2005 Volvo XC90 Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 51about this part
- Share
- 23%of 223 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 95,417miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 51 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Volvo XC90, 23% of the 223 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 95,417 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Driving in pitch black night on backroads of charleston, sc. Lights went out after left headlight flickered for a few days. Lights went out and car went off road as we were in a curve. Regained control after spinning on wet grass. I need the headlights repaired by Volvo at their expense and reimbursement for the failed engine I had to replace.”
NHTSA complaint #10490743, filed 2013-01, 103,000 miles“I had filled an earlier complaint and this to be added to the earlier form that I had filled needs to go to the engineering department. See photo the electrical complaint from the magnetic electrical beings in me and in this picture I believe is about design of the fuses in vehicle and what they are tryin to communicate here I believe would be the distance between the positive and negative connections like what it is doing to them as it goes through those types of fuses. …”
NHTSA complaint #11340785, filed 2020-07, 138 miles“This complaint relates to pe10025. I have to replace cem and casing for wiring cost 5500.00. Volvo should be responsible for part or all of this repair. It is water seepage into the cem case. Water drips down through hood of the car and corrodes the wires. Causes major electrical shorts. I consider this to be a manufacturer defect. Way to many cars are experiencing this issue and it is extremely costly. I would sincerely wish you to consider making Volvo responsible.”
NHTSA complaint #10491958, filed 2013-01, 97,000 miles“While driving vehicle at 55-60 MPH all dashboard lights came on and car lost power. This caused a frightening and extremely dangerous situation. Without headlights or tail lights I could not be seen by other drivers. I tried to cross 2 lanes and get onto the shoulder with no power steering or engine power. While I was very fortunate I was not in or did not cause a serious accident I had an extremely close calls. I changed lanes and almost collided with another vehicle traveling at 55. …”
NHTSA complaint #10649780, filed 2014-10, 170,000 miles“Aside from normal care, I have only replaced my tires and a gas cap. I started to experience some water seepage onto the driver-side. I covered the vehicle when it rained and figured I would have a look at it when I had time. July 2015, I took my Volvo to savannah Volvo, fixed my breaks along with other safety fixes, after 14 hrs of having my vehicle and 2800 later, pete stated everything was taken care of and the water seepage was due to the drains being clogged, but, they are all clear now, we did a water test and everything is ok. …”
NHTSA complaint #10779801, filed 2015-10, 130,000 milesRelated recalls
- 10V566000Nov 8, 2010Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (gps) units because the batteries on those units may overheat.Covers: Volvo XC90 2003–2010, S80 2000–2010, V70 2001–2010 +6 more
- 07V221000May 25, 2007On certain passenger vehicles, it has been determined that while doing battery maintenance the jack's crank handle can be misplaced under a bracket which…Covers: Volvo XC90 2005
- 05V529000Nov 17, 2005On 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…Covers: Volvo XC90 2005, S80 2005
Related service bulletins
- 11007925Aug 14, 2024Information about valid Software partnumbers to order and download Software for "PDS" Pre-Delivery Service
- 10249191Jan 12, 2024This is a Technical Journal: 12V Battery Testing Method
- 10212892Feb 3, 2022Shipping and Handling of Volvo Lithium-ion 48V Mild Hybrid Battery to Global Battery Solutions (GBS)
- 10197371May 25, 2021This is a Service Manager Bulletin : Volvo Electric Vehicle Technical De-Energization Permit to Work Form
- 10179681Aug 5, 2020This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Service 2.0 Software & Total Upgrade Reminder
- 10213882Jun 23, 2020Battery Charger/maintainer requirement
- 10173760Mar 31, 2020This is a Service Manager Bulletin: Service 2.0 Software & Total Upgrade Reminder
- 10169394Nov 19, 2019This is a Technical Journal: Swapping control modules from vehicle to vehicle for diagnostics should be avoided. Swapping control modules may result in consequential damage to…
- 10169393Nov 14, 2019This is a Technical Journal: Swapping control modules from vehicle to vehicle for diagnostics should be avoided. Swapping control modules may result in consequential damage to…
- 10169391Nov 9, 2019Software Installation Policy changes.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 24% |
| 2024 | 17 | 46% |
| 2023 | 10 | 24% |
| 2022 | 14 | 45% |
| 2021 | 13 | 33% |
| 2020 | 11 | 32% |
| 2019 | 11 | 26% |
| 2018 | 15 | 29% |
| 2017 | 19 | 23% |
| 2016 | 56 | 28% |
| 2013 | 2 | 18% |
| 2011 | 5 | 26% |
| 2009 | 3 | 43% |
| 2008 | 8 | 28% |
| 2007 | 14 | 37% |
| 2006 | 16 | 30% |
| 2005 | 51 | 23% |
| 2004 | 158 | 34% |
| 2003 | 18 | 19% |
Other parts of the 2005 Volvo XC90
62 complaintsEngine cooling
40 complaintsFuel system
33 complaintsEngine
29 complaintsExterior lighting
25 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsSteering
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsTires
6 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 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