30th Sep 2008, 01:24

My 04 XC90 transmission failed around 10k miles. The dealer replaced it. No problems until last week when a small amount transmission fluid started to seep out of the transmission casing. The leak is not at the gasket joints as one would expect. The repair shop placed a coat of epoxy over the casing. It seems to be working. The shop does not know what caused the casing to fail.

3rd Oct 2008, 20:36

Yet another XC90 2005 T6 with transmission problems. Three transmissions under 65000 miles. Service Dept at Volvo said this was unheard of-- utterly rare. How do we keep in touch with each other to initiate or join class action.

6th Oct 2008, 16:05

Add a 2005 XC90 T6 to the list of failed transmissions.

In October of 2007, at 52,000, the "Urgent Transmission" light came on but we were on a family vacation in Colorado and I was no able to get to a dealer for three days.

On the way to a dealer, the light went off and stayed off for nearly a year.

Then, this August, I took it in for the 60,000 mile service (costs $594.38) and the next day the "Urgent Transmission" service light came on again. Took it back to the dealer and was given a "discounted" estimate of "only" $4000.00 to replace the transmission. No slipping, no problems, just a light coming on. I declined.

Fast forward to today and my wife called frantically because the transmission was slipping and she was unable to get it to move forward when trying to get on the highway. Our 3 year old daughter was in the car too. They limped back in the Volvo, moved the child seat to our trusty 2000 Chevy Blazer, and then went back to their appointments.

I called Volvo North America, got a nice guy on the phone that said he would "certainly look into the situation" and get back to me. Should I be holding my breath? I wished I would have bought a Hyundai, Kia, Chevy, anything else but this turkey. Anyone have any advice???

7th Oct 2008, 12:30

If Volvo gives you any grief about replacing the transmission, I'd suggest printing out this string of comments and sending it to the president and CEO and director of marketing for Volvo North America -- certified mail.

Copy the board of directors. You'll see results.

7th Oct 2008, 20:09

I have a 2003 XC 90 that I'm having the fuel pump replaced on @ 97200 miles to the tune of $1200.

After reading everything here, I'm wondering if I should trade immediately after and go back to my Honda Accord. Never had issues like with this a Honda. Yeah, they also said my brake shoes and rotors were "Below minimum standard" and "a little above minimum" respectively. They'd be glad to fix those for an additional $1000.

I love my Volvo, but I need another job to afford the maintenance. Unfortunately, I'll never have another.

8th Oct 2008, 15:12

Add me to the list - http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f18a651/91#MSG91

15th Oct 2008, 11:16

It might be best for complaints on this issue to be directed to the parent company FORD and its board of directors.

15th Oct 2008, 12:58

Add me to the list. Just got back from a Volvo dealership in Chicago and was told the 'winding' noise we're experiencing during deceleration in our 2004 XC90 is due to a failing transmission, and would be $4600 to replace. Nice. Warranty just expired 2 months ago and I'm awaiting a response from the 'regional manager' as to whether Volvo can help us out. BTW, I called a local, reliable Volvo mechanic and he said this is a real problem as he just replaced one last week. Not being a dealership however, his fee is around $3000. Cannot believe this as we paid $50,000 for this new and own another one!! Given the other posts I can almost predict the response I'm going to get.

15th Oct 2008, 17:41

I, too, have just joined the failed 2004 XC90 T6 transmission club. Just short of 60,000 miles, I had the local dealership perform that service, then a day later I drove to Colorado. Arriving there, the "Service Transmission Urgent" light came on. The nearest dealership was in New Mexico. I called the dealer that had performed the 60K service and they hemmed and hawed about whether or not I should have the car towed for approx. $1000. Finally they said that I probably wouldn't make whatever was wrong more wrong by driving to NM.

Of course the warning message then went away just as I started the trip so the NM dealer checked for a code to diagnose it. They said that a front axle was separating from the transmission, but they saw no signs of grease contamination in my transmission fluid. Two days later with a new axle and transmission software upgrade, I was on the road to TX. I called the NM dealer en route to say that the car was acting up sometimes when I accelerated. They said the new software was learning how I drive and that's what caused the acceleration problem.

After taking it out a few times once home, my husband and I decided the software would have to be very stupid to be causing the problems we were experiencing, so I took the car back to the 60K dealership and surprise, surprise, for $5900 (discounted to $5300 by the dealer) I could replace the transmission and solve my problem.

We decided to hold off and assess if we're better off performing the work or donating the car to charity and taking the meager tax benefit. My husband found these and other blog comments and I am now enlightened and more empowered to face Volvo. I also got nowhere with Customer Care and had the dealer say it was an "unusual" problem. Now that I know better, I'm going to tell the dealer that a $600 "discount" is a joke. May I be as lucky as a few of you!

22nd Oct 2008, 18:50

Add me also to the list. My 2005 T6 with 51K miles showed this "Transmission Service Urgent" message today. I am planning to take car tomorrow to my local Volvo dealer. Warranty out 1 month and 1 thousand miles!

23rd Oct 2008, 12:37

My 2003 XC-90 TC started slipping and showed the "Service Transmission Urgent" warning a week ago. I took it to the dealer and sure enough, it needs a new transmission. I asked the dealership to appeal to Volvo since I'm at 51,300 miles (1,300 over warranty) and a year and a half beyond warranty time.

I explained that this was purchased at this dealership, always serviced here, had never been abused in any way, and had had other premature failures (wheel bearings, motor mounts, etc.).

To my surprise, after performing several inspections/tests on the car, they covered the replacement cost.

30th Oct 2008, 21:52

Sorry about that. I posted on June 30th, and here I am now talking to you, and my XC is back in the shop. New tranny went in at 76,200, made it to 82,500, and now my transfer case is leaking and my transmission fluid has a dark black caramel color and it stinks!! The car is also starting to slip in first gear again.

I went and spoke to the Volvo dealer about getting away from this vehicle, and the trade in value they offered me was a joke.. So now it looks like I will be stuck with this.

Can anyone out there tell me if they have started a class action law suit? You know Toyota had a problem and they stepped up and did the right thing. Please contact me if anyone has started this law suit, or if anyone, I mean anyone out there is thinking of buying a new or used XC-90, please call me first. I will be glad to fill you in and anyone else listed on this post needs to do the same. I will update you guys in a couple of days as soon as I hear back from my dealer. You can contact me @ kimjab@windstream.net

Thanks again and good luck to you all, Jim.