Vehicle recall R/2005/168

Volvo XC90 and Volvo S80 recall: Battery ground cable may short circuit

DVSA recall R/2005/168 names the Volvo XC90 and Volvo S80. It was launched 21 November 2005. DVSA does not record the build dates for this recall.

Recall data updated 22 September 2026

Recall: R/2005/168
Launched: 21 November 2005
Issued by: VOLVO CAR
Vehicles: DVSA lists 911 on each model line

What can go wrong

The battery positive cable may be in conflict with the starter motor solenoid. If a conflict does develop a short circuit of the battery ground cable will occur. This may result in smoke appearing from under the bonnet or a failure to start with warning lamps illuminated.

The fix

Recalled vehicles will have the distance between the battery positive cable checked and adjusted if the clearance is less than 4mm.

Models and build dates

As listed in the DVSA recall file. DVSA lists the same vehicle number on each line: 911. It may be a figure per line or for the whole recall.
Model	Built	Vehicles
Volvo S80	not recorded	911
Volvo XC90	not recorded	911

Is a specific car affected? A recall lists models and build dates, not individual vehicles, so these pages cannot tell you whether one car is included. Enter the registration on the DVSA vehicle recall checker on GOV.UK, or give the vehicle identification number (VIN) to the manufacturer or one of its dealers. Buying used? Ask the seller for proof that any recall work was done.

Other recalls for these models

R/2006/089 Steering may fail 10 May 2006, Volvo XC90
R/2006/196 Short circuit to cabin heater 20 October 2006, Volvo S80
R/2004/216 Electric cooling fan may overheat 23 December 2004, Volvo V70, Volvo S80, Volvo S60 and others
R/2007/031 Engine malfunction light may illuminate 13 February 2007, Volvo S80, Volvo XC90
R/2007/058 Fire may occur 13 March 2007, Volvo XC70, Volvo V70, Volvo S60 and others
R/2004/012 Possible suspension collapse 26 January 2004, Volvo S60, Volvo S80, Volvo V70

Found one you might buy?

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Source

Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: DVSA vehicle recall records (RecallsFile.csv), recalls launched 1992 to 2026. Recall data updated 22 September 2026.

Recall wording is DVSA's, with capitals and punctuation tidied and American spellings such as tire, center and windshield given in British English. We list a recall when its make and model match a car or van family with at least 1,000 DVSA MOT tests from 2022 to 2025, and when the maker of the vehicle issued it.

Not affiliated with or endorsed by DVSA. Methodology · Data sources