Volvo XC90 Complaints
162 consumer complaints on file.
- #11519908May 1, 2023STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
On April 29th 2023 while washing my Volvo XC90 I opened the trunk to clean out the crevasses around the car. As I continued to wipe down/dry the vehicle I placed my hand at the top of the trunk opening and moved my way downwards to wipe the bumper and side of car. Unfortunately, the handsfree tailgate feature activated and the trunk began to close on my hand. Due to my hand being so close to the the spring and the speed in which the trunk door closed I was unable to move my hand fast enough. My Middle, Index and pinky finger were all crushed inside of the car trunk. No one was able to render aid to me for several minutes. I was able to contort my body enough to push the trunk button and unlock it but the gate itself would not lift. I even in a state of panic tried to kick under the car to initiate the lift, I tried lifting as best I could to get relief off of my hands. Finally about 5 minutes later a passerby came and rendered aid to me and he had to manually lift the trunk up to free my fingers. The experience has been traumatic and I am taking all necessary steps via the Volvo dealership and Volvo to have this matter checked out and resolved. The car has no sensors around the trunk with the exception of something blocking it from closing completely. Also, if you are not carefully and are leaning into the trunk and trip the handsfree tailgate sensor it can close on you if you are leaning into the trunk - this is an issue I saw with my XC60 (2021) that clearly was not resolved. I did go to the ER and wound up with thankfully a bruised hand/tendons but no broken bones but I will need to follow up with a hand surgeon to ensure I do not have tendon/nerve damage.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 1
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11515127April 3, 2023PARKING BRAKE, POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2023 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that before exiting the vehicle, he pressed the park button and the vehicle inadvertently started to reverse. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed but no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that the gear shifter and parking brake failed to engage as needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 1,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11513846March 26, 2023UNKNOWN OR OTHER
The 2023 model features a push button to shift the vehicle into park. When pressing the button, the vehicle does NOT always shift into park. I’m not sure if it only registers with a certain force, but often I’ve pressed the button many times only to realize that I’m not in park as I remove my foot from the brake and propel forward. I’ve been keeping the ‘auto break’ feature on this way when it doesn’t switch into park at least the car doesn’t possibly roll into something I’m parked behind. When Parking permanently and shutting the vehicle off I’ve started just turning the car off completely avoiding the step to put the car into park first. However, I don’t think it’s safe to have to take so much care to ensure your car switches into the park gear. I was only able to find one other person with the same complaint in an online forum, I believe because this shifter set up is new for all of the 2023 models. The person in the xc40 thread describes my exact safety concern. https://www.xc40forum.com/threads/gear-selector-park-button-requires-extra-force-to-shift-into-park.6079/
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11511753March 14, 2023SEATS, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
1)Rear 2nd row seat Creaking noises. I visited the dealer 3 times, showed evidence with video clips what I recorded, but they couldn't find the cause. I thought that replacing the entire seat was the best way, but the work was finished by applying lubricant only, and this phenomenon continues even after that. The noise disappears when the seat is folded and unfolded as a trial, but it reappears after a few days, and there is no noise when the passenger sits in the seats. These cases are mentioned in swedespeed.com, a user's Internet forum, but there seems to be no improvement. The problem is noise that interferes with the concentration of driving. 2) When passengers board the 2nd and 3rd row seats and do not wear belts, there should be a warning sound and warning message, but there is none. 1st row seat works fine.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11511651March 13, 2023STEERING, ENGINE
On two separate occasions, while driving car on highway at high speed, the car has gone into a special shutdown mode, where a turtle icon lights up on the dash and the car begins to shut itself down rapidly, limiting maximum speed of vehicle to 35mph. There is no warning or advanced alert. Suddenly the car reduces speed and feels like it is dead, and the systems begin to alert you that they are going into a reduced function mode. This was extremely scary thing to happen at highway speeds with flowing traffic. I had to crawl to side of rose at very low speeds. I could have been injured. I took the car to dealer for service and they said it was a software issue. A few months after, this happened yet again, also while at highway speeds. I have read that others are having similar issues with the Volvo XC90 model. This is so dangerous and the dealerships are writing it off as a software matter! It is extremely dangerous.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11511411March 12, 2023ENGINE
