NHTSA — Fuel/Propulsion System Problems

2004 Volvo XC90 (Page 1 of 2)

CarComplaints.com Seal Of This Might Hurt

CarComplaints.com Notes: The XC90 took its “freshman 15” of transmission complaints and turned it into a “sophomore 45.” The 2004 XC90 saw 3X as many complaints about the transmission failing as it did in its inaugural North American model year! By the following year, transmission complaints fell back in line with the 2003. That sharp spike in complaints means we recommend avoiding the 2004.

On top of transmission complaints, the 2004 XC90 also has problems with a sudden loss of power. The lucky ones are met with a “reduced engine performance” message, while others are left stranded on the side of the road waiting for a tow.

1.5

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
110,245 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Volvo XC90 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2004 Volvo XC90 Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #33

May 092023

XC90

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Few days ago I came home, parked the car inside the garage and went inside. An hour later I went to the garage for something and noticed a very strong gasoline odor coming from the car. It is not coming from the reservoir and I did not put any fuel recently, so it can't be explained with a fuel spill. I suspect it is coming from the fuel pump. I as hoping or it to goo away, but it did not. It has been a week already.

- Erie, CO, USA

problem #32

Apr 012021

XC90

  • 137,000 miles
Inside smells of gasoline after starting, and while driving. Persistent. Nauseating while driving. Windows must be let down while driving.

- New York, NY, USA

problem #31

Jan 042021

XC90

  • miles
The fuel pump under the back seat is cracked and leaking fuel. This is referenced in NHTSA recall number 09V483000. O'steen Volvo in jacksonville refuses to acknowledge there was ever a problem with this. It is all over the internet.the vehicle is not driveable as is. The car is soaked with gasoline. Apparently the fuel pump housing dries out from heat and cracks. We need some help here. It would be better if someone in saint augustine Florida could do this recall work for us as we really don't want to deal with O'steen after they have blown us off.

- St Augustine, FL, USA

problem #30

Aug 302019

XC90

  • 188,900 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

A few years ago I received a extended warranty for a fuel pump recall. My fuel pump is now leaking gas and filling the car with gas fumes. When I called the Volvo dealer I was told that the extended warranty was no longer valid and it would cost $1,000 to have it fixed. I called the vehicle safety hotline and was told that my VIN number wasn't included in the recall and I would need to file a complaint. The car is 16 years old and is in good condition I feel that as Volvo knows that the fuel pump is a safety issue that all cars that have the same fuel pump issue that are still driving the highways should be included in the recall. Nothing happened other than the heavy fuel smell that fills the car when driving and the fuel can be smelled outside of the car after it has been turned off. I have had the car fixed but think that the fuel pump issue should still be addressed. I didn't have an accident and there was no fire, but there could have been.

- Wilder, ID, USA

problem #29

Apr 012019

XC90

  • 74,800 miles
Raw gas smell. Told by dealer may be dangers to drive and park out of garage so fumes don't accumulate. Garage has natural gas heat and gas water heater. Some cars sold in other states have had recalls, under Volvo recall # 220. This car has been used in some states named in summer months. I am orig owner.

- Bend, OR, USA

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problem #28

Mar 212019

XC90

  • 113,223 miles
Bought the vehicle with 112,000 miles on it, it has a gas leak trickling down the side of the gas tank, probably a bad sending unit, fumes are bad some days but worse on warmer days. The transmission failed one day with no warning or light, it just lost momentum and failed to engage in drive. I think this is due to the poor engineering design Volvo used. This model is the T6 with the GM 4T65E transmission which is widely known to fail even at low miles. I think a full safety recall should E sanctioned for all model years with these horrible problems

- Brooklyn Park, MN, USA

problem #27

Mar 282018

XC90

  • 108,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We smelled a gasoline odor and the "check engine" light came on so we took our Volvo to a dealer to inspect. They said that there was a crack in the top of the fuel tank. I am the original owner and have taken meticulous care of this vehicle so that sounded very strange. The car only has 108,000 miles in 15 years. I now see where this model was recalled for fuel pump replacement several years ago but it was while I was out of the country for two years (2004-2006) on a project for my employer. I had my parents keep the car while I was gone and none of us received the notice about the recall. Shouldn't Volvo still have to honor this recall since I was not aware of it at the time" according to your recall campaign 09V-483 my car would have been included in the recall group, although my VIN number doesn't show up under the recalls now...could it be that the campaign is over so it doesn't show up now" Volvo customer care knew about this problem when I called them on Friday but are hemming and hawing about doing anything about it. It seems a cracked fuel tank could catch fire.

- Sandy Springs, GA, USA

problem #26

Mar 122018

XC90

  • 130,000 miles
Vehicle smells like gasoline when stopped and parked, and when driving. The smell seems to be strongest at the right rear of the vehicle when parked outside. When parked in the garage, the gasoline smell would be extremely strong and start coming into the house. It was severe enough I opened the garage door manually because I was afraid of blowing up the entire house. It is now staying parked in the driveway because the smell is so bad. There is a recall on certain VIN numbers, however Volvo says mine is not affected by the recall that would fix the smell. The recall appears to have been set up by state in which the vehicle was originally purchased, not necessarily vehicles with the part in question. The state where the vehicle has been since 2001 is Virginia. I spoke with my local dealership, who simply said to bring it in and they could diagnose it at their normal rates, and they would charge full price for parts and labor. Speaking with a Volvo usa representative got me a bit further with a 30% off parts coupon. While a nice gesture, it would have been nice to include vehicles that fell outside listed recalled VIN numbers on a case by case basis. At any rate, this is not an optional repair, as a gas smell indicates gasoline vapors, which are highly explosive.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

problem #25

Dec 052017

XC90

  • 129,000 miles
When stationary the car will have a wet spot of fuel under the tank and when we come to a stop you can smell fuel. When I looked under the car you can see where the side of the fuel tank was wet or dripping fuel.

