Volvo Cars controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2025
U.S. brake-control software recall
Volvo Cars issued U.S. safety recall 25V392 for 11,469 selected battery-electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. A brake-control software defect could cause a complete loss of braking capability under certain downhill conditions. NHTSA urged affected owners to complete the over-the-air repair promptly and reported that Volvo advised some owners not to drive until the remedy was installed.
2021
Volvo recalls 460,769 cars over air bag defect
Recall announced
Volvo announced a worldwide recall of 460,769 older-model cars because faulty air bags could rupture and injure or kill occupants. The company was aware of one rupture incident resulting in a fatality. Volvo said it would replace the driver air bag at no charge.
Company response
Remediation — Volvo
To fix the problem, Volvo will replace the driver air bag at no charge to the customer.
Source excerpt
Volvo Cars is recalling 460,769 older model cars worldwide due to faulty air bags that could be deadly in the event of a crash.
To fix the problem, Volvo will replace the driver air bag at no charge to the customer.
Geely-owned Volvo, which recently confirmed plans to go public, is aware of one rupture incident that resulted in a fatality due to the problem, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
2020
Volvo recalls more than 700,000 cars over AEB software fault
Recall announced
Volvo Cars issued a global recall affecting more than 700,000 cars because a software fault could prevent the autonomous emergency braking system from stopping for certain objects, pedestrians, and cyclists. The company said it would contact affected Malaysian owners and provide a free corrected software update.
Company response
Remediation — Volvo Car Malaysia
VCM will contact all owners of affected vehicles to have the issue rectified by way of a corrected software update, which will be done free of charge.
Source excerpt
Locally, Volvo Car Malaysia has said the recall affects 1,802 units of the S60, S90, XC40, XC60 and XC90 in the country built within the aforementioned time period above.
Volvo Cars has issued a global recall affecting over 700,000 cars, which may have autonomous emergency braking systems that do not function properly under certain conditions.
The issue stems from a software fault causing the system to potentially be unable to stop for certain objects, pedestrians and cyclists.
2020
Volvo Cars recalls about 2.2 million cars over seat-belt cable issue
Recall announced
Volvo Cars said it was recalling nearly 2.2 million cars globally because a steel cable connected to the front seat belts could fatigue over time and reduce seat-belt restraint function. The affected cars will be fitted with a new component.
Company response
Recall — Volvo Cars
Chinese-owned Swedish automaker Volvo Cars said it was recalling nearly 2.2 million cars globally over an issue related to the effectiveness of the seat belts.
Source excerpt
The recall affects 2,183,701 cars globally and the cars will be fitted with a new component in place of the faulty wire.
Chinese-owned Swedish automaker Volvo Cars said it was recalling nearly 2.2 million cars globally over an issue related to the effectiveness of the seat belts.
The issue with the cars relates to a steel cable connected to the front seat belts, which under certain conditions "over time suffer from fatigue," eventually damaging the cable, "resulting in reduced seat belt restraint function".
2019
Volvo announces refurbishment of diesel vehicles to reduce fire risk
Corrective action
Volvo Cars announced that it would refurbish more than 50,000 diesel vehicles in the coming months to reduce engine fire risk. The article says the affected models were four-cylinder diesel cars manufactured between 2014 and 2019, including 54,000 cars in Germany and 86,000 in Sweden that were covered by the upgrade.
Stated objective. To reduce the risk of fire in the engine.
Company response
Remediation — Volvo Cars
Volvo Cars has announced that it will complete the refurbishment of more than 50,000 diesel vehicles in the coming months to reduce the risk of fire in the engine
Source excerpt
Models with four-cylinder diesel motors manufactured between 2014 and 2019 have been affected.
Volvo Cars has announced that it will complete the refurbishment of more than 50,000 diesel vehicles in the coming months to reduce the risk of fire in the engine, DPA reported.
According to him, the upgrade covers 54,000 cars in Germany and 86,000 in Sweden.
2010
U.S. corporate fuel-economy penalties
Volvo Cars paid approximately US$19.6 million in U.S. civil penalties for missing Corporate Average Fuel Economy targets for the 2010–2014 model years. The matter concerned regulatory fuel-economy compliance rather than allegations of intentional consumer deception.