Hello I just purchased a 2005 Volvo XC90 T6 with 100k miles on it. Since purchasing this car I have read nothing but negative reviews about the transmission. I was wondering if anyone has owned one of the XC90 T6 models and hasn't had a transmission issue... The previous owner had it replaced 2x! Initially - I thought that was a good thing - as it meant I would not have to replace it... but now I'm not so sure - as it seems everything I've been reading suggests that it is just a ticking time bomb until the transmission goes again... any thoughts?

 

my thought is to buy an extended warranty.

 

Amber,

Im in the same boat with you! Every time I go somewhere I hold my breath. Actually had to cancel a trip due to worry of failure/breakdown. Only a few more payments to go and then time to trade it in!!

2004 XC90 T6

 

https://volvoforums.com/forum/volvo-...ty-ones-45526/

 

126k miles on my 2004 T6 had the transmission crap out not because of anything but cross contamination so its in the process of being rebuilt. Volvo's price $8500 I have been able to get it done for about $1500. For as small as the turbo are on the xc90 there are spooling up fast 280ft-lbs at 1800rpm that's hard on any transmission so we can sit here and blame general motors or blame Volvo for poor design either way the 4T65E was used in all sorts of general motor vehicles and didn't have half as many problems.

 

Amber, it seems I have made the same mistake, having just bought one with 193,000 miles ( I plead temporary insanity) for my wife, who loves it and now doesn't want to sell it.

I think I will embark on some pretty extensive modifications to make it live.

I have done some initial research on the failures and they seem to largely be attributed to excessive load on a subset of clutches in the transmission, and the resulting heat and wear due to the load. However as the others have indicated the GM transmissions in engines with higher torque seem to work ok, so undoubtedly it has something to do with the modifications by Volvo.

I intend to install a standalone cooler and filtration system as a starting point, hopefully that will extend the life somewhat until it needs rebuilding, at which time I will put heavy duty clutches in (have rebuilt transmissions before). Apparently part of the problem with this particular models is in the cooler/filter system.

 

The Volvo xc90 t-6 uses 2 coolers already from the factory, one being the radiator and a stand alone which is between the radiator and the intercooler. Its not much of a cooler being its size but im sure it does help in some way. A lot of the transmissions fail because of cross contamination i.e. radiator side tank leaks and throws coolant into the transmission. I am considering eliminating the radiator as a whole and throwing a bigger cooler at it but I would really like to not have any leaks which is my only concern.

 

And no the replacement transmissions are no different from the one that was originally put in the Volvo from the factory