Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Volvo XC90 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Transmission failed without warning. Here's the story, my XC90 was dealer serviced a week ago (pm), took on a short road trip over weekend, fortunately made it home before it broke down. Went to work upon returning from trip and while I was parking the transmission failed to engage in any gear. Very unsafe! No warning lights illuminated and there was no 'limp mode.' the rpms rose as if it were in neutral. Could hear a metallic rattling noise coming from transmission. Had to have it towed from work to aamco. Aamco stated the damage was inside of transmission and they would need to remove and tear down to see what issue is, but more than likely it was a complete failure. I just bought this car in November and luckily bought an aftermarket warranty that 'should' cover everything. …
When this vehicle was purchased it started within 4 days to have problems with the transmission, after the transmission the transfer case began to have problems, so the vehicle was placed in the shop before the thirty days tags could expire and both parts were rebuilt by an outside company which was added to the original price tag of the vehicle. Then a year later the vehicle was placed in the shop for the turbo's had gone out on the vehicle on April 11, 2015 until current date. They are now saying the vehicle has a blown head gasket and it is still in the shop.
Transfer case keeps locking up and messing up. In past year paid 1500 two times to replace transfer case and is now in shop again for same reason. Transfer case locking up. Feb 2020, July 2020, and now January 2021 feb going speed of 35-40, July on highway speed of 70 in middle of freeway, and jan speed of 35
For both our 2001 Volvo s60 2.4t and our 2003 Volvo XC90 2.5t AWD there have been unsuccessful attempts to repair a transmission defect (essentially same transmission in both vehicles per Volvo tech support). Between 2nd and 3rd there is intermittent/unpredictable failure to engage 3rd in timely fashion with resultant loss of acceleration as vehicle is functionally in neutral with engine racing for ~0.5-2.5 seconds. This can be extremely dangerous especially when pulling on to a highway. We have experienced 2 near collisions (almost being struck from behind). Volvo tech support acknowledges a flaw in engineering whereby servo fluid air lock occurs in the 2001. A new transmission is scheduled to be replaced for our s60, but if the problem is still occuring in our 2003, will this really correct the problem as the transmissions are basically identical? …
My 2003 Volvo XC90 has been to the dealer several times including over 3 times for same problem when I purchased the vehicle in 2006. All recalls have been fixed, front axle, wipers etc. I have purchased 4 sets of tires, tires boston Volvo installed and my 17 year old son received a complete blow out because wrong size tires. I continue taking to same dealer and since owning the car have had the same noises in front of car. Boston Volvo has stated in October and since owning the vehicle can find nothing wrong, April diagnosed with need new drive shaft after having car for 2 days but could not really fine anything but drive shaft. A strong fuel smell stated fuel pump does not need to be corrected. I need new muffler and taking to my own mechanic the real issue is transmission service urgent and need new transmission. Volvo did not diagnose this problem and my son is driving the car! …
I purchase a used Volvo XC90 on 12/17/2010 for my son with a registered 104,555 miles. On 12/29/2010 the transmission went out. I got a couple different estimates from $5,000 to $7,000 to repair or replace. After discussing with the automotive technician, I found out that Volvo has had a slew of problems relating to the 03,04 & 05 XC90 especially with transmission problems. I was totally disappointed because I purchase this vehicle based on Volvo reputation and the car reliability and due to the fact that I have a 2000 Volvo s80 and have had it since 2000 and have had few problems. Although, my son wanted to purchase another vehicle, I steered him towards the Volvo. …
Power train - automatic transmission failure. Days after completing a 90,000 mile service and other repairs (brakes, broken engine mount bracket) and trip to boston from washington dc, the "transmission service urgent" message came up for the first time since purchasing the vehicle new in 2003 from don beyer Volvo in falls church, virginia. The failure occurred on new year's eve during a snow storm in the boston area. The closest dealership was closed for the holiday. On January 2, 2009, we brought the vehicle to dalzell Volvo in dedham, massachusetts. After conducting a diagnostic test, the service manager informed me that the transmission was failing and that radiator fluid had mixed with the transmission fluid. I was quoted a price of $7000 to replace the transmission, radiator, and related equipment. …
2003 Volvo XC90 - transmission is "stuck" in 3rd gear. I just found out the transmission is built by GM. No wonder there is a problem! The dealer said to "fix" the problem would br $6K+. He said the axle had leaked grease into the transmission and is causing the issue. GM built the transmission and this is not the first time I have heard or read about the same problem. The car is sluggish from a dead stop which is dangerous and will cause an accident. The vehicle is not safe to drive. If Volvo cares about their reputation this must be addressed and of course GM should work out something with the drive train manufacture. Faith in Volvo has been damaged. None of the dealerships seem to understand what the issue is or how to fix the problem without replacing the whole transmission. There will be an accident due to lack of performance if not already. This is a serious issue. …
I own a 2003 Volvo XC90 t6. The transmission failed once at 66,000 miles and was replaced. At that time Volvo paid 50% of the cost. My cost was $2,700. It has now failed again at 107,000 and is now awaiting its third transmission. I have filed a complaint at Volvo customer service on the website . Volvo is offering to provide the parts if I pay for the labor. The car failed on the new york turnpike creating a dangerous, scary situation. The car was towed to a Volvo dealer in albany, ny. I live in columbus ohio. I needed to rent a car @ a cost of $355 to return to columbus. The car is in albany awaiting repair. I have received a call from betty with Volvo, telephone [phone] x 1977. Volvo will cover the parts if I cover labor. The labor will cost $1,800. I will also need to incur the cost of a plane ticket to return tto albany. …
We bought a 2003 Volvo xc 90 in January 2003, the vehicle is less than a year old and has about 12,600 miles. In the last six weeks, we have had four system problems, brakes, cruise control, ac/ defroster and most recently automatic transmission. I believe that the transmission is the most serious problem since it failed to operate while my wife was driving on the highway.the dealer repaired the vehicle stating that a corrupt software was the cause. Volvo USA stated that the "new " software was a modification/upgrade which is being put in the 2004 vehicles. My question to Volvo USA as to whether this problem with the 2003 caused the design of the modification was not an adequately responded to. Volvo USA claimed that there were no figures available to advise myself on how many 2003 xc 90 have had this or other problems. …
Transmission complaints in other XC90 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2003 Volvo XC90?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2003 Volvo XC90, 53% of the model year's 93 complaints. The component named most often is automatic transmission (39 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Volvo XC90 transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for the 2003 Volvo XC90, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Volvo XC90 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.