2003 Volvo XC90 transmission problems
Owners reported transmission problems in 39 complaints for the 2003 Volvo XC90, 26% of the complaints on file. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 39 26% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 76,000 miles 37 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 0 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When transmission problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 3 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 1 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 7 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 10 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 6 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 8 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 2 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 37 transmission complaints that report mileage, the median is about 76,000 miles, and 30% were reported before 60,000 miles.
None of the transmission complaints mention a crash, fire, injury or death.
What owners wrote
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.
At 92k miles, the dealership broke the news on april 15, 2008, about seeing large chunks of metal shavings when changing my transmission fluid with my 2003 volvo xc90. I got a bill for $7500 (new tranny, new radiator, lines including labor), but dealership agreed to pay 60% after relentless complaints and directing them to below discussion forum on ongoing xc90 transmission failures [link removed] regardless, I'm obviously extremely disappointed paying, considering my xc90 is less than 5 years, and have been…
Other problems reported for the 2003 Volvo XC90
- Electrical system 18 complaints