Volvo XC60 headlights problems

Filed Nov 1, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · AZ

On the night of XXX, my 2015 Volvo XC60 exhibited a cluster of electrical failures with a passenger aboard: the panoramic roof switch was unresponsive, the headlights cut out completely, the fuel gauge was inoperative, and the key fob was dead (no unlock, no hatch release; the vehicle sometimes would not start). The next morning, XXX, on [XXX] westbound at approximately 80 mph in heavy traffic, in darkness and a torrential downpour, I switched on the rear fog lights for visibility and the headlights went completely out; the vehicle's electronic systems failed at highway speed. My passenger ([XXX]) and I were not injured. I recorded 28 seconds of video of the instrument panel during the event: the display cycles (warnings present, then gone, then back), the gear indicator changes on its own, and the fuel gauge sits on empty throughout. The vehicle limped to a friend's house and is now parked and cannot be driven. A post-incident diagnostic scan (codes read, not cleared) shows 20 fault codes across 8 modules, centered on the Central Electronic Module — including DIM U042268 (invalid data received from the CEM), ECM codes for a shutdown-timer failure, lost communication with the immobilizer, and 'the engine cannot start,' plus a power-steering battery-voltage fault. The battery is a brand-new AGM battery and read 12.0 volts. The same morning I found the left front brake caliper leaking brake fluid (photographed). This vehicle also has an open safety complaint for a different failure — VOQ #XXX(airbags did not deploy and seatbelts did not lock in a XXX hit-and-run) — and the pre-existing SRS fault code from that complaint (XXX) is still present in this scan. I am filing the electrical failure separately so both problems are categorized accurately. Documentation (photographs, the in-event video, the complete scan) is in my possession and available on request. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 6, 2026 · Lights · IN

I am writing to urge the federal safety agency to address the serious safety problem caused by excessively bright headlights on American roads. Many LED, HID, high-mounted, improperly aimed, and aftermarket headlights produce such intense glare that oncoming drivers can be temporarily blinded. This can make it difficult to see lane markings, pedestrians, bicyclists, animals, curves, or stopped vehicles. At highway speeds, even a few seconds of impaired vision can have devastating consequences. Technology already exists to reduce this danger. Adaptive headlights can provide excellent visibility while reducing the amount of light directed at oncoming vehicles, and advanced systems have been used in other countries. Why is America lagging behind when safer technology is available? I urge the federal safety agency to strengthen regulations regarding headlight brightness, beam aim, mounting height, and aftermarket lighting, and to expand the use of glare-reducing technology. A driver’s ability to see farther should never come at the expense of another driver’s ability to see at all. Excessive headlight glare is not merely an inconvenience—it is a preventable safety hazard. Please take action to make nighttime driving safer for everyone.

Filed Jun 17, 2025 · Visibility · MO

The rear side windows on my 2025 Volvo XC60 B5 Plus AWD exhibit a persistent “smoky” or hazy appearance when viewed through the rearview mirror or directly from inside the cabin. The issue is most noticeable during daytime when light hits the glass at an angle, or at night when headlights from other vehicles shine through the rear windows. The affected glass appears to have a bluish or foggy tint that creates a distorted or “cold” appearance, reducing rearward visibility. This appears to be a defect with the window glass itself—possibly related to factory tinting, lamination, or an optical coating. The windows are original and available for inspection upon request. Safety Risk: This visual distortion significantly impairs rear visibility, especially when relying on mirrors at night or during lane changes. It compromises safe operation of the vehicle by creating unclear visual cues. Passengers and other road users are at risk due to reduced driver awareness of approaching vehicles or obstacles. Dealer Confirmation: I have not yet received formal acknowledgment or confirmation from the dealership, but I plan to raise the issue at my next service appointment. Online forums and other owner reports suggest this is a known issue affecting multiple recent Volvo models. Inspection: The vehicle has not yet been inspected for this issue by Volvo, police, or insurance representatives. I am willing to make the vehicle available for inspection. Warning Messages: There were no warning lamps or dashboard alerts associated with this issue. The condition was present from the time of delivery and has not worsened but remains consistently visible.

Filed Feb 27, 2025 · Acceleration, Fuel system · SC · crash

Three incidents have occurred in three months. Unintended Acceleration Incident #1. While turning right after a full stop on an uphill incline, the vehicle accelerated so quickly that the steering wheel couldn't be return to the neutral position before hitting a roadside signpost approximately 25 ft away. The impact was severe enough to cause the right front headlight to be broken, the right front wheel well liner to be ripped out, the right A-pillar to be dented, and the right mirror to be ripped off. No physical injuries occurred. Unintended Acceleration Incident #2, six weeks later. While on the same incline as incident #1, after removing my foot from the accelerator, the vehicle continued to accelerate, even during braking. Total time was approximately 2 sec. There was no damage to the vehicle, and no physical injury. I checked, and the floor mat was locked in place. Both incidents were reported to Volvo, and permission was given to extract data from the vehicle. The data was extracted at a Volvo service center. Unexpected Acceleration Incident #3 (after data extraction, before Volvo report). While turning right and into a parking space in front of a sidewalk and coming to a stop on an uphill incline, the vehicle quickly moved forward approximately 2 ft after my foot was removed from the brake. I was able to brake again to regain control and put the car in park. Unexpected Acceleration Incident #4 (after data extraction, before Volvo report). While traveling on an uphill incline, after removing my foot from the accelerator, the engine remained at a high enough RPM to sustain forward motion. Even after full-stop braking, the vehicle would move forward on its own, on an uphill incline, without depressing the accelerator. After incident #4, Volvo reported that they concluded that the vehicle was operating as designed at the time of their inspection and during a test drive, that no fault codes were found, and that no unintended acceleration was observed.

