general problems of the 2018 Volvo XC90

2018 Volvo Xc90, VIN [xxx] , 54,618 miles. Original owner. All service performed exclusively at Volvo cars west houston (same dealer, all three failures). Volvo technical journal tj 34648. 1. 2, titled "prior approval - lack of airflow causing poor cabin cooling," is classified as a product fix and explicitly lists the 2018 Xc90 as an affected vehicle. This tj required the dealer to submit a prior approval report to Volvo corporate when installing the resistor fix. At 12,017 miles (August 2020), the dealer installed the evaporator resistor per tj 34648. 1. 2, part no. 32241228, under vst operation 98734-2 — meaning Volvo corporate has documentation of this vehicle's evaporator vulnerability on file since 2020. At 15,930 miles (March 2021), the ac compressor failed and was replaced under warranty, consistent with refrigerant starvation from the same underlying evaporator leak. The evaporator has now failed completely at 54,618 miles despite Volvo's own corrective measure being applied at 12,017 miles. The current failure (April 2026) includes a confirmed front evaporator refrigerant leak and ac discharge hose leak, documented by dealer borescope inspection showing corrosion on the evaporator fins and visual evidence of refrigerant oil residue at the discharge hose fitting. Dealer repair estimate is $4,406. This is a documented pattern failure across 2016-2018 Volvo Xc90 models. Volvo cars USA was contacted for goodwill assistance and denied the request within 24 hours without meaningful review. Case number [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

3 weeks ago we had the transmission module fail on our vehicle while it was being driven. According to Volvo forums, this is a multi-model year, multi vehicle issue for those with sunroofs. Accrding to the dealer in our case, the seal failed, and water runs into the compartment where the transmission module is located, causing it to fail. We had it happen twice, and both times on the highway, with the engine running ragged causing it ot accelerate and then quickly decelerate. There were 3 warnings that popped up-"gear lever locked," "transmission acceleration performance reduced," and "parking brake unaavialble. " it happened twice and and was towed to the dealer both times, as it was not drivable-once the vehicle was parked it would no longer move out of park. The first time the diagnosis and module reset was comped by the dealer (borton Volvo, golden valley, mn) and the second time, the transmission module was "dried out," and the sunroof seal was replaced, which was just under $700. It is available to be inspected if necessary. The vehicle was a hazard to others on the road while it was "acting up. " dealer was familia with the issue. No inspection was done other than by the dealer warning lamps as outlined above.

While actively driving into an intersection, driving on the street and or stopped at a light or at a stop the vehicle will shut off, the lights on the dashboard will sometimes be on, other times go completely black, a notification pops up on the dashboard saying "engine not in p". There is no way I'm aware of to re create this action. My children's safety as well as mine has been put at significant risk and in harms way as well as others due to the severity and nature of this unexpected risk while driving on the freeway, through intersections and in general driving through traffic and busy streets. I've had multiple close calls of almost being hit when the car stopped while I'm driving with my children. The problem has yet to be reproduced by the dealer at this time however we have photos and video of it's ongoing safety concern. It has not been inspected by the manufacturer nor police but is currently at the dealer undergoing inspection. There has not been any notifications or warnings prior to any one of these serious events, the message only comes up when the car is off and won't go.

This morning and a few days ago, ice cold water was dripping onto my control display pad and on me. The leakage came from the ourside down the plastic compartment behind my rearview mirror. This was distracting while I was driving since there was now water on me, and it was shorting out and affecting my control display. It would continue to be buggy while driving. I believe this issue is a result from a cracked seal between the windshield and the car body. I have seen other documented cases on Volvo forums.

The contact owns a 2018 Volvo Xc90. The contact stated that after coming to a stop at a stop signal, the vehicle had lost motive power. The contact stated that the vehicle was able to restart; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle failed to restart, and no warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed that the starter motor fuse needed to be replaced. The vehicle remained at the dealer awaiting the parts for the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 101,000.

The car starting leaking water into the rear view mirror in June. This wouldn’t be much of an issue, but the cars computer system for drive assist is located in this area and has caused the car to malfunction in all areas. This Xc90 pilot assist is now malfunctioning causing a huge safety issue. This is apparently a known problem with their cars with the panoramic sunroof, but is now a safety hazard. The Volvo dealership did not fix the issue and is now happening again effecting all of the electrical system.

When the car is parked, I unlock the driver's door, the tailgate opens on it's own (possibly into traffic) then afterwards, every time when starting the car, a "12v battery charging fault stop safely" error occurs twice. It seems to be ok to drive, but it is not clear as to whether the fault can cause a safety issue, as the message implies. So many of the systems in the car are electric. This is a reoccurring problem that has happened 4 times now, and Volvo has not been able to fix it.

We have owned our Xc90 since November 11, 2017. The brakes were squealing when braking in normal condition(s), no rain on road or water on brakes whether we were driving on city streets, highways or freeways. Volvo service technicians had to replace all 4 rotors and brake pads on 30 March 2018, just a little over 4 months of owning the vehicle. Four months later 8 August 2018, Volvo service technicians had to replace all 4 rotors again, but not the brake pads. There is nearly 25,000 miles on this car, which normally rotors aren't typically replaced up to 70,000 miles. I understand this varies based on driving but twice in 8 months for all 4 rotors is insane. They also found all four rotors each time were warped. We owned a 2012 Volvo xc60 for 5 years and never had the brakes or rotors replaced during that entire time. Secondly a grinding sound is coming from the sunshade when it is being opened or closed. Our vehicle has been in the shop since 14 August 2018 where they replaced the sunshade, only to have to replace it again 21 August 2018. We went to pick up the vehicle and the grinding sound is back again, which now Volvo will have to replace the sunshade for a third time. I am a Volvo customer for life, but these issues need to be addressed and fixed for future models. I am thankful for the courtesy vehicle during this time, but I really want my vehicle back. I assume my next course of action if we get the vehicle back a third time with a defective sunshade or brakes is lemon law.

Brakes continously squeak. The dealer has inspected the break system twice and made one attempted repair. One week later the brakes are backing to squeaking. I have owned the vehicle less than 90 days, I've had issues with the brakes for more than half that time. The center display computer screens freezes constantly, but recently freezes and will not restart until after the car is stopped and restarted.