Volvo XC90 Questions & Answers

Well mine had to 135000km when I bought it a year ago and it's been totally fine, got 152000km now, if it's had its usual services its fine, make sure the automatic transmission has been flushed, thats the main concern

Dan thanks for responding to my question and the advice on the transmission . How have you found the service and running cost on your .

Its a terrific vehicle in many ways but the electronics do give trouble. Ive had issues with the fuel management system, indicators, dash display and HUD. Not good for a vehicle that cost so much. Hope this assists

Thanks, it helps

Not True! What does he mean by not a long drive car??
I have a diesel engine, better fuel economy for long drives than Audi Q7. I got my volvo Jan, 2017,
I live in Tamworth, I have done 5 road trips, x2 s7hrs drive to Brisbane/Goldcoast and x3 5hr drives to Sydney.
My Friend who lives in Melbourne visited me last yr, drove my Xc90 with amazement at the quality of drive ( I also test drove his Q7 before I got my Volvo). I think they are both great cars but I prefer Volvo mainly for the scintillating interior and the fuel economy as I do fair bit of road trips.
Go test drive both cars and go with your choice!

True true, your friend obviously doesn't own or has never owned a Volvo, they are a luxury suv, mine had heated seats, air conditioning seats and full back MASSAGING FRONT SEATS,, best value money European suv you'll ever buy second hand, make sure transmission has been serviced and flushed though

Thanks Dan

Hi Steve,
First off, I'm an owner of an older XC90. I don't work for Volvo or any other motor vehicle related industry but 30000 k is about the time the XC90 will needs pads and rotors. For some reason Volvo like very soft brakes. At 17000 K of short trips you're getting towards brake repair time (because you use the brakes more with start stop driving than on an Intercity freeway). Don't forget it's around 2.7 tonne you're stopping. Anyway, without seeing the vehicle, I'd GUESS it's probably true that you need some brake work done. Having said that, I have aftermarket pads and rotors installed and they have lots of life left after 50000+ kilometres of mostly short trips to work. Hope this helps a bit.

Thanks Neil. No doubt I will hear from the dealer sometime today confirming pads and rotors need replacing. I won't be getting the dealer to do it and will go with an after market option. The 2nd issue we have had since day 1 is the number of software updates required due to ongoing system errors relating to all of the safety features the car has. Its almost beta testing which I find extremely unacceptable.

Hi Dan,
This would depend on whether you are a diesel or petrol fan, I guess. I prefer diesel personally. Can’t kill them! I’d go for the later models = less klms.

Good luck with the search!

Hi Pam,
Costs depend on what year you’re after. Check out Redbook.
They are a lovely car to drive. Very comfortable, safe and a great family car. I can’t fault them.

Sorry, I don't know.

Hi Doreen, the answer is yes. My 2004 T6 2.9T has full-time 4 wheel drive, which means that your car is driving all 4 wheels all the time. Thanks

Thank you so much . cheers Doreen

Sorry, don't know the 3.2 L motor (Only had the 2.4L D and 2.5T petrol) but based on what I know now I would say no. I'd go find a later model with lower kms.

We are driving around Australia now, towing a Jayco Swan Outback.
The Volvo XC90 2015 has been a DREAM.
As one Outback guy said as we were having lunch, not knowing we were the owners ' look at that. You can't beat a European diesel.'

Should you buy it ?.
That's your decision.
As for the car itself, the XC90 is one of the best SUV's on the road and definitely the safest.
The 6 cylinder model (yours) has one weakness and that's the auto transmission.
When buying this model, make sure the services and log book are all up to date otherwise a $7000 repair bill is not uncommon.
An 09 with low km should have a pre-purchase inspection ($220 approx.) and worth every penny !.

In the 5 cylinder turbo engine, the lifters can become stuck/sticky if you're up around 220-250k. Next oil change (make it soon) add a bottle of Nulon "Lifter Free" and after about 3000km's you will notice a substantial reduction in the ticking noise.
Sometimes, Nulon won't work and that's due to poor maintenance/oil changes over the life of the car.
A reco engine is around $5500, so it's always worth trying a few oil additives first.

Thank you.

