NHTSA Complaint #11078691 — 2004 VOLVO XC90

VEHICLE SMELLS LIKE GASOLINE WHEN STOPPED AND PARKED, AND WHEN DRIVING. THE SMELL SEEMS TO BE STRONGEST AT THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN PARKED OUTSIDE. WHEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE GASOLINE SMELL WOULD BE EXTREMELY STRONG AND START COMING INTO THE HOUSE. IT WAS SEVERE ENOUGH I OPENED THE GARAGE DOOR MANUALLY BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID OF BLOWING UP THE ENTIRE HOUSE. IT IS NOW STAYING PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY BECAUSE THE SMELL IS SO BAD. THERE IS A RECALL ON CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS, HOWEVER VOLVO SAYS MINE IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL THAT WOULD FIX THE SMELL. THE RECALL APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN SET UP BY STATE IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PURCHASED, NOT NECESSARILY VEHICLES WITH THE PART IN QUESTION. THE STATE WHERE THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SINCE 2001 IS VIRGINIA. I SPOKE WITH MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP, WHO SIMPLY SAID TO BRING IT IN AND THEY COULD DIAGNOSE IT AT THEIR NORMAL RATES, AND THEY WOULD CHARGE FULL PRICE FOR PARTS AND LABOR. SPEAKING WITH A VOLVO USA REPRESENTATIVE GOT ME A BIT FURTHER WITH A 30% OFF PARTS COUPON. WHILE A NICE GESTURE, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN NICE TO INCLUDE VEHICLES THAT FELL OUTSIDE LISTED RECALLED VIN NUMBERS ON A CASE BY CASE BASIS. AT ANY RATE, THIS IS NOT AN OPTIONAL REPAIR, AS A GAS SMELL INDICATES GASOLINE VAPORS, WHICH ARE HIGHLY EXPLOSIVE.