Because existing sources of auto reliability information left much to be desired, in late 2005 I started conducting my own reliability research at TrueDelta.com. TrueDelta reports absolute stats like "trips to the shop" that make the differences between cars much clearer. Results are updated four times a year, so any significant changes in a model's reliability become apparent quickly.

So far, we haven't had quite enough participants to provide results for the XC90. A few more per year would be very helpful.

Participants simply report repairs the month after they occur on a one-page survey. When there are no repairs, they simply report an approximate odometer reading four times a year, at the end of each quarter.

To encourage participation, panel members receive full access to the results for free.

For the details, and to sign up to help out:

Vehicle reliability research

 

We finally have some Vehicle Reliability Survey results for the XC90. Thanks, guys.

Repair rates, in terms of successful repair trips per 100 vehicles per year:

2005: 54, about average

2007: 20, better than average

In both cases the sample sizes are very small, so these results can only serve as broad indicators of reliability. More participants very much needed to provide more precise results and include more model years.

For the full set of results, and to sign up to help:

TrueDelta Vehicle Reliability Survey results

 

The latest Car Reliability Survey results were recently posted. The reported number of repair trips per 100 cars per year for the Volvo XC90:

2004: 133, worse than average

2005: 119, worse than average

2007: 30, better than average

In all three cases the sample sizes are very small, so these results are asterisked and visible only to participants on the site itself.

A big thanks to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May, August, and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years, including the 2009.

We now have a separate results page for each model that includes the results for competitors. The one for the XC90:

Volvo XC90 reliability comparisons

 

223 XC90s signed up so far. A good start, but more are needed to provided results for all model years. Partial results soon for most.

To help get your year fully included:

Auto reliability research

 

We've updated the results for the XC90 to include owner experiences through March 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2007: 48, about average

2006: 34, better than average

2005: 121, worse than average

2004: 113, wore than average

Sample sizes are small, even very small, in all cases. So these results are just rough indicators. That said, it seems likely that reliability improved with the 2006.

A big thanks to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Volvo XC90 reliability comparisons

 

248 XC90 owners now signed up. Better, but more remain needed. Updated results next month.

Car reliability research

 

TrueDelta.com reports actual repair frequences, which makes the differences between cars much clearer. Results are updated four times a year, to track cars closely as they age.

MadeInJapan posted a thread about this research in the Tuning forum. I'm certainly grateful Keeping the Weight Offfor that, but do many non-tuners visit that forum? A thread here might also be helpful.

We currently have nearly 500 owners of these cars signed up. A very good start, but more participants remain needed to properly cover all model years.

Participants simply report repairs the month after they occur on a one-page survey. When there are Fettabsaugungno repairs, they simply report an approximate odometer reading four times a year, at the end of each quarter.

To encourage participation, participants receive full access to all results, not just those for their car, free of charge.

For the details, and to sign up to help out:

Car reliability research

 

Well, that's odd. One of my posts from another forum, with totally OT spam links inserted...

 

We've updated the results for the XC90 to include owner experiences through June 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2007: 45, about average

2006: 54, about average

2005: 138, worse than average

2004: 137, wore than average

Sample sizes larger than last time, but still below the minimum for a full result.

Everyone who has been helping, thanks, I appreciate it. We'll have further updates in November and February. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Volvo XC90 reliability comparisons

 

We've updated the results for the XC90 to include owner experiences through September 30, 2009. In terms of successful repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2007: 52, about average

2006: 67, about average

2005: 114, worse than average

2004: 116, about average, but close to worse than average

Sample sizes larger than last time, but still below the minimum for a full result, especially for the 2004.

Everyone who has been helping, thanks, I certainly appreciate it. We'll have further updates in February and May. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Volvo XC90 reliability comparisons

 

302 XC90 owners now signed up. A good start, but more are needed to provide precise results for all model years. The 2003 and 2008 are each only three owners short of the minimum.

Not yet signed up? Details here:

Car reliability research

 

We've updated the results for the XC90 to include owner experiences through December 31, 2009. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2007: 50

2006: 96

2005: 84

2004: 139

Sample sizes larger than last time, and we had enough responses for the 2005 and 2007 that those are full results. The other two are partial results that are asterisked and only visible to members on the site itself.

A big thank you, once again, to this forum and everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May and August. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

Volvo XC90 reliability comparisons

 

Just enhanced the related repair history survey so that it can (optionally) be used as a personal car maintenance record.

As always, more participants would be helpful. Updated Car Reliability Survey results in May, with a preview for participants soon.

Car reliability research

 

Updated results later this week for the 2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007. The latter three will be full results, the 2004 a partial result.

Additional participants would be very helpful for all model years.

Car reliability research

 

We've updated the results for the XC90 to include owner experiences through March 31, 2010. In terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2007: 64, about average

2006: 103, worse than average

2005: 93, about average

2004: 146, worse than average, small sample size

A big thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Volvo XC90 reliability comparisons

 

We've updated the results for the XC90 to include owner experiences through June 30, 2010. Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the more recent months until the summer or even fall of next year.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2007: 63, about average

2006: 86, about average

2005: 101, about average

2004: 171, worse than average

Thank you, once again, to everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in November and February. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help:

Volvo XC90 reliability comparisons

 

We've updated the results for the XC90 to include owner experiences through September 30, 2010. Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the months since April until the summer or even fall of next year.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2010: 32, better than average, small sample size

2008: 41, better than average, small sample size

2007: 68, about average

2006: 109, worse than average

2005: 130, worse than average

2004: 152, worse than average

Thank you, once again, everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in February and May. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help:

Volvo XC90 reliability ratings and comparisons

 

We have some new pages that display all reported repairs by problem area:

2005 Volvo XC90 problem reports

From this page it's possible to select a different model year or specify a problem area.

 

We've updated the results for the XC90 to include owner experiences through December 31, 2010. Other sources of car reliability information won't cover the months since last April until the summer or even fall of this year.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2010: 22, better than average, small sample size

2008: 51, about average, small sample size

2007: 67, about average

2006: 108, worse than average

2005: 125, worse than average

2004: 146, worse than average

Thank you, once again, everyone who has been helping. We'll have further updates in May and August. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help:

Volvo XC90 reliability ratings and comparisons

 

We've updated reliability stats for the XC90 to include owner experiences through March 31, 2011.

Repair frequencies, in terms of repair trips per 100 cars per year:

2010: 57, about average, small sample size

2008: 39, better than average, small sample size

2007: 42, better than average

2006: 95, about average but close to "worse than average," small sample size

2005: 122, worse than average

2004: 141, worse than average

We'll have further updates in August and November. With more participants, we could provide more precise information and cover all model years.

To see how competitors compare, and to sign up to help improve this information:

Volvo XC90 reliability ratings and comparisons