Volvo XC90 adaptive cruise problems

Filed Oct 31, 2026 · Brakes, Driver assistance · NY

On October 31, 2026, while driving my 2025 Volvo XC90 on a highway at approximately 50 mph, the vehicle's Forward Collision Warning system suddenly activated without any apparent reason. A red collision warning appeared on the instrument panel, accompanied by an audible warning signal. Immediately afterward, the Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) system applied the brakes extremely forcefully, causing the vehicle to abruptly reduce its speed by approximately 15–20 mph. The highway ahead was completely clear. There were no vehicles, pedestrians, obstacles, or other visible hazards in front of my vehicle. I was driving manually, and neither Adaptive Cruise Control nor Pilot Assist was engaged. Another vehicle was traveling behind me. This sudden and unexpected braking created a serious risk of a rear-end collision. After the abrupt deceleration, the vehicle automatically released the brakes, and normal driving resumed. This was not an isolated incident. The vehicle had previously experienced similar unexpected automatic braking events at lower speeds. However, this was the first occurrence at highway speed. The vehicle currently has approximately 12,800 miles. The cause of the malfunction has not yet been determined, and the vehicle has not yet been inspected by a dealership for this latest incident. The vehicle previously required an extended dealership repair for an airbag system warning caused by an improperly connected electrical connector beneath a seat. That separate safety-related issue was reportedly repaired, but the vehicle remained at the dealership for more than a week. I am seriously concerned that the automatic emergency braking and collision warning systems may activate without an actual collision threat, potentially causing a dangerous traffic accident. I request that the federal safety agency investigate these recurring unintended braking incidents and the potential safety defect.

Filed Oct 10, 2026 · Acceleration, Electrical · NC

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.

Filed Apr 30, 2025 · Acceleration, Electrical · ME

The instrument panel just stopped working. Our safety and the safety of others was/is put at risk because you are unable to see how fast you are going in the car. It also doesn’t let us know how much gas we have left in the gas tank so if the car just stalled out on a highway, it could cause a major safety issue. This is also where cruise control is run from. It’s also the panel where any and all vehicle warnings would show up so if there’s another issue in the car, we are unable to see it.

Filed Apr 15, 2025 · Brakes · VA

The first incidence occurred around [XXX]. I was traveling [XXX] on [XXX] in North Carolina about an hour north of Charlotte. I pulled into a rest area and, upon pressing the brake pedal, heard a bit of a hissing noise and suddenly the brake pedal was extremely hard and the car was very difficult to bring to a stop. I did an online search for what might be wrong and discovered it was likely a brake booster failure. I drove the car onto Charlotte, carefully and with extreme difficulty, and took it to the Swedish Connection, a local Volvo specialist. They confirm the diagnosis and replaced the brake booster. Last night, [XXX], I drove the car down to Pickens South Carolina for work. When I got in to return to Charlotte late at night, I turned the ignition, put the car in reverse, and, with my foot on the brake and waiting to back out of the parking space, I heard that hissing noise again. Sure enough, the brake booster had evidently failed again. I drove the car back to Charlotte, mostly on [XXX], and the electronic braking seemed to work OK under cruise control maintaining speed and distance between other cars in traffic. Of course, driving the vehicle on local roads, through stoplights, and turns was extremely difficult and dangerous. I have returned the car to the same mechanic that repaired the last brake booster. I will be reporting this to Volvo as well, as this is a serious safety issue and defect with my vehicle. The mechanic has confirmed that this has happened in other Volvo XC 90s. The vehicle has NOT been inspected by the manufacturer. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 11, 2024 · Driver assistance, Electrical · OH

We drove this vehicle to a family event in chicago. We pulled the vehicle out of the parking garage and pulled into a downtown street in front of a hotel to load the vehicle up. Once the family was loaded the vehicle up the car would not start it had 700 miles when it failed. we were stuck on a busy street trying to start the car. I called roadside assitance and someone came out with a jump pack, but the battery was not dead. I was in the pouring rain trying to figure out what was wrong. They did hook a computer up to find several faults in the computer. It did also indicate a left turn signal fault. also talking with roadside assistance the agent said that was the 2nd call he had with no start issue. finally it did start but the check engine light was on the whole trip home, had to cut our trip short and drove as far as we could in fear the car would not restart. It kept coming back with the left turn signal fault and did not shut off the car even pumping gas in fear of not restarting then all of a sudden with cruise control on the car just jerked itself amd almost pulled us off the freeway. now it has been at the dealer all week researching forums this seems to be a common issue

Filed Jul 27, 2023 · Acceleration, Engine · CA · fire

Previous issues with brakes, suspension, leaking sunroof, electrical and gauges. Vehicle became disabled due to defect with coolant system, smoke from engine compartment, towed to Monterery Volvo (dealership/service center identified issues with coolant leak present turbo & cooling Plastic pipe. Cruise control-Vacuum Pump: Found vacuum pump leaking oil. Estimated repair $5,414.38

Filed Sep 7, 2022 · Brakes, Driver assistance · CA

The issue started a few months ago. The brake sensor light on the dash turned on and stayed on. We took it to the dealer and they said that they will not fix it because they can see coffee stains on the sensor. Basically they have brake sensors right under the center console where people drink coffee and the brake sensors are exposed so this can happen to any customer. Now they want to charge us 1600 dollars even though the SUV is about 2 years old and under full warranty. They want to screw their customers and don't care about their safety. This is the brake system of the car and now it's having issues with the adaptive cruise control inwhich the system turns off while in use. We are concerned about our safty and don't know what to do.

Filed Mar 14, 2020 · Brakes, Steering · 59,000 miles · IL

The controls on steering intermittently disabled. I take it to the dealer they updated the software and it was fixed for while, but it reappeared again! Many volvo owners has the similar issues most of them ended up replacing the control module part on the steering wheel. This is a dangerous symptom since most drivers like me rely heavily on these controls to select vehicle system options and cruise control. Also dealer asking me to change the break components very frequently sometimes just 20000 miles. I am ended paying hefty price of these parts to keep the breaks safe.

Filed Feb 18, 2020 · Driver assistance · 38,026 miles · FL

Vehicle software update removed safety items. I.e., when vehicle is in motion and is in pilot assist mode lane avoidance audio warning sound and steering wheel pull back, crash avoidance audio warning sound (when not in cruise control). Pilot assist no longer works at all. Volvo states software updates removed these items. Issue is= I was not informed of the removal of these items. I bought the car because it was equipped with those items. Volvo removed them without my permission or even notifying me the update would degrade my vehicle. Volvo states they are unwilling to remove the software or even modify it for individual customers. These are safety issues. Volvo complaint reference number is available if needed. Vehicle mileage 38026. Bought new in 2016 september.

Filed Dec 1, 2019 · Brakes, Wheels · 23,000 miles · FL

After just 23k miles, the brake pads, rotors, and tires all show overwear and will regularly need replacement about every 20-30k miles. I have been advised that this is in part due to design of the chassis and, if used regularly, the adaptive cruise control. Volvo dealership says it is a regular complaint they see with the 2017 and newer models. Tire company (pirelli) says it is not the tires.