Volvo XC90 headlights problems

Filed Jun 4, 2026 · Engine, Lights · NC

I am submitting this complaint regarding serious safety concerns with my Volvo vehicle that may affect the safety of my family, especially young children. 1. Second-Row Center Seat Integrated Booster Seat Belt Failure The integrated booster seat belt in the second-row center seat is not functioning properly. The seat belt mechanism appears defective and does not secure the child as intended. This presents a significant safety risk. In the event of sudden braking or an emergency stop, a child could be thrown forward due to the seat belt’s failure to restrain the occupant correctly. This defect creates a serious risk of injury and should be investigated immediately. 2. Recurring Check Engine Light Following Recall Repair / Hybrid Battery Concerns Following a recent Volvo recall repair and/or work related to the hybrid battery system, the vehicle began displaying a recurring check engine warning light. The issue was reported to Weaver Brothers Volvo in Raleigh, North Carolina. The dealership performed repairs or adjustments, and the warning light temporarily disappeared. However, the same issue has returned, raising concerns that the underlying problem was not properly diagnosed or corrected. Given the vehicle’s purchase price of approximately $75,000, I am concerned about the reliability and safety of the vehicle, particularly if the warning light is related to the hybrid battery system, emissions system, or another critical component. Headlight Issue: Headlights provide inadequate illumination during nighttime and rainy conditions, reducing visibility and creating a potential safety hazard. Left Speaker Issue: The left-side speaker intermittently produces static and distorted audio during music playback and hands-free phone calls, causing distraction and affecting communication or music while driving Thank you for your attention to this matte

Filed Mar 20, 2026 · Electrical, Lights · VA

The vehicle experienced a major electrical system malfunction involving multiple critical components. The issue began with the Volvo On Call system light remaining illuminated continuously, which suggested a possible communication or battery-related fault. Shortly after, additional systems failed, including the turn signal system, windshield wipers, and high beam headlights. These components are currently non-functional and can be made available for inspection upon request. The failure significantly impacted vehicle safety. The loss of turn signals made it impossible to properly indicate lane changes or turns to other drivers, increasing the risk of collisions. The failure of the windshield wipers created a serious hazard in adverse weather conditions, reducing visibility. Additionally, the loss of high beam headlights limited nighttime driving visibility. While daytime running lights and hazard lights remain functional, they are not sufficient substitutes for the failed systems. The problem has been consistent and reproducible. Each time the vehicle is operated, the same warning messages appear, including “Turn Indicator System Malfunction” and “Wiper Failure – Service Required,” and the affected systems do not respond. At this time, the issue has not yet been formally confirmed by a dealer or independent service center, but diagnostics codes (including communication-related fault codes) have been observed. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by the manufacturer, law enforcement, or insurance representatives. However, based on the symptoms, the issue appears to involve a failure in the vehicle’s central electronic or communication control systems. Prior to the complete failure, warning signs were present. The Volvo On Call light remained on persistently, indicating a potential underlying electrical or module communication issue. This warning appeared before the loss of the turn signals, wipers, and high beams, suggesting a progressive system failure.

Filed Mar 1, 2019 · Lights · 20,000 miles · OR

Error message showed on the instrument panel, ' headlamp system malfunction, service required', however the light works but backup camera stop working. It also shows another error message 'city safety system unavailable'. Ask the dealer and they said it is an software issue. Fixed after the software upgrade.

Filed Feb 1, 2019 · Electrical, Transmission · 14,042 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volvo xc90. Ever since the vehicle was purchased in november of 2018, there had been several electrical failures. The headlights, power door locks, and power rearview mirror failed to operate. Also, the transmission caused the vehicle to jerk and stall while driving. The contact took the vehicle to an unknown volvo dealer, but they refused to provide diagnostic testing and stated that there was no recall or warranty coverage on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 14,042.

Filed Aug 30, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 178,417 miles · MD

My 2005 xc90 (odometer approx. 178,000 miles) throws check engine, reduced engine performance and engine service required dashboard warnings intermittently, despite the fact that it has a new cem and a second new throttle body in less than two months. It also issues a low beam headlight bulb failure warning, even when the bulb is lit, and the left turn blinker is sticky. Sometimes, the driver's seat and passenger side rear view mirror readjust simultaneously upon opening the driver's side door, with no key in the ignition and no one sitting in the seat. Recently while traveling on an expressway at 65 MPH, the car abruptly lost speed (a terrifying experience) and struggled to accelerate to 40 MPH. A few days later, it lost power in heavy city rush-hour traffic (also terrifying) as a red light turned green. It barely made it to 10 MPH and came close to causing a chain reaction crash with the cars behind it (also terrifying). Luckily I was able to steer into a nearby bank parking lot, turn it off and restart it. It drove normally but the warning lights remained. I have taken the vehicle to the volvo dealership multiple times, citing electrical system woes, which resulted in the two previously mentioned repairs. They identified a wiring short as the cause both times, yet act mystified as to why the problems have persisted despite those repairs. I reported the seat/mirror shifts and the ongoing low beam bulb failures to the service manager, who replied (without examining the car) that the bulb was either burnt out or loose in the socket, and that the seat shifting was simply the way the memory function works. I get the sense that volvo does know what's wrong with this vehicle, and they don't want to tell me. I am extremely disappointed and frustrated with the lack of answers, and am afraid to drive this car.

