Most common 2006 Volvo XC90 problems
Share of the 53 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volvo XC90 complaints by model year
Best XC90 years: 2010, 2013, 2011. Years to avoid: 2016, 2025, 2023, 2017, 2024. Compare all years →
2006 Volvo XC90 recalls (3)
Equipment › Electrical › Navigational system(global positioning system)
Volvo is recalling certain vehicles equipped with garmin 760 portable global positioning system (GPS) units because the batteries on those units May overheat.
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.
Steering › Linkages › Tie rod assembly
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.
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.
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer
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.
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.
What 2006 Volvo XC90 owners say
Electrical system
the drivers side electric seat controls are causing unsafe driving conditions. i drive with the seat all the way back and down. I have the memory sets all for that position. Problem is when I get back in the car it will be back up and forward al the way. So i will set it back down. Well while ia m driving it will automatically start raising back up and forward. As you can imagine this gets very uncomfortable and feels like i am getting choked to death. I will set it back and it will keep doing that . I will hear clicking and then it will start moving. sometimes. i will have to hold my finger on the down button to keep it from moving on me while im driving, sometimes it will still move all the way up while i am holding the button down. and then it will get all the way forward and the buttons will not work for me for a while. …
Awakened to lights flashing, horn going off, wipers running on a vehicle that was parked with keys removed. The cem underneath driver's side dash had gotten wet from rain water leaking into it and subsequently shorted out requiring $2350 replacement via dealer. This IS A Huge problem.... however, and wait for it. IT IS NOT DUE TO THE SUNROOF.... I know this with absolute certainty because I have 3 2006-2010 xc90's and NONE HAVE SUNROOFS but all 3 had to have CEM reprogrammed. I can't understand why NOTHING has been done about this... it's absurd.
Wheels & tires
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Volvo XC90. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the front end of the vehicle shook uncontrollably. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a mechanic and the steering column was replaced. The failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 06V155000 (steering). The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Tl contact owns a 2006 Volvo XC90. The vehicle has pirelli, size p235/55r17 tires. In October of 2006, the contact took his vehicle in for inspection. He was informed that the vehicle failed inspection and needed four new tires. Volvo stated that they replaced the tires at 12,000 miles with pirelli's consent. In October of 2007, the vehicle failed inspection again for the same reason as the previous year. The two front tires have tread separation and need to be replaced. The contact believes that the two rear tires will also need to be replaced. Pirelli stated that Volvo would replace the tires, however, Volvo stated that they would not replace the tires a second time. Neither corporations have replaced the tires. The tires were supposed to get 65,000 miles of use. The contact believes that the tires are inferior and poor quality and should not be his responsibility to replace. …
Engine & cooling
The contact owns a 2006 Volvo XC90. The contact stated there was an abnormal odor of fuel detected in the vehicle. The local dealer was contacted however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000. The contact stated the failure was similar to NHTSA Campaign number 09V483000 (Fuel System, Gasoline).
This has happened multiple times on the highway going 60 mph. And at slow speeds, last time on an entrance ramp onto the highway. The vehicle will shut off, as if the key has been turned off. But it hasn't been touched. Steering becomes difficult and I have to try and get off the road. Once I get pulled over and put it in park, it will start and run normally for a time. It most often happens when i turn to the right fairly tight. But not exclusively. Today after driving it approximately 120 miles with one shut off, my check engine light came on and it was difficult to get started again. This is absolutely a Hazzard to others and myself
2006 Volvo XC90 engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 15 / 21 / 18 |
| 2.5L 5-cyl turbo | 5-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 4.4L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 19 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Volvo XC90 a good car?
Based on 53 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 XC90 rates average: 1.3× as many complaints as a typical year of the XC90 at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Volvo XC90?
The electrical system — 16 complaints, 30% of all complaints for this model year, most often about ignition › switch. Next are the wheels & tires (11) and engine & cooling (6).
How many recalls does the 2006 Volvo XC90 have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2006 Volvo XC90, the most recent from November 8, 2010 (navigational system(global positioning system)). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volvo XC90?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2010, 2013 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2016, 2025, 2023, 2017 and 2024. See the full Volvo XC90 years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 Volvo XC90 problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 85,000 miles; 41% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.