2013 Volvo XC60

The component or system that failed is the driver side door controls for all four windows and both side mirrors. My safety is at risk as I am unable to adjust my mirrors manually or electronically in order to see. I am also unable to roll down any of the windows in the vehicle from the driver door in the event of an emergency. Yes, the problem has been confirmed by the Volvo service center. According to my local Volvo service center, this is a common problem in Volvos and they are very familiar with the repair needed to correct. The problem is that the driver door wiring is zip-tied together and over time, as the driver door opens and closes, the zip tie chafes the insulation off of the wiring causing the copper part of the wires to be exposed and twisted together. There are no warning lights reporting this issue, only that the window and mirror controls stop working. The following video link between 9:38-12:16 explains this issue in Volvos. I am writing to advocate for a vehicle recall. I believe this is a manufacturing flaw which could have been avoided by simply using electrical tape and not a zip tie. The repair has been quoted at $800. Driver side door entry is an essential function and should not be a cause for an electrical fire or drivers’ and passengers’ safety. Link: [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

I recently was forced to use the pry-off cap and manual key entry to get into my 2013 Volvo XC60. This was due to the vehicle’s lack of response to the fob, there was no communication between the fob and the electrical system. Once inside, inserting the fob, the engine started but the entire instrument cluster was flashing intermittently the various warning lights, and the windows could not be lowered. The cluster showed failure of speedometer, tachometer, brake system, seat belts and all other gauges on the cluster. Not knowing whether it was safe to drive, I turned it off. I returned later and turned it on, same problem. I went around the block, contacted the Volvo dealer for consultation, and secured an emergency appointment to bring it in. On the next day/the appointment, I drove the car in, during which the systems seemed to have reset themselves, but halfway there the problem started again. At this point the vehicle has been there (Howard Orloff Volvo, 1924 N. Paulina St, Chicago, 1.877.570.6927) since the 28th, they have not been able to give me a diagnosis, and the bill is over $600. How can this problem NOT be a safety risk for ordinary person such as myself? It is my understanding, from researching this, that this is a common and recurring problem so why has there NOT been a recall for what is obviously a defect inherent in this make and model car? Kindly respond with a reference number for this complaint. Thank you very much.

The issue is with the windshields separating from the bonding agent ( not sealing ) it is cause for a safety issue not only because it is loose and can move when pushed up , but water is entering the vehicle through the top part of the windshield and entering the electrical controls for the lights and sun roof causing a potential short or shock hazard, not to mention ruining the interior of the vehicle ,( headliner, mold..etc..). I and many other's ( see link below) feel it is necessary to have Volvo make the replacement of windshields in their vehicles . https://beranek.agrrmag.com/2015/04/volvo-glass-bonding-issue/

Summary: Vehicle suddenly and completely loses all electric power. i.e. no lights, including hazard lights or brake lights, no engine, no power steering. Status: The root issue has occurred twice, and the vehicle is pending service to positively diagnose and repair the issue. First occurrence: Driver parked the vehicle, turned off the engine, and remained inside with standard electric power active. Upon exiting the vehicle and closing the driver’s door, the door lock button did not respond. Returning to the vehicle it became apparent the reason for the lock failure was the absence of electric power. During the process of preparing to connect jumper cables, electric power returned. This was without actually connecting to a jump source. Second occurrence, 1 day after first: While driving at 60 MPH on a highway, electric power suddenly ceased. Driver unable to activate hazard lights or any other warning to other vehicles. Driver was able to steer to roadside and come to a stop. At suggestion of mechanic shop, driver opened battery compartment and tapped the cables connected to the battery terminal, and power returned. Mechanic suggested hairline fracture of metal connectors of positive cable connecting to vehicle power. Now awaiting mechanic diagnosis and repair. Fortunately the failure did not result in a collision, but does present a clear safety hazard upon its occurrence. The mechanic’s suggestion leads to the suspicion this is a known issue with the vehicle component.

The contact owns a 2013 Volvo XC60. The contact stated that while his wife was driving 5 MPH, the vehicle shut-off without warning. The contact stated that the electrical features ceased to operate in the vehicle. The contact stated that his wife was unable to activate the hazard lights. The contact's wife was unable to exit the vehicle as her driver’s side door would not unlock. His wife was forced to flag down a construction worker who pulled the door open from the outside. As soon the door opened, the lights began to work, and all the electrical features returned. The contact's wife was able to restart the vehicle and drive home. The contact left a message with a service advisor at a dealer to notify them of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic but was not yet diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

12/24/13 APPROX 6:00 PM DRIVING APPROX. 65 MPH ON ROUTE 9 SOUTH IN CT WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON. NO OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT OR NEARBY AND SUDDENLY THE RED DASHBOARD LIGHT FLASHED AND WARNING SOUNDS AND THE CAR BEGAN TO AUTO BRAKE ABRUPTLY TO 45 MPH. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL THEN RESUMED MY TRIP UNEVENTFULLY. 12/27/13 APPROX 2:00 PM DRIVING APPROX. 60 MPH ON ROUTE 84 IN CT WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON. NO OTHER VEHICLES IN FRONT OR NEARBY AND SUDDENLY THE RED DASHBOARD LIGHT FLASHED AND WARNING SOUNDS AND THE CAR BEGAN TO AUTO BRAKE HARD DOWN TO 45 MPH. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD TURNED OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL THEN RESUMED MY TRIP UNEVENTFULLY. I CALLED SERVICE MANAGER [XXX]AT GENGRAS VOLVO 860 727 6200 AND ARRANGED TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR ANALYSIS ON 2/17/14. THE SAME BEHAVIOR WAS EXPERIENCED BY [XXX] ON 2/19/14 AS HE RELAYED THE EXPERIENCE TO ME. 5/21/14 [XXX] IS THE NEW GENGRAS VOLVO SERVICE MANAGER, REPLACING [XXX]. HE SAID THEY CHANGED OUT MY FORWARD LOOKING RADAR UNIT WHICH INCLUDES THE CIRCUIT BOARD AND HE ALSO UPDATED THE SOFTWARE (AGAIN). HE STATED THAT IF THE AUTO BRAKE MIS-FUNCTIONS AGAIN THERE IS NO OTHER SERVICE HE CAN PERFORM AND THE CAR SHOULD BE REPLACED. JULY 5, 2015 AFTER 2,000 MILES OF DRIVING WITHOUT NEW INCIDENTS IT APPEARS THAT THE FORWARD LOOKING RADAR UNIT HAD A DEFECT AND CAUSED THE PROBLEM! THIS UNIT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ON ALL VEHICLES IN WHICH IT IS INSTALLED TO AVOID POTENTIALLY FATAL CRASHES CAUSED BY AUTOBRAKE ENGAGING AND RAPIDLY DECELERATING THE CAR FOR NO REASON. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR