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Volvo XC90 Maintenance and Repair

1503 messages,  Last post on Mar 25, 2013 at 2:11 AM

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Messages Page 147 of 151

#1459 of 1503 My XC90 Experience by dan_z

Jun 16, 2010 (11:09 am)

I wanted to provide (just for reference) an account of my experience with our XC90 over the past 5 years. Overall we have been very pleased with the XC90 and wanted to provide our real world experience.
 
2005 XC90 2.5T purchased in November 2004. Currently have 115k miles. Car is used in city traffic and early in its life was also used for road trips. But you can see that we average about 20k miles a year, so it does get used a lot.
 
TIRES
The biggest surprise in ownership for me was the cost of keeping up with the tires. We are on our 4th set of tires. The Pirelli Scorpion that were originally on the car were terrible. Managed about 25k miles, but that was reall pushing it. And constantly dealt with the humming/vibration that has been reported numerous times here. Complained several times thru life of tires to dealer, but never got any compensation for what I thought were substandard tires. Second set was Continental Crosscontact LX which ended up giving us about 40k miles. A good tire, but speed/temp ratings are a notch down from top level. Third set Bridgestone Dueler HL Alenza gave us about 50k miles. Overall very pleased with this tire and currently am running our second set of Duelers.
 
We keep the tires rotated with each oil change. Had alignment checked several times, but alignment was never a real problem.
 
BRAKES
We have had better luck with our brakes than most have reported here. Front pads replaced at 65k miles. Back pads replaced at 94k miles. Front pads and rotors recently done at 112k miles.
 
I would consider myself a normal driver (if not a little aggressive) and am shocked at the life I got out of the original pads, but I am not complaining.
 
A real compalint though is the brake dust that builds up on the wheels. I have considered ceramic pads, but nobody at Volvo will recommend them (even though there are numerous here and on other boards that have not had any problems). I have decided that I can put up with the dust considering the life that I was able to get out of the standard pads.
 
REPAIRS
91k miles we had to replace a broken motor mount ($263)
 
91k miles we replaced the housing that protected the computer ($371) (there is a protective housing around the computer that keeps dirt and water out of the computer. The housing has some sort of drain mechanism that allows the water to drain off. This drain got plugged with leaves and dirt and caused water to get into the computer. Bad design probably, but computer was ok after dried out).
 
112k miles had to replace the bushings on the front control arms (caused a knocking noise when braking and turning). $722
 
MAINTENANCE
We have pretty well stayed up to date on the scheduled maintenance. Just had the timing belt replaced and opted to do the water pump as well even though Volvo did not recommend unless a leak was observed ($1068).
 
GAS MILEAGE
I keep track pretty close. I get about 17-18 in the city (mainly commuting to and from work mostly highways though stop and go traffic). On road trips generally get 22-24 mpg.
 
OTHER COMPLAINTS
The "leather" seats have been a bit of a disappointment. Cracking began at about 40k miles and continues to get worse. I took in and compained early, but the best that they would offer is to dye the affected areas (cracks would have remained). They claimed that this was normal wear, but I would expect more from a Volvo.
 
Overall my experience has been good. We have had a few bigger repairs recently, but not unlike what I would expect with any other car. I expect to continue driving this car for another 100k miles or more, so I will keep up the maintenance on it. I have recommended it to friends and continue to do so while pointing out the tire wear and potential brake wear frequency (though I have not seen the brake issues). And of course, I was infinitely lucky that I was too cheap to buy the T6 model and avoided the transmission issue that is a real problem. But the 2.5T is a great model.

#1460 of 1503 Re: Jerking and electrical failure [hcnurse] by bdmartin

Jul 17, 2010 (11:22 am)

Replying to: hcnurse (May 24, 2010 3:33 pm)
I am having these exact issues with my 2004 XC90. Have you had any further issues since the CEM was replaced?

