NHTSA Complaint #10445712 — 2005 VOLVO XC90

2005 VOLVO XC90 V8 ENGINE NUMBER 5569. BALANCE SHAFT FAILURE. OR COUNTER BALANCE SHAFT FAILURE. DUE TO ENGINE DEFECT. BALANCE SHAFT BEARINGS IN CLOSED, NON-LUBRICATED AREA. BEARINGS REST IN AN AREA THAT RETAINS MOISTURE AND THE BEARINGS EVENTUALLY DETERIORATE AND FAIL. WHEN THIS HAPPENS THERE IS CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. THERE ARE APPROXIMATELY 7000 VEHICLES WITH THIS DEFECT. THE DEFECT WAS REALIZED AFTER ENGINE 6883. WE ARE VERY LUCKY THAT THE FAILURE DID NOT OCCUR THE PREVIOUS DAY ON OUR 200 MILE INTERSTATE TRIP. ENGINE DESTRUCTION AT 75 MPH COULD HAVE PROVED FATAL. LOUD POPPING AND RATTLING FROM THE ENGINE WAS THE ONLY WARNING...NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. VOLVO IS AWARE OF THIS DEFECT AND HAS SENT SERVICE MEMOS TO DRILL HOLES TO ALLOW WATER IN THIS AREA TO DRAIN AND PREVENT RUSTING OF BEARINGS. THERE ARE MANY DOCUMENTED CASES ON THIS SITE AND OTHER TRAFFIC SAFETY SITES. A RECALL NEEDS TO BE ISSUED! *TR