Filed Jun 7, 2016 · Electrical, Lights · 130,000 miles · VA

2004 volvo xc90 sudden engine stall with lose of headlights: I was traveling on the interstate at night with the cruise set at 75 MPH when suddenly it was like someone turned the ignition key to off for about 3 seconds, and then turned the key back on without restarting the engine. With all the warning lamps illuminated, and the engine at a stall I pulled into the emergency lane, and stopped. I then shifted to park and attempted to start the vehicle, where it took several attempts to start. The headlights did not stop working while pulling over, and when I stopped I switched the lights off before I restarted the engine. The first thing at mind was a fuel pump that was starting to act up. After restarting I revved the engine up a few quick times (to clear the engines throat). I then got back on the interstate accelerating to 75 MPH , but doing so manually this time(no cruise control). About 10 min had passed when suddenly the engine started losing power as I was having to press the accelerator harder to maintain speed. While still coasting at 65 MPH or so I placed the transmission into neutral, and attempted to restart the engine, when I turned the key to the start position I lost all the lights, I quickly released the key to the on position, and the lights remained off. I quickly pulled to the emergency lane and used the force to avoid the guardrail and the ditch. All the warning light were illuminated, and the engine was at a stall. I then turned the ignition key off and then back on, and that restored the headlights. It took 5-8 attempts to restart the engine, and again I'm thinking fuel pump acting up. Each time I attempted to restart the engine it would spit and sputter like if the fuel pump were only delivering half the pressure needed for the fuel injectors. After the engine restarted I made it home, and the problem has not arisen since,

Filed Feb 6, 2016 · Lights · OK

Front head lamps go out while driving. This happened at night. The next day I drove the car and the lights were on but one is very dim. I have already replaced this light. It is still dim and I got a warning from a police officer on 01/30/16.he stated this is a safety hazard and next time I would get a ticket.

Filed Jan 20, 2016 · Acceleration, Electrical · 160,000 miles · WA

I had this problem a few times a year ago and now it has returned. I was driving my car at night in the rain on a two lane freeway when all of a sudden I lost the headlights, dash lights, speedometer, radio, power windows, electric transmission, and much more function of the car. The engine is still running but it seems to almost reset or something then start shutting stuff down. I see on your website someone put this in as a complaint also this is very dangerous you cant see at night the car is hard to drive its obviously this same problem with water getting into the ECM. I read through your information and it seems like volvo knew something was up with ones produced before or after march. It seems like they have been well aware of the problem and still want to charge you $2000 to fix it! People shouldn't have to pay to fix a problem volvo has been well aware of and has had a cheap and easy solution for years. I called my local volvo dealers and not one of them had any information or knowledge of this problem. When volvo has a service notice about this problem and has obviously spent a lot of time looking into it. The problem seems to be really bad when it rains or I use the wipers further leading me to see that it is the same thing in investigation pe-10-025. These are only the people who are complaining to you this seems to be a very common issue that volvo is sweeping under the rug to make a buck. It's disgusting.

Filed Dec 8, 2015 · Driver assistance, Engine · 650 miles · CA

I was driving on the freeway in rush hour traffic in eco drive mode with the auto start/stop function enabled. The auto stop kicked in and stopped my engine, but when I went to press on the gas pedal, the auto start did not restart my engine and the gas pedal was unresponsive. No alerts or warnings popped up - everything remained on (headlights, radio, etc), and nothing appeared wrong except for the fact that the car wouldn't move/accelerate. I was going around 1mph at this point, and pulled over to the shoulder, parked, and restarted the engine manually. I then drove home without further incident. I brought in the car to the dealer the next day. The response was that there was nothing to fix b/c no codes showed up during the diagnostic, and they weren't able to replicate the issue. They downloaded "software 1 and 2" and said that might fix the problem but they don't know. They said corporate doesn't tell them what the software updates do, but it seemed like the update mainly pertained to the radio which clearly has nothing to do with my issue. They tried to return the vehicle to me a week later (11/27) and I refused, and asked them to escalate the issue b/c I didn't feel the car was safe and there was no resolution. They assured me that corporate's field tech specialist was consulting with them on the phone and agreed the car was fine to be returned to me b/c there were no codes and the issue couldn't be replicated. I spoke to corporate (volvo north america) and they said they would escalate on their side but had no specific details to reassure me the problem was taken care of. I asked for a flight computer to be installed to log the car data in case the issue happens again, and no answer on that request so far. I got the car back today (12/8) b/c they don't know how/what to fix. The dealer has mechanics and not the software engineers that need to look at the car.

Filed Nov 3, 2015 · Body, Electrical · 162,189 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 volvo xc90. The contact stated that when it rained, water entered the vehicle through the passenger side and onto the dashboard, causing the instrument panel lights to dim. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning and the radio no longer worked. Additionally, the headlights turned on and off. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who was unable to diagnose the failures. The manufacturer was not notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 162,189.