2017 Volvo XC90 Driver assistance Problems

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

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

Spark plugs, fuel injectors, cylinders and cylinder walls, pistons, oxygen sensor. Our safety was put at risk because the vehicles "reduced performance" was triggered and it affected the acceleration of the vehicle. The Volvo dealership was able to reproduce the issue because of the engine misfires.The only alert we received was the day prior our engine needed a liter of oil. We topped off the oil and that alert went away. The day we had the reduced performance we were alerted of that at the time on the highway. It's a little turtle icon. We were not able to accelerate efficiently and it was definitely unsafe to be driving but we had to get home.

NHTSA ID

11749713

Incident

Jul 4, 2026

VCM and Rearview camera glitching not working, can cause crashes. Everything was checked for voltage and works properly. It seems like it is a system infotainment issue for 2017 Volvo xc90

NHTSA ID

11729350

Incident

Mar 16, 2026

The contact owns a 2017 Volvo XC90. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, a vehicle approximately 50 yards in front of him stopped and caused the Forward Collision Avoidance feature to be activated. The vehicle came to a complete stop with an audible beeping sound and a warning illustration displayed on the instrument panel. The contact contended that he was a safe distance away from the vehicle and that the Forward Collision Avoidance feature should not have activated. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 29,000.

NHTSA ID

11504497

Incident

Jan 29, 2023

Mileage

29,000 mi

"Volvo On Call Service Required" message shows up on the dash suddenly every 3-5 minutes, and the black message box itself is close to, and bigger than, the speedometer reading. It makes it difficult to monitor and maintain speed without distraction. At the same time, every 3-5 minutes, top of the center screen completely flashes with "message stored to Car Status app" to draw driver attention and causes a major distraction while driving.

NHTSA ID

11432610

Incident

Sep 1, 2021

THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM WAS ENGAGED, I WAS DRIVING DURING A RAIN STORM AT NIGHT AT 45 MPH, AND THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE ALARM WENT OFF WITHOUT ANYTHING IN FRONT OF MY CAR, THEN THE BRAKES SLAMMED ON BY THEMSELVES AND THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD TO SWERVE ONTO THE SHOULDER TO AVOID HITTING ME IN THE REAR

NHTSA ID

11196537

Incident

Apr 2, 2019

Mileage

17,000 mi

ON 2018-09-17, THE VEHICLE, A 2017 VOLVO XC90 T8 HYBRID, REPORTED AN ERROR STATING "REDUCED PERFORMANCE" WITHIN THE INSTRUMENT GAUGE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO DRIVE, WITHOUT THE HYBRID SYSTEM, ONLY WORKING ON THE GAS ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES AFTER THE ERROR MESSAGE APPEARED. THE NEXT DAY, 2018-09-18, THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, WITH THE SAME ERROR. AFTER DRIVING LESS THAN A QUARTER OF A MILE, THE VEHICLE ABRUPTLY HALTED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION, AND THEN LIMITED THE VEHICLE SPEED TO 17 MILES PER HOUR. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO IT'S ORIGIN, UNABLE TO EXCEED THE 17 MPH RESTRICTION, AND A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED IN. THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE NEAREST VOLVO DEALER FOR REPAIRS FOR 20 DAYS UNDERGOING REPAIRS. AS OF 2018-10-15, THE VEHICLE HAS BEGIN TO EXHIBIT A SIMILAR PROBLEM AS WAS ORIGINALLY REPORTED WITH 2 MONTHS OF VEHICLE PURCHASE IN SEPTEMBER, 2017, AND WHAT LED TO A MULTI-DAY REPAIR IN EARLY SEPTEMBER, 2018, PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT OCCURRING IN MID SEPTEMBER, 2018.

NHTSA ID

11140502

Incident

Sep 18, 2018

Mileage

7,766 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE THE LOW SPEED AUTO EMERGENCY BRAKING/FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE INDICATOR DID NOT ILLUMINATE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LOWE PEARSON VOLVO BOISE (7805 W GRATZ DR, BOISE, ID 83709, 208-377-3900) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED, BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 10,000.

NHTSA ID

11124766

Incident

Aug 24, 2018

Mileage

10,000 mi

ON 7 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY AND AGGRESSIVELY BRAKED ON ITS OWN. THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM SENSED THAT I WAS ABOUT TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IN FRONT OF ME. THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE ON THIS MODEL. IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT I DIDN'T GET REAR ENDED AS THE 7 INSTANCES ALL HAPPENED ON HIGHWAYS. MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. VOLVO HAS AGREED TO REPURCHASE MY VEHICLE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.

NHTSA ID

11010933

Incident

Apr 5, 2017

Mileage

500 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 VOLVO XC90. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS WITH THE PILOT ASSIST AND LANE ASSIST SYSTEMS ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE WOULD ERRONEOUSLY CHANGE LANES AND/OR CHANGE DIRECTIONS. ON OCCASION, THE FEATURES WOULD ERRONEOUSLY SHUT OFF FOR NO REASON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500. UPDATED 06/02/17*LJ *AS

NHTSA ID

10970765

Incident

Feb 1, 2017

Mileage

1,500 mi