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2016 Volvo XC90 electrical complaints

Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 56, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2016 Volvo XC90 electrical problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Sep 17, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · SC

Main Cooling system hose burst while driving down the road. Volvo Dealer said extremely rare for this to occur. Car overheated, all warning lights appeared and coolant exploded under hood all while driving.Had to have repaired $1000. Also a water leak inside 3rd row & leaks from rear view mirror area. Caused electrical damage to main system computer module, had to have replaced $2000+. All work done at volvo dealer. No frame damage,no missing parts, dealer stated unknown reason. Same thing is now happening a 2nd time and warranty will not cover water damage. Have spoken with others experiencing the same problem with roof leak. No alarms came on prior to combustion/main hose top engine area before break. Happend immediately, unexpectedly

Filed Aug 2, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · MD · fire

I own a 2016 XC90 that was regularly serviced by the Volvo dealer we bought the car from. My son and I were in my car on 08/02/2023 and we were at a stop light and something smelt a little off so my son put his window down to get fresh air. Then, we accelerated when the light turned green. Within 100 yds of accelerating my check engine light when on and simultaneously I lost acceleration. It was clear that something was wrong. I told my son we needed to unbuckle our seat belts and jump out of the car when I could get us safely stopped. We coasted into a parking lot where I found a safe spot to stop. While coasting I looked at my car screen to see if there was oil or other fluid that was low, but there was no indicator of a problem other than the check engine light that had just gone on at the same time as I lost the ability to accelerate. When the car stopped, I grabbed my purse next to me and before we were to the sidewalk the car was engulfed in smoke and then flames. Our lives were at risk within two minutes of the check engine light coming on. This car was on fire in a parking lot of a pediatricians office around other cars with young families inside. It was scary and extremely unsafe for my son and I and many other people who were around the vehicle. Our car received each recall replacement/fix that was identified. This was extremely scary and unsafe, it put our lives and others' lives at risk within 2 minutes. We along with many others called 911, the situation was immediately out of control.

Filed Jul 27, 2023 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 75,000 miles · MA

The contact owns a 2016 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced high oil consumption. After adding oil to the engine, the message "Oil Level Low" was display within three weeks. Additionally, while operating the vehicle the message "low engine function" had displayed and the vehicle would not properly accelerate and was jerking. The contact also discovered puddles of water inside the rear trunk of the vehicle with electrical wires and components submerged in the water. The vehicle had experienced various electrical failures with the back-up camera malfunctioning. In addition, there was mold inside the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were contacted regarding the failures. The failure mileage was 75,000. The VIN was not included.

Filed Jun 30, 2023 · Electrical · MA

My vehicle’s SOS, On Call safety functions no longer work. In addition my navigation system no longer works properly. In the event of an accident These key safety features would not be able to alert emergency services or locate my position. This is a direct result in a flawed vehicle modem that uses the 3G network not supported by cellular carriers. Volvo has a solution that would cost me $850 to remedy this safety design flaw. Volvo should fix this key safety issue as it puts my family at risk if we are involved in an accident

Filed Apr 29, 2023 · Electrical, Steering · FL

The indicators do not work randomly and we have had near miss accidents. The bulbs are in good working order. The stalk functions correctly. The computer after several seconds flashes up a message that the system has failed. Clearly the system is not safe as it’s designed. If Volvo are using a computer system to operate the lights it should be sufficiently reliable and fault tolerant to maintain safe operation of the vehicle.

Filed Mar 23, 2023 · Body, Electrical · WI

The door locks FREEZE SHUT in the winter. You CANNOT open the affected door(s). This is a widespread, serious safety issue and Volvo has done nothing about it. A passenger could die if unable to exit the vehicle. Note that both of my rear passenger door LOCKS - not just the door seals, the LOCKS - have done this repeatedly during my ownership. The vehicle is kept out of the elements in a garage.

