NHTSA — Electrical System Problems

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
58 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2023 Volvo XC60 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2023 Volvo XC60 Owner Comments

problem #12

Nov 112023

XC60

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

On November 11, 2023 @ between 10:30 and noon, the vehicle infotainment system completely failed. The screen went blank and functions for heat, radio, navigation, cameras, indicator lights in the mirror and the ability to call Volvo emergency services were all lost. A message on the screen said, "Stop the vehicle. This vehicle's infotainment system has encountered a problem. You can reboot or reset factory settings. If this doesn't help, please contact a workshop." This is the second such failure. The first occurred on September 22, 2023. I filed a report with Volvo (REF#[XXX]), and repairs were effected at a local dealer in Maryland. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

- Hanover, MD, USA

problem #11

May 152023

XC60

  • miles
I've experienced many problems with the Google built in system in this Volvo. But the one that keeps happening is the speed sensors. The car is supposed to read traffic signs, including speed signs and alarm when exceeding the posted speed limit. It does not work. For example on I66 East bound in Virginia, the speed limit is not 80mph, it is either 60, 65 or 70 if using the express lanes. The Volvo keeps showing the speed limit on this interstate as 80, see attached images showing speed limit sign at 80. Complained to Volvo, they blamed Google. Complained to Google, they blamed Volvo. Other roads have the same sign recognition. The car infotainment & safety features randomly shut down, or fail, while driving and the vehicle has to be reset often. Back up cameras quit working while backing up sometimes it will not go into reverse without shutting off the car or doing a reset.

- Haymarket, VA, USA

problem #10

Jan 272023

XC60

  • 400 miles
The contact owns a 2023 Volvo XC60. The contact stated upon shifting into park (P), the gear shift indicator light displayed that the transmission was in park (P); however, the vehicle continued to roll. The contact stated that he continuously pressed the park (P) button until the vehicle responded. There was no warning light illuminated. Additionally, the contact stated while driving at various speeds with adaptive cruise control (ACC) mode engaged, the steering wheel independently pulled to the right aggressively. The contact stated that he used physical strength to pull the steering wheel back to the left; however, the steering wheel failed to return to the center position and continuously turned to the left, then to the right. The contact also stated that while driving with auto centering feature activated, the vehicle was driving from side to side. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where an unknown software upgrade was performed. Additionally, the contact received an unknown notice for mandatory software update. The contact stated that the software update was performed; however, the failure worsened. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 400.

- Rochester, IL, USA

problem #9

Jun 012023

XC60

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

After not driving for several months, both batteries in my 2023 XC 60 failed to function. Volvo replaced both batteries. Two weeks later, the car did not recognize the key. The dealer replaced the smaller battery for a second time and updated the software. At the moment, it still works.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #8

Apr 272023

XC60

  • miles
I've had my Volvo for 6 months and two weeks ago I started getting warning alerts that the braking system, lane departure system and other electrical systems were having issues (the doors wouldn't lock and car wouldn't start). I've taken the car to the Volvo dealership 3 times and they have been unsuccessful in determining what the issue is. There is something wrong with the software and a software update that was installed on my car at the first service visit (when this began happening 2 weeks ago).

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #7

Mar 122023

XC60

  • miles
Now on TWO occasions found car completely without power after sitting unused for 2 or 3 days. On both occasions car plugged into Level 2 charger overnight (this is a plug in hybrid model). Required jump start after having to use emergency key to get inside. After jumpstart, received numerous propulsion system errors as well as on first incident, errors saying SOS communication system disabled. Dealer replaced TCAM battery with fresh one stating that computer tries to do updates and drains battery, and dealer lot has occasional dead cars with similar issue. On second incident, car moved into -??turtle-?? limp home mode with critical 12V charging messages. In both instances, car was in a conditioned garage around 48 degrees. Hybrid battery was 100% charged in both cases. Concerned there is a batter drain due to TCAM or main software systems. This is more than inconvenience - this could be a real danger to have a car that may not start reliably after sitting for 48 hours, such as an airport or other setting where getting help is difficult. Limp home mode is driving hazard. There are multiple instances of this on Volvo websites that seems to impact multiple T8 models with a plug in hybrid power train and Google AAOS infotainment/car system architecture. Please help!

