2005 Volvo XC90: common problems and reliability
One of the worst XC90 years.
One of the Volvo XC90 years to avoid. All XC90 years
223 owner complaints, most about power train. 6 recalls.
Should I buy a 2005 XC90?The 2005 Volvo XC90 has 223 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 6 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and electrical system.
Safety record for the 2005 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2005 Volvo XC90 vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other XC90 years only. How we score it
Is 2005 a good year for the XC90?
Across the 23 XC90 model years we track, complaint volume runs from 3 (2012) to 592 (2016). With 223 complaints, the 2005 XC90 sits above the model's median of 58.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2005 XC90
steering:linkages:tie rod assembly
Campaign 06V155000ON 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.
electrical system:starter assembly:solenoid
Campaign 05V529000ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, DUE TO AN ERROR IN THE FACTORY ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTION, THE B+TERMINAL MAY BE IN CONFLICT WITH THE STARTER MOTOR SOLENOID. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THE B+TERMINAL AND THE STARTER MOTOR SOLENOID MAY DEVELOP INTO A SHORT CIRCUIT OF THE BATTERY CABLE TO GROUND.
equipment:electrical:navigational system(global positioning system)
Campaign 10V566000VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Campaign 09V483000VOLVO 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, TENNESSEE, TEXAS, UTAH, VIRGINIA AND THE U.S. TERRITORIES. WHEN EXPOSED TO CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS (HOT CLIMATE AND TEMPERATURE CYCLING) OVER TIME AND IN COMBINATION WITH VARYING FUEL QUALITY, THE FUEL PUMP CAN DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE.
Show 2 more recalls
visibility:windshield wiper/washer
Campaign 06V144000ON 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.
electrical system:12v/24v/48v battery:cables
Campaign 07V221000ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT WHILE DOING BATTERY MAINTENANCE THE JACK'S CRANK HANDLE CAN BE MISPLACED UNDER A BRACKET WHICH RETAINS THE BATTERY.
What owners say across generations
Sentiment is mixed and heavily dependent on generation and powertrain.
Owner insights cover all generations of the XC90. See the full XC90 owner picture and every model year.
Typical used price
Used XC90 listings typically run $19,496–$39,767.
Other XC90 model years
Compare every XC90 year side by side to see how 2005 ranks against the rest.
Compare the XC90 against its rivals
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