VOLVO XC90 · model year

2006 VOLVO XC90

72 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006VOLVOXC90 carries 72 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 6 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 XC90 is electrical system with 14 filings, followed by engine (6) and unknown or other (5). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 28 investigation files overlapping the 2006 XC90. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

72
Complaints
5
Crashes
6
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

72 filings

Crashes Reported

5 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM14
ENGINE6
UNKNOWN OR OTHER5
TIRES:TREAD/BELT5
EXTERIOR LIGHTING4
WHEELS3
TIRES3
SUSPENSION3
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE2
POWER TRAIN2
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM2
STRUCTURE:BODY2
STEERING2
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WARNING LIGHT/DEVICES1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP1

Recalls (3)

06V14400028/04/2006

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

ON 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.

10V56600008/11/2010

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.

06V15500005/05/2006

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

ON 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.

Recent Complaints

20250316ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Vehicle is slightly off-balance no matter if I do an alignment ball joints seem to always get affected. I’m not sure if the hydraulics are working correctly. Yesterday I just started leaking antifreeze fluid.

20250316EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Vehicle is slightly off-balance no matter if I do an alignment ball joints seem to always get affected. I’m not sure if the hydraulics are working correctly. Yesterday I just started leaking antifreeze fluid.

20250316SUSPENSION

Vehicle is slightly off-balance no matter if I do an alignment ball joints seem to always get affected. I’m not sure if the hydraulics are working correctly. Yesterday I just started leaking antifreeze fluid.

20240411ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Awakened to lights flashing, horn going off, wipers running on a vehicle that was parked with keys removed. The cem underneath driver's side dash had gotten wet from rain water leaking into it and subsequently shorted out requiring $2350 replacement via dealer. This IS A Huge problem.... however, and wait for it. IT IS NOT DUE TO THE SUNROOF.... I know this with absolute certainty because I have 3 2006-2010 xc90's and NONE HAVE SUNROOFS but all 3 had to have CEM reprogrammed. I can't understand why NOTHING has been done about this... it's absurd.

20230606FireUNKNOWN OR OTHER

The tensioner pulley for the serpentine belt seized up while traveling at 70 mph, melting the serpentine belt and causing an engine fire.

20220815CrashVEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

The contact owned a 2006 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while depressing the brake pedal to park the vehicle when the vehicle's RPMs revved up causing the vehicle to unintentionally accelerate and crash into the wall in front. The air bags did not deploy. After the crash occurred, the low coolant warning light failed. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to their scrotum and rib area. The contact was a physician and therefore provided their own medical care. The vehicle was towed and deemed totaled. The contact stated their insurance diagnosed that the vehicle experienced sudden acceleration. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000

Mileage: 110,000

20220302ENGINE

This has happened multiple times on the highway going 60 mph. And at slow speeds, last time on an entrance ramp onto the highway. The vehicle will shut off, as if the key has been turned off. But it hasn't been touched. Steering becomes difficult and I have to try and get off the road. Once I get pulled over and put it in park, it will start and run normally for a time. It most often happens when i turn to the right fairly tight. But not exclusively. Today after driving it approximately 120 miles with one shut off, my check engine light came on and it was difficult to get started again. This is absolutely a Hazzard to others and myself

20220120FireFIRERELATED

The contact owns a 2006 Volvo XC90. The contact stated while attempting to turn around, he saw a warning message transmission overheating message and the vehicle shut off. After an unknown amount of time, the vehicle was started up again and proceeded to fill the cabin with smoke and within 5 minutes the entire vehicle was on fire. The vehicle was extinguished on its own and a report was not taken. The contact sustained injuries to the lungs and burns to the face. The vehicle was not towed away. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000. The VIN was not available.

Mileage: 190,000

20211114SEATS

the drivers side electric seat controls are causing unsafe driving conditions. i drive with the seat all the way back and down. I have the memory sets all for that position. Problem is when I get back in the car it will be back up and forward al the way. So i will set it back down. Well while ia m driving it will automatically start raising back up and forward. As you can imagine this gets very uncomfortable and feels like i am getting choked to death. I will set it back and it will keep doing that . I will hear clicking and then it will start moving. sometimes. i will have to hold my finger on the down button to keep it from moving on me while im driving, sometimes it will still move all the way up while i am holding the button down. and then it will get all the way forward and the buttons will not work for me for a while. Im stuck in the forward up position choking and cant do anything about it. Eventually they will start working again nut its a very impossible position to be l

20211114ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

the drivers side electric seat controls are causing unsafe driving conditions. i drive with the seat all the way back and down. I have the memory sets all for that position. Problem is when I get back in the car it will be back up and forward al the way. So i will set it back down. Well while ia m driving it will automatically start raising back up and forward. As you can imagine this gets very uncomfortable and feels like i am getting choked to death. I will set it back and it will keep doing that . I will hear clicking and then it will start moving. sometimes. i will have to hold my finger on the down button to keep it from moving on me while im driving, sometimes it will still move all the way up while i am holding the button down. and then it will get all the way forward and the buttons will not work for me for a while. Im stuck in the forward up position choking and cant do anything about it. Eventually they will start working again nut its a very impossible position to be l

20210809FireENGINE

The contact owns a 2006 Volvo XC90. The contact stated there was an abnormal odor of fuel detected in the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000. The contact stated the failure was similar to NHTSA Campaign number 09V483000 (Fuel System, Gasoline).