#1462 of 1503 Timing Belt and Water Pump Replacement by tw04xc90

Aug 19, 2010 (9:31 am)

Hi- I have no clue on this topic but I'm being told that my 2004 XC90 with 104,000 miles should have a new water pump and timing belt. I see some of the comments in this forum, but what I also need is a little more history. Is it common in the XC90 to need this replacement at 105,000 miles? Help!

#1463 of 1503 Overheating concurrent with "sticking" 2nd and 3rd gears while in (D)rive by armerm

Sep 23, 2010 (9:45 am)

This is on my 2008 XC90 5-seat auto trans FWD. After a while of driving the coolant temp will rise to the point of a turn vehicle off message if I am unsuccessful at "goosing" an upshift to happen if I am at speed, or keeping the vehicle moving while at a light or in a traffic jam. The gears affected are primarily 3rd and second.
 
Once in this state it is virtually impossible to switch to (W)inter mode. Switching to manual shifting seems also inconsistent.
 
If I start a drive in (W)inter mode the vehicle runs fine - no transmission or coolant problems. Since I am not used to manual shifting, I didn't try starting and continuing a drive using manual shifting.
 
All fluids are full, although the owner's manual does not specify how to check trans fluid.
 
No leaks observed, either right after driving or overnight.
 
Anyone seen this problem? I don't have a clue what's going on.
 
Thanks in advance.
 
armerm

#1464 of 1503 Steering / engine noise by stevefranco

Oct 19, 2010 (9:59 am)

I have a 2007 XC90 which has developed a steering / engine noise when the engine is cold. Once the engine has been started but with the car still stationary, I can turn the steering wheel to the left or right and get a high pitched whining noise. This noise intensifies at full lock. The whining noise continues for about 20 - 30 minutes whilst driving and then disappears completely. Presumably this is because oils / fluids are then running freely at max temperature, but cannot understand why noise persists for a short period from cold. Any suggestions / similar experiences ?

#1465 of 1503 Ignition problem-hard to turn key by ripperman

Nov 24, 2010 (7:06 pm)

Hello all,
 
I have an 2004 XC90 and today a problem started with the ignition. It's very hard to turn he key to start the car. it feels like the key is going to snap. It does start but you have to pull the key back a little otherwise it sticks in the starting position and makes the sound like when you turn the key when the car is already running.
 
I called the dealer and they said if it was what they think it is, the ignition part costs 300 and it comes custom made from Sweden based on my key. total cost for the job is 650, with labor.
 
has anyone ever experienced this? I should imagine this type of work wouldn't be for a regular mechanic??
 
thanks

#1466 of 1503 Re: Ignition problem-hard to turn key [ripperman] by bennatjudd

Dec 17, 2010 (11:30 am)

Replying to: ripperman (Nov 24, 2010 7:06 pm)
I have had exactly the same problem with my 2005 v8 awd model. The issue started about two weeks ago and was incredibly difficult to turn at first but the first occurance was in the parking lot of a store so not starting the vehicle wasn't really an option. The problem has lessened and the vehicle can now be started with relative ease again but the key still needs to be turned back to the on position manually. I'm hoping this is something that volvo will eventually resolve because that cost is rediculous for something that is ovbiously not a "wear and tear" issue. Sorry I couldn't be of more help but at least you know you're not alone.

#1467 of 1503 Re: Ignition problem-hard to turn key [bennatjudd] by ripperman

Dec 19, 2010 (9:13 am)

Replying to: bennatjudd (Dec 17, 2010 11:30 am)
thanks for the message. i had to have the ignition assembly replaced. 680 bucks!!

#1468 of 1503 Re: My XC90 Experience [dan_z] by buddy1208

Mar 10, 2011 (8:51 pm)

Replying to: dan_z (Jun 16, 2010 11:09 am)
Had the same experience with tires. Purchased Michelans twice, very dissappointed with wear. Then went with Yokahama's Geolander's which have worn significantly better. I put the Yokahama's on my other Volvo too.
 
Where did you get the drive belt replaced? THe Volvo dealer in San Antonio wants $925 to replace it. Seems very high to me.

Messages Page 147 of 151

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