- Parks, AZ, USA

problem #24

Nov 302017

XC90

  • 52,000 miles
A few days ago I began to smell fuel in the rear seat of the vehicle and on the outside. The smell began to get worse and linger for days after operating it. After some research I determined it to be the fuel pump issue that similar years and models were recalled for in 2009. My vehicle wasn't on the recall since it was purchased in pa rather than in one of the southern states. I took it to the dealer and they confirmed it was the fuel pump. Volvo agreed to pay for the part but not the labor which amounts to $800. These fuels pumps present an extreme risk for fire and injury and all vehicles should have been recalled at Volvo expense. Volvo should do the right thing and pay for the repairs or NHTSA should force them to. Just because of vehicle was purchased in one state versus another should not dictate whether they are recalled or not.

- Mount Joy, PA, USA

problem #23

Aug 152017

XC90

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Hi, when driving my car up any slight little hill, I have no power and it doesn't seem to want to drive. It's very frustrating!! I have read there are recalls in the fuel pumps and also other recalls with the model Volvo XC90. I hope they can repair it and pay for it!!

- Pasadena, CA, USA

problem #22

May 242017

XC90

  • 170,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Volvo XC90. While driving at any speed, the odor of fuel was present and an unexplained warning indicator illuminated. The contact also stated that the vehicle leaked fuel. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 170,000.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #21

Feb 252017

XC90

  • 170,000 miles
The contact serviced a 2004 Volvo XC90. While parked, the vehicle emitted a strong fuel odor and there was fuel visible above the fuel pump. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where it was diagnosed that the fuel pump housing and flange were damaged and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The maufacturer was made aware of the issue. The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V483000 (fuel system, gasoline). The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.

- White Salmon, WA, USA

problem #20

Apr 012016

XC90

  • miles
On the right rear side a smell of gas is present when I'm out side the car the I can smell it more

- Fairhaven, MA, USA

problem #19

Apr 152016

XC90

  • miles
There has been problems with steering the driver shafts the fuel pump airbags and wheels making a clicking noise while driving on highway. The gas smell is always inside the car and mechanic has said it's from the fuel pump defect during manufacturer. Along with the other fore-mention defects.Volvo does not want to address issues because age of car. There is a defective sunroof that allows water to leak inside the car during rain fall. There has been a top class action placed against Volvo for this. They wanted to charge me $700 to $800 for this defect and $1200 to $1500 for fuel pump.

- Trenton, NJ, USA

problem #18

Mar 012016

XC90

  • 140,000 miles
Fuel leak and smell passenger rear vehicle

- Lemont, IL, USA

problem #17

Feb 272016

XC90

  • 75,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Volvo XC90. While parked, there was a strong odor of fuel coming from the vehicle. The smell worsened while driving. The contact took the vehicle to a local mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be repaired. The repairs were not performed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was approximately 75,000.

- St Louis, MO, USA

problem #16

Jan 302016

XC90

  • 69,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that after the vehicle was parked, there was a fuel odor emitting inside the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure and the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V483000 (fuel system, gasoline). The failure mileage was 69,000.

- Broadway, NJ, USA

problem #15

Oct 012015

XC90

  • 101,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Volvo XC90. When the contact entered the vehicle, there was an odor of fuel inside and outside the vehicle. The odor of fuel could be smelled whenever the vehicle was driven. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and it was discovered that fuel was leaking from the vehicle, however, the failure was unable to be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 09V483000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.

- Fort Thomas, KY, USA

problem #14

Jun 152015

XC90 5-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
Looking for repairs on fuel issues, I read important information on what I was looking for. My Volvo had started to smell like gas, more in the rear right sides or back side. I had read that it maybe or is a recall issue. I bought my Volvo in 4/28/15 being only the second owner, I noticed the smell called the dealer where I bought the car, they suggested a diagnostic check. Came up as possible Volvo recall, since a bought the car as is they didn't fix it, they did suggest on calling Volvo direct for this issue. I made a appointment with autonation Volvo in san jose ca on 6/15/2015. When showing up for service they denied that my car was not a recall on that particular problem fuel issues, it was a recall on 157. I was surprised because I had gone for a fuel issue not a suspension issue. So my fuel issue is still present. So all I can say is that my issue with my Volvo is a recall witch Volvo of san jose ca don't want to fix because its not in the year, model, make. Clearly I have the mobil make and year, 2004 XC90 Volvo do to all the information found. Myself and my husband drive this car every day plus my 7 yr. Old with my newborn passengers being a hazard to my family.we took in the Volvo in on Saturday the 10/17 of 2015 because the smell is really bad, we need to drive with the ac at all times because the smell outside is so bad. We got rejected again, saying the same my car does not fall in that recall also do to my VIN number not matching who knows what, I need this fixed bad. We have also had people tell us about the smell being strong. As you can see its a safety and fire hazard for my family's safety, and at this time financial hardship is in issue do to maternity leave to be paying something that clearly its a Volvo issue, I think Volvo should take this as a big concern. I do hope this problem gets resolved and done. Thank you for your time and work.

- San Jose, CA, USA

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