In February 2026, my 2021 Volvo XC90 Recharge T8 (VIN: [XXX]) experienced a hybrid battery cell failure. The failure was diagnosed and confirmed by an authorized Volvo dealership (Volvo of Tacoma) and is covered under the vehicle's manufacturer warranty. However, I have been informed that a replacement part may not be available until December 2026 or later — a delay of ten months or more from the original failure date. Volvo has advised me that attempting to charge the vehicle in its current state carries a risk of fire. As a result, I am unable to charge the hybrid system and have had to operate the vehicle on gasoline alone, with fuel costs increasing approximately 3.5x per month. Separately, an independent mechanic has advised me that continued operation of the vehicle without a functioning hybrid battery cell is causing ongoing, worsening mechanical damage over time, separate from the original defect. I have made extensive good-faith efforts to resolve this directly with Volvo Cars USA customer care, including phone calls, an online request form, and direct correspondence, with prolonged periods of no response despite written acknowledgment of the issue on XXX. Given that Volvo itself has identified a fire risk associated with charging this vehicle, combined with an indefinite repair timeline of ten months or more and mechanic-confirmed risk of continued mechanical degradation, I am filing this report to document a potential safety defect in the hybrid battery system of this vehicle. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
No injuries · No fire · No crash
My 2024 Volvo XC90 has experienced complete battery and electrical failure three times in approximately ten months. The failure pattern is identical each time. The battery discharges fully with no prior warning. A jump start restores power briefly, but the vehicle does not hold a charge and shuts down again, so it must be towed. The battery has been replaced three separate times by authorized Volvo retailers and the failure keeps recurring, which indicates the underlying cause has not been identified. Component: Electrical system, specifically a suspected parasitic current draw causing complete discharge of the 12V battery. The vehicle is available for inspection on request. Safety risk: The vehicle becomes completely inoperable without warning and has stranded me three times, requiring towing on each occasion. There is no advance indication that the battery is failing. Because the failure is sudden and unpredictable, the vehicle cannot be relied on to start in an emergency or to remain operable, and I have no confidence that a failure will not occur at a time or place that puts occupants at risk. Confirmed by dealer: Yes. Each failure was confirmed by an authorized Volvo dealer, which replaced the battery each time. Repairing dealers include Independence Volvo and University Volvo. The failures occurred in approximately October 2025, approximately March or April 2026, and [date of current failure]. The vehicle is currently at [dealer] for the third occurrence. Inspection by manufacturer or others: Volvo Car USA corporate has not inspected the vehicle. No police or insurance inspection. To my knowledge no dealer has performed or documented a parasitic draw test to locate the source of the discharge. Warning lamps or symptoms: None. There were no warning lamps, dashboard messages, or symptoms of any kind before any of the three failures. The vehicle operated normally and then would not start. Total days out of service: at least 15 days across the three times
No injuries · No fire · No crash
The contact owns a 2025 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the safety alert audible sounds failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the alerts failed to provide an audible alert. The contact turned off the vehicle and started and the system independently reset. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and an unknown software update was performed. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The failure became persistent. The contact stated that while reversing, the rear-view camera screen seized. The contact stated that the rear-view camera displayed a still image. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 4,500.
No injuries · No fire · No crash
The bright trim strip along the front edge of the shifter panel in the center console of my 2024 Volvo XC90 has fractured in two places, leaving an exposed jagged edge adjacent to the cupholders. That edge lacerated my fingertip on July 14, 2026 and again on July 25, 2026. On both occasions I was driving the vehicle on a highway and was reaching for a cup in the cupholder, which is ordinary use. The injury bled heavily both times and was a significant distraction while I was operating the vehicle at highway speed. Neither injury required medical treatment. The panel has never been removed, pried, or struck, and no object has been dropped on it. The vehicle has approximately 31,151 miles and was purchased as a Volvo Certified Pre-Owned vehicle in September 2025. It is scheduled for service at an authorized Volvo dealer on July 31, 2026. I have photographs of the fractured trim.
On or about July 6, 2026, I observed water entering the passenger compartment of my 2024 Volvo XC90 at the right rear interior quarter trim panel, visible on opening the tailgate. I reported this to Volvo Car USA Customer Care by telephone the same day and was told the vehicle would need to be brought to an authorized dealer. On July 29, 2026, while I was driving the vehicle on a highway, water dripped from the overhead panel above the rearview mirror, surrounding the interior lights, onto me. After parking, I inspected the vehicle and found, the same day, water again entering at the right rear interior quarter trim panel and, on removing the cargo floor panel, standing water in the spare wheel well together with wet carpet on the cargo floor panel and wet carpet backing and insulation. Water is entering the vehicle at more than one location. I am concerned about water reaching electrical components, including the battery and fuse box compartments located in the cargo area, and about mold in the carpet and insulation. The vehicle has approximately 31,151 miles and was purchased as a Volvo Certified Pre-Owned vehicle in September 2025. It is scheduled for service at an authorized Volvo dealer on July 31, 2026. I have photographs and video of these conditions.
No injuries · No fire · No crash