Volvo XC90 warning lights comes on

Filed Sep 16, 2026 · Airbags, Brakes · CA

Vehicle was stopped at a stop light with brake pedal pressed. Car started rolling with brake pedal pushed and repeatedly pushing the brake pedal did nothing! Car jerked three times and responded to pressing the park button. Once in park, I noticed that all warning lights came including brake warnings but the car would not turn off and it was stuck in park. Car would not come out of park but the radio and hazards worked. Police responded and advised not to take my foot off the brake until the tow truck got there. Initially, the tow truck driver could not put the car in drive or neutral or turn off vehicle. Tow truck driver was able to turn off the car and get it started again. Brakes should not just stop working in the middle of traffic in a 2 year old car with only 17k miles on it. Reporting because it appears this is a repeated Volvo issue. Per the Volvo app, all software downloads were updated and there was no error message before this happened.

Filed Mar 18, 2026 · Brakes · TN

I am writing to report a serious safety concern related to a recent over-the-air software update for my 2025 Volvo XC90. On March 10, 2026, I was prompted to install a software update and scheduled it to complete overnight. The following morning, the vehicle interface indicated that the update had been successfully completed. Additionally, during a routine service visit on March 12, 2026, dealership personnel also believed the update had been properly installed. However, on March 15, 2026, while driving, I experienced a critical and dangerous failure: my brakes became unresponsive, and I was unable to stop the vehicle using the brake pedal. Multiple warning lights appeared simultaneously. Fortunately, I was near my home and was able to safely bring the vehicle to a stop by coasting through nearby streets. This situation could have resulted in a catastrophic accident had it occurred on a highway or in heavy traffic, particularly as my daughter was in the vehicle at the time. The vehicle was subsequently towed to the dealership. I was informed that during the initial installation attempt, the battery voltage dropped below the required level, causing the update to pause. Critically, I received no notification that the update had failed or was incomplete, and the vehicle interface continued to indicate that the update had been successfully installed. Upon inspection on March 16, 2026, the dealership determined that the software update resumed and completed installation on March 15—while I was actively operating the vehicle. At that time, the vehicle lost communication with its electronic systems, resulting in the loss of braking functionality. This sequence of events raises a significant safety concern. A software update that can pause due to low battery voltage and later resume without any notification—particularly while the vehicle is in operation—creates an unacceptable risk to drivers, passengers, and the public.

Filed Jan 2, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Some back info: I keep the auto start/stop feature disabled. There are three identical incidents total. One about a year or two ago and two back to back a few weeks ago. The first time I was stopped at a drive through but in “drive” with my foot on the brake. All of the sudden the car completely turns off. Screens black, engine off. Completely black car no inside lights on. Within a couple of seconds, I hear the engine reengage and the car “starts” as normal like when you turn the switch. All of the lights and screens turn on and apple car play reconnects. The most recent two incidents were the same day and in drive having stopped at stoplights. The car goes “dead” then restarts all in drive with my foot on the brake. No warnings come up after the incident either. This time my husband and children were with me and can confirm it happened. I did not get these incidents checked out since the car was instantly back to normal with no warning messages. Very unnerving though and feels like the car is being remotely restarted somehow. The first time I just brushed it off, now I am concerned about this happening while in motion.

Filed Apr 11, 2025 · Body, Electrical · 168,000 miles · MO

The contact owns a 2016 Volvo XC90. The contact stated that water had been leaking into the vehicle on rainy days. The contact stated that the water intrusion was causing several warning lights to illuminate and unknown vehicle safety equipment failures. The contact stated that the front and rear carpets and the spare tire were saturated with water. The contact had taken the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was determined that water was leaking into the vehicle, but the dealer was unable to determine the point of intrusion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 168,000.

