Volvo XC90 buyers guide Gen 1 (2003-2014) Avoid buying a broken Volvo XC90 (Cheap 3.2 D5 T5 T6 V8)

Volvo XC90 2003-2014 Buyers guide for 2.5t, 2.9 T6, 2.4 D5, 3.2 6-Cylinder, 4.4 V8. Avoid buying the cheapest broken Volvo XC90 and find the Volvo XC90 that can go off-road and on-road without breaking the bank. Avoid the mistake of buying a cheap Volvo XC90 with common faults as a project and attempting to fix it. This buyer's guide covers the 1st generation Volvo XC90 from 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 including facelifts and refresh models in all trims from S to Executive, and R-Design, as well as the Sport and SE Nav models. Owners and buyers looking for a guide on what to look out for may find our guide useful and if you are considering first generation Volvo XC90 or a competitor like a Range Rover or Porsche Cayenne of the same age then don't forget to check out our other videos. The D5 engine will be popular with European buyers but the 3.2 and 4.4 V8 will also have markets that have high demand, especially the USA.

The common problems discussed in our buyer's guide to the XC90 include wheel arch rust and repair, wheel bearing issues, and electrical issues as well as the gearbox fault on the 2.9 T6 engine.

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Legal and disclaimer - Any content not originally created by The Miles Driven remains the property of the original owner and is editorialised for media reporting. All content is used within the confines of media reporting/editorial use and is transformative in nature to inform others with new information and content about cars and vehicles. We use no more of the original content than necessary in alignment with U.S copyright law for fair use and U.K fair dealing. We accept no liability for the purchase of vehicles using our guide and suggest thorough due diligence by individual professional inspections before making a buying decision.

[garviere]

You didn't mention that the V8 engine is a grenade and should be avoided before 2008.

[tiffanypelikan]

My husband and I just purchased a fully loaded 07 XC90 3.2 and we are in love, even on day 4. We know it's quite early, but after seeing all the crash test vids and we're completely blown away. Our future family will be extra, extra safe!!

[steuge_]

I have volvo xc90 3.2 2006 with 200, 000+km and it has had some little problems everywhere else except in the engine. It's amazing machine!

[csebastian]

Picked up 09 XC90 V8 RD with 75, 000 miles, I let the wife drive it and she fell in love with it. After a couple weeks after, she now has her own 09 XC90 V8 RD with 80, 000😂 Volvo for life❤️

[burningmanmike]

My 2005 XC90 T6 has 190K miles and I've replaced in the past 6 months (she's had some off-road action and adventures): the driveshaft, rack & pinion steering, upper & lower engine torque mounts, alarm module, and windshield. The only real issue I had was water in the driver's area floor due to clogged sunroof drain tubes. I consulted YouTube and fixed the problem within 30 minutes. I used a 2' section of weed trimmer line inserted into a cordless drill to gently "roto-rutter" the drain tube (Clogged with a few dead bugs and muck). Problem solved. Besides that, this car has been a great addition to my Volvo line-up: XC60 T8 Inscription Plug-In Hybrid, V60 Cross Country. Perfect for towing a utility trailer, going to the nursery, beach, and lumberyard. Great value for what I paid for it. Keeping it until the wheels fall off!

[abedrawas]

2008 3.2 straight 6 cylinder engine and as mentioned in the video is the most reliable of all.

[koendohmen]

Great video! Just sold my 2008 XC90 V8 Executive last week. Very reliable & comfortable car.

[rexmundie]

As a long time owner of a 05 V8 (13 years now) I must say that the V8 is a nice car to have, seems more reliable then the other petrol versions due to the yamaha engine and better gearbox.
But those years didn't came without cost to maintain it, as writing it's at the Volvo dealer for new shocks and rods (400K KM on the car) But the alternator is one that fails on a bunch of V8's as i'm told, replacement did cost around 1500 euro at that time. Also on the V8 you can get a strange rattle noise, sounding as if it's comming from the exhaust, but actually it's a little screw what holds the intake valve in place, easy fix hard to find.
Suspension... clacking noises from the front end.. but that's a widely common thing with Volvo's all over, those come from engine mounts, rod and other suspension parts, very costly to find the right part to replace, haha

But if you are in for a used XC90, my advice is to look for a V8 with full service history, then you might have a good car for a few years (yup they are getting old)
Stay away from the early new models 2014 up to 2019 (the T8 ones).
As for me, i hope to get another 100K KM on my V8 before thinking to trade it in.

Hope this helps for a new XC90 buyer seeing this video.

[Fern]

My '04 2.5T had problems with the headlamp/gas flap control switch and the traction control (it would think that I was slipping when I wasn't), and the awd was gone long before I got it. Still a great car though. My teenager hit a moose with it and walked away with only a few scratches on her hand, so it won my respect and loyalty based on that alone.
My '10 3.2L 6-cyl so far has been absolutely flawless and needed nothing other than standard maintenance.

[archlab]

Thank you for your concise review of all the model types for these 1st Gen XC90 s.

I came across one that was in pretty good shape except it had a failed transmission for only $600.. however, your review gives me some paws as it is a t6. Thank you for the heads up.

[theKnightDesign]

I’ve just crossed 150, 00 miles in my 2008 V8 Sport. Car hasn’t skipped a beat and I love it.

