I'm taking a look at this 2003 XC90 T6 with 64,000 miles tomorrow. Dealer was asking for $22k and he lowered to a 'no-haggle' $19.5k to lure me in to test drive it. I have been a Honda customer since high school, so I'm use to havinga vehicle that lives to 300,000 miles with at least half that with very minimal problems. I have never owned a European vehicle, let alone a Volvo. I have always like the XC90's style and it is the perfect size for a family hauler for us. But my biggest concern is reliability. I keep on reading issues about the T6's transmission and some of the electrical problems. Are these widespread concerns? Another thing I'm a little scared about is that this is a first year model.

Here is a photo fo the XC90 I'm looking at.

 

As a former Honda Accord owner, I know exactly what you mean. I owned mine for 7 long years and abused it in every way imagineable with minimal maintenance and repairs. The car was 13 years old with 200K+ miles. I thought I knew what expensive replacement parts where when I had that car, whew!

Anyway, I don't have much experience with the xc90 but I read some reviews on kbb.com and they seem to be mixed. Some give it 5 stars, no problems. Others rate it poorly, citing very poor reliability. Sorry I couldn't help much. I'm sure if you snoop around in the xc90 forum and maybe ask some questions over there you might get a better response.

 

Hi Dorseto,

Welcome to the forum, I hope you find it helpful & enjoyable.

As to the XC90, I too read both positives & negatives. I seem to see more negatives, especially in the engine & transmission performance. It may be due to poor manufacturing (for the models with GM-built transmission).

I would first see what recalls have been issued against 2003 XC90. If there are any, be sure to have it repaired at the dealer; recalls must be repaired by the dealer at no charge to the customers.

Also, before actually paying, take it to another dealer/independent shops that specialise in Swedish/European makes for pre-purchase inspection.

https://volvoforums.com/m_66630/tm.htm

Here's the recall for 2003 XC90:






2003 Volvo XC90 Recalls






2003 Volvo XC90 Recall ID from NHTSA: 03V391000[/align]

Auto Recall Date: 10/10/2003
Vehicle Component: SEAT BELTS:REAR
Estimated Vehicles Affected: 18692
2003 VOLVO XC90 Defect Summary:
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE SEAT BELT ATTACHMENT(S) FOR THE SECOND AND THIRD ROW SEAT(S) MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FITTED PROPERLY.
Defect Consequence:
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPAIR THE SECOND AND/OR THIRD ROW SEAT BELT ATTACHMENTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON DECEMBER 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLVO AT 1-800-458-1552.
Notes: VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC., 127




2003 Volvo XC90 Recall ID from NHTSA: 06V155000[/align]

Auto Recall Date: 05/05/2006
Vehicle Component: STEERING:LINKAGES:TIE ROD ASSEMBLY
Estimated Vehicles Affected: 108766
2003 VOLVO XC90 Defect Summary:
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.
Defect Consequence:
THE DRIVER MAY NOTICE THAT THE VEHICLE IS DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
Notes: VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC., R157




2003 Volvo XC90 Recall ID from NHTSA: 06V144000[/align]

Auto Recall Date: 04/28/2006
Vehicle Component: VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER
Estimated Vehicles Affected: 122431
2003 VOLVO XC90 Defect Summary:
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.
Defect Consequence:
INOPERATIVE WIPERS UNDER INCLEMENT WEATHER CONDITIONS COULD CAUSE A CRASH DUE TO IMPAIRED VISIBILITY.
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.
Notes: VOLVO CARS OF N.A. LLC., R156

If you can work on the vehicle on your own, it may not be so bad, but if you don't, expect hefty repair bills once something complicated goes wrong. As far as reliability goes, I would go with Toyota, Lexus or Acura MDX, if I were into SUV (I never was interested in SUVs, though).

I would also go through the XC90 forum to see what people are saying about the vehicle.

I wish you find a good XC90,


JPN

 

Thanks for the welcome and for the input guys.

I went looking in the XC90 subforum. Let me tell you, it's really heartbreaking to hear about the consistant problems. I really really do like the XC90 a lot, the just the right size, the interior quality, etc, but I just can't live with the idea of a high risk powertrain problem down the road. Who knows, I might consider leasing a new one just for the warranty. I'm not in a hurry to get a new(ish) vehicle yet.

Again, thanks again.

 

I have owned european cars for 30 years and I would never reccomend buying the first 2 model years of any of them. Volvo is no exception, When you look up complaints on Volvos you usually find the bulk are about the first two years of a model. That said I do have a 1999 S70 that has been trouble free for over 140,000 miles .
If I were recommending a Volvo for someone to buy, I would recommend a 2004-2007 V70 . Those cars are pretty well sorted out now.

 

I guess you've found your answer than. But keep in mind, this site is aimed more towards an older audience who come here looking to find out their problems, and then they leave.