Mileage: 160,000

20210426FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL FILTER AND FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 244,777.

Mileage: 244,777

20210426FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL FILTER AND FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 244,777.

Mileage: 244,777

20200514ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLVO XC90. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL POPPING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO A WORN SUSPENSION MOUNT. ADDITIONALLY, THE MECHANIC ALSO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A DEFECTIVE BOOST PRESSURE SENSOR, A DEFECTIVE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, AND A DEFECTIVE VANOS SENSOR WHICH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

Mileage: 175,000

20200407STRUCTURE:BODY

WATER LEAKING FROM AN UNKNOWN PLACE GATHERING IN PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR ! CAUSING MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS! VEHICLE WAS IN IDOL AND CUT OFF WILL NOT RESTART LEAVING MY YOUNG DAUGHTER AND I STRANDED! WHILE INVESTIGATING AND REMOVING CARPET CAME TO REALIZE THEY WERE 30 GALLONS OF WATER UNDER CARPET!! LOOKING INTO IT MORE ONLINE NOTICED MANY MANY MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPRESSED THIS SAME PROBLEM! WHY IS NOT AN IMPORTANT ISSUE TO VOLVO TO WANT TO FIX THIS PROBLEM?? WHY WASN'T THIS PROBLEM ISSUED FOR RECALL???? DOES SON HAVE TO DIE OF PHYSICALLY HARMED FOR THEIR TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS ONGOING PROBLEM

20200407ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WATER LEAKING FROM AN UNKNOWN PLACE GATHERING IN PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR ! CAUSING MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS! VEHICLE WAS IN IDOL AND CUT OFF WILL NOT RESTART LEAVING MY YOUNG DAUGHTER AND I STRANDED! WHILE INVESTIGATING AND REMOVING CARPET CAME TO REALIZE THEY WERE 30 GALLONS OF WATER UNDER CARPET!! LOOKING INTO IT MORE ONLINE NOTICED MANY MANY MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPRESSED THIS SAME PROBLEM! WHY IS NOT AN IMPORTANT ISSUE TO VOLVO TO WANT TO FIX THIS PROBLEM?? WHY WASN'T THIS PROBLEM ISSUED FOR RECALL???? DOES SON HAVE TO DIE OF PHYSICALLY HARMED FOR THEIR TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS ONGOING PROBLEM

20200407FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WATER LEAKING FROM AN UNKNOWN PLACE GATHERING IN PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR ! CAUSING MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS! VEHICLE WAS IN IDOL AND CUT OFF WILL NOT RESTART LEAVING MY YOUNG DAUGHTER AND I STRANDED! WHILE INVESTIGATING AND REMOVING CARPET CAME TO REALIZE THEY WERE 30 GALLONS OF WATER UNDER CARPET!! LOOKING INTO IT MORE ONLINE NOTICED MANY MANY MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPRESSED THIS SAME PROBLEM! WHY IS NOT AN IMPORTANT ISSUE TO VOLVO TO WANT TO FIX THIS PROBLEM?? WHY WASN'T THIS PROBLEM ISSUED FOR RECALL???? DOES SON HAVE TO DIE OF PHYSICALLY HARMED FOR THEIR TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS ONGOING PROBLEM

20181108ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CRIPPEN VOLVO (8300 W. SAGINAW HWY, LANSING, MI), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER, WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT AND THE DRIVER NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD BALL JOINT FAILED AND THE WHEELS WERE NOT PROPERLY POSITIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND THE TIE ROD WAS DAMAGED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V155000 (STEERING) ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. ALSO, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE IMMEDIATELY STARTED. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND CAUSED THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES W

Mileage: 130,000

20181108STEERING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CRIPPEN VOLVO (8300 W. SAGINAW HWY, LANSING, MI), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER, WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT AND THE DRIVER NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD BALL JOINT FAILED AND THE WHEELS WERE NOT PROPERLY POSITIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND THE TIE ROD WAS DAMAGED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V155000 (STEERING) ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. ALSO, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE IMMEDIATELY STARTED. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND CAUSED THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES W

Mileage: 130,000

20181108SUSPENSION

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO CRIPPEN VOLVO (8300 W. SAGINAW HWY, LANSING, MI), BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER, WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT AND THE DRIVER NEARLY LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD BALL JOINT FAILED AND THE WHEELS WERE NOT PROPERLY POSITIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN UNKNOWN DEALER AND THE TIE ROD WAS DAMAGED. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V155000 (STEERING) ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. ALSO, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE IMMEDIATELY STARTED. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY SHUT OFF AND CAUSED THE POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES W

Mileage: 130,000

Compare 2006VOLVOXC90 to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 VOLVO XC90 have?
The 2006 VOLVO XC90 has 72 NHTSA complaints, 5 crashes, 6 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 VOLVO XC90?
Yes, the 2006 VOLVO XC90 has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 VOLVO XC90?
The most-complained component for the 2006 VOLVO XC90 is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 14 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2006 VOLVO XC90 safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.