Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Volvo XC90 owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I was getting off the highway and made a left turn. As I was accelerating the motor gentle cut off.. (You wouldnt even notice if you wasnt driving) Full Traffic was behind me, so luckily I was able to get out of the way and pull to shoulder. It was the day before Christmas and car hasn't ran since. Upon investigation I found the CEM was effected. When the car died I was in left hand lane and I had to make my way to right, the shoulder. Yes the problem was diagnosed by myself. However I did investigation and researched using all data at library. It has not been inspected by anyone else. There where no warning lamps or messages prior to the failure. It happened all of a sudden in the middle of traffic when I was getting off the highway.
After rainfall we began experience power failures in our Volvo. No windows were left open and the interior was not exposed to any water. But while driving the dashboard went out the needles for the fuel, miles per hour and everything went out. It came on shortly after then off again this time with the radio and windows could not roll down or up. Once the car was off it came back on only to repeat the same issue the dash and radio come on and off while driving and at one point will shut off everything until the car is turned off again. The headlights will flicker as well from time to time. This is extremely frightening considering I have a toddler and small child and while driving on a highway to have everything shut off was beyond frightening and extremely worrisome. …
My Volvo XC90 also has been diagnosed with cem problems after various symptoms began to arise. After going through a car wash, the display began showing various messages. The biggest problem is the the windshield wipers stopped working. I have ordered a new cem and intend to replace it . I am an attorney. If this vehicle continues to fail after the cem is replaced, I intend to take further legal action, especially in light of the reports and complaints I have read on this website. I intend to call the local dealer tomorrow to put them on notice of the problems with my vehicle. I cannot believe a reputable company like Volvo does not take care of the customers who have purchased their vehicles. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Volvo XC90. Ever since the vehicle was purchased in November of 2018, there had been several electrical failures. The headlights, power door locks, and power rearview mirror failed to operate. Also, the transmission caused the vehicle to jerk and stall while driving. The contact took the vehicle to an unknown Volvo dealer, but they refused to provide diagnostic testing and stated that there was no recall or warranty coverage on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 14,042.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that when it rained, water entered the vehicle through the passenger side and onto the dashboard, causing the instrument panel lights to dim. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and the radio no longer worked. Additionally, the headlights turned on and off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failures. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 162,189.
I was driving my 2005 Volvo XC90 AWD a from my home to work(about 20 miles) when I was parking the car on a parking lot, I noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The next moment I saw a little fire coming from under the hood. I stopped the car and got out. The fire was getting bigger and bigger. I immediately called 911. By the time the fire engine arrived the car was in flames, and the front windshield cracked and fell inside the car. The front seats and my personal property were burned.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Volvo XC90. While driving approximately 72 MPH, the instrument panel began to flash off and on. The vehicle suddenly shut off and stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the central electronic module was damaged due to water exposure and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000.
Tl* - the contact owns a 2005 Volvo x90. While driving 10 MPH smoke came from under the hood. There were no warning indicators. The vehicle was pulled over, and the fire was extinguished by the fire department. The cause of the fire was undetermined. The failure mileage was 23,000. There were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. A fire report filed, and the contact has pictures.
Driving in pitch black night on backroads of charleston, sc. Lights went out after left headlight flickered for a few days. Lights went out and car went off road as we were in a curve. Regained control after spinning on wet grass. I need the headlights repaired by Volvo at their expense and reimbursement for the failed engine I had to replace.
This model is experiencing the same as recalls in similar models but for some reason isn't recalled. Fuel system is faulty. Leaking fuel and cracks in fuel pump. Replaced with 4 pumps from Volvo and now it is kicking out ECM code and blowing every fuel system installed.
Related recalls
Electrical system › 12V/24V/48V battery › Cables
On certain passenger vehicles, it has been determined that while doing battery maintenance the jack's crank handle can be misplaced under a bracket which retains the battery.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and ensure proper placement of the jack crank handle and a warning label with approved text will be affixed to the bracket which retains the battery.
Electrical system › Starter assembly › Solenoid
On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, due to an error in the factory assembly instruction, the b+terminal May be in conflict with the starter motor solenoid. If this occurs, the conflict between the b+terminal and the starter motor solenoid May develop into a short circuit of the battery cable to ground.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and increase distance between the b+terminal and the starter motor solenoid by adjusting the terminal. The recall began on January 31, 2006. Owners May contact Volvo at 1-800-458-1552.
NHTSA investigations
Central Electronic Module Failure
Volvo acknowledged a problem affecting some subject vehicles involving water seepage into the plenum box area in the engine compartment.When this occurs water may enter into the interior / passenger compartment and track along the wiring harness for the Central Electronic Module (CEM), the device that controls many of the vehicle's electrical functions including wiper operation, lighting, and transmission…
Volvo xc90 battery cable failures
The office of defect investigations opened a preliminary evaluation, pe05-057 based on early warning data submitted to odi by Volvo. The data contained field reports of thermal failures of the positive battery cable. On November 17, 2005, Volvo notified odi that it had identified a safety defect in the positive battery cables in approximately 9,000 my 2005 Volvo xc90 vehicles with six cylinder engines that could…
Volvo xc90 battery cable failures
During pe05-057 and ea06-006 odi identified two conditions involving the positive battery cable in model year (my) 2005 Volvo xc90 sport utility vehicles that could result in a vehicle fire:(1) positive battery cable grounding to the starter solenoid housing; and (2) misplaced jack crank handles under the battery bracket after battery service/maintenance.during pe05-057 Volvo initiated a safety recall to correct the…
Electrical complaints in other XC90 years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2005 Volvo XC90?
NHTSA has 51 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Volvo XC90, 23% of the model year's 223 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery › cables (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Volvo XC90 electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 07V-221 (cables, May 25, 2007); NHTSA recall 05V-529 (solenoid, Nov 17, 2005). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Volvo XC90 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 97,000 miles, and 9% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.