Hi everyone. I'm seriously considering a pre-owned '06 or '07 XC90 and have driven a few different models over the last month or so - an '06 T6, an '06 2.5T, and most recently, an '07 3.2 AWD. All three vehicles had under 30K miles, and two of them were CPOs at a Volvo dealer. One thing I've noticed, though, is that all three of the XC90s seemed to have a bit of "vibration", noticeable in the front and rear seats, at speeds of around 55 MPH and up. The first time I test drove an XC90, I thought it might have just been a problem with that particular vehicle, although I noticed some degree of vibration at highway speeds in the other two I test drove...perhaps a little less noticeable in the '07, but still slightly noticeable. It could be that I'm just overly-sensitive to picking up on these kinds of characteristics, but has anyone else noticed a slight vibration at highway speeds that isn't present at lower speeds on any other XC90s? I'm just trying to figure out if this is a characteristic of most or all XC90s, or if it's just the three particular cars that I've driven so far.

Thanks!

 

Hi. This is not characteristic for the XC90's. I've had mine for 3 years now and have never experienced this problem. One thing I have notcied with the high performanceallseason tires is that they wear out fast and are expensive to replace

 

I am interested in this thread as I have experienced minor vibration in my 08 3.2 AWD since new - like you statead, at highway speeds. I may be overly picky myself, and it feels more like a driveline vibration. I have had the dealer check it out a few times - they checked the balance of the tires, and checked the wheels and tires for trueness and out of round. All checked out ok. The vibration is not through the steering wheel, but you can feel it in the seat and even see the passenger seat vibrate when unoccupied.

 

It might be interesting for you to drive a 4.4L as well and see what you think of it vs. the 3.2L at "highway speed". In my state the highway speed limit is 75 mph which means that most seem to drive 80 mph on the highway to, well, more than that... At those speeds I thought the 3.2L was definitely straining to "keep up". At 80-85 mph in the 6 cyl, I noticed more than what I would call "minor vibration". The 4.4L seemed quite happy at 80 mph and purred along nicely at that velocity. Hence it was my choice. FWIW, my 4.4L AWD XC90 gets generally the same city mpg performance as my bro-in-law's 3.2L AWD XC90 and I seem to get about 0.5 mpg better than him with sustained highway driving-

 

We have an '05 4.4L XC90 too, and have never had any vibrations like described here with the 3.2. I too, am very sensitive to road feel and reactions and feedback from anything I drive, and there has never been anything along the lines of a vibration that could be felt in the seat and / or noticable in the unoccupied passenger seat.

Whileits my wife's daily driver I do the longer trips and usually cruise at 80-85 mph, and even as recently as two weeks ago on an out of town trip, was amazed at how well it runs and handles, with 73K miles on it now.

FWIW, our mpg performanceaverages 20.8 to 21.0 mpg (wife has combined city and highway driving daily), and I have gotten it to 22mpg on the Ohio Turnpike in the past. For my money, in a vehicle of that size, V-8 is the only way to go. I tend to agree with Ristretto's line of logic that the 3.2 might be a bit underpowered for such a large vehicle, but then I have always thought that bigger and more hp is better! [8D]

 

Interesting comment. I drove a 3.2L XC90 across Germany recently. Up to 170 kph (110 mph) on the autobahn with no problems. Nice not to have the turbo whine at that speed like my T6 at home.

 

Some XC90s seem to have poor reputation in tyres/alignment.

If the balance, out-of-round, alignment all checked out OK, then I can only think of the recall:

http://www.autobuyguide.com/2006/12-...lls/index.html

The 2007 models, however, are not affected with this recall so I am not sure about what is causing the vibration...loose engine/tranny mount/suspension components?


JPN

 

I just purchased a 2007 XC90 3.2. I love the car but it seems to vibrate some when idling and the engine is not as quiet inside as I thought it would be. I didn't notice this when I test drove it (wasn't really paying attention to that part so much). Everything runs and looks fine but the car seems to whine a little when accelerating. Also noticed that if I really jump on it, the car seems to vibrate in the wheel then calms down once I reach a higher speed. Took it to dealer and they told me what I was feeling was the torque. I'm not buying that. So, are these cars generally not super quiet inside and do they have any history of slight vibration? Thanks!

 

Hello all, I have a '08 XC90 3.2 FWD and don't notice the vibration we're talking about here. When my XC90 is cruising, you can barely tell the engine's there. There are four adults in our family and we use the XC90 for long drives. It's my daily driver too. I check and ensure the tire pressure's correct every 10 days or so. When accelerating hard, the engine growls. But aren't all engines like that?

 

On the highway it is fine. It is when I am sitting still at a light that I feel the vibration. Yes, the engine growls, which is normal, but the steering wheel seems to shudder when accelerating hard. More so than in my previous vehicles (10 straight years of Toyota so I am sure that it is just getting used to Volvo).

 

Just read all the replies to this post. I have a S80 2.5 diesel Auto yr 2000. Exhibits same issue. After having replaced most of the suspension I am now going for drive shafts. CV joints and bearings are suspect. Not happy with Volvo suspension transmission and general mountings. Rating - very poor.

 

2006 xc90- 80,000- I do feel a vibration on the interstate, but not until I'm in excess of 75-80mph. It feels like tires- or frontend. Its just not bad enough for me to take it in, and go w/out a car for a few days......yet.

 

it could be a few things Alignment,balance,worn tires, or slightly damaged rims from hitting a pothole it also can be a build up of dirt/mud in the wheels.

 

I have a 2005 xc90 that is fine until it reaches 55 mph and than it vibrates not wheel but seats shake The faster I go the worse it gets it really bugs me. I changed tires to brand new coopers and I think its worse. Going to have it looked at Thursday and I will let you all know. Also they rebalanced tires so I know its not the tires

 

I own a 2003 XC90 T6 AWD and it is a pleasure to drive at high speed 80-90 mph. I've had Michelin Latitudes on it for years. Great tires but they wear out in 2 yrs. Recently went to another brand and regret it. What tires are you guys with the shaking using? Sure you don't have some worn out parts in that front end.

 

Took my SUV in today for shaking vibration mechanic drove it and could definetly feel it in the seat when you reach 55-60 mph. Looked everything over and couldnt find a thing wrong the only possibility is worn rear axcel but he really wasnt even sure on that. Brand new cooper tires balanced 2 times now very frustrated. He said its safe to drive but its very irritating on the freeway

 

You feel vibration in seat but not steering wheel, correct? That to me would mean rear end issue. I'd find a second mechanic, Volvo dealer for their opinion if it was me

 

On a different car I own, this (hiway shaking) would happen if the suspension bushings were worn, notably the front lower control arms. On that car they were hard to inspect, if they had over 60K miles/100,000 Km on them and you'd got everything else straight (shocks, drivetrain, tires, wheels) then replacing those control arms (actually, replacing the bushings) always worked. While at it, for other reasons check the stabilizer bar links.