[SMGGAviation]

Got a '08 V8 Sport in May and this thing is a powerhouse!

[Parknest]

I've owned my 2003 D5 XC90 with the 5-speed automatic tansmission for a couple of years now. I had the dreaded "anti-skid service required" message. This is usually either the yaw sensor or the steering angle sensor (SAS) in the clock spring. Mine was the module for the Haldex unit in the the rear differential (aka the DEM). Mine was beyond repair so I had to get a reconditioned unit. The transission hasn't given me a moment's bother (I use my XC90 for towing) but I've changed the fluid a couple of times. It is possible to fit aftermarket parking brake shoes as long as they have the chamfer in the shoe lining like the genuine ones do. The parking brake is difficult to get workng properly but one thing that helps is to replace the solid H pieces with adjustable ones which helps with the adjustment of the shoes. There is a genuine Volvo part that will fit that was used on a non-P2 vehicle but aftermarket ones are available. The central electric module (CEM) on mine packed up when the car had been running for just short of 3 hours. I ended up getting it repaired and it has been fine ever since. ABS problems are usually the sensors or the pickup rings. I had the rear bearing on the bevel gear (transfer box/transfer case) collapse making a rubbing sound. I ended up getting a used one on eBay. I got a price from a local dealer and the guy I spoke to said the used one is a better bet as they're generally quite bulletproof. The air quality sensors for the HVAC are prone to failure. New ones are stupidly expensive but I found a used genuine sensor on eBay for £20 and they're not too difficult to change. All the work I've done my XC90 has been featured on my own channel.

[devintiebout]

Why wouldn't you buy a broken XC90 especially the V8 models? I bought my 2005 XC90 V8 for $1300 with 212k miles on the clock. It Ran poorly but shifted fine. All I asked the seller was if it made any knocking sounds from the engine bay. She sent me a video. It didn't. I drove an hour out to get it. No, it wasn't in pristine condition. The headliner sagged, the CEL was on, the sunroof didn't work nor the passenger power seat. It was dirty and grungy there were small things that were broken but, I was hopeful. After some spark plugs (which were easy to do) and 2 used junk yard coils (I picked up all 8 from another V8 XC90), the engine purrs like a kitten. I drained and filled the trans 4 times to get all the old fluid out. Know it shifts better. I replaced the radiator, refelted the headliner, fixed vacuum leaks, added a trans-cooler from the T6 XC90's, replaced sway bar links, ball joints and lower control arms, headlight assemblies, lift supports. I'm the process of replacing a dead relay on the CEM and replacing/rebuilding the siren control module with parts from a junk yard one.

You're probably thinking, "Man! All that sounds expensive, hard and complicated! What if I told you, I don't have DICE/VIDA. I didn't use special tools and most of these jobs were done during a Saturday afternoon every weekend. So, $1300... With all the parts, I'm invested ~$2200. In this very capable, peppy SUV. You can't beat that! Yes, there are about ~30 hours of my labor in this SUV. If I had to put a dollar amount to my labor, it'd be $25/hr. That $750 dollars in labor! So, we'll say $3k all-in. That's still not bad for a 5 passenger (and yes, i know it can sort of seat 7...) V8 AWD SUV! I tried to find something better than this for the money and have yet to do so even with all the time and money I have in this rig! I plan on buying more of these since they're cheap, relatively easy to fix (if you don't have to put a motor or trans in one...) and sell for $3k-5k at the end of the day in good shape.

If you find one for ~$1500 BUY IT! FIX IT! (SELL IT! If you're inclined to do so...) Or enjoy your V8 AWD Luxury SUV! They are beasts in the snow and for the money, you can't buy anything cheaper and equally capable! Well... not a luxury SUV or truck within the last 20 years or so... That doesn't need major engine/trans work or is rusted out (GM/Ford/MOPAR), or out of reach and outside of budget (Toyota/Nissan) or outrageously expensive to repair (Jaguar/Land Rover/BMW/Audi/Mercedes).

[saschageier]

mine is from 2008( 182HP), got now 265K Kilometers. Leather interior is fine. minor scars (got a replacement leather on one seat... which sucks, quality is rather low also if its orig.Volvo) super happy with the car. no bigger issues. normal wear.

[roderickjones]

Clear and concise...Good video...well done and keep up the good work.

[reinaldogonzagadasilvajuni]

My father has an XC90 2006 V8, we are Brazilians and I found this video very interesting, here it is kind of difficult to find some parts and when we find it it is very expensive, other than that it is an excellent car, strong and comfortable, very good for long trips. Great video!

(sorry if the english translation is wrong)

[josephr.]

I just bought a 2013 XC90. The blind spot alert and the heated seats don't work, but i love this truck more than any vehicle I've ever owned. Im finally comfortable the whole drive ❤

[minorthreat]

Hv a 12 XC70 3.2 (nonturbo) w 155k miles. Runs perfect. No issues whatsoever.

[MrDjinxbass]

I have an 08 executive with the V8. Its only used to tow a bassboat. I do regular fluid changes. Only thing so far was the Haldex AWD pump went. I also fixed mysaelf, but i think it would be close to $1000 usd. But 90k miles, and just a pleasure to drive!