Filed Nov 21, 2024 · Lights · GA

My vehicle is an XC60. The headlights fogged up and the fog caused issues with driving in the dark. It took four days for the fog to resolve itself. During that time, at night, you could see the fogged areas in the beam. I took the car to a Volvo dealership and they were not able to replicate the issue, likely because it is not as hot now as it was when this occurred. They told me to open a case with Volvo USA. I sent them photographs. They then responded that there was no evidence of condensation, but condensation was normal and would clear up as it did in this case. The sentence is clear that there was condensation while saying there was no condensation. The headlights are a safety issue and the car is under warranty for 10 years. The headlights should be replaced. I shouldn’t be in a position to fight a company that prides itself on safety about headlights, which are critical for safe driving at night. This is a common issue. I searched and found multiple people with the same problem and some were repaired while others weren’t. Volvo is playing a game of chance with a critical component of a vehicle. I even emailed the VP of Customer Care and he did not respond. I don’t know what else to do besides alert the federal safety agency that Volvo headlights are in some instances failing their drivers and Volvo refuses to fix the problem.

Filed Jun 20, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · NV · crash

While slowing down and just about to make a turn into a private residence off of a highway, multiple indicator lights illuminated and audio warning "dinging" occurred for approximately 3 seconds. As I had already been slowly applying the brakes and starting to slightly turn the wheel towards the driveway when those warnings briefly came up, the moment the lights and sounds stopped, vehicle then maintained speed (while still on the brakes) and locked steering position it was at simultaneously. Having no control at that point, it continued until crashing into a wooden fence. Once at a complete stop, cabin lights and "dinging" activated as it acknowledged the impact. And although it was only going about 15 mph, seemingly to only have damage to the front passenger side bumper/headlight area, it would not shift into any gear or turn off. Not to mention that the front passenger side airbag(s), or any of them, deploy- seriously raised even more concerns as the main reason I purchased a Volvo was for their well known status of safety standards. Had this obvious electrical malfunction happened moments before at higher speed/steering straight ahead, it would've resulted in very serious injuries to myself and others while it speed through 2 intersections at a highway ramp just down the hill. Was towed to a local collision repair & auto body shop until Progressive Insurance took it to their damage assessor where it was declared a total loss. I've owned it for almost 3 years and always had weird inconsistent electrical "quirks"- nothing ever of serious concern though. Has spent a total of 4-5 months in the past 3 years at different Volvo dealerships and mechanics but no one could ever explain why different warnings would be displayed randomly for days-weeks, off/on for no apparent diagnostic reason, 12V power socket was the same way... Please investigate the electrical components that directly affect the operational use and control! Extremely common & dangerous issue with these!

Filed Jan 11, 2023 · Lights · 45,000 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2019 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that the front headlights failed to properly illuminate when engaged. The vehicle was diagnosed by an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the headlight assemblies needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the vehicle was out of warranty. No further assistance was offered. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.

Filed Nov 30, 2022 · Electrical, Fuel system · CT

The headlights malfunctioned two weeks after I purchased the vehicle. The center control panel electronics that controls heating and cooling, the phone, etc failed suddenly and without warning while I was on the highway. There have been multiple problems with this vehicle since I purchased it on September 19. It has been in the shop for about 15 days. A propulsion system warning appeared without warning while I was driving the car. The battery drained for unknown reasons while plugged in to charge. This is not a safe car. It is controlled by an electronics system and software that are not reliable, leaving me at risk of being in an accident or stranded somewhere. I have read that some of these vehicles go into "turtle mode" and won't go over about 5mph after the propulsion system warning has appeared. I do not want to be driving this on a highway and lose all acceleration. I do not want to stop at a rest stop at night and have my car not start. There is clearly something quite wrong with the operating software and electronics that this vehicle depends upon. It is quite apparent that Volvo's nascent software development team has adopted the "move fast and break things" philosophy espoused by many software companies. The key distinction here is that when my computer software crashes, I am sitting at my desk chair. With an automobile, the crash could very well happen at 65 mph or with me stuck in some remote location. The idea that Volvo would roll out a product so miserably deficient of basic capabilities is mendacious.

Filed Feb 24, 2022 · Electrical, Lights · SC

Wipers continually run. Headlights will not flip to high beam at times.

Filed Sep 1, 2021 · Lights · AZ

The plastic lenses that cover the headlights have fogged up in less than 4 years the lights are no longer bright enough to provide proper driving conditions at night. I spoke with volvo and they said that lenses are not covered even though the cat is still under warranty. This is very car but refuse to fix the problem. This is a major safety issue and I would hope that your department can help protect those that have this issue before someone gets hurt. I amino longe comfortable driving the car at night.