Skip to main content

2003 VOLVO XC90

5 recalls Risk Grade: B- Most severe issue: Critical

All recalls are free to repair at your local dealership. Contact your dealer to schedule service.

Known Safety Recalls

Critical #09V483000 Plain English
Component

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Manufacturer
VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.
What Happened
The fuel pump in your vehicle is a crucial part that sends gasoline from the tank to your engine. Over time, in hot climates and with varying fuel quality, the pump's metal flange can crack.
Risk if Unfixed
If the fuel pump flange cracks, you might notice a strong fuel smell or even a leak. If this happens, there's a risk of a fire if an ignition source is nearby.
Free Fix
Your Volvo dealer will inspect the fuel pump and replace it with a new, improved design if needed – all at no cost to you. Schedule the repair as soon as you get the recall notice.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2005 S80, MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 V70, S60, XC70 AND MODEL YEAR 2003-2005 XC90 VEHICLES SOLD IN OR REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF ALABAMA, ARIZONA, ARKANSAS, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, HAWAII, KENTUCKY, LOUISIANA, MISSISSIPPI, NEVADA, NEW MEXICO, NORTH CAROLINA, OKLAHOMA, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, TEXAS, UTAH, VIRGINIA AND THE U.S. TERRITORIES. WHEN EXPOSED TO CERTAIN ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS (HOT CLIMATE AND TEMPERATURE CYCLING) OVER TIME AND IN COMBINATION WITH VARYING FUEL QUALITY, THE FUEL PUMP CAN DEVELOP CRACKS IN THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
IF THE CONDITION OCCURS VEHICLE OWNERS MAY NOTICE FUEL SMELL AND/OR FUEL LEAK WHICH, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Original — Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, AND IF NECESSARY REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP WITH A PART OF A MODIFIED DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 15, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Critical #06V155000 Plain English
Component

STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY

Manufacturer
VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.
What Happened
The tie rod assembly in your vehicle is a critical part that helps steer your car. The ball joint, which connects the tie rod to the steering system, can weaken and eventually break if it's subjected to heavy loads, like driving on rough roads or towing a trailer.
Risk if Unfixed
If the ball joint fails, you might notice that your vehicle is harder to steer, especially when turning or maneuvering in tight spaces. This could increase the risk of a crash.
Free Fix
Your Volvo dealer will replace the faulty tie rod assembly with an upgraded one, free of charge. You should schedule the repair as soon as you get the recall notice, and the work will be done at no cost to you.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Original — Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE OUTER BALL JOINT TIE RODS WITH IMPROVED OUTER BALL JOINT TIE RODS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 23, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
High Priority #03V391000 Plain English
Component

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

Manufacturer
VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.
What Happened
The seat belt attachments in your vehicle's second and third row seats might not be securely fastened, which could cause them to come loose during a crash.
Risk if Unfixed
If you're in a collision and your seat belt attachment fails, you or your passengers may not be properly restrained, which increases the risk of serious injury.
Free Fix
Your Volvo dealer will inspect and tighten or replace the seat belt attachments to ensure they're securely fastened — this repair is free, and you should contact them as soon as possible to schedule the fix.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE SEAT BELT ATTACHMENT(S) FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW SEAT(S) MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FITTED PROPERLY.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Original — Remedy
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE SECOND AND/OR THIRD ROW SEAT BELT ATTACHMENTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #10V566000 Plain English
Component

EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:NAVIGATIONAL SYSTEM(GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM)

Manufacturer
VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.
What Happened
The portable GPS unit in your vehicle is a small device that helps you navigate. The batteries in these devices could overheat and cause a fire.
Risk if Unfixed
An overheated battery in the GPS unit could catch fire, which is a serious safety issue.
Free Fix
Your dealer will replace the battery with a new one and add a spacer to prevent overheating, all at no cost to you. You should schedule this repair as soon as possible.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
VOLVO IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GARMIN 760 PORTABLE GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEM (GPS) UNITS BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ON THOSE UNITS MAY OVERHEAT.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
AN OVERHEATED BATTERY COULD LEAD TO A FIRE.
Original — Remedy
VOLVO ADVISES OWNERS TO PLEASE STOP USING THE GARMIN PORTABLE GPS DEVICE IMMEDIATELY, AND VISIT THE GARMIN WEBSITE TO DETERMINE IF THEIR UNIT IS AFFECTED. THE UNIT'S BATTERY WILL BE REPLACED WITH A NEW BATTERY AND A SPACER WILL BE INSERTED ON TOP OF THE BATTERY NEXT TO THE PCB. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 18, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT GARMIN AT 866-957-1981 OR VISIT GARMIN'S WEBSITE AT WWW.GARMIN.COM/NUVIBATTERYPCBRECALL.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →
Moderate #06V144000 Plain English
Component

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

Manufacturer
VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC.
What Happened
The wiper arm in your vehicle is the part that connects to the wiper blade. It can slip off its metal rod in extreme winter weather if you don't lift the arms and clean the windshield before driving.
Risk if Unfixed
If this happens, you won't be able to move your windshield wipers from the park position, which means you'll have to drive in bad weather without being able to clear the snow or rain from your windshield. This could lead to a crash due to reduced visibility.
Free Fix
Your Volvo dealer will replace the wiper arm and the retaining nut for free. You should schedule the repair as soon as possible.
Show original NHTSA language
Original — What Happened
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.
Original — Risk if Unfixed
INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.
Original — Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIPER ARMS AND RETAINING NUTS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLVO CARS AT 1-800-458-1552.
View full recall details → Repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Find a dealer →

Browse by Component

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
1 recall
STEERING
1 recall
SEAT BELTS
1 recall
EQUIPMENT
1 recall
VISIBILITY
1 recall

Other VOLVO XC90 Years

2011
1 recall
2010
3 recalls
2009
1 recall
2008
3 recalls
2007
2 recalls
2006
3 recalls
2005
6 recalls
2004
6 recalls

Related Pages

2002 VOLVO XC90 Recalls 2004 VOLVO XC90 Recalls All VOLVO Recalls VOLVO XC90 Recall History