2004 Volvo XC90 Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 19about this part
- Share
- 4%of 462 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 104,789miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 19 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Volvo XC90, 4% of the 462 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 104,789 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My wife and I were driving to a friend's how's when suddenly the radio started acting up ,it would go on and off . After we noticed that I slowed down a bit then all of a sudden my hole dash board went out . I tried pulling over but the transmission would not respond ,then the dashboard came back on but I had all these warnings like brake failure ,srs airbag service urgent , engine system service urgent . …”
NHTSA complaint #10478919, filed 2012-10, 104,789 miles“3 hours into a 3-1/2 hour weekend road trip there was a clunk in the engine compartment. Thinking I hit a pothole, I continued on cautiously. While continuing on these unfamiliar 2 lane windy roads going 43mph (the speed limit was 55) about 2 miles from where the clunk happened my entire dash cluster stopped working. All my dome lights and leg lights came on. The car clunked harder this time. I lost power to the engine, steering was like trying to turn a tank, and the brakes were very spongy. …”
NHTSA complaint #10618859, filed 2014-08, 155,000 miles“While driving any distance over 60 minutes the car warning comes on saying sudden loss of brakes, stop safely. Airbag check light comes on. Within a few seconds all the electronics shuts down; all dash, stereo, lights, wipers, windows and lack of power to engine but car stays running. This was almost a deadly crash while driving in pouring rain and there were cars everywhere. No way to signal or flashers, I honestly thought me and my family were gonna get in an accident. I have read other stories online so my question is, what is the cause of this? …”
NHTSA complaint #10924161, filed 2016-11, 137,500 miles“Today, we learned our Volvo XC90's yaw rate sensor has failed. The root cause was water leaking into the passenger side of the car due to blocked moonroof (I.e. Sunroof) drains, which shorted the yaw rate sensor. This impaired the electronic stability control and brakes of our Volvo, putting us at risk of accident. Research shows this is a frequent and recurring problem known since at least 2004. It has caused thousands of dollars in damage to numerous xc90s. Volvo is aware of this issue up to and including the president of Volvo USA. …”
NHTSA complaint #10500856, filed 2013-02, 110,156 miles“I purchased the XC90 dame day once leaving the dealership there was no gas stop to put gas in car once filled up car would get out of park wad stuck there for 15 min tried to take key out would not allow me to called dealer once the car could get to dealer they gave me answers ad I have to pump the brakes and I should b.fine I was scared but had to get home to my town went to work on the 25th of april 2014 was stuck at work for over 30 min terrified im financing the vehicle sine its late I will have to call the dealer and finance in the am cars should not b doin this had the car for two days…”
NHTSA complaint #10585023, filed 2014-04, 98,430 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10157889Feb 14, 2019This is a Technical Journal: When sensitive information, like vehicle speed, brake usage, etc. (customer behavoiur information) of a car is required from Volvo Car Corporation…
- 10167828Dec 3, 2016This is a Technical Journal: When sensitive information, like vehicle speed, brake usage, etc. (customer behavoiur information) of a car is required from Volvo Car Corporation…
- 10205670Mar 15, 2016XC90 Noise/Squeal from rear brakes
- 10043584Feb 17, 2012Software download may cause the brake control module (bcm) to make a diagnostic trouble code (dtc) of 0076 or on the xc90 dtc 0117 which also may accompany bcm dtc 0076. This is…
- 10037649Dec 20, 2010Volvo: yaw rate sensor is outside of permitted range.
- 10033816May 14, 2010Volvo: unnecessary brake control module (bcm) replacements. When diagnosing diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) for brake control system, technician must always follow complete…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 14% |
| 2024 | 5 | 13% |
| 2023 | 5 | 12% |
| 2022 | 1 | 3% |
| 2021 | 7 | 17% |
| 2020 | 4 | 12% |
| 2019 | 6 | 14% |
| 2018 | 12 | 23% |
| 2017 | 8 | 10% |
| 2016 | 15 | 8% |
| 2011 | 2 | 11% |
| 2010 | 1 | 8% |
| 2009 | 2 | 29% |
| 2008 | 2 | 7% |
| 2007 | 5 | 13% |
| 2006 | 3 | 6% |
| 2005 | 3 | 1% |
| 2004 | 19 | 4% |
| 2003 | 7 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2004 Volvo XC90
158 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
145 complaintsFuel system
77 complaintsExterior lighting
32 complaintsAir bags
31 complaintsEngine
28 complaintsEngine cooling
24 complaintsSuspension
23 complaintsSteering
20 complaintsOther or unknown
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaintsBody and structure
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Volvo XC90
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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