This Problem Across All Years
On thanksgiving day i drove to train station in the morning, and had no issue. After work i got in the car started to drive, i was going 25-35 miles per hour in the maplewood township, and i wanted to slow down just in case i dont see any kid or person at dark. I almost had no brake! I was so scared and i pushed th brake pedal so hard, i was very dangerous for the society at this moment. I just wish i was not on the highway going higher speed, or there were no people around! I really cannot trust this car anymore, i could have hit something!!!
On thanksgiving day i drove to train station in the morning, and had no issue. After work i got in the car started to drive, i was going 25-35 miles per hour in the maplewood township, and i wanted to slow down just in case i dont see any kid or person at dark. I almost had no brake! I was so scared and i pushed th brake pedal so hard, i was very dangerous for the society at this moment. I just wish i was not on the highway going higher speed, or there were no people around! I really cannot trust this car anymore, i could have hit something!!!
On November 5, 2025, while driving my 2017 Volvo XC90, I experienced a sudden and dangerous loss of braking assist. When I pressed the brake pedal, I heard a loud hissing noise coming from under the dashboard, and the car would not stop. The brake would not work and the vehicle would not slow or stop unless I stood up and used my full body weight to press it. A licensed mechanic inspected the vehicle and confirmed this is consistent with loss of vacuum pressure from the brake booster/failure of the vacuum brake booster, the component that provides power assist to the braking system. The booster, brake pump, hose from booster to pump and brake pedal clip were replaced, with an estimated cost of $2,858. The mechanic also advised that this failure is not uncommon in Volvo XC90 models. After the incident, I researched similar complaints and found numerous reports on NHTSA and [XXX] describing **identical symptoms—hard brake pedal and hissing sound due to vacuum booster failure—**in the 2016–2019 XC90. For example, one owner reported “hard pedal, no assist, hissing sound behind dash” [XXX] , Volvo XC90 2017 Brakes section, accessed Nov 2025). No warning lights or error messages appeared before or during the event. The problem occurred suddenly and without prior symptoms. This defect posed a serious safety risk to me, my passengers, and other drivers, as it severely reduced braking ability and required excessive force to stop the vehicle. Under other conditions, this issue could easily have resulted in a crash. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
On November 5, 2025, while driving my 2017 Volvo XC90, I experienced a sudden and dangerous loss of braking assist. When I pressed the brake pedal, I heard a loud hissing noise coming from under the dashboard, and the car would not stop. The brake would not work and the vehicle would not slow or stop unless I stood up and used my full body weight to press it. A licensed mechanic inspected the vehicle and confirmed this is consistent with loss of vacuum pressure from the brake booster/failure of the vacuum brake booster, the component that provides power assist to the braking system. The booster, brake pump, hose from booster to pump and brake pedal clip were replaced, with an estimated cost of $2,858. The mechanic also advised that this failure is not uncommon in Volvo XC90 models. After the incident, I researched similar complaints and found numerous reports on NHTSA and [XXX] describing **identical symptoms—hard brake pedal and hissing sound due to vacuum booster failure—**in the 2016–2019 XC90. For example, one owner reported “hard pedal, no assist, hissing sound behind dash” [XXX] , Volvo XC90 2017 Brakes section, accessed Nov 2025). No warning lights or error messages appeared before or during the event. The problem occurred suddenly and without prior symptoms. This defect posed a serious safety risk to me, my passengers, and other drivers, as it severely reduced braking ability and required excessive force to stop the vehicle. Under other conditions, this issue could easily have resulted in a crash. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
