2004 Volvo Xc90 Problems

Severe Issues

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2004 Volvo Xc90.

20032005
Complaints
669
Crashes
13
Fires
4
Injuries
9
Fatalities
—
Recalls
1

Worst 2004 Volvo Xc90 Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1152 complaints

Electrical Faults

Avg mileage:101,561 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:1
#2102 complaints

Automatic Transmission

Avg mileage:73,732 mi
#337 complaints

Transmission / Drivetrain

Avg mileage:144,566 mi
Considering a 2004 Volvo Xc90?

Check the actual VIN — every car is different.

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

Check VIN Free

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Volvo Xc90.

Electrical Faults
152
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
101,561
Automatic Transmission
102
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
73,732
Transmission / Drivetrain
37
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
144,566
Fuel System
34
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
134,744
Gasoline Fuel System
32
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
88,049
Headlight/Taillight Failures
30
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
108,542
Engine Problems
28
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
107,264
Airbags
26
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
100,773
Unintended Acceleration
16
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
104,701
Steering Defects
15
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
103,301
Engine & Cooling
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
83,188
Electronic Stability Control
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
191,997
Brakes
10
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
125,965
Wheel Issues
10
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
85,928
Suspension Failures
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
80,469
Fuel Pump
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
70,179
Structural Problems
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
103,847
Suspension:Rear
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
58,565
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
70,400
Other Equipment
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
44,544
Suspension:Front:Wheel Bearing
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
51,183
Tire Defects
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
68,247
Electrical System:Ignition
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Hydraulic Brakes
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches / Locks
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Driveline
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering:Linkages:Tie Rod Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Volvo Xc90. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2004 Volvo Xc90

1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~416 vehicles.

10V566000Equipment:electrical:navigational System(global Positioning System)
~416 affected

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

Other Volvo Xc90 Years

2003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142016201720182019202020212022202320242025

2004 Volvo Xc90 — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2004 Volvo Xc90 reliable?
Verdict: Severe Issues. The 2004 Volvo Xc90 has 669 NHTSA complaints, 13 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 152 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Volvo Xc90?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (152 complaints, avg 101,561 mi); Automatic Transmission (102 complaints, avg 73,732 mi); Transmission / Drivetrain (37 complaints, avg 144,566 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Volvo Xc90?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 100,007 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2004 Volvo Xc90?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Volvo Xc90 include 13 crash-related reports, 4 fire reports, 9 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2004 Volvo Xc90 have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 416 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2004 Volvo Xc90?
Proceed with extreme caution. The 2004 Volvo Xc90 shows significantly more complaints than average for its class. If you're buying one, a pre-purchase inspection and a VIN history check are essential — skip them and you're gambling.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Volvo Xc90 reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

Check Your Specific 2004 Volvo Xc90

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.

Check Any VIN — $4.99