Recall Alert: Volvo Cars Recall Affects Over 100,000 Vehicles
A Volvo recall involving nearly 106,900 vehicles worldwide has been issued. This Volvo safety recall relates to a possible fault in the braking software of several 2023 models. They are the C40, XC40, S60, V60, XC60, V90, and XC90.
How serious is this Volvo recall?
Braking is an important part of driving, which makes this Volvo recall something to take seriously. Drivers of affected Volvo models could experience a hard/stiff brake pedal and lose brake support functions, including the following:
- Brake-by-wire
- Antilock braking system (ABS), electronic stability control (ESC), and traction control
- Adaptive cruise control, Pilot Assist, and one-pedal drive
- All active safety and city safety functions
These issues could increase the risk of crashes. However, no collisions, injuries, or fatalities have been reported from this problem as of this writing. The dashboard display will warn the driver when these systems malfunction.
What should owners of the recalled Volvo cars do?
Owners of affected vehicles will receive notices from Volvo by March 15 regarding the fix for this recall. Volvo dealers have already been notified of the remedy — an over-the-air update to fix the software in the braking system. The repair is free of charge.
If owners have questions, they may call Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552 and reference recall number R10217. They may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153) or visit www.nhtsa.gov. The NHTSA’s campaign number for this Volvo recall is 23V188000.
Are Volvo cars reliable?
It’s important not to confuse safety and reliability. Volvo is renowned for being a safety leader, but RepairPal ranks the Swedish brand in the middle for reliability. Volvo cars rank 17th out of 32 car brands for reliability. The automaker received a 3.5 out of 5.0 score for the cost, frequency, and severity of annual maintenance and repairs:
- Cost: The average repair cost for all Volvo cars is $769, compared to $652 across all models. This makes Volvo a higher-than-average brand to repair, but many foreign luxury brands experience similar results.
- Frequency: The average number of unscheduled repairs for Volvo models is 0.5 times per year, compared to 0.4 for all models. Unfortunately, that means owners not only pay more for repairs and maintenance, but these issues also occur more frequently in Volvos than in most other brands.
- Severity: Volvo cars face severe repairs only 9% of the time, compared to 12% for all models. Of the three RepairPal metrics, this is the only one where Volvo ranks above average.
What is the top-rated Volvo model?
Despite the new Volvo car recall, the XC90 remains one of the top-rated luxury SUVs. This three-row crossover boasts an elegant interior, Scandinavian design influences, and plenty of power. And consumers wanting an eco-conscious plug-in hybrid can find it in the 455-hp XC90 Recharge.
In addition, every 2023 Volvo XC90 has an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. This SUV can tow up to 5,000 pounds while providing an excellent package of high-tech features and upscale interior materials.