I had the XC90 V8 and it was truly a shrine to engineering design garbage.
In fairness to the engineering team that put your car together, I wouldn't know what your machine is really like. No experience with your Volvo model... thankfully.
Remembering these are two different cars...don't spend another cent on the thing.
Get rid of it and buy a Merc, Lexus, Audi, Roller skates, Sneakers.
Good luck

Hi, not sure if you have fixed your car yet or not, that light comes up if you have bad oil pump, no oil and just bad sensor/connector.
If you have a good service history of your car, check and see how often oil was changed, if it's been changed regularly every 9 to 10km, it is unlikely that is oil pump as oil pump goes bad if car been driven for a long period of time without oil change.
That is a very important light in your dash so take it seriously.
Check the engine oil level and if you unsure, tow it to your trustfully local mechanic, if it has enough oil, it may be just a bad sensor, if your oil pump goes bad, you will lose engine power so you would notice.
I had V8 engine as well and as the other person said, two different engine but i personally drive a car for the joy it gives me, so excuse me if I hate Japanese cars.
If you are in Brisbane, send me a message and I can run a diagnostic test on your car to see if there is any hidden codes/problems.

What have you done with the car since June

In all fairness I can only comment on the 2007 Volvo XC 90 Executive. My comments were posted as a result of my dreadful experience with that car.
I'm sold on reliability and safety. I'm buying a Toyota Kluger.
Good luck!

Our car is the 2013 model, so not sure about the earlier years. We have been driving it for 2 years, mainly on country roads. It handles beautifully and has a good fuel economy. The specs say 8.8 l/100km, ours comes out at about 8.6, so I'm pleased with that.

We have also owned a couple of XC70's. Both designs have a very poor turning circle, but you get used to it.
Another thing we have found is that activating the cruise control seems to have a problem after a while. It has happened to both our XC70's.
The XC90 has done over 80,000 kms and it has now developed a problem with the cruise control ... about 10% of the time it just won't activate.

The main frustration I have with the XC90 occurred when we went on a caravan holiday. The 19" rims meant that the tyre walls are too narrow. The emergency spare wheel is a total nonsense when towing. WE are going to convert over to 17"rims and get a full sized spare to carry when we go on holidays.

I would recommend the XC90 as a comfortable, safe family car, but I don't recommend it for a caravanning holiday.

Not sure if this is still relevant for you Tuano, but earlier this year I picked up from a single lady owner in Sydney a 2009 V8 sport with 90,000 k's on the clock and so far it's been a breeze. On the drive back from Sydney to Brisbane I was averaging 8.2 litres per 100k's which was as good as my earlier 2000 Volvo V70 T5 used to do (which had the 3 litre turbo engine) of course around town that rises to around 12 litres per 100 k's but if you are a "driver" and like a good responsive engine, then the Yamaha V8 has it. I have one issue which will need sorting soon and thats the starter motor is going, sounds like you have a flat battery when cranking but it's a failing starter, apparently a common problem with these after about 100,000k's and some of the bushes need replacing in the steering too. If you are prepared to do a lot of your own work in servicing and repairs, which I do, it will save you quids, failing that, find a good local garage that specialise in Volvo, if you go to a authorised Volvo garage be prepared to pay twice as much for parts and work done. I get any spare parts I need from US suppliers, half the price and genuine Volvo.

I can only objectively report on the thing I owned. 2007 XC90 Executive. The list of things to look out for were on my previous review. The list is vast and damning.
However.....
Before buying any Volvo remember this...Volvo was owned by Ford when my pile of garbage was made. Volvo is now owned by the Chinese.
I am now buying a Toyota Kluger. This is for reliability and safety.
Good luck.

Our car is a 2013 Diesel and we have done over 80,000km. Todate we have had no major issues except for the cruise control. It has just started to have a problem with activating. I will see if it can be repaired. When we started getting this problem on our prior XC70's, we gave up getting it fixed after several attempts, so I'm not holding high hopes for the XC90.

As I mentioned in my original review, it handles well, but it was disappointing when we used it for towing a caravan;
It has a poor turning circle.
The 19" rims and narrow walled tyres that go with them are not suitable for outback Australia.
The emergency spare tyre is a joke.
We are converting over to 17" rims and will get a full sized spare for our future travels.

But aside from those complaints, I love the car, it is comfortable, feels safe and has a good fuel economy

Thanks good advice

Unfortunately thats the sound this diesel makes.Its a bit quitter once warmed up .In saying that its hard to comment on the vehicle you test drove.Best to have a diesel mechanic look at it before buying.Most diesels are a little noisy compared to petrol.

I think you can if you keep engine running

No! Only 50 km but u wouldn't ...

Do not buy one with GM trans don't know what year they changed

the external flap wil lock and unlock with the doors. ie, using your remote control, press unlock, and all 5 doors plus the petrol flap will unlock. then just use a finger to pry open the flap, and twist the cap off.
hope that helps