Vehicle is lurching on slow acceleration in Hybrid Mode. For example, lurching occurs when pulling away from a stop sign, pulling out into traffic, pulling into a parking spot. Issue started beginning of January 2023. In February Fields Volvo Service diagnosed issue as a software problem (Code IEM-P287100) and that Volvo hasn't written the software yet. Fields Volvo Service said software update should be available in Quarter 2. Advised that I do not drive my car in Hybrid Mode. I own a hybrid vehicle that I have been told not to drive in Hybrid. Unfortunately, Hybrid is the default mode so upon each start I have to manually change mode to AWD. There is also lurching in AWD on slow acceleration (not as bad as in Hybrid). On several occasions while driving in AWD the vehicle will spontaneously change the mode back to Hybrid resulting in decreased or no acceleration and lurching. This has happened several times in parking lots (minimal fear for safety) but also several times while pulling into traffic (e.g., making left hand turns which require acceleration) and acceralerating on onramps to the freeway (definite fear for safety). Problem has been experienced by sales staff at Fields Volvo because we are trying to get rid of the car because it is still under warranty (36,000 miles). Fields Volvo has not gotten back to us as to whether they will buy back the car. Volvo USA has been contacted via phone and email about the issue. I have received no response.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11506012February 7, 2023ENGINE, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The vehicle went into "turtle mode" on the freeway, abruptly started vibrating, reduced speed to a crawl, and then shut down. My family and I were trapped in the vehicle on the center divider of the freeway.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11503950January 27, 2023ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Electric charging connector frozen. Electronic release inoperable, and no alternate way provided to disconnect charger from vehicle. As a result, vehicle is completely stuck in very cold weather.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11495467November 30, 2022CHILD SEAT:HARNESS RETAINER/CHEST CLIP
The contact owns a Britax Safety Seat, Model Number: E1C387T, Model Type: One4life ClickTight, Manufacture Date: September 2020. The contact stated that while the safety seat was being utilized in a 2022 Volvo XC90, she noticed that the safety harness was loose and was not restraining her daughter properly. The contact stated that the safety harness continually loosened whenever pulled. The child was in the safety seat at the time of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The safety seat was not replaced.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11493737November 15, 2022TIRES:SIDEWALL
I brought a 2021 XC90 Volvo on 8/18/2022 with 12861 miles on it. The attached photo will show the current mile on the vehicle is 17421, so you can see I have only put 4560 miles on the vehicle. This vehicle was only brought 3 months ago. It's very concerning that I was driving down interstate 530 on Sunday 11/13/2022 and for the first time ever the low-pressure light comes on and then seconds later the vehicle starts the shakes and I almost lost control of the vehicle. I managed to get to the side of the highway to find that my back passenger rear tire had separated around the rim (pictures are attached). Perelli 275/40 R21 107V M+S Scorpion Verde All Season
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11491884November 2, 2022SEAT BELTS
Took my car in because one of my backseat seatbelts no longer retracted properly and Was so loose that I couldn’t possibly buckle my daughter in safely in her car seat. I had noticed the seatbelt on the other side was also starting to retract more slowly. When the service center did the test they said the one that no longer retracted was covered under warranty but the other was not broken enough to be covered and that I could come back when it was. So basically I should keep buckling my child into a faulty seatbelt until it is completely broken. When I asked why the seatbelts were like this they told me it was “wear and tear” and when I said it’s a new car they said it’s because of the car seats. When I got home I did some googling and found that thousands of other Volvos have already been recalled because of the exact same problem I am having and when I told them this they said I would have to contact Volvos head office. When I did that Volvo had me wait for weeks and then finally agreed they would fix my other seatbelt as a gesture of goodwill. Even though this is obviously they same problem as the recalled cars neither the company or the service place is going to tell anyone else. There are clearly more cars affected and they are lying to people and saying the seatbelts are safe when they are not and they do not care that children are being buckled into their unsafe seatbelts. I am appalled and hope you will take action ASAP. Who knows how many kids are being buckled into these seatbelts that won’t save them.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11486820September 27, 2022FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I was driving up hill at night with my kids in the car and my vehicle had a propulsion error and my car shut off on a blind corner. I couldn’t even put it in neutral and push it to the side. I was stranded without any way to move my vehicle. Multiple cars were inches away from hitting me. This is a known issue with 2022 XC90 recharges. Volvo said they did a software update and this should fix my vehicle but unfortunately that does not seem promising as many others are still experiencing issues. Scared for my life driving my vehicle again.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11486819September 27, 2022SERVICE BRAKES
My Xc90 is shuttering at interstate speeds as well as below. When I purchased, they had to machine the rotors and said they balanced the front tires. It did not help much. The brakes shake less. I'm sure the entire rotors are warped. All this with 12k miles on the vehicle.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11485574September 20, 2022FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
While on my commute to work I received an “engine propulsion system” error message. While traveling on a busy interstate with a speed limit of 70 mph I received a second error stating “reduced engine performance, max speed reduced” I was unable to accelerate above 45 mph which seems incredibly unsafe.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11481092August 24, 2022ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ENGINE
