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Electronic stability controlPart report

2003 Volvo XC90 Electronic stability control Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
3%of 93 total for the year
Median mileage
79,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the electronic stability control of the 2003 Volvo XC90, 3% of the 93 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I was not aware of the design defect in sun roof & the water damages that result in electrical issues. I had always parked my vehicle in covered parking until moving this year in january. I had taken my car in to have a tune up in nov 2012 at which time I was given an estimate of repairs needed in my car. My car remained parked for most of 2013 due to having moved I wasn't able to afford repairs. The repairs where inner&outer tie rods,ball joints, mounts, arm bushings, rotors & break pads. The above aforementioned where made. …”

NHTSA complaint #10554145, filed 2013-11, 79,000 miles

“Operating vehicle since oct '08, since that time there has been a noise emanating from front pass-side wheel area. Purchasing dealer(hall chevy, chesapeake, va) performed wheel-alignment to fix the noise which did not remedy. Volvo dealer in arvada, co diagnosed it as failed, or failing wheel hub, to be replaced at cost of $500. This vehicle also had trans failure at appx 76k miles, and throttle control module failure in oct '09. …”

NHTSA complaint #10293742, filed 2009-11, 79,300 miles

“Accumulation of airborne debris such as leaves and dirt in the drain tubes for the sun roof plugs drains causing water to run into cabin and accumulate (gallons) under carpeting on both driver and passenger sides. Yaw sensor is under passenger seat and fails due to exposure to water. Skid control system fails without input from yaw sensor. Much online research was required to learn cause of failure because dealer denied there was water and that failure of sensor was probably due to tilting the car on jack or other, unseating component in sensor.”

NHTSA complaint #10273923, filed 2009-06, 65,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Electronic stability control: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201653%
201319%
2008310%
200725%
200612%
200542%
2004112%
200333%

Other parts of the 2003 Volvo XC90

Transmission and drivetrain
49 complaints
Electrical system
18 complaints
Fuel system
10 complaints
Suspension
9 complaints
Brakes
7 complaints
Engine cooling
7 complaints
Body and structure
6 complaints
Equipment
5 complaints
Air bags
4 complaints
Steering
4 complaints
Exterior lighting
3 complaints
Other or unknown
3 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Volvo XC90

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology