Donated our 1990 240 wagon last month (loved that car!) and just got a 2003 XC90. It's in pretty good shape, but has a few problems:

windshield washer doesn't work
liftgate doesn't stay up
3rd bench driver's side seat doesn't fold down

any suggestions for any of those problems would be appreciated - thanks!

 

I would guess the struts are worn out for the lift gate (IE. they lost pressure). Just replace them and you're all set.

 

what kind of xc90 you get? welcome to the club :P

 

Thanks for all the suggestions - I'll check into the website for the liftgate struts. No, no sound when I pull the stalk for the windshield wiper - definitely some kind of leak, since I filled the reservoir and then saw it was empty 2 days later (after no use). And definitely something mechanical wrong with the seat - in comparing it to the one that does fold down, it looks like there might be a missing piece on the side that might have to fit into the back to make it fold down? It's a 2.5T model. Thanks again!

 

No, no sound when I pull the stalk for the windshield wiper -

that means the pump is not pumping, does not 100% mean there is a leak. pump/reservoir is under the front right headlamp. from the bottom looking up you can see the pump and the electrical connector. check there.

And definitely something mechanical wrong with the seat - in comparing it to the one that does fold down, it looks like there might be a missing piece on the side that might have to fit into the back to make it fold down?

3rd row seat bottom has a handle on the side towards the outside of the car. pull up while you push back on the seat bottom. when it slides all the way in, then it releases the seat back to come down. no handle or anything. make sure the compartment under the floor is empty. you can have two people help you do it, then you can if anything is obstructing it from sliding in.

It's a 2.5T model.
one of the more reliable xc90's out there! good choice or was is just lucky choice?

 

Thanks for the suggestions. No, not a lucky choice - a well researched one. We had such luck with our first Volvo we wanted another one, either a wagon or SUV. Both Edmunds and CR info showed the 2003 2.5T to have the best reliability records. Thanks again!