Propulsion Service Required message one week after we picked up our new car. Three weeks later----check engine light. Soon after another Propulsion Service Required. Each time, our dealership reset the computer. Three months into ownership, on I-84, traveling 75 mph in the far left lane: turtle mode light, loss of power, no propulsion, able to just get off the freeway on the left. Two hour wait for assistance on side of freeway in 98 degree heat. Dealership kept car for 40 days: replaced BDU, AC compressor, IGM. Similar accounts of turtle mode and power failure from other 2022 Volvo owners on speedswede.com. We are not driving our car. Someone is going to get run over by another vehicle if Volvo doesn't address the problem.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11480246August 19, 2022FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
On August 17th 2022 I received the reduced performance and acceleration reduced sign with an icon of a turtle. Besides getting this light on my dash my evening ended in fear and distress as I received a call from my family that the new car purchased was acting up and all that they were afraid for their life. This occurred to my spouse in the middle of driving home on the freeway (as she had our two kids in the backseat). She had to drive in a very low and dangerous speed on the highway and take the first exit possible as the car started acting up. A strong smell of something burning started to permeate the car coming from under the hood of the engine. My family was beyond terrified of this. The threat and fear for their life was due to the safety failures of this vehicle. The amount of stress and anxiety this suv caused my spouse and underage children is beyond horrific. I was forced to drive across town (in severe distress and panic, as I did not know how this will all end and if my family was ok) and exchange cars with my frightened and petrified family. As I drove the car, I was frightened for my life as I understood the possibility of the car catching on fire (as the burned smell permitted the car). I was not able to drive more than 15mph. This is the third instance of the serious safety and hybrid system malfunction of car itself within the last 90 days post purchase. First time dropped the vehicle at Sacramento Volvo on May 4, 2022 due to check engine came on / acceleration reduced. Second time dropped the vehicle at Sacramento Volvo on Aug 9, 2022, check engine light came on, hybrid propulsion fault is on, vehicle struggles to accelerate. This dangerous safety issues that I have experienced within the short time owning this SUV can have severe consequences on the lives of my family. I opened a case with Volvo USA, so here is the case 220818-000954.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11473422July 11, 2022UNKNOWN OR OTHER, LANE DEPARTURE: BLIND SPOT DETECTION
Volvo's Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) lends itself to unsafe conditions. This is true for the many drivers who are used to driving cars that are smilarly equipped. For nearly 15 years I have been driving cars that were similarly equipped and when activating the turn signal in the direction where the system indicated another vehicle in the "blind spot" an audible warning sounded until the trun signal was extinguished or the danger passed. Volvo fails to provide the audible signal and thus, if there is a failed LED in the mirror, there is no indication of a vehicle in the blind spot and no redundancy. Further, habits are hard to break and after driving cars with the audible warning, and relying on it, it is difficult to get used to not having it. In addition, all the cars that I personally drove with HUD (head up dispay), vehicles in the blind spots were displayed on the HUD. Volvo cars are equipped in terms of hardware to enable these functions (audible warning & HUD display) with simple software patches. One additionl point, the lights on the mirrors can be practically invisible during the day with sunlight behind the car and at night with bright lights illuminating the mirrors from behind. I feel it is imperative that Volvo is compelled to incorporate the proposed changes as those would certainly mitigate potenial accidents.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11446230January 4, 2022FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
With 2700 miles my XC90 has the Emission Control System light is on. The engine noise is considerably louder than normal (being a hybrid the SUV is pretty quiet) and it is not using the electric option.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11440067November 10, 2021POWER TRAIN, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Check engine light illuminated at 11,000 miles. Diagnostics showed a software update was needed but the software update did not fix the problem. Volvo corporate said the IEM module needed to be replaced. The IEM module controls the rear axle / propulsion and this is a serious safety issue because sudden loss of propulsion while driving at high speeds increases risk of having an accident. After replacing the IEM module, the mechanic cleared the DTC codes, test drove the car, and re-ran the DTC - and the code indicating a software update was still needed was present. Also the hybrid battery doesn’t keep its charge and depletes at an extremely fast rate.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11389044January 20, 2021SERVICE BRAKES, FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING
ELECTRIC PARKING BRAKE ENGAGING VIOLENTLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AT LEAST. 3 TIMES. RESULTING IN ABRUPT STOP IN MOVEING TRAFFIC! DEALER IN NO HURRY TO REPAIR SUGGESTING BRING BACK WHEN THEY ARE ABLE! AM NOTIFYING VOLVO, DEALER , THEY WILL ASSUME ALL LIABILITY FOR INJURY OR DEATH FOR THIS DEFECT AND LACK OF CONCERN IN REPAIRING ( TOLD A SOFTWARE PROBLEM , BUT ALSO TOLD CAUSED DAMAGE TO OTHER COMPONENTS DUE TO VIOLENT AND ABRUPT STOPS! VERY UNCOMFORTABLE ESPECIALLY SINCE REPAIR MGR IS SO ARROGANT!
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0