2025 Volvo EX90

I am writing to file a formal safety complaint regarding my Volvo EX90, which experienced a complete and dangerous shutdown while driving on a LA freeway on Christmas Day. While traveling at freeway speed, the vehicle suddenly lost power and displayed a warning stating “Critical Electrical Fault.” The car shut down in the middle of active traffic. Two vehicles narrowly avoided colliding with us, and we were extremely fortunate to be able to turn the car back on, maneuver the vehicle to the shoulder of the road before being struck. The vehicle had to be towed from the shoulder of the freeway. This incident posed a serious risk of severe injury or death, not only to my passengers but also to other motorists. This was not an isolated incident. This is the second time this vehicle has experienced a sudden shutdown. The first incident involved a warning reading “Critical Propulsion Fault,” which also resulted in loss of vehicle function. Following the Christmas Day incident, the vehicle has been at an authorized Volvo dealership for over three weeks. As of today, Volvo has been unable to identify the root cause or provide a clear explanation or repair. The uncertainty surrounding the failure of a brand-new vehicle (1,754 Miles) further reinforces the seriousness of this defect. A vehicle that can unexpectedly lose all power at freeway speeds is fundamentally unsafe. Based on my experience, I believe the Volvo EX90 presents a significant safety defect, and I am deeply concerned that these vehicles continue to be sold and driven on public roads. I respectfully request that NHTSA investigate this matter to determine whether a broader defect or pattern exists and to take appropriate action to protect the public.

While driving on I-5 north by Castaic (exit 176A) the car displayed "electric system temporarily limited" then "critical electric fault" at which time it rapidly decelerated while on the freeway. The hazard lights were pressed but did not work. There was no shoulder and cars nearly rear ended our vehicle, with our family of 4 (including 2 kids) inside. We were able to navigate the vehicle to a small shoulder at the freeway exit and called CHP for support to ensure our safety while we seemed roadside assistance. Volvo roadside assistance contacted a tow truck and walked us through a "hard reset" of the vehicle. After about 15 minutes we were able to drive the car with a CHP escort off the freeway ramp to a nearby parking lot. The "electrical system temporarily limited" fault remained. Our car was towed to the nearest dealership where the fault was observed. At this point (8 calendar days later) no fix has been identified. This vehicle has had repeated electrical system faults since we leased in on 9/5/25 and has been serviced 3 previous times. This was the first time it stopped while driving.

Please note this is an all electric SUV. On Saturday 6th December, I unplugged the car from the A/C charger after it had finished charging to 90% in my garage and there was a very loud bang heard from under the car. The dashboard then reported there is a fault with the car and it cannot charge. Took the car to the dealer same day and they suspected it was a failed GHCA part (AC to DC converter). They ordered a replacement and fitted it on 20th December but the car still will not charge on A/C. It still charges on DC and the dealer is using that to keep it powered. I received a call from the dealer today (1/2/26) to say that Volvo corporate needs to perform a detailed investigation as to what has caused the car to stop charging on AC. The dealer will not let me have the car back as they are concerned about the safety of the car and have been without it for approaching one month now. With that in mind and the many reports on social media of similar failures as well as multiple months of having faulty cars, it appears this is a major problem that should be subject to a recall. An example of posts can be seen here: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

While driving, my car suddenly displayed the "Driver Support System Fault" icon (Picture 1). At that time, the only issue was the fault icon. I still had full navigation, lane departure warning and 360 camera functionality when I backed into my parking spot. The car was locked with my key card. I returned to 15 to 20 minutes later. The Driver Support System Fault Icon was lit in addition to the lane departure unavailability icon (Picture 2). The following functions and/or features did not work: - Lane Departure - 360 Camera - Front Camera - Tracking Lines for the Rear Camera - Park Sensor audible alerts (Forward or Backup) - Ambient Temperature (Reads "0 degrees Celsius") - Odometer in the central stack (Reads "-- km") - HVAC Functionality - Heated Seats - Heated Steering Wheel - Bluetooth - Wi-Fi - Google Assistant - Navigation, including map being frozen in one position - Glovebox access - Connectivity with Internet or Volvo App - Volume control for the radio did not function. - 4-way hazard button greyed out and non-functional on center stack Attempted reset/reboot of the Infotainment System did not resolve the issue and the car was taken to the local Volvo dealer. Summary of Pictures attached: Pic 3 - Quick Controls - Shows glove box, 4-way hazard icon and other control icons greyed out Pic 4 - Status - States "Everything is OK", but tire pressure button is not available and Total distance reads "--km". Additionally, as shown in Picture 3, the 4-way hazard icon is greyed out. Pic 5 - Similar shot as Picture 2 - Shows Driver Support System Fault and no Lane Departure Pic 6 - Car is in reverse. Shows rear back up camera without guidance lines. Does not show 360 camera. Pic 7 - HVAC Climate is off and cannot turn on. All controls were greyed out. I pressed "Manual" and "Auto" with no change. Pic 8 - Heated seats and heated steering wheel would not turn on even when I pressed the buttons.

The screen behind the steering wheel, which provides the car's speed, driver assist, warning lights, turn signals, and other driving information suddenly went blank. I was grateful that I was close to home and no longer on the interstate highway I had just exited. I drove home, reset the car, and the screen was back on. I was lucky. I could have been at the beginning on my drive, over a hundred miles from home and unable to easily exit the highway. The car is being towed today back to the dealer, again. This happened without warning. I was driving and the whole screen just went black.

Vehicle: 2024 Volvo EX90 VIN: [XXX] While driving on the highway, the entire digital instrument cluster and infotainment screen went completely black without warning. I could not see my speed, gear indicator, or use turn signals. This created an immediate and dangerous safety hazard, especially at high speed. The issue has occurred more than once, and despite taking the vehicle to the dealership, it has not been permanently resolved. I have filed a California Lemon Law claim with Volvo, and while Volvo acknowledged the defect and promised a buyback on March 18, 2025, they have failed to follow through or provide a resolution for over two weeks. I am submitting this complaint because the vehicle presents an active safety risk to myself and others, and I am concerned that this defect could result in a serious accident or injury if not addressed immediately. I also have video evidence of the blackout event. I am requesting that NHTSA open an investigation into this issue and hold the manufacturer accountable for failing to address a known safety defect in a timely manner. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)