2023 Volvo XC90

WHAT COMPONENT OR SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED, AND IS IT AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION? The Pilot Assist / Adaptive Cruise Control system becomes physically stuck, causing sudden unintended acceleration. Additionally, the central vehicle electrical system/wiring harness is experiencing a verified spontaneous failure. The vehicle is currently located in Hendersonville, North Carolina, and is fully available for federal inspection upon request. HOW WAS YOUR SAFETY OR THE SAFETY OF OTHERS PUT AT RISK? My life and the safety of everyone on the road was placed in immediate, catastrophic danger. On multiple occasions, the vehicle took total control away from me, overrode my inputs, and independently accelerated to 100 miles per hour on the highway. This maximum-throttle acceleration severely compromised my ability to slow down, brake, or control the vehicle. As a professional therapist and professor, surviving these multiple near-death events has caused me severe psychological trauma and a profound fear of driving. HAS THE PROBLEM BEEN REPRODUCED OR CONFIRMED BY A DEALER? Yes, a dealer has officially replicated and confirmed part of the underlying electrical failure. The vehicle was held at the dealership service department for an extended diagnostic stay from October 6th until yesterday. While they did not replicate the 100 mph acceleration during their brief initial rounds, a Volvo service mechanic took the vehicle home overnight and successfully reproduced and witnessed the unprompted electrical failure (the cabin lights turning on completely by themselves). HAS THE VEHICLE BEEN INSPECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER, POLICE, OR INSURANCE? The authorized Volvo dealership service department has extensively inspected the vehicle. However, despite a mechanic witnessing the spontaneous electrical glitch, the service center said they could not pinpoint the exact source of the failure using standard diagnostic tools and returned the car to me.

NHTSA ID

11770326

Incident

Sep 20, 2026

The contact owns a 2023 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while his son was attempting to latch the seat belt, the seat belt failed to retract. The failure had occurred several times. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 23V827000 (SEAT BELTS); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The failure mileage was 28,000.

NHTSA ID

11767568

Incident

Apr 15, 2026

Mileage

28,000 mi

The car recently received a 5.05 update of the infotainment system. Since then, the infotainment system would be shut off and auto-restarts itself during driving every 10 or 15 minutes. The car would lose all the functions related to the infotainment system, such as the camera, navigation, sound and air conditioning for a few minutes during driving. It is dangerous that this would happen randomly and so frequently. This incident has been reported by many Volvo car owners in the past few days since the update, and the dealer didn't fix the problem. We are going to a dealer two days later but don't have much hope for the fix.

NHTSA ID

11728493

Incident

Mar 29, 2026

While the vehicle was parked, the trunk opened and the alarm sounded. Using the buttons on the trunk, I shut the trunk and locked the car. A few moments later, the trunk opened and the alarm sounded again. This continued for 40 minutes. Today, if I place a battery in the main black key fob, the trunk will open with the car running. I have an appointment next week at the dealer, however, most correspondence with Volvo has been by phone during the time it occurred. Both key fobs are not recognized by the vehicle unless specifically placed in a vertical direction in the cup holder. While driving, I receive messages that the key is not detected (although, I understand the car should NOT shut off while running after started and this has NOT occurred thankfully.). I will provide further documentation once available but want to report in case others experience this issue.

NHTSA ID

11714120

Incident

Dec 20, 2025

On the morning of January 12, 2026, I attempted to unplug my 2023 Volvo XC90 Recharge (plug-in hybrid) from my home charging station in order to drive to an appointment. I had turned on the climate control remotely from the Volvo app while inside the house. When I went to unplug the vehicle, the charging connector was locked in the vehicle’s charging port and could not be removed. I contacted Volvo customer service, who instructed me to try several troubleshooting steps, including locking and unlocking the vehicle multiple times with the key fob and resetting the infotainment system. These steps did not resolve the issue. Because the charging plug remained locked, I was unable to use my vehicle and had to borrow a neighbor’s car, causing me to arrive late to a scheduled appointment. While away from home, I contacted my Volvo dealer, whose service representative advised me to use force to remove the plug, stating it would likely break the internal clip in the charging port. When I returned home several hours later and unlocked the vehicle, the charging plug released normally without any physical intervention. This suggests a software or electronic malfunction rather than a mechanical obstruction. The incident temporarily immobilized the vehicle and could pose a safety or reliability concern if it occurs in other situations. Furthermore, we have been experiencing intermittent issues with the infotainment system, including the backup cameras not coming on, random radio stations playing and complete blackout of the screen and/or flickering. The last software update was completed on Aug 15, 2025.

NHTSA ID

11710393

Incident

Jan 12, 2026

I was driving on the internstate and my blind spot indicator came on and stayed on even though there were no cars in my blind spot. I needed to change lanes and tried to despite the blind spot indicator being on and the automatic collision avoidance system put me back into the lane I was in. I had to fight the vehicle to get over to be able to exit the interstate.

NHTSA ID

11706558

Incident

Dec 11, 2025

Two wheels have cracked in the span of a few weeks. There was no accident or incident that could have caused the cracks. There are mentions online of this issue in several countries but Volvo has not issued a recall or warning regarding the wheel's propensity to crack. First crack was found on one wheel on 11/03/25. The second crack was found on a different wheel on 12/07/25. This vehicle was purchased from McDonald Volvo in Littleton CO on August of 2023.

NHTSA ID

11704030

Incident

Dec 4, 2025

While driving in a parking lot going around 15 mph my drivers side door opened. No warning, no alarms just fully ajar swung open. Fortunately I was going 15 mph, Im glad I had my seatbelt on and that no one was crossing or passing when the door flung open. Ive documented and recorded my ability to begin driving and open the door including ability to open the door while reversing. I took the suv to volvo and the electrical wiring was replaced along with the door hinges.

NHTSA ID

11700143

Incident

Apr 12, 2025

This is a Technical Journal: Chirping noise from engine during engine shutoff. Replace both front camshaft seals

This is a Technical Journal: Google acceptance required for SW 3.0.3. Software download.

This is a Technical Journal: Check engine light and DTC - ECM P061C48/P060C48. Change engine oil and filter.

This is a Technical Journal: Vibration/shudder while braking. Replace front brake pads

This is a Technical Journal: Check Engine Light in DIM (BCM2 P25A268 / U003700). Download software.

This is a Technical Journal: Call button in the OHC might not be lit. Perform a total upgrade according to TJ 31543.