2017 VOLVO XC90 Unknown Or Other Problems

As I was driving, the coolant low warning came on. Luckily I was able to pull over safely at a nearby gas station. I found that the coolant expansion tank was empty. The coolant was leaking from the plastic connector on the bleeder hose and was pooling on the top of the engine. There is a recall on 2016 vehicles for this (Volvo campaign R29936) and looks like many are having same issue on 2017 models also. My problem was exactly as described, the part broke, coolant squirts out all over hot engine parts, system coolant level rapidly depletes. Fortunately, this happened in place that allowed safe stopping.

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)

The A/C evaporator core in my 2017 Volvo XC90 failed prematurely, cracking and leaking refrigerant. This is a well-known problem among XC90 owners from model years 2016–2020. Repair costs are USD$5k+ because the entire dashboard must be removed to replace the evaporator. This is not normal wear and tear. Volvo has issued multiple Technical Journals (e.g. TJ 35912.1.0 -- attached -- and later revisions) instructing dealers to install an additional resistor in the evaporator temperature sensor harness when replacing the evaporator. This proves Volvo knows there is a design defect causing evaporator cracking and failure. However, Volvo corporate has declined to assist with repairs for my vehicle. Driving without A/C in high summer heat presents a serious risk of heat exhaustion or heat stroke, particularly during long commutes (I drive over an hour each way daily). The HVAC system is also critical for defogging and defrosting the windshield. Loss of refrigerant and evaporator performance can impair defroster operation, creating visibility hazards. The combination of extreme cabin heat and impaired defrosting creates an unreasonable risk to safety, not merely an inconvenience. In addition, right now it costs me just a few hundred dollars to refill my AC system every summer. This is what I've been doing for several summers now. But the Volvo quote to fix this factory defect was over $6k. So that means myself and thousands of others are all incentivized to just fill up R134A and have it leak out, harming the environment in the process. Volvo's refusal to recall and fix this issue is causing this economic incentive. It should be on them to fix their failure, not us. I asked Volvo corporate to goodwill this repair but they declined to do this (see attached).

While on the highway, the system reported that engine coolant was low and to pull over safely. I pulled into a parking lot and within a couple of minutes the engine burst into flames. The local fire department responded and extinguished the fire. The car is totaled.

ERAD (Electronic Rear Axle Drive) clutch failure. Upon depressing accelerator pedal, when in drive modes that rely more on ERAD (Hybrid/Pure modes), the clutch occasionally does not engage correctly, resulting in no power for a full 1-2 seconds, then power kicking in, in full. Not being consistent means not having a good way to anticipate when the problem will arise in order to compensate for it. The hazard came when attempting to cross traffic (to take a left into a commercial driveway), the delay happened, then before the ability to fully "cancel the attempt" (by releasing the accelerator and pressing the brake while still in the turn lane), the power kicked in and sent the vehicle into traffic. The delay-then-subsequent full-power meant that the gap was suddenly significantly smaller when pulling into the oncoming lanes, and attempting to correct for a delay in power meant the possibility of then not having the accelerator down, which could have left me in in the lane of oncoming traffic for much longer than necessary due to human reaction times in addition to vehicle "reaction times" to inputs. This is apparently a relatively common issue on Volvos of this generation, with multiple "ERAD versions" to account for transmission clutch failures within these units, as well as other failures.

I am reporting a safety defect related to the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) in my 2017 Volvo XC90. The VCM is critical for emergency communications, including automatic crash notification and location sharing with emergency responders. This function is vital for occupant safety in the event of an accident. My VCM was serviced at an authorized Volvo dealer in Natick, MA in December 2024 due to intermittent connectivity issues. Despite this recent service, the VCM completely failed in mid-April 2025. When the module fails, the vehicle loses the ability to automatically contact emergency services and transmit its location after a crash, significantly increasing the risk of delayed or absent emergency response. I am aware that Volvo previously issued Safety Recall R39917 for 2017–2019 XC90s regarding VCM software errors that could prevent GPS location from being sent to emergency personnel. Volvo has refused to cover the repair, even though the failure directly impacts a safety-critical system that was already subject to a recall. This failure compromises the car’s core safety promise and leaves occupants at risk in emergencies. I urge NHTSA to investigate ongoing VCM failures in these vehicles, as the repairs have not resolved all safety concerns. Volvo should be required to address these failures to ensure driver and passenger safety.

I am reporting multiple critical component failures on my 2017 Volvo XC90, which I believe represent potential design or manufacturing defects related to vehicle safety and reliability. At approximately 93,000 miles, my Volvo XC90 experienced a battery failure, thermostat failure, which did not resolve the vehicle's engine issues. Subsequently, the dealership diagnosed a failed Engine Control Module (ECM), requiring complete replacement at a cost of over $5,000. The ECM is a critical motherboard component responsible for engine control and vehicle safety operations. Its failure risks sudden engine malfunction, stalling, or loss of power while driving, which could cause unsafe conditions. I am concerned that multiple major component failures, especially in a premium brand vehicle under 100,000 miles and less than 10 years old, represent a systemic reliability issue. These failures occurred despite regular maintenance and responsible usage. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate whether similar cases exist for 2016–2018 Volvo XC90 models involving premature ECM or engine cooling, electrical, short circuit system failures. I am available to provide service records and additional documentation as needed.

