2025 Volvo XC90

Component/system: The gear selector system failed, triggering a “Gear Selector Service Required” warning. The vehicle is a plug-in hybrid and remains available for inspection upon request. Safety risk: During the first incident, the vehicle became disabled while being driven, losing the ability to shift gears. This created a risk of being stranded in traffic and loss of vehicle control/mobility on the road. Confirmed by dealer: Yes. The dealer diagnosed a rotary encoder signal failure (DTC: TACM U200902) on the first occurrence and performed a full software update. The same warning recurred a second time; the dealer then replaced the gear selector assembly and start/brake switch module, citing liquid contamination as the cause and charging the owner approximately $1,800 as a customer-pay repair. The same warning recurred a third time only 9 days after that hardware replacement. Inspected by manufacturer: A case was opened with the manufacturer’s corporate customer care team, and the dealer opened an internal technical helpdesk (TIE) case with the manufacturer’s engineering support. However, manufacturer corporate stated it does not have access to the detailed technical findings, which are held by the dealership. Warning signs prior to failure: The “Gear Selector Service Required” message appeared as the first and only warning sign before each of the three incidents, with no other symptoms noted beforehand. Summary: This is the third occurrence of the same gear selector fault within approximately 8 months, despite one software repair and one paid hardware repair. The recurrence 9 days after replacing the allegedly contaminated components raises doubt about whether contamination was the true root cause. No comprehensive engineering root-cause analysis has been completed.

SPEED LIMIT indicator incorrect (example: indicator shows 80 mph speed limit on a small road in Alabama where it should be 35 mph; also, there is no road in Alabama greater than 75mph.) LANE DEPARTURE ASSIST has a hard time identifying lanes in some construction zones (this is extremely dangerous as the car is constantly trying to over-correct me) - infotainment system randomly reboots, presents a problem mostly when navigating - I have reported this issue way too many times and the infotainment system has been replaced once. REAR CAMERA comes on randomly, often when no car or object is near INFOTAINMENT system touch sensitivity is unacceptable

I picked up the auto in Sweden OSD....the car does not have a owners manual that can be printed or down-loaded. Was informed by VOLVO that it is in the computer on the car and you can use that. You are unable to open the manual while the auto is moving. Was advised that VOLVO does not plan to make a manual available for download or purchase. With today's technology, how can you sell a car with no users manual. I believe this is a major safety issue.

Remote start, infotainment system which controls everything, dashboard, lights, and cigarette lighter all intermittently turn off and on. Everyday, something else seems to stop working. My vehicle is 2.5 weeks old. This is apparently is a know latent defect that Volvo has chosen to keep from customers, based on feedback from VOLVO service, who are actually denying appointments stating that there is nothing they can do.

Brand new vehicle emitting moderate amount of smoke from exhaust when stopping, idle, or when pulling out from stopped position (I.e. traffic light, stop sign). Notice exhaust smoke more when coming to stop on slight decline or accelerating from stopped position to incline roadway. Smoke is malodorous (burning metal/wire smell). No warning lights on vehicle dash. Inspected by Volvo dealership service team and unable to find source of smoking. Smoke odor causes headache in vehicle occupants if windows down when smoke present. Thankfully, no smoke in cabin. When exhaust smoke is heavy, visibility of motorists behind me in traffic is temporarily decreased until smoke clears. Also, I experience temporary decreased driver side window visibility from smoke when this occurs and have to remained stopped until smoke clears. This problem has occurred daily since the first episode.