Filed Jan 17, 2023 · Electrical · WA

First, the rear passenger side door latch failed at 57k miles, allegedly due to water intrusion. They replaced with a revised part - p/n 32310869. Now at 63k miles, the driver side rear door latch failed in the same way. This compromises safety because it renders the rear seats completely inaccessible. I could not get my children out of the back seat through traditional means. The problem has been confirmed by a dealership and is well documented online. There was no warning or indication when the part had failed. The passenger door stopped working "regularly" (intermittently would not open) a few days before it failed entirely. The driver rear door gave no advanced notice.

Filed Jun 14, 2022 · Airbags, Electrical · IL

SRS Airbag Service Urgent Drive to workshop light has come on twice. I was told by dealership it is a faulty wire harness where the airbags could possibly deploy if I was in an accident. Volvo does have a recall for the exact issue yet my VIN does not fall in this recall.

Filed Mar 3, 2022 · Airbags, Electrical · IL

While driving the vehicle the "SRS Airbag" warning light comes on, I took the vehicle to the dealership which indicated the "seat harness" would need to be replaced. The seat harness has a integrated chip to alert the airbags to work properly. Volvo has had previously recalls for this issue on 2016 XC 90 vehicles but my VIN isn't included in the recall, I feel they need to expand the recall knowing their are several vehicles having this exact issue. Air bags are federally regulated and this is a safety related issue.

Filed May 19, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · CA

The attached file outlines details - 1.After a recent car wash at a Shell Service Station…..April 5,2021, upon starting the vehicle – the computerized dashboard displayed erratic and incomplete information. It attempted to indicate multiple system failures – eg brakes, suspension, and others too garbled to understand. The entire driver’s console and information center display which were designed to show all of the vehicle operating modes and driver information were compromised and not functioning correctly. The Start/Stop Switch would no longer shut the engine down. I could not get the vehicle to shift out of Park. I found myself quite concerned about a highly computerized vehicle now running with no apparent operator control. I could not be certain whether the engine was being cooled properly from its electrical fans because the cabin was becoming uncomfortably hot. None of the environmental controls worked. Even the electric windows were affected. There were no engine safety indicators of any kind visible working to ensure electrical, engine oil pressure, coolant temperature….none of the other operator information systems were working properly and the engine still could not be shut down. I found myself uncomfortable getting out of the vehicle since it has so many self-driving, collision avoidance steering and braking functions that could be affected. I did not want to risk being run over by my own car. Nor, could I allow the vehicle to move, possibly on its own…so I sat in it for about 3 hours sweating while waiting for a Volvo Tow Service to arrive. The Tow operator was somehow able to get the gear shift to move and was able to back the vehicle out to the street and onto his truck. He was also unable to shut the engine down and towed it to the Neillo Volvo Dealership about 3.5 miles away, here in Sacramento CA. I had deep concerns about safety with this vehicle being towed with the engine still running. All of the instrumentation remained unusable. The consumer stated after the sunroof clogged d

Filed Apr 24, 2021 · Body, Electrical · 117,000 miles · NH

When driving my volvo after it has rained and I begin to break, while on a road with a minimal decline, rain water pours into the cabin. I was told by volvo service technicians the water is not able to channel through the sunroof channels correctly due to corrosion or clogging in the drainage tubes/sunroof tray assembly. The water pours into the cabin near the intellisafe/rearview mirror area. This event creates a distraction to the driver especially if breaking while on a right hand curve as the water pours out towards the drivers field of vision. For fear of water damaging any electrical safety components, or the integrity of the interior materials I pull over to dry these components. This event occurs when ever it rains.

Filed Jan 11, 2021 · Body, Electrical · 48,000 miles · MT

Rear left door spontaneously unlatched and opened while driving with 6-year-old daughter in adjacent seat. Door will subsequently not latch.

Filed Aug 7, 2020 · Electrical · 65,000 miles · NC

The lcd instrument panel randomly goes blank. This happens while driving at various speeds. So, no speedometer, turn signals, gas gauge etc. Can be seen. Volvo claims a software update should fix the issue but it has not. It has been ongoing for almost one year.

Filed Feb 27, 2020 · Electrical · 25,000 miles · MD

The car turned off completely in the middle of the road; the speed slowed down (the car was off) and had to pull to the side of the road.

