Investigations
VOLVO XC90 BATTERY CABLE FAILURES
NHTSA Engineering Analysis EA06006 — closed, opened 2006-03-21 and involving the VOLVO VOLVO.
NHTSA investigation EA06006 is a Engineering Analysis opened on 2006-03-21 and currently closed. The subject of record is VOLVO VOLVO, which places this file inside the Office of Defects Investigation queue for VOLVO. Latest activity on this investigation was logged on 2007-06-14 — NHTSA updates that field whenever an Information Request goes out, a supplement is filed, or a status change is recorded in the public docket.
An Engineering Analysis like EA06006 is the deeper technical phase that follows a PE. NHTSA requests design, warranty, and field-failure data from the manufacturer, conducts its own testing when needed, and determines whether the evidence supports a safety defect finding that would compel a recall.
Investigators summarized the matter as follows: "DURING PE05-057 AND EA06-006 ODI IDENTIFIED TWO CONDITIONS INVOLVING THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2005 VOLVO XC90 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES THAT COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE: (1) POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE GR..." Investigations are the early-warning layer of the federal auto-safety system, sitting upstream of formal recalls and defect orders. Whether this one closes without action or escalates into an Engineering Analysis, the full history stays in the ODI archive so researchers, litigators, and buyers can pull the paper trail at any time. Related VOLVO files, listed below, give context on whether this is an isolated concern or part of a broader pattern across the brand.
Investigation Summary
DURING PE05-057 AND EA06-006 ODI IDENTIFIED TWO CONDITIONS INVOLVING THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2005 VOLVO XC90 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES THAT COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE: (1) POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE GROUNDING TO THE STARTER SOLENOID HOUSING; AND (2) MISPLACED JACK CRANK HANDLES UNDER THE BATTERY BRACKET AFTER BATTERY SERVICE/MAINTENANCE. DURING PE05-057 VOLVO INITIATED A SAFETY RECALL TO CORRECT THE FIRST CONDITION IN APPROXIMATELY 10,529 MY 2005 XC90 AND S80 VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SIX-CYLINDER ENGINES (NHTSA RECALL NO. 05V-529). IN A MAY 18, 2007 LETTER, VOLVO NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WOULD BE CONDUCTING A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS THE SECOND CONDITION IN APPROXIMATELY 42.211 MY 2005 XC90 VEHICLES BY INSPECTING THE JACK CRANK HANDLE FOR PROPER POSITIONING AND AFFIXING A WARNING LABEL ON THE BATTERY BRACKET TO WARN OPERATORS NOT TO PLACE THE HANDLE BETWEEN THE BATTERY AND BATTERY BRACKET (NHTSA RECALL NO. 07V-221). THE ACTIONS BY VOLVO ADDRESS BOTH CONDITIONS THAT POSE A RISK OF BATTERY CABLE FIRE IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION. THE AVAILABLE EVIDENCE DOES NOT INDICATE THAT THE OTHER BATTERY CABLE CONDITIONS REVIEWED DURING EA06-006 PRESENT HAVE RESULTED IN ANY FIRES IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLE POPULATION. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST IN ANY ONE OF THE ISSUES. THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.
About This Investigation Type
An Engineering Analysis (EA) is the in-depth phase following a Preliminary Evaluation. NHTSA engineers conduct testing, collect data from manufacturers, and perform detailed technical analysis to determine whether a safety defect exists. An EA may lead to a voluntary recall by the manufacturer or, in rare cases, a mandatory recall order.
Other VOLVO Investigations
Discrepancies in Required CFR Reporting
Ride Quality
Windshield Wiper Failures
Volvo Sleeper glass de-bonding
Central Electronic Module Failure
Data from NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Cross-references: NHTSA recall campaign API and NHTSA FARS where fatality records overlap. PlainCars does not rate or recommend vehicles. Learn more.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.