The evaporator core malfunctioned (AC system), resulting in the failure of the air conditioning system. The defective part remains installed in the vehicle and is available for inspection upon request. This issue compromised the vehicle's ability to maintain a comfortable and safe environment, particularly in extreme weather conditions where the lack of a functioning air conditioning system can pose health risks, especially to young children or elderly passengers. The problem has been confirmed by an authorized Volvo service center, where the leak was identified during an inspection. Prior to the failure, there were no warning lamps or error messages. However, the air conditioning began to perform inconsistently several weeks prior to the complete failure. Given the timing of this issue, just beyond the warranty period, and the evidence suggesting this may be a recurring problem in certain XC90 models, and Volvo Customer Care denied any assistance or support in this matter.

The ac went out while my toddler was in the car. We are in the Arizona area and the temperature has exceeded over 100 degrees. It turns out there are several complaints with the evaporator. There is major issues and complaints.

The rear passenger door will not open.

My car had a sudden, catastrophic leak of coolant from a premature failure of a hose on a 5 year old car with 65000 miles. We were driving through mountains and there was no safe shoulder to pull over. I drove 1.5 miles to a service center. I bought the car new and all service work was done at Volvo dealers and all regular maintenance was performed. There were no leaks of coolant prior to the sudden hose failure. The first alert that something was wrong was a red warning light on the dash directing me to stop the car and turn off the engine immediately. Testing on the engine showed a high level of CO in the coolant, indicating a warped head. The entire engine must be replaced. I contend that this was premature failure of a part. I had my insurance agency, Allstate, discuss the case with the Volvo dealership and Allstate was told there was no evidence of impact road damage on the part. I have asked my agent to provide me with written confirmation of their discussion. I have also asked for the defective part to be put aside and saved when the engine is replaced and will be able to send it to NHTSA.

FOR 5 MONTHS NOW, THERE HAS BEEN LEAKING FROM THE REAR SIDE OF THE INTELLISAFE MODULE LOCATED BY THE MIDDLE TOP OF THE WINDSHIELD. I HAVE TAKEN THE CARE TO THE DEALERSHIP IN MULTIPLE LOCATIONS, THEY HAVE NOT FOUND THE ROOT CAUSE. I HAVE PAID FOR MULTIPLE REPLACEMENTS OF THE RUBBER TRIM AND CLEANING OF INTERIOR PARTS. THE WATER LEAKS DIRECTLY OVER THE HEAD UNIT, AND I FEAR THAT MIGHT CAUSE DAMAGE SUCH AS A ELECTRICAL FIRE OR REPLACEMENT OF PARTS THAT MIGHT BECOME VERY COSTLY. IT HAPPENS WHILE STILL IN PARK AND WHILE DRIVING.

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

Mileage: 40,000

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

Mileage: 17,000

NEW VEHICLE (LESS THAN 19000 MILES) - VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY - IN A PARKING LOT, IGNITION OFF. APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 15 MINUTES LATER, FIRE IGNITED IN ENGINE BAY, RAPIDLY SPREADING TO THE WHOLE CAR... ENTIRE CARE BURNED TO SHELL.

Mileage: 18,000

THE VEHICLE HAS A AUTOMATIC PARK OUT FUNCTION THAT FAILED AND HIT CAR BEHIND ME WITH NO TIME FOR REACTION. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. VOLVO REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE. THIS PARK OUT FUNCTION SHOULD BE DISABLED UNTIL THEY HAVE A SOLUTION THAT PREVENTS THE CAR FROM HITTING OTHER OBJECTS.

Mileage: 3,500

THIS IS IN REGARDS TO THE OBSERVED BEHAVIOR OF A UBER SELF-DRIVING VEHICLE IN PITTSBURGH, PA. ON MAY 8TH 2017 AROUND 7:30PM EDT, I WAS DRIVING ON CENTER AVE TOWARDS THE INTERSECTION OF CENTER AND SOUTH HIGHLAND AVE, AND AN UBER XC90 WAS PASSING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION HEADING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. A PEDESTRIAN WAS WAITING TO CROSS AT THE CURB NEAREST TO THE APPROACHING VOLVO, STANDING A LITTLE CLOSE TO THE EDGE BUT DEFINITELY NOT IN THE STREET. THE VOLVO WAS IN THE CENTER OF ITS LANE AND HAD AMPLE SPACE TO PASS THE PEDESTRIAN. JUST AS IT REACHED THE CURB/CROSSWALK, IT SUDDENLY JERKED TO ITS LEFT AND VERY QUICKLY SWUNG BACK TO RETURN TO LANE CENTER IN A TIGHT ARC. IT CAME CLOSE TO THE OPPOSING LANE AND MAY HAVE CROSSED OVER. IT DIDN'T APPEAR TO BRAKE OR SLOW DOWN AT ANY POINT. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO KNOW IF THE UBER WAS IN SELF-DRIVING MODE AT THE TIME, BUT THE (UNNECESSARY) EVASIVE MANEUVER BY THE VOLVO WAS UNLIKE ANYTHING I HAVE EVER WITNESSED OF A HUMAN DRIVER.

I WAS USING THE PARALLEL PARK ASSIST AND THE CAR SLAMMED INTO THE CURB DAMAGING THE RIMS. THE DEALER INSISTS THAT THERE IS NO MALFUNCTION. THE CURB WAS OF THE PERFECT HEIGHT AND IT WAS A VERY SCARY SITUATION

Mileage: 9,000