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- A driver of an XC90 involved in the recall encountered brake failure and captured the incident on video.
- The issue entails a loss of braking effectiveness when utilizing one-pedal driving or B-mode settings.
- Volvo's warranty covered the repairs and addressed all damage caused by this particular accident.
Brake failure isn't typically something most drivers anticipate, particularly in a brand-new car. However, a recent event featuring a Volvo has brought this issue into focus.plug-in hybridpointed out a significant software defect that was severe enough to trigger a recall impacting almost 12,000 vehicles. Volvo had already detected the issue, but it gained dramatic attention following a concerning event on a mountain road in California, after which the driver contactedTech Bytes Labto provide the details directly.
The proprietor, a resident of California whom we will call Max to protect his privacy, furnished his complete name and supporting documents toTech Bytes LabHe reported a total failure of the brakes, leading to a crash as he was driving down a steep mountain road in his two-month-oldVolvo XC90Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle. What made things even more concerning was the fact that he had just gotten a software update from his local dealership.
It turns out that Max's car is among thousands impacted by a recent recall advising drivers to avoid using one-pedal driving or B-mode. The recall applies to the S60, V60, and S90 models.XC60This same driver provided us with a firsthand account of how alarming the failure can be for the XC90, XC40, EX40, EC40, and C40 models from the 2020 through 2026 model years.
A Recognized Issue with a Highly Specific Cause
The problem took place on May 13 and concerned a Volvo XC90 Recharge operating on software version 3.5.14. We’ll return to that in a moment, but it’s worth noting upfront that 3.5.14 is the same version thatVolvo warned drivers a few weeks agoThe issue involved a reduction in braking effectiveness when the driver activated B-mode or one-pedal driving.
At that time, it was specifically stated that the problem only occurred after "coasting downhill for a minimum of 1 minute and 40 seconds." That detail seemed unusually precise, and we noted then that such a scenario would likely be uncommon for most drivers. However, it turns out that it wasn't uncommon enough to prevent a recall—and now we understand why: at least one driver encountered the issue directly and provided us with documentation as proof.
The Harrowing Experience
As the driver made their way down a mountainside along Corona Road in Carmel Highlands,CaliforniaThey utilized B-mode. The road is narrow, with a steep drop-off running along the passenger side of the vehicle for the entire descent. A dashcam and an onboard data recorder recorded information throughout the entire incident.
Here’s how the driver recounted the incident toTech Bytes LabThe brakes on my two-month-old XC90 completely stopped working. This happened just a few hours after I received the software update version 3.5.14 from an authorized Volvo dealership. I was driving down a steep and narrow mountain road and had to steer off the road and into the side of a hill to prevent going over a cliff.
Approximately 1 minute and 40 seconds into the descent, the vehicle starts accelerating despite no throttle being applied. According to data from the onboard recorder, the service brake is engaged, yet the car keeps gaining speed. At this point, the driver's intention was merely to prevent further acceleration, so they steered onto the hill on the left side.
Dirt flies into the air as the car sways, then settles back onto the road. Fortunately, the brakes kick in once more, bringing the vehicle to a halt, but by then the harm is already done. Several airbags have deployed, and the front driver’s side wheel, tire, and suspension sustained damage, leaving the passengers rattled. The force of the impact was so strong that the wheel shattered into fragments. There was also damage to the undercarriage.
Max later enlisted a forensic accident reconstruction engineer to examine the onboard data and video footage. What did they find? “The Pre-Crash data supports [the driver’s] account that the vehicle's brakes were not working while descending the hill. The speed rises during the five seconds before impact; there is no use of the throttle, yet the service brake is applied continuously throughout, without any reduction in speed.”
Volvo Responds, Yet Questions Persist
After examining the results, we reached out to Volvo for a response. The company provided the following statement:
“Safety is our utmost concern for”VolvoVehicles are involved, and we are handling this event with the utmost seriousness.
A recent recall has been announced for specific plug-in hybrid and fully electric Volvo models to address a potential issue with braking performance. This concern could arise after the vehicle coasts downhill in ‘B’ mode or One Pedal Drive for at least 1 minute and 30 seconds without using the brake pedal. Analysis of the onboard data from this customer’s car shows that these conditions were met during the incident. We are actively collaborating with the customer to resolve the matter.
We released a software update to address this problem in early June. We encourage all affected vehicle owners to download the most recent over-the-air update or visit their closest authorized Volvo Cars dealership to resolve the issue. Until the corrective software is installed, drivers should avoid selecting ‘B’ mode or using One Pedal Drive while operating the vehicle.
Following a June 27 inspection, Volvo informed the owner that it had finished repairs and applied the most recent software update. The company confirmed the repairs would be covered by warranty. However, Max remained dissatisfied with the company's reply. “We nearly lost our lives and they don’t even apologize,” he remarked, describing their response as “weak.”
Unanswered Questions
Volvo has been actively involved with Tech Bytes Lab throughout our inquiry, yet several questions remain unresolved. For instance, we are still awaiting an official timeline report from them.NHTSAto comprehend how the company learned about this problem.
We still aren't entirely sure what aspect of software version 3.5.14 causes the malfunction to occur. Additionally, it's worth noting that Volvo initially reported the failure could happen after one minute and forty seconds of coasting downhill. That time frame has now been updated to one minute and thirty seconds—a minor yet intriguing adjustment that raises further uncertainties.
At this time, owners affected by the recall must remain highly vigilant. They should either confirm that their software has been updated past version 3.5.14 or avoid using one-pedal driving or B-mode. Doing so could prevent damage to their vehicles and, more critically, protect their lives—something that is of utmost importance to everyone involved.
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