2017 Volvo XC90

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

My 2017 Volvo XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid developed an electrical fault in the high-voltage hybrid battery on March 11, 2026, at approximately 71,900 miles. The dealer, AutoNation Volvo Cars San Jose, diagnosed a shorted cell in the high-voltage battery pack and determined that a replacement of the entire battery pack was required. The vehicle has been at the dealer since March 16, 2026 under repair order. I have not driven it since. I am reporting this because a high-voltage battery fault in a plug-in hybrid presents a potential safety risk, and because the replacement part has been unavailable from the manufacturer for roughly eight months, which left the vehicle out of service for the entire period. The replacement battery now has an estimated delivery of early November 2026. I opened Volvo Cars USA case on July 14, 2026. No fire, crash, or injury has occurred. I am filing so that the failure, and the parts supply problem, are on record.

NHTSA ID

11774791

Incident

Mar 11, 2026

On 9/18/2026 at about 3:15 PM, the low coolant warning came on while I was driving in front of my child's school. Less than a minute later I pulled into the school pickup line, stopped, and turned the vehicle off. There was no smoke when I turned it off. After the engine was off, smoke began coming from the engine compartment, and within minutes the engine compartment was on fire. The fire occurred in a school pickup line surrounded by parents and children. An independent witness saw that the vehicle was off before any smoke appeared. The fire department and police responded. The engine compartment was destroyed and the vehicle is a total loss. Warning before failure: low coolant message, less than a minute before the vehicle was stopped. This vehicle has the B4204T27 (T6) engine. Volvo recalled 2016 XC90s with this engine (Recall 19V-308) because a cracked engine-side coolant bleeder hose could leak coolant onto the catalytic converter heat shield and cause a fire while the vehicle was stationary, with a low coolant warning as the sign. This 2017 was not included in that recall, but it gave the same warning and caught fire the same way while stationary. The vehicle was inspected by Volvo Car USA in October 2026. I have not received the inspection report. The failed component is UNKNOWN because the engine compartment was incinerated. I was exposed to smoke during the fire and am seeking medical evaluation.

NHTSA ID

11773207

Incident

Sep 18, 2026

Volvo electric power steering system failure.

NHTSA ID

11769444

Incident

Sep 30, 2026

Vehicle has exhibited lagging and stalling while driving in "Pure" (electric-only) mode since approximately April 2026, at approximately 85,000 miles, accompanied by an illuminated check engine light. This has occurred repeatedly at red lights, intersections, stop signs, and in stop-and-go traffic, creating a risk of sudden loss of propulsion in live traffic situations, including at intersections where an unexpected stall could result in a collision. The dealership (Volvo Cars of Fort Washington) has diagnosed this as originating from multiple hybrid drivetrain components over several repair visits: the High Voltage Coolant Heater (replaced per a referenced Volvo Technical Service Bulletin), the Inverter Electric Rear Axle Drive Module (IEM) — diagnostic data showed one internal transistor (phase W) reaching 135°C, a severe outlier compared to the other two phases reading approximately 25°C — the A/C refrigerant shutoff valve, and most recently the Electronic Rear Axle Drive (ERAD) transmission, where diagnostic monitoring showed the ERAD clutch slipping during test drives. Volvo's own internal case management system has classified this case as a "Repeat Repair." Despite multiple repair attempts, the underlying drivability defect (lagging/stalling) has recurred each time, including almost immediately after the vehicle was returned following the initial repair, with minimal intervening use. This pattern indicates a persistent, unresolved defect in the vehicle's hybrid drive system that presents a safety risk due to unpredictable loss of power while driving.

NHTSA ID

11766534

Incident

Apr 2, 2026

2017 Volvo XC90 manufacturing defect where panoramic sunroof drainage network fails under normal rain, pooling water directly in the floorboard channels over safety module networks and wire harnesses.Water infiltration caused a catastrophic short-circuit of the floorboard-mounted amplifier while driving. This forced the audio system to emit an un-modulated, maximum-volume electronic blast through the cabin, causing severe driver distraction and documented temporary acute acoustic trauma/ear injuries to myself and my young child.Progressive electronic oxidation from ongoing water intrusion has since caused systemic failures of critical safety electronics. This includes spontaneous, unprompted activations of the automated emergency SOS calling network and dangerous operational delays in the backup camera engaging.Dealership service personnel inspected the vehicle and explicitly warned that the water-logged electrical networks are heavily compromised and at imminent risk of a complete blackout while in motion, posing a severe threat of sudden loss of power steering, braking, and propulsion on the highway. Rain is currently actively dripping from the interior ceiling onto passenger cabin components. This platform-wide engineering flaw creates an active fire, electrical, and crash hazard.