Filed Jan 27, 2020 · Electrical, Transmission · 45,000 miles · CA · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 volvo xc90. The contact stated that while attempting to park the vehicle in park assist mode, the vehicle accelerated in reverse independently and backed into a tree without warning. The contact did not sustain injuries and a police report was not filed. The contact's husband drove the vehicle to smothers european volvo cars 2881 corby ave, santa rosa, ca 95407 to be inspected. The dealer was unable to diagnose the vehicle. A corporate representative was then sent to the dealer and determined that no safety error had occurred on the vehicle. They determined the cause of the accident to be human error. The manufacturer had been notified and offered no assistance with the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000. Bf

Filed Jan 6, 2020 · Body, Electrical · MA

Vehicle experiencing sun roof leakages during rain or snow. This makes driving dangerous when it is raining or snowing. Defects due to poor sunroof design and components causing water to enter vehicle when raining or snowing. Discussions panels on line identifies other owners experiencing this problem with no concrete solutions as most are trials and errors.

Filed Sep 18, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 220 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 volvo xc90. While driving 45 MPH, the vehicle decelerated to 5 MPH and accelerated again without warning. The contact stated that the vehicle was equipped with an autonomous braking system. The vehicle was towed to midwestern auto group (614‑889‑2571, located at 6335 perimeter loop rd, dublin, oh 43017) where the software was updated. The failure recurred at 75 MPH without warning. The contact called byers volvo at 614‑864‑0780 (located at 301 n. Hamilton road, columbus, oh 43213) and scheduled an appointment for a software update. The manufacturer was notified and referred the contact to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 220. The VIN was unknown.

Filed Sep 6, 2019 · Electrical, Engine · 50,000 miles · PA

Stop/start battery failed. Leaked acid. Caused excessive and intense foul fumes into passenger compartment. Made the car intolerable to be in without opening windows and moon roof.

Filed Sep 25, 2018 · Electrical · 12,500 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2016 volvo xc90. While driving 60 MPH, the vehicle came to a complete stop on its own. The contact managed to steer the vehicle to the side of the road. The vehicle could not be turned off and the gear could not be placed into park. The vehicle eventually shut off on its own. The contact waited a while before restarting the vehicle and then drove to montrose volvo of cleveland (9600 brookpark rd building c, cleveland, oh 44129, (216) 351-9999). The dealer replaced the electronic control module (ECM). The failure recurred and the dealer replaced and reprogrammed the ECM again. The contact was in the process of a buyback claim. The manufacturer initially denied the claim, but were currently reviewing the claim. The vehicle was left at the dealer. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 12,500.

Filed Jul 24, 2018 · Electrical · 6,000 miles · WA

Turn signal not stop after blinking lights

Filed Feb 5, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 25,000 miles · CA

The SUV has had lots of problems with the engine. The engine has stopped without warning numerous times while in motion. It even stopped one time on the highway. The vehicle loses power in an instance and few times we have had to tow the vehicle to our house and to the dealership for repair. Even though this problem has occured over and over (which the dealership has attributed to the pistons misfiring), the dealership can not seem to repair the issue. We have asked dealership/volvo to buy back the vehicle as it is not driveable at all. Everytime we get the vehicle returned after the repair from the dealership, between 100-300 miles the engine light comes on again and makes the SUV not driveable. We have complained numerous times to the dealership to no avail. The service manager has confided in us that this issue has occured on almost all the volvo xc90 from 2016 and onwards.

