COMPONENT: The right-rear shock absorber sheared off at its base and was loose inside the rear suspension. The vehicle has approximately 78,000 miles and the factory Polestar Engineered (Öhlins) suspension. There was no collision, impact, or road hazard before the failure. The failed shock is still on the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. SAFETY RISK: The failure occurred while driving at highway speed. With the shock detached, that corner of the vehicle had no damping, which can reduce stability and braking control, especially over bumps or in an emergency maneuver. The loose shock could also strike and damage nearby brake lines, wiring, the tire, or axle components. CONFIRMATION: On [XXX], an independent repair shop found the right-rear shock sheared at its base, with no sign of impact or other damage. The mechanic said he had never seen this failure before. On [XXX], at the first available appointment, Volvo Cars Danbury (Danbury, CT) confirmed the right-rear shock was broken and recommended replacing both rear shocks. INSPECTIONS: The authorized Volvo dealer inspected the vehicle and submitted a goodwill request to Volvo, which Volvo declined. To my knowledge, Volvo has not inspected the failed part directly. No police or insurance inspection. WARNING SIGNS: On [XXX], I first noticed metal-on-metal noises from the rear while driving on the highway. No warning lamps or messages appeared. There were no other symptoms before the noise began. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
- NHTSA ID
- 11775749
- Incident
- Oct 25, 2026