Collision avoidance system has activated nearly causing a collision with an oncoming vehicle three times. On narrow rural roads it is often necessary to steer quickly to the right when an oncoming vehicle approaches out of its lane. The car activates lane-keeping and steers to left toward approaching vehicle. If there is a bush or tall grass near roadway it also suddenly brakes as well as steers into traffic. This action nearly caused a collision today. Sensors are clean, windows clean, and no bright sunlight. All drivers aids are turned off. Each time message "Collision avoidance system activated" appeared on dash. Dealer found no problems x2.
Volvo XC60 collision warning problems
14 of the 660 owner complaints about the Volvo XC60 describe false forward collision warnings, most of them for the 2022 model year.
- owner complaints
- 14
- worst model year
- 2022
By model year
- 20252
- 20241
- 20232
- 20224
- 20211
- 20201
- 20191
- 20181
- 20101
Often reported together
Sudden acceleration 1Seat belt 1Phantom braking 1Loss of power 1Screen failure 1Backup camera 1
Trouble codes mentioned
U0433 1
What owners say
Turn signal audio not present (lights working. No audio from radio, phone , collision warnings rear cross traffic warnings, door ajar audio warnings. Resetting the display fixes the problem. However, the issue returns the next day.
Entire car audio does not work. Blinker click, collision warning, navigation etc. Volvo has blamed software but each update in the past 3 years has not fixed the issue. Driving a car where the entire audio system is not working reliably is a safety issue
I was driving home in my VolvoXC60. I think its a 2025 or 2024 model. I drive very safe and never do anything crazy when I drive. I came to a stop like normal at a red light and the screen said accident detected (specifically rear collision avoidance or rear collision something) and the seatbelt started crushing my chest and my body. It just continued to press down and crush me and the car wouldn’t let the seatbelt unbuckle like it was locked up. It was locked and basically just sucking her in with a very strong force. No car got close to me and I finally got it after like 2 minutes and drove home. I think its pretty unbelievable a new suv which is supposed to be very safe and reliable does that and appreantly and my chest is still very sore. Both dealerships near us don’t have a loaner car for a month. It was very scary and basically the car was crushing me for multiple minutes.
System/Component Malfunction: Systemic failure of the onboard computer (Infotainment/Connectivity Module) and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), specifically the Collision Avoidance/Auto-Braking system, Rear-view Camera (FMVSS 111 non-compliance), and the 12V Battery management system. All components remain in the vehicle and are available for inspection. Safety Risk: The vehicle exhibits frequent "phantom braking" where the emergency collision avoidance system abruptly activates without obstacles present, creating an immediate risk of collisions. Additionally, the "hands-on steering wheel" sensor malfunctions, triggering emergency stopping procedures while driving. The backup camera intermittently fails (black screen), causing a total loss of rear visibility. These issues lead to unpredictable vehicle behavior in high-speed traffic. Confirmation & Inspection: These issues began to be reported to an authorized Volvo dealer within the first year of ownership (2022-2023). Most recently, a total vehicle failure occurred due to a drained 12V battery, which the dealer service department confirmed was caused by a known software module defect. Despite multiple "software updates" by the manufacturer, the safety-critical ADAS malfunctions (phantom braking) have recurred three times in the last week following the most recent dealer service.
The contact owns a 2022 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH during nighttime, the Forward Collision Avoidance system engaged while there were no vehicles or objects in front of the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure caused pain in her rib cage when the brake was suddenly applied. Medical attention was not sought. No warning lights were illuminated; however, the message "Front Collision Aversion Engaged" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken back to the residence, and the dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 53,000.
When arriving at the high school parking lot to pick our grandson up from band practice, we experienced Sudden Unintended Acceleration of our vehicle as we attempted to pull into a parking spot. This resulted in a collision with another vehicle that had backed into the parking space in front of us. That driver was inside her vehicle and claimed injuries. As you can imagine we were pulling into the space at a very slow rate of speed when all of a sudden the car lunged forward at a high rate of speed, jumped two parking lot cement barriers and slammed into the rear of her vehicle. The car is equipped with all the latest collision avoidance equipment, but did not stop before hitting the other vehicle ... and no automatic warning sounds went off that I am aware of. A police report was filed and a tow truck had to be called to tow the vehicle. The vehicle had less than 5,ooo miles on it and had only been owned by us for 4 months (it was new when we purchased it). The accident happened on August 27, 2025 and we did not get our vehicle back from the body shop until Monday, November 17. Not only was our safety at risk, but the other driver and several students in the parking lot at the time. This incident could have been so much worse, or could have ended in a fatality. Volvo did an inspection of the vehicle, but the results were inconclusive and our insurance company paid the claim. As soon as we got our vehicle back we took it to our local Volvo service manager to have him check it over. He has indicated the car is safe to drive ... but I am very nervous about driving the vehicle now. The cost to repair the vehicle was $14,145. I was not distracted at the time of the accident and I am certain that I did not hit the accelerator pedal. NOTE: I never received a copy of the accident report, but I believe our insurance company has a copy.
The drainage system from the roof of the vehicle is faulty and causes water to collect in the space between the carpet in the interior of the vehicle and the floor of the vehicle. Key electrical components are located beneath the front passenger seat of the vehicle. When the water collected, it caused key systems, such as collision warning and other systems to malfunction. When we took the vehicle to the dealership, several other vehicles had to be towed in due to more severe electrical failure as a result of the drainage malfunction.
Airbag fault lamp illuminated. Trouble code U0433 stored in body module (CEM). The problem described is with the closing velocity module, a component of the collision mitigation system. There is a TSB available from Volvo for this code, reference number US25146.1.1. It states a software update must be performed to resolve the error. My complaint is that the airbag system is affected and shows an airbag fault lamp, which prevents passing vehicle inspection in my state. The collision avoidance system can be turned off by the driver. As such, there is no cause for disabling or otherwise negatively affecting the airbag system in the event of a fault. A remedy is not provided free of charge from Volvo, and it should be so as this issue prevents legal operation of the car despite the affected system (collision mitigation) being designed to be turned off by the user.
The contact owns a 2018 Volvo XC60. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH, The Forward Collision Avoidance feature inadvertently activated, and the vehicle stopped abruptly without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and a software update was performed; however, the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer however, the mechanic found no cause for the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle performed as designed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 13,000.
Related recalls
Back over prevention: software
- What is wrong
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2024 C40BEV, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40, and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2026. Owners may contact Volvo Car’s customer service at 1‑800‑458‑1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10333. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on beginning February 16, 2026. This recall replaces previous the federal safety agency recall number 25V282. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 25V282 will need to have the new remedy performed.
Recall number 25V908000 · Recall details
Back over prevention: software
- What is wrong
- Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."
- Risk
- A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1‑800‑458‑1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10320.
Recall number 25V282000 · Recall details
Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking
- What is wrong
- Volvo Cars USA LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2019-2020 S60, V60, V60 Cross Country, S90L, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC40, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. Due to a software/hardware incompatibility, the Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB) system may not detect obstacles and engage as intended.
- Risk
- If the automatic emergency braking system does not engage as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the Active Safety Domain Master (ASDM) software, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1‑800‑458‑1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R29998.
Recall number 20V144000 · Recall details
Questions about the Volvo XC60 collision warning
Which Volvo XC60 years have false forward collision warnings problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2022 (4 complaints), 2023 (2 complaints) and 2025 (2 complaints).
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