2023 Volvo XC90 Problems

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Third instance of reduced engine performance warning system taking over the car, which results in the "turtle mode" coming on and throttling vehicle speeds. The car does not respond to gas except at lower speeds. Then the Check Engine light also came on.

The button to initiate the parking brake frequently does not work. With my foot firmly on the brake, I have had to push the Park button many times to put the vehicle in park. I have video of this incident. Other times, when not expecting it or recording video I have pressed the park button and not realized the vehicle didn’t go into park. When I released my foot on the brake the vehicle rolled forward. Thankfully no one or other vehicle was directly in front of the car.

To Whom It May Concern, I am filing a complaint against Volvo Car USA for unresolved defects in my 2023 Volvo XC90 T8 Recharge, purchased in Indiana. The vehicle’s control systems—infotainment, climate control, navigation, backup camera, and reverse braking—are defective, impairing its use, value, and safety, despite maintenance and updates. Study and searches on owner forums and social media discovered that those issues are widespread among the 2023 model year of Volvo XC-90 T8. Issues: Backup camera often shows “unavailable” when reversing, posing safety risks. -Volvo did a software recall in May, 2025. The issue seemed largely resolved. Automatic reverse braking (ARB) falsely triggers, causing abrupt stops. No permanent adjustment exists. -The issue persists even after multiple software updates including the recall mentioned above. The false ARB activations made drivers and passengers traumatized and panicked for "hitting or being hit by other vehicles or objects. Infotainment and climate control system lags (5+ minutes to respond), displays errors, and is unreliable. That became a bigger problem during inclement weather that driver and passengers may suffer injury from the extreme cold or hot conditions for a long period of time. This is even more dangerous when there are elderlies, pregnant women, or children in the vehicle. This issue was not resolved even after multiple software updates. Further research indicated the issue was not only from software but also from hardware (including but not limited to the CPU chips, RAM, etc. LTE connection is unstable 50% of the time, affecting navigation or emergency assistance. Volvo uses safety and emergency assistance as one of the selling points for its vehicles. However, the instability of its LTE connection makes the "SOS call" unreliable or not functional when customers are in danger. Even after multiple visits of Volvo dealer and contact of Volvo customer care, there is no solution.

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.

The contact owns a 2023 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the front driver’s side door failed to remain closed securely. The contact stated that the front driver’s side door remained ajar, and an abnormal sound could be heard inside the vehicle. The contact recorded the sound at 99 decibels. The contact stated that the failure had been occurring since purchasing the vehicle in 2023. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, no cause for the failure was found. The contact stated that an unknown part was repaired in the door. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,000.

Third instance of reduced engine performance warning system taking over the car, which results in the "turtle mode" coming on and throttling vehicle speeds. The car does not respond to gas except at lower speeds. Then the Check Engine light also came on.

Check engine light comes on every few weeks. Dealer inspects, resets, and says software issues. Now engine performance lights and "turtle mode" has come on twice throttling my speed while driving. Again no known cause and just resetting. Currently in a loaner vehicle while they research.

We lease this car from Volvo and are the first and only owners of the vehicle. No history of collision or accidents. The vehicle has a rear backup camera. The camera system also allows the option to select a 360-degree, top down "birds-eye" view of the entire vehicle. The backup camera turns on automatically when the car is shifted into reverse and originally provided a normal view directly behind the vehicle that extended at least a car length or more. At some point, we noticed that the rear backup camera view changed and was angled sharply down to the ground, including a partial view of our rear license plate and back bumper. The view now extends less than 7 feet behind the vehicle, angled down from the height of the camera (40-inches) so we can only see inches above the ground just a few feet behind the car. We can no longer see approaching vehicles, pedestrians, or any obstacles. The service technicians suggested this change in camera angle resulted from a routine system software update that was automatically downloaded to the vehicle. I don't know exactly when that occurred. On June 27, 2025 we received a safety recall notice from Volvo - Recall R10320 - warning us that the rear-view camera image may not show during the start of a backing event. We installed the recommended "Over the Air" software update, but that did not resolve our problem. I took the car to a local Volvo dealership on 9/26/25. They tried software upgrades and reboots, confirmed that the camera hardware was operating correctly, and told me that they could not fix it. They suggested I file a complaint with Volvo. I did that on 10/3/25. The only response to my claim was to "contact your dealer to make an appointment," which I told them I had already done. I have followed up twice since and Volvo has not responded further to this complaint ID #: 251002-000556. The incident date provided below is approximate. I don't recall when exactly the camera view changed.