NHTSA ID

11766225

Incident

Jul 6, 2026

I was driving my 2017 Volvo XC90 T6 Inscription when a ‘coolant low’ warning appeared. I immediately pulled over and the car began to smoke. I was unaware what to do so I called my husband and he told me to pop my hood. With 1.5 minutes of pulling over I open my door to find the lack to pop the hood and someone started yelling at me to get out. I looked up and the smoke had changed from white to brown- I exited the vehicle and called 911- Within approximately 5 minutes, the vehicle became fully engulfed in flames and was a total loss. The vehicle had been regularly maintained and to my knowledge, had no open recalls applicable at the time. After the fire, I became aware of a prior XC90 recall involving a coolant hose leak and fire risk. I understand that recall may not list my exact model year. I’m not claiming a specific cause, but due to the coolant warning preceding the fire, believe the circumstances warrant investigation. I was able to exit safely and no one was injured, but given how rapidly the fire developed, I’m concerned about the potential risk to others.

NHTSA ID

11765624

Incident

Aug 29, 2026

2017 Volvo XC90 T8 plug-in hybrid, approximately 81,000 miles, experienced intermittent hesitation/loss of propulsion when accelerating. When acceleration is requested, the vehicle can hesitate before power is delivered, creating a serious safety concern when entering, merging into, or crossing traffic because expected acceleration is not immediately available. Diagnostic testing identified faults in the IEM/ERAD system, including P286D00, Clutch A Engagement Time Performance/Too Slow, and P0A1B62, Drive Motor A Control Module, Algorithm Based Failure. The vehicle is currently being evaluated by an authorized Volvo dealer. I was advised that the high-voltage battery cells appear to be functioning properly and that the dealer is consulting Volvo technical support regarding the loss-of-acceleration condition. Volvo has issued Technical Journal guidance addressing ERAD clutch DTCs, including P286D00, on this generation of XC90. I am concerned that delayed or failed engagement of the ERAD clutch can cause an unexpected delay or loss of propulsion during acceleration. I am also aware of another NHTSA complaint involving a 2017 Volvo XC90 ERAD clutch failure, NHTSA Complaint No. 11673211, describing a delay in propulsion followed by sudden power delivery. I am requesting that NHTSA review this condition as a potential safety defect involving ERAD clutch engagement and intermittent loss or delay of propulsion in Volvo XC90 T8 vehicles.

NHTSA ID

11761290

Incident

Aug 22, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the window power switch was enabled; however, the window switch failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the rear-view camera, the door switch, and the air conditioner failed to function as intended. In addition, the contact became aware of water on the front passenger’s side floorboard. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The contact referenced an unknown recall; however, the VIN was not associated with a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 94,000.

NHTSA ID

11756005

Incident

Aug 3, 2026

Mileage

94,000 mi

This is a Technical Journal: Text only no attachments - This TJ is issued to highlight potential keyless issues caused by electromagnetic interference from aftermarket equipment and to emphasize the importance of keeping the remote control key away from objects that may emit interference or obstruct radio signals to or from the vehicle.

This is a Technical Journal text only no attachments : Improved 12V battery test in VIDA. The 12V battery test in VIDA has been improved. The improved test lets you check batteries below 11.5V with the battery in the vehicle and a shorter test time. (Follow the instructions in VIDA)Don´t charge the battery before the test, jump start the vehicle if needed. Read out the vehicle with VIDA and start the test.

This is a Technical Journal: Text plus 1 .jpg attachment - If remote control key is not detected by the car and shows message in DIM "Car key not found" or if functions such as lock/unlock are not working, please follow advice for detecting key

This is a Technical Journal: Headlamp condensation inside lens - information/leak test. If the result is not ok (air leak), it is ok to replace the headlamp

This is a Technical Journal: Intermittent knocking noise during acceleration. If the sound corresponds to attached sound file, change front drive shafts to the below part numbers.

This is a Technical Journal: Panoramic sunroof, sealing strip has a gap