- Edina, MN, USA

problem #6

Dec 272022

XC60

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

When I go to start the car the car does not start....a warning comes on saying "vehicle key not being detected" see owners manual The key is sitting on the console when I start it. It took me 3 times before it started. I left a gym in the morning hours and it wouldn't start when I came out...same warning came on.. This has happened 4 times in a 3 month period. Has been in service 4 times. This is a big safety issue I don't want to keep driving this car it cannot be trusted. it's not reliable. When it's in service they cannot replicate it and they told me the first time it was the battery.The next time they said it may need an update. They just don't know. Brought it in 4 th time, now they're saying the Farb goes into sleep mode and thats why it doesn't start the car!!! that so untrue. They looking for things because they can't find a fix. It"s inconsistent. I'm afraid I am going to be stranded somewhere. I have a baby in the car and on the road alot going long distances. this is outrageous NOT SAFE ! INSPECTED BY SERVICE AND THEY CONFER WITH VOLVO. THE COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON IN THE FIRST WEEK AND THEY HAD TO CHANGE OUT THE THERMOSAT. THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON RECENTLY. THESE PROBLEMS DON'T REPLICATE FOR SERVICE BUT I HAVE VIDEOS AND PICS. I AM LOOKING FOR A BUY BACK AND MY DOWNPAYMENT BACK THIS IS SO STRESSFUL AND SO MANY INCONVENIENCES FOR A BRAND NEW CaR CANNOT BE TRUSTED.

- Middletown , CT, USA

problem #5

Dec 312022

XC60 4-cyl

  • 300 miles
The contact owns a 2023 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to recognize the key fob. Due to the failure, the vehicle failed to start after multiple attempts with the key fob message displayed and a warning chime was heard. The contact also stated that the coolant warning light was illuminated. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer and the thermostat was replaced the vehicle and the warning light disappeared. The contact stated that despite a software update being performed, the key fob failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 300. The contact stated that the manufacturer was notified and will not buy the vehicle back. The service dealer is unable to replicate the issue and therefore have no solution to the problem. The contact feels as though the vehicle is unsafe to drive.

- Middletown, CT, USA

problem #4

Jan 202023

XC60

  • miles
Problem with the 12v batteru charging faulty. Took to it the dealer but said its common with undriven vehciles. My car sat in the garage for 1day and got this error message when started for a trip. Speed has been limited to 3mph. Not able to use the car. Searched and verified lot of fourms about volvo this is know issue with xc60B5 engines. But dealers are nt acknowledging this issue.

- New Market, MD, USA

problem #3

Jan 062023

XC60

  • miles
On Friday, January 6, 2023, I left work in my 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge. As I merged onto I26 nothing appeared out of the ordinary. As I began to speed up, my tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) alerted me to a low-pressure situation. I pulled to the side of the road and requested roadside assistance. The rear driver-side tire had a screw embedded in the tread. A plug was placed by roadside assistance, and I was told to proceed to the dealership for a new tire as the side wall had damage. About a mile from the dealership my TPMS again began to alarm. I needed to be more familiar with my vehicle to troubleshoot the issue, so Hendricks advised me to return. Hendricks again inspected the vehicle. They stated that the driver-??s side tire had been over-inflated. I left the dealership to return home. As I was exiting I26 the TPMS monitor again alarmed me. I was surprised to see that it stated that all the tires were low on pressure. I was a short distance from my destination, so I decided to proceed and investigate there as it was dark. At the restaurant, I looked at the tires, which looked perfectly fine and not over or under-inflated. After dinner, I left the restaurant approximately two miles from my house and decided to contact Hendricks in the morning. Nothing was unusual about the car as I turned right into my development. One block into the development is a stop sign. At the stop sign, I turned left to go to my home. As I began to apply the brakes, the car started to alarm, -??Brake Failure.-?? I frantically pumped the brakes, and the CAR DID NOT STOP! It kept going straight right toward our community pool and lake! Straight ahead of me is our community pool and a 300-acre lake (it is a retention pond but calling it that does not overinflate lot prices, so they call it a lake). I did not end up in an accident or the lake because I quickly -??skidded-?? the car sideways.

- Summerville, SC, USA

problem #2

Jan 032023

XC60

  • miles
I have a 1 month old 2023 XC60 T8 phev recharge extended range with 1250 miles on it. I was driving without any issues for the past 1 months. I got a turtle icon with the check engine light on constant when I started driving today. The car had pulled back while driving and there was substantial diminished power, and could be dangerous in the wrong circumstances. I called Volvo and they explained not to drive the car and towed the car to the nearby Volvo dealership. Waiting on diagnosis 2 days now. I've now noticed other vehicles of the same type are having the same issues. This does not seem to be normal for a cars operation to have random diminished power. Website showing this to be a problem with these models from different years without any definitive resolution: https://www.swedespeed.com/threads/2022-xc90-recharge-extended-range-turtle-icon-check-engine-light.657482/

- Kenvil, NJ, USA

problem #1

Oct 012022

XC60

  • miles
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.

- Simsbury, CT, USA

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