The rearview camera on the Volvo continually freezes, is delayed to start or blacks out. Since I have had the car for the last year there have been multiple times a week where reverse is selected and the rearview camera loads, then when I start backing the camera image freezes two to three times before jumping and resuming normal operation. I've also experienced where the camera image is displayed, then the screen temporarily blacks out for a second and then the image is displayed again. This happen most notably when the car is unlocked and then immediately shifted into reverse. I've brought this into show the repair shop but they state it is normal behavior or they can't replicate the issue (even though I've provided them a video of the issue happening). After a year it's getting very dangerous as backing into tight spaces, a delay or black out can cause me to hit something or someone thinking I'm further away then I really am. When the car is in a deep sleep (not driven for a few days), then the camera can take upwards of 15+ seconds to load after turning on the car and selecting reverse.

Hands-free tailgate feature initiated unintended closure and disregarded obstruction, striking my wife's head to the point of pain as she was holding our toddler. Had my wife not resisted the hatch with her head further or was holding our toddler differently, this would have caused severe injury or death.

On April 29th 2023 while washing my Volvo XC90 I opened the trunk to clean out the crevasses around the car. As I continued to wipe down/dry the vehicle I placed my hand at the top of the trunk opening and moved my way downwards to wipe the bumper and side of car. Unfortunately, the handsfree tailgate feature activated and the trunk began to close on my hand. Due to my hand being so close to the the spring and the speed in which the trunk door closed I was unable to move my hand fast enough. My Middle, Index and pinky finger were all crushed inside of the car trunk. No one was able to render aid to me for several minutes. I was able to contort my body enough to push the trunk button and unlock it but the gate itself would not lift. I even in a state of panic tried to kick under the car to initiate the lift, I tried lifting as best I could to get relief off of my hands. Finally about 5 minutes later a passerby came and rendered aid to me and he had to manually lift the trunk up to free my fingers. The experience has been traumatic and I am taking all necessary steps via the Volvo dealership and Volvo to have this matter checked out and resolved. The car has no sensors around the trunk with the exception of something blocking it from closing completely. Also, if you are not carefully and are leaning into the trunk and trip the handsfree tailgate sensor it can close on you if you are leaning into the trunk - this is an issue I saw with my XC60 (2021) that clearly was not resolved. I did go to the ER and wound up with thankfully a bruised hand/tendons but no broken bones but I will need to follow up with a hand surgeon to ensure I do not have tendon/nerve damage.

My name is [XXX] . My wife [XXX] has been corresponding with Volvo Car Financial, as well as Volvo, regarding our Volvo XC90 lease. This Volvo has been the biggest disappointment of any car we've ever leased or purchased out of the new cars and trucks we have purchased every 2-3 years for the past 40 years. We have contacted Volvo several times about the issues we are having and taken it in three times to have the problem resolved. I live in a rural area with backroads, and they say the mapping system called City View does not work well on backroads, so they are not able to replicate the problem when it is taken in for them to look at. I have been in constant communications with our saleslady Sara, she is WONDERFUL and has been most helpful. She also has documentation of everything, and a few videos. She did see when I came to pick the car up three weeks ago, that it doesn’t understand a lot of our commands. The car jerks the steering wheel from me into oncoming traffic, off the road, then tells me it avoided a collision when it almost caused a collision. Hey Google, does not understand either of us, the slight chance it does, it does not do what we have requested. I do have a video showing different things that the car does. It seems to have a mind of its own, I do not feel safe driving this car any longer. It is going to cause us to have an accident. I Purchased the car because I thought Volvo was the safest vehicle there was to buy or lease. Now my feelings have changed I am afraid to even drive the car to the point I am having to borrow my mother’s older vehicle. The back hatch doesn’t always open, you must assist it with your hand. It came down and hit my head in food lion parking lot and two men came running over to check on me. I met a tractor last week and the steering just went crazy, it was all over the road, and I was having to really fight it. My husband says he feels as if he has driven a tractor trailer all day when INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOI

