december 8, 2003. Owners should contact volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
93 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2003 Volvo XC90 have filed 93 complaints with NHTSA; 2 describe a crash and 2 describe a fire. Reports cite 6 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 75,645 miles. Complaints peaked in 2008 with 18 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“Fuel line was recalled in 2010. Volvo repaired it now it has the same problem. And is leaking fuel. Same line that they replaced in 2010. Please recall.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 20, 2022 · Fuel/propulsion system
“Transfer case keeps locking up and messing up. In past year paid 1500 two times to replace transfer case and is now in shop again for same reason. Transfer case locking up. Feb 2020, july 2020, and no”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 2, 2021 · Power train
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2003 Volvo XC90 (XC90 AWD, XC90 FWD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 16–18 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 14–16 / 19–22 |
| Fuel | Premium |
| EPA class | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
| Engine | 5/6 cyl, 2.5/2.9 L |
| Transmission | Automatic (S4); Automatic (S5) |
Compare Volvo XC90 model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Volvo XC90 model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 Volvo XC90 | 5 | 93 |
| 2004 Volvo XC90 | 6 | 462 |
| 2005 Volvo XC90 | 6 | 223 |
| 2006 Volvo XC90 | 3 | 53 |
| 2007 Volvo XC90 | 2 | 38 |
| 2008 Volvo XC90 | 3 | 29 |
| 2009 Volvo XC90 | 1 | 7 |
| 2010 Volvo XC90 | 3 | 12 |
| 2011 Volvo XC90 | 1 | 19 |
| 2012 Volvo XC90 | 0 | 3 |
| 2013 Volvo XC90 | 0 | 11 |
| 2014 Volvo XC90 | 0 | 4 |
| 2015 Volvo XC90 | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 Volvo XC90 | 8 | 197 |
| 2017 Volvo XC90 | 7 | 80 |
| 2018 Volvo XC90 | 3 | 51 |
| 2019 Volvo XC90 | 6 | 42 |
| 2020 Volvo XC90 | 7 | 32 |
| 2021 Volvo XC90 | 6 | 38 |
| 2022 Volvo XC90 | 4 | 29 |
| 2023 Volvo XC90 | 6 | 40 |
| 2024 Volvo XC90 | 3 | 36 |
| 2025 Volvo XC90 | 2 | 29 |
Checking a specific 2003 Volvo XC90
How do I know if my 2003 Volvo XC90 has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 5 campaigns currently list the 2003 Volvo XC90; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Volvo dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 03V391000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Volvo models
- S601,266 complaints
- S80954 complaints
- V70933 complaints
- XC60651 complaints
- S70593 complaints
- 850569 complaints
- S40491 complaints
- XC70417 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.