Filed Sep 18, 2023 · Driver assistance, Electrical · VA

It came to my attention this summer that my 2016 Volvo XC90 has an extensive sunroof drainage problem that has resulted in major leaks in the interior of the car and that has destroyed the electrical system which impacts everything (airbags, speed control, back up camera, object alert warnings, etc. It was impossible to have knowledge of this problem until it was too late (like cancer). Many dashboard lights came on, the car was acting funning, back-up camera did not work, AC worked intermittently, standing water in trunk, headliner water damage, etc. Onboard diagnostic system also not working. I have attached the preliminary report but dealership saying they need to pull up carpets, seats and dash to get to a full diagnosis. Here's summary I put together(Volvo Corp won't really communicate w/consumer). I have photos if needed: I also spent time the last several days continuing to do my research. It takes little more than a google search to understand the widespread sunroom drainage/leak issue with many Volvos. There are too many articles to list, but here is one: [XXX] recalls 127K vehicles due to leak The recall covers 2016 and 2017 XC90 SUVs and S90 sedans Myriad Facebook complaints I also spoke to service managers at various other Volvo dealerships. They have seen and continue to see this sunroof drainage problem and according to them, it is not minor nor unique. They agreed that the first incomplete estimate (~$3,500) that dealership is just that: incomplete. They said there is no way to know extent of the damage until carpets, dash, etc., are removed to see what full damage is but that they often see the need for full body harness replacement. It is special order + requires time to get and considerable labor hours to replace. That can push estimate up to $8,000-$9,000, well above estimate thus far from dealer. And the car will never be the same. Undriveable now. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

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 Oct 7, 2021 · Acceleration, Brakes · CO

I have installed a SprintDrive installed in my Volvo. Since the installation, I have had several safety and security issues occur that stop once the device is removed. The following issues have occurred: 1) Whilst driving on the Muskogee Turnpike, the cruising control system would disengage. This occurred at least three times during the drive. On the third time, the cruising control system disengaged and the braking system engaged causing the vehicle to go from 85 mph to 45 mph. 2) I was driving on C-470. The transmission system would not transition between the gears automatically. The vehicle remained in a low gear until I removed the device. 3) I was driving on I-70 when all of the warning lights went and an alarm sounded. The message console read all system failure. The engine shut down. Once the device was removed, I was able to restart the vehicle.

Filed May 7, 2018 · Driver assistance · 144,000 miles · CT

While driving, random massive electrical failure which shuts off all lights, gauges and accessories. Performance returns and then goes out again. Inevitably, car loses acceleration, brakes and steering. Check engine light comes on and car goes into "limp home" mode. Volvo dealership claims they can't find anything wrong. My research indicates that problems of this nature were uncovered as far back as 2004 and have been consistently report to volvo. However, no solution has been publicized.

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 Dec 15, 2015 · Acceleration, Electrical · 230,000 miles · DE

Driving the xc90 and suddenly there is a huge thump and clicking from the dashboard. All the dials around the spedometer stop working.. If we keep driving there are more thumps and we quickly lose engine power - it is extremely scary when it happens.. All the lights come on (inside the car), dashboard goes dead etc etc. It is extremely dangerous .. It happened to use a number of times with 3 children in the car. It has occurred when we were driving on the highway, 2-3 times, it has occurred on short trips - it happens at seemingly random times, usually after driving for over 30 minutes, but then yesterday it happened on a trip just down to the park, not 5 minutes down the road.. On this occasion the car had been sitting in the sun for a while (maybe heat related?). It has happened in hot weather, cold weather .. We are in constant fear when driving the car. I have contacted volvo australia about the issue but they said they have no responsibility, that there is no recall for the problem and didn't want to help at all!! I see a lot of people have this same problem, is volvo not going to fix it until someone is killed??? What will it take!?!?!?! It is a joke ! We bought a volvo to have something safer than normal but its more dangerous! I cannot even sell the car because I don't know what's wrong with it and I don't want another family / person to be injured .. No resale value, no safety! Come on volvo, this is crazy!