Filed Jan 9, 2018 · Brakes, Electrical · 16,000 miles · FL

On 22 dec 2017, while driving my volvo xc90 hybrid r-design, I received an error light that stated 12 volt battery had an issue. I called the volvo dealership in sarasota and spoke to the service manager, joe rice to let him know about this issue. While on the phone, an additional error light "ABS" and then a few seconds later a car with a squiggly lanes error light came on. I immediately lost the ability to brake, I lost the ability to steer, I lost the ability to put the SUV into neutral, I lost the ability to put on my hazard blinking light. All I could do is take my foot of the gas pedal but because I was not able to put the SUV in neutral, and had no brakes, I continued to move. The screen on my front console went black and the middle console went black. If I was on any busy road or expressway, I would have immediately been in an accident. Luckily after miles of forced driving, and with the help of the service manager, apply manual brakes by flooring the brake pedal as hard as possible to the floor and tap, not pump. This electrical failure defect is so detrimental that it will cause accidents resulting in death. Volvo has kept my car since 22 dec and they stated that they are changing out the computer that caused this issue. I'm afraid that volvo might not disclose this defect to the federal safety agency and that someone or someone else's family with be in an accident resulting in death. This is a very serious problem and beg the federal safety agency to look into the matter expeditiously to recall volvos with these defects. If the federal safety agency moves quickly, they have the ability to prevent accidents and death. I'm available to provide a sworn statement to the incident and willing to help anyway I can. Thank you for your consideration, very respectfully, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'

Filed Jun 8, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 7,000 miles · CA · fire

My husband, mother-in-law, and three year old son were driving in the vehicle saturday, february 18th, 2017. As my husband turned down our road he stated he smelled smoke, but didn't realize it was coming from the vehicle. He pulled into our driveway and parked. They then saw smoke seeping out of the hood. My mother-in-law exited and my husband removed my son from the burning car. I came outside to greet them and witnessed this. He then opened the hood and there were significant flames on the driver side posterior area of the engine. He ran for our fire extinguisher while I called 911. He put out the fire with the extinguisher and the fire department arrived within five minutes. They inspected, opened the top cover of the battery and disconnected it. They reported to us that it appeared to be an electrical fire occurring at the area of the battery. After inspection by volvo and our insurance company, the damage was determined to be caused by rodents chewing on the electrical wiring inside the engine causing the shortage and subsequent fire. The damage was valued and paid at a cost of $11,000 (covered by insurance after deductible). There are multiple articles indicating attraction of rodents to the newer soy-based electrical wire insulation. Https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeldunne/2017/02/19/rats-new-cars-soy-coated-wires-give-rodents-plenty-to-chew-on/#2c8bcbd780ab http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/class-action-lawsuit-alleges-rodents-chewing-eating-car-wiring-393480601.html we are concerned for future use and for the safety of others.

Filed May 23, 2017 · Electrical, Seats · 5,500 miles · VA

At least 3 times, my car has braked itself (at around 50 miles per hour) when there was nothing in front of me. This was very unsafe- if someone had been behind me, I would have been hit. This seems to be the collision mitigation system engaging for no reason. The dealer has said they "fixed it" (don beyer volvo) but I believe they have just turned the system pretty much off so that it now would not stop if there was a real object in front of me. I had a loaner in which the system was still on and mine no longer works like that. I think they don't really have a fix for this so they just turn it off in the cars that have this defect. This is a major safety issue. Also, have had the navigation system go blank while driving then it shows that you are somewhere else and get stuck there for days. (many other problems also, a noise in the seat (second row) that they maybe fixed after three times but now the second row seat does not work properly (got stuck out of the socket but we got it back in and I think this is a safety issue.)

Filed May 5, 2017 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 24,379 miles · FL

1) adaptive cruise control suddenly shuts off while driving on the highway, error message appears on the screen: "windscreen sensor, sensor blocked, see owner's manual", the appearance of the sensor on the outside of the car appears clean and even after scrubbing the sensor area the error still occurs. The car has been repaired for this same problem over 5 times including total replacement of the the windscreen sensors, with the problem still persisting. 2) dashboard went blank and computer rebooted while driving.

Filed Apr 25, 2017 · Electrical · 30,000 miles · TX

Dashboard went black and computer rebooted three times while driving. Engine was not affected. No speedometer and gauges, as they are all part of the electronic dashboard.

Filed Mar 1, 2017 · Electrical · 21,000 miles · CA

We were travelling on the freeway when all the displays went blank. The entertainment, gauges, etc. On the freeway! I was afraid the engine would shutoff on us. Immediately I called the volvo on call and explain the situation to the operator and all he could do was apologize and offer a tow truck, if needed. Once the system came back on, the hi-beam and the child door locks were activated! The rear passengers had a difficult time opening the door because we did not know what happened. In my opinion, this is a very serious issue because the entire car is controlled by a software and there is no manual bypass or backup system to ensure the safety of the occupants. We've had this car for about a year and have taken it in for software issues, including, but not limited to: blind spot monitoring failure, front collision sensor failure, navigation system failure, all sensors failure, warning lights/signals failure, backup camera failure and panoramic sunroof failure. Each time we've taken it in, they always told us it was a software updates. Really? Software updates for each and every time??