On May 18, 2023, the vehicle was not driveable and it was not able to be taken out of the park mode. The vehicle had no power so the engine would not start regardless of what the tow truck driver tried. The car had to be pulled onto the tow truck so the tires did not move. On June 10, 2023, Due to a backlog. The Volvo dealership was finally able to look at the vehicle. They stated "error codes in the computer indicate an internal defect in the high-voltage battery. Even after consultation with Volvo technical support, we cannot avoid removing and opening the battery to replace a part inside the battery." Due to a backlog and waiting for parts, they stated it would be 6 weeks before they could repair. On July 28, 2023, The Volvo dealership repair stated, "the first spare part (for the defective battery) that was delivered was unfortunately defective and had to be sent it back." They will keep us up-to-date. The dealership is aware of the R10198 Recall for the Electronic Control Module.

Check engine light comes on every few weeks. Dealer inspects, resets, and says software issues. Now engine performance lights and "turtle mode" has come on twice throttling my speed while driving. Again no known cause and just resetting. Currently in a loaner vehicle while they research.

I've owned several vehicles in my life. The Volvo XC 90 advanced "safety features" have caused more near accidents in the first 10 months of owning this vehicle than anything I have ever experienced. The collission prevention and auto-braking features cannot be disabled on this car and they are defective and extremely dangerous. On sevreal occasions (four in the last two weeks alone) the auto-braking has engage when performing simple task and common suburban style shopping center parking lots. Backing into spots (which is proven to be safer -- my employer used to require it) the auto braking SLAMS onthe brakes and tightens the seatbelts. I am not exagerrating I've almost had a heart attack it's so jarring. Once I performed a u-turn (was perfectly legal) but due to something in the road had to back up to do a three point turn -- the auto braking engaged. I was stuck without the ability to move quickly and was almost hit. In short, many false positives from this sytem that cause MORE HARM than good. It has prevented zero accidents and has caused me to almost get into an accident or scared the living you know what out of me and my passengers all but too many times. In adidtion to these issues, the infortainment system (Android based) has hung on sevreal ocassions. In those instances I cannot control the air conditioning, defroster, etc. Lastly, the last, the lane departure feature is similarly flawed to the auto braking features. Correcting or warning when there is nothing. These features that are supposed to help are in fact making my driving experience more dangerous. It has happened so many times, I'm considering involing an attorney. I have warned friends and family of the dangers of Volvo's flawed technology platform and "advanced safety features." I also shared thsi feedback withthe dealer who offered a simple "wipe and restore" of the infortainment system. At the core, the system is broken and flawed.

The contact owns a 2023 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that while driving to the residence, the air bag warning light, malfunction light, driver’s side turn signal, parking light, and daytime running light illuminated. The contact stated that the instrument cluster went blank. The contact stated that for approximately five to ten minutes, the scene was visible. The contact called the independent mechanic regarding the missing air bag, but there was no resolution. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, and the contact was informed that the dealer was unable to service the vehicle because of an open work order on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was emailed, but there was no response. The failure mileage was approximately 39,397.

On April 29th 2023 while washing my Volvo XC90 I opened the trunk to clean out the crevasses around the car. As I continued to wipe down/dry the vehicle I placed my hand at the top of the trunk opening and moved my way downwards to wipe the bumper and side of car. Unfortunately, the handsfree tailgate feature activated and the trunk began to close on my hand. Due to my hand being so close to the the spring and the speed in which the trunk door closed I was unable to move my hand fast enough. My Middle, Index and pinky finger were all crushed inside of the car trunk. No one was able to render aid to me for several minutes. I was able to contort my body enough to push the trunk button and unlock it but the gate itself would not lift. I even in a state of panic tried to kick under the car to initiate the lift, I tried lifting as best I could to get relief off of my hands. Finally about 5 minutes later a passerby came and rendered aid to me and he had to manually lift the trunk up to free my fingers. The experience has been traumatic and I am taking all necessary steps via the Volvo dealership and Volvo to have this matter checked out and resolved. The car has no sensors around the trunk with the exception of something blocking it from closing completely. Also, if you are not carefully and are leaning into the trunk and trip the handsfree tailgate sensor it can close on you if you are leaning into the trunk - this is an issue I saw with my XC60 (2021) that clearly was not resolved. I did go to the ER and wound up with thankfully a bruised hand/tendons but no broken bones but I will need to follow up with a hand surgeon to ensure I do not have tendon/nerve damage.

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.