general problems of the 2018 Volvo XC90

This submission supplements NHTSA complaint #11759206, filed on August 24, 2026, regarding a 2018 Volvo Xc90, in order to provide additional relevant information that came to light after the original filing. At the time of the first safety-critical malfunction (in-vehicle warnings including "transmission acceleration performance reduced" "gear lever locked" and related electrical system symptoms), the service manager at Volvo cars brooklyn was able to remotely diagnose the likely cause by telephone, before the vehicle was even towed to the shop, specifically instructing the owner to check for dampness under the driver's floor mat, which was confirmed to be present. This indicates the symptom pattern described (sunroof leak leading to corrosion affecting the transmission, brakes, and electrical system) was already recognized and familiar to Volvo cars brooklyn's service staff, not a novel or difficult-to-diagnose issue. Additionally, the owner was informed that multiple other Volvo vehicles were present at Volvo cars brooklyn on the same day for repair of the same reported issue. Once arriving at the dealership, the service manager tole us that he had, "just totaled a vehicle for the same issue. " this suggests the underlying defect is not an isolated occurrence, but a broader, recurring pattern affecting multiple vehicles of this platform. This supplemental information is provided to support NHTSA's assessment of whether a safety-related defect trend exists affecting this vehicle platform, consistent with the pattern described in the original complaint and in other publicly available consumer complaints regarding sunroof-related water intrusion on the Volvo Xc90.

The vehicle first experienced a safety-critical malfunction while driving on the highway on August 11, 2026, producing in-vehicle warnings reading "transmission acceleration performance reduced" and "gear lever locked," along with broader electrical system symptoms, requiring the 2018 Volvo Xc90 to be towed to Volvo cars brooklyn on August 11, 2026. At that time, dampness was discovered under the driver’s floor mat, leading to the discovery of a sunroof leak and resulting water intrusion. The dealership represented the vehicle as fully repaired and safe to drive. The same safety-critical malfunction occurred later that night, while driving about 90 miles away from the dealership, with the same warnings appearing, confirming that the original repair failed to address the underlying issue. Loss of normal transmission and braking function while the vehicle was in motion directly affected the driver's ability to control the vehicle. The vehicle was towed for a second time on the morning of August 12, 2026, to Volvo cars brooklyn, where it was confirmed that module corrosion caused by the original sunroof leak had not been properly diagnosed or corrected during the first service visit, and that this corrosion had disrupted signals to the vehicle’s electrical, braking, and transmission systems. The dealership completed a corrective repair on August 12, 2026, replacing the ofm module and removing water, following the second incident. The vehicle has not been separately inspected by Volvo’s manufacturer-level engineering team. This failure is consistent with a broader, documented pattern affecting this vehicle platform. Volvo has previously issued a technical service bulletin addressing a sunroof-related water leak on an earlier model year of this platform. While that bulletin does not specifically cover the 2018 model year, numerous 2018 model year owners have independently reported the same failure pattern, a failed sunroof seal, often linked to clogged sunroof drains.

VIN: [xxx] •make/model/year: 2018 Volvo Xc90 •mileage at time of each incident (58,385 / 58,480 / 68,261) •approximate dates of each incident vehicle has experienced recurring brake system failures. First, a seized rear brake caliper (sept 2025) requiring caliper/rotor/pad replacement. Four days later, brake pedal became stiff and hard to depress; brake booster diagnosed as internally failed and replaced. Approximately 9 months and 9,800 miles later, vehicle experienced complete loss of braking ability while driving — brake pedal would not stop the vehicle, driver had to use the parking brake to stop, vehicle was towed to dealer. All repairs performed at authorized Volvo dealer. This is a repeat failure of the same brake system after a documented repair. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

My Volvo's Xc90 brakes have failed twice. At around 95,000 miles, my brakes stopped working, and then I had them repair it. They charged me close to $3,500, which they said they were able to cover under warranty, and I only had to pay the deductible, which I don't remember. In less than nine months, at about 104,000 miles, the same problem persists. Both times I was driving the car, by god's grace and luckily, I was under 10 mph. I literally parked and started driving after that, and I realized the brakes weren't working again. I'm just thankful to the almighty that I was not at 55 or 60 mph on a freeway when the brake stopped working.

The first incidence occurred around December 20, 2023. I was traveling south on I-85 in north carolina about an hour north of charlotte. I pulled into a rest area and, upon pressing the brake pedal, heard a bit of a hissing noise and suddenly the brake pedal was extremely hard and the car was very difficult to bring to a stop. I did an online search for what might be wrong and discovered it was likely a brake booster failure. I drove the car onto charlotte, carefully and with extreme difficulty, and took it to the swedish connection, a local Volvo specialist. They confirm the diagnosis and replaced the brake booster. Last night, April 14, 2025, I drove the car down to pickens south carolina for work. When I got in to return to charlotte late at night, I turned the ignition, put the car in reverse, and, with my foot on the brake and waiting to back out of the parking space, I heard that hissing noise again. Sure enough, the brake booster had evidently failed again. I drove the car back to charlotte, mostly on interstate 85, and the electronic braking seemed to work ok under cruise control maintaining speed and distance between other cars in traffic. Of course, driving the vehicle on local roads, through stoplights, and turns was extremely difficult and dangerous. I have returned the car to the same mechanic that repaired the last brake booster. I will be reporting this to Volvo as well, as this is a serious safety issue and defect with my vehicle. The mechanic has confirmed that this has happened in other Volvo xc 90s. The vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer.

When driving the vehicle at a speed of 15-40 mph, the SUV is activating the crash imminent braking "city crash avoidance" without anything in the path of the vehicle. This action is locking up the vehicle and seat belts lock up squeeze my wife unexpectedly. Dealor cannot find anything wrong when running diagnostics and will not replace the modules that control this feature without them showing bad. This has happended on the same road on multiple occasions.

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.