Table 1 shows one common vehicle speed control related problems of the 2023 Volvo XC90.
| Problem Category | Number of Problems |
|---|---|
| Vehicle Speed Control problems |
What component or system malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection? the pilot assist / adaptive cruise control system becomes physically stuck, causing sudden unintended acceleration. Additionally, the central vehicle electrical system/wiring harness is experiencing a verified spontaneous failure. The vehicle is currently located in hendersonville, north carolina, and is fully available for federal inspection upon request. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? my life and the safety of everyone on the road was placed in immediate, catastrophic danger. On multiple occasions, the vehicle took total control away from me, overrode my inputs, and independently accelerated to 100 miles per hour on the highway. This maximum-throttle acceleration severely compromised my ability to slow down, brake, or control the vehicle. As a professional therapist and professor, surviving these multiple near-death events has caused me severe psychological trauma and a profound fear of driving. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer? yes, a dealer has officially replicated and confirmed part of the underlying electrical failure. The vehicle was held at the dealership service department for an extended diagnostic stay from October 6th until yesterday. While they did not replicate the 100 mph acceleration during their brief initial rounds, a Volvo service mechanic took the vehicle home overnight and successfully reproduced and witnessed the unprompted electrical failure (the cabin lights turning on completely by themselves). Has the vehicle been inspected by the manufacturer, police, or insurance? the authorized Volvo dealership service department has extensively inspected the vehicle. However, despite a mechanic witnessing the spontaneous electrical glitch, the service center said they could not pinpoint the exact source of the failure using standard diagnostic tools and returned the car to me.
Third instance of reduced engine performance warning system taking over the car, which results in the "turtle mode" coming on and throttling vehicle speeds. The car does not respond to gas except at lower speeds. Then the check engine light also came on.