Filed Jan 15, 2017 · Brakes, Electrical · 300 miles · GA

2016 xc90, engine is decelerating on street road going from 40-45 miles per hour, to 10 miles per hour suddenly and quickly. With closure of back door where there is no lock button to hit by accident, car is locking all doors by itself when closing the passenger door. I am aware of babies being locked in the cars due to this fault in system and my pet was locked in due to the locks locking on their own when I closed passenger door which does not have a lock button I could have hit by accident. Front end crash going off and slightly braking on highway and on city streets when it should not, nothing in front of car numerous times and is not going off when it should for instance someone cutting car off within 2 feet several times. Dashboard screen goes blank while driving meaning you can not see speed, etc.. Literally every function on car randomly does not work. Battery/alternator is not recharging/maintaining charge long enough to keep auto start/stop engine feature working, which means 3.5 miles more per gallon for me with my extremely careful, not riding gas pedal into lights. Some say foot detection module is draining rear battery. It has been worked on 7 times with less than 5,000 miles. Others online have described same issues. I have invoices of taking into dealer each time. I have never reported any faulty product but am very concerned for safety features will randomly and actually do not work while driving. You ask when started- vehicle purchased in april 2016 and has been from the beginning with no remedies. I have gotten extremely low battery signals and warnings that my car will shut down in a few minutes. They seem to have taken away that warning in the latest software update because my car has less charge at times then when I originally received the warning. In other words, I no longer get the warning even when my battery is very low.

Filed Dec 27, 2016 · Acceleration, Electrical · 400 miles · NV

(car is 26 days old) the dashboard screen went black while driving on the highway & the engine turned off & wouldn't go over (about) 10 MPH. I was able to come to a rolling stop in a parking lot, and called volvo because I thought maybe I was out of gas, due to the screen not working. My volvo app let me know I still had a 1/4 of a tank, but I just wanted to make sure. They brought me gas & it was not a problem with gas, the problem was definitely electrical/ motor issues. We finally got the car towed to volvo of las vegas & they told me it was just a software upgrade needed. I feel that this is a major safety problem & does not seem like a simple software upgrade to me. I was lucky enough to not have my new baby in the vehicle when this happened, but I am a new mom & this makes me very nervous.

Filed Dec 17, 2016 · Body, Brakes · 2,670 miles · PA

Within a month of purchase issues with the cargo door started,door would not close, parked in my garage unloading groceries,called our volvo service manager repeatedly for help,no answer, it finally closed an hour later.then the battery low charge light kept coming on, finally took it in for both issues, they updated, showed me that the door worked and charged the battery.another month went by and had a low battery issue took it back in they updated again and charged the battery again.had a bad sensor issue and the cargo door decided not to open, cargo button would not work.took it in they updated and changed the sensor.another month or so later had a recall on it, took it in, updated it. Then another recall, updated it.started auto correcting and braking while being driven on a major street.then the control pad wouldn't work, took it in it needed an update. Another recall a month or so later, went to take it in and it wouldn't drive, put it in reverse,it went forward, put it in forward it went in reverse, then the heater wouldn't work, the control pad started freezing all on the way to take it in for a recall. We were told it would be fixed with the update.car turned off and locked because I moved my purse to the other side of my body while driving.then about another month later it does the same reverse when put into drive,the control pad starts acting up, radio, phone and climate control freeze.then the cargo bay door closes on my son while we are unloading groceries without anyone touching it or being in the car besides him partially in the back to reach the furthest grocery bags. Taking it in again this week, but that's the last straw!I will no longer drive it as I do not trust what will malfunction next, my son narrowly escaped injury by diving out to the ground because I could not stop the cargo door from closing, car was parked and turned off inside my garage

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