2025 Volvo EX90

Failure of the onboard AC charging component, known as the Grid to High Voltage Converter A (GHCA) or onboard charger module. This vehicle would not charge on AC current, but could only be charged on DC current. This is a safety issue, as you may get stranded without access to a DC capable charger, since AC is the primary source for a majority of EV owners. Problem has been confirmed by the dealer. Volvo seems to be aware of the issue, as this is a common failure point according to other Volvo EX90 owners. Warnings that occur is a red illuminated light near the charge port when it is unable to accept a AC charge due to failure.

While driving the car on a state road (45 mph) the car suddenly notified me of an "electrical fault", a light that looks like a turtle came on, and the vehicle lost power and couldn't go any faster than 5 mph. Another vehicle almost rear-ended me around a blind curve because I was moving significantly slower than normal traffic. I pulled into a parking lot, shutdown and restarted the car and everything seemed fine. It happened again a few minutes later so we started to head back home. But the real issue happened a minute or so after the second fault - the fault cleared itself and all of a sudden the vehicle's speed shot up to over 60 mph with very little throttle response or control from me. I slowed the car down using the brakes and continued home. The fault happened again, and cleared itself again in the same manner but this time while I was turning causing me to almost hit a curb while trying to turn. The car is dangerous. These should be taken off the road permanently.

I am submitting this complaint because I believe my Volvo electric vehicle has a serious and recurring safety-related defect that has not been permanently repaired despite multiple repair attempts. Since purchasing the vehicle new, it has repeatedly failed to operate as intended, left me stranded multiple times, and continues to display warning messages while driving. I purchased the vehicle new on November 20, 2025, for approximately $85,000 with zero miles. The first failure occurred on December 4, 2025, at approximately 578 miles when the vehicle stopped charging. Volvo attempted repairs, but the same charging defect returned. The vehicle required additional repairs on January 21, 2026 (1,304 miles), early March 2026 (2,846 miles), and April 27, 2026 (3,810 miles). Despite multiple repairs and component replacements, the same issue continued. By the fourth repair, the vehicle had been out of service approximately 80 days. Volvo later approved a manufacturer repurchase; however, while waiting for the repurchase process, the vehicle developed additional failures where it would completely lose power and become inoperable. The vehicle required towing on multiple occasions, leaving me stranded and without transportation. During a later repair visit, Volvo kept the vehicle for approximately 39 days and stated they could not duplicate the problem and that the vehicle was operating as designed. The day after receiving the vehicle back, the same failure occurred again. The vehicle has now required seven repair attempts. Even after the latest repair, I continue to receive dashboard warnings while driving instructing me to stop the vehicle. Due to the repeated failures, loss of vehicle operation, and unresolved warnings, I have lost confidence in the safety and reliability of this vehicle and have changed my driving habits to avoid being stranded. I believe these recurring failures represent a potential safety defect that warrants investigation by NHTSA.

The vehicle has experienced repeated intermittent electrical-system-related failures since the start of the lease, which have remained unresolved despite eight months of formal engagement with Volvo and multiple service and software-related repair attempts by Volvo. Most recently, on May 15, 2026, while operating the vehicle in approximately 90°F Arizona temperatures, the vehicle displayed a “Limited Performance / Electrical System Temporarily Limited” warning message. Shortly afterward, the driver was temporarily unable to re-enter the vehicle, despite the exterior door handles deploying normally. Vehicle access was restored only after several minutes. The side view mirrors would not open. Driving for two minutes did not resolve this. After ten minutes of remaining parked the mirrors reconnected. This latest incident follows prior issues including: •Loss of charging capability during a long distance trip (which forced us to drive 50MPH on a 75MPH highway, putting our car and other drivers at risk.) •Multiple incidents involving loss of instrument displays while driving •Intermittent vehicle access and lock-related issues •Unexpected seatbelt tensioning while the vehicle was in motion Volvo previously indicated that software updates and related service efforts should address the issues. However, after the updates the vehicle continues to exhibit intermittent electrical-system-related problems affecting reliability and normal operation.

My car will not charge at my home power charger or any L1 or L2 AC based power system. It will only charge at higher price fast DC chargers which are limited and not at my house. This is apparently a commonly known flaw with this vehicle that has not been addressed and I am now waiting more than 20 days for a replacement part to be ready.

The GHCA failed while AC charging at home, and the vehicle made loud banging noises. AC charging is no longer possible, and a replacement part is still backordered with no ETA over three months later. A corporate case has been filed with Volvo and they are effectively unresponsive, only emailing me once a few weeks after the case was created, saying that they would promptly reply to any of my responses, but have not replied for almost a month after my immediate response.

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.