FRONT END, WHEELS BEGIN TO BOUNCE AND VIBRATE UNEXPECTEDLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ABOVE 45 MPH. THE BOUNCE/VIBRATION/WOBBLE AFFECTS STEERING AND CAN BE FELT IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND STEERING WHEEL. STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES SIDE TO SIDE AFFECTING HANDLING. WHEN BRAKING DURING THIS EVENT THE STEERING BECOMES WORSE AND STEERING WHEEL JERKS LEFT/RIGHT WITH HARDER FORCE MAKING HANDLING AND STOPPING DIFFICULT. PROBLEMS TEMPORARILY RESOLVED WHEN VEHICLE STOPS BUT CAN RETURN WITHIN MINUTES. PROBLEM NOT PERSISTENT BUT FREQUENT ESPECIALLY AT HIGH SPEEDS 60+ MPH AND THE PROBLEM IS UNEXPECTED. PROBLEM OCCURS AT ABOUT 1.5 HOURS OF DRIVING, BUT CAN OCCUR AT LONGER INTERVALS. ONCE THE ISSUE STARTS IT GENERALLY CONTINUES UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS
FRONT END, WHEELS BEGIN TO BOUNCE AND VIBRATE UNEXPECTEDLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ABOVE 45 MPH. THE BOUNCE/VIBRATION/WOBBLE AFFECTS STEERING AND CAN BE FELT IN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND STEERING WHEEL. STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES SIDE TO SIDE AFFECTING HANDLING. WHEN BRAKING DURING THIS EVENT THE STEERING BECOMES WORSE AND STEERING WHEEL JERKS LEFT/RIGHT WITH HARDER FORCE MAKING HANDLING AND STOPPING DIFFICULT. PROBLEMS TEMPORARILY RESOLVED WHEN VEHICLE STOPS BUT CAN RETURN WITHIN MINUTES. PROBLEM NOT PERSISTENT BUT FREQUENT ESPECIALLY AT HIGH SPEEDS 60+ MPH AND THE PROBLEM IS UNEXPECTED. PROBLEM OCCURS AT ABOUT 1.5 HOURS OF DRIVING, BUT CAN OCCUR AT LONGER INTERVALS. ONCE THE ISSUE STARTS IT GENERALLY CONTINUES UNTIL THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS
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.
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.
THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM WAS ENGAGED, I WAS DRIVING DURING A RAIN STORM AT NIGHT AT 45 MPH, AND THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE ALARM WENT OFF WITHOUT ANYTHING IN FRONT OF MY CAR, THEN THE BRAKES SLAMMED ON BY THEMSELVES AND THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD TO SWERVE ONTO THE SHOULDER TO AVOID HITTING ME IN THE REAR
THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM WAS ENGAGED, I WAS DRIVING DURING A RAIN STORM AT NIGHT AT 45 MPH, AND THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE ALARM WENT OFF WITHOUT ANYTHING IN FRONT OF MY CAR, THEN THE BRAKES SLAMMED ON BY THEMSELVES AND THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD TO SWERVE ONTO THE SHOULDER TO AVOID HITTING ME IN THE REAR
BRAKES SQUEAK BADLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN MULTIPLE TIMES TO BE REPAIRED. IT SOUNDS LIKE GREMLINS ARE IN THE CAR WHEN YOU BRAKE. IT IS A KNOW ISSUE ON THESE VEHICLES ACCORDING TO THE DEALER AND TO VOLVO. THEY SPRAYED STOP SQUEAK ON THE BRAKE BAD WHICH IS NOW ALL OVER MY CAR AND THE BRAKES STILL SQUEAK.
BRAKES SQUEAK BADLY. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN MULTIPLE TIMES TO BE REPAIRED. IT SOUNDS LIKE GREMLINS ARE IN THE CAR WHEN YOU BRAKE. IT IS A KNOW ISSUE ON THESE VEHICLES ACCORDING TO THE DEALER AND TO VOLVO. THEY SPRAYED STOP SQUEAK ON THE BRAKE BAD WHICH IS NOW ALL OVER MY CAR AND THE BRAKES STILL SQUEAK.
ON 7 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY AND AGGRESSIVELY BRAKED ON ITS OWN. THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM SENSED THAT I WAS ABOUT TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IN FRONT OF ME. THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE ON THIS MODEL. IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT I DIDN'T GET REAR ENDED AS THE 7 INSTANCES ALL HAPPENED ON HIGHWAYS. MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. VOLVO HAS AGREED TO REPURCHASE MY VEHICLE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.
ON 7 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY AND AGGRESSIVELY BRAKED ON ITS OWN. THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM SENSED THAT I WAS ABOUT TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING IN FRONT OF ME. THE COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE ON THIS MODEL. IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT I DIDN'T GET REAR ENDED AS THE 7 INSTANCES ALL HAPPENED ON HIGHWAYS. MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. VOLVO HAS AGREED TO REPURCHASE MY VEHICLE. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE FIXED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED.