2019 Volvo XC40

The component that failed was the Brake pedal, it was unresponsive while driving on the freeway, it was hard to push and the vehicle would not come to a complete stop. My safety along with my daughter was put at risk due to nearly colliding into several vehicles due to not being able to stop vehicle. I had to tow the vehicle to the nearest shop where it is currently. During the incident the brake light came on. The shop where the vehicle is currently is stating that it appears to have a faulty Brake Vacuum Pump.

While entering a parking spot my car suddenly accelerated and crashed into the wall in front of me in spite of my pushing my brakes 100%. The car never went into the automatic braking system before I applied the brakes, the seat belt never engaged and the air bags on the driver's side did not deploy. If I had not braced myself against the steering wheel my chest would have sustained a major injury. I am being treated for pain in my neck, arm and leg as a result of the crash. The sudden unintended acceleration has occurred in prior years of this model and after my model year as well and have been reported to NHTSA. Both my insurance and the manufacturer inspected the car. There were no warning messages or symptoms of a problem before this incident.

The vehicle has approximately 16,000 miles on it. It began to shudder in the front end when the brakes were applied at any speed. I contacted the dealer, Parkway Volvo of Wilmington, NC concerning the problem and was told that the vehicle had just gone out of warranty. On December 16, 2022, I took the vehicle to Derhams Alignment and Auto Repair, Wilmington NC to have the problem diagnosed. They found that the discs of the disc brakes on all four wheels were warped. They recommended replacement of these to repair the problem. Following this I took the car to Parkway Volvo on December 19, 2022, for a second opinion. Parkway came back with the same diagnosis and recommended that the discs be turned to straighten out the surface. I had this done at a cost of $420, and it repaired the problem. There is no reason that a vehicle with 16,000 miles should have warped discs unless it is abused, which this one has not been. I believe that the brake discs are made from inferior steel. I have been driving Volvos for over 20 years and the discs last well over 100,000 miles without an issue. I believe that Volvo is no longer using Swedish steel and instead importing the discs. The Volvo dealer made a number of excuses for the reason for the warping, one being that we have not used the car enough and/or that the electronic emergency brake warps the back discs if the car is parked to long. The car is garaged and parked on a level surface, without the emergency brake on. Also, this does not explain the front disc warping. I do not think that any of their excuses are reasonable, and I believe that Volvo should replace the discs with properly manufactured and safe ones without a charge. I am unable to find the receipt from Derhams Alignment at the moment, but would be glad to get a duplicate and submit it if you need it. Sincerely, Craig A. Wenger

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND MY BACKUP ALARM FAILED TO SOUND AS WELL AS MY BACKUP BREAKING SYSTEM. THE RESULT WAS ME BACKING UP INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OF THE SYSTEM WAS REPORTED TO THE VOLVO DEALERSHIP AND THEY DENIED THAT THE SYSTEM WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER WE RECEIVED A LETTER IN THE MAIL STATING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE AND THAT THE BACK UP SYSTEM WAS NOT ALARMING OR BREAKING CORRECTLY AND FAILED TO ALARM OR BREAK INTERMITTENTLY. VOLVO DENIED THAT THE PROBLEMS WERE RELATED, HOWEVER THE RECALL CLEARLY STATED EXACTLY THE PROBLEM I HAD REPORTED EARLIER.