Volvo XC40 Recharge - typical Volvo Unreliable?

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I have a thread of multiple emails since the car was purchased. I'd have to go count them. I've also spoken to them multiple times on the phone.
The car is sitting at Gunther Delray... tomorrow will be day 3. They have re-loaded the software, reset the console and still can't get my car to hook up to Volvo. I am unable to get the charging, metrics or any of the things you expect when you buy a Volvo. I had a gas XC40 with no issues.

This car drives wonderful, but I don't have access to Volvo and my console has had to be reset because I lost Maps. The air conditioner didn't work initially but they claimed it was a software thing.. and they fixed it. I am reading, however, that if you have a heat pump it will break again. Very concerned.

Volvo indicated they may have to buy my car back.. which is sad because this is a software issue. If they cannot fix it and this goes on, I'll file a complaint with Lemon Law in Florida. I saw there is an attorney in New Jersey that I contacted today that does class actions against Volvo.. I told him the issue and said there were others. It's still premature for me.. I've had the car 1 month. If they cannot fix it, they will have to remedy it.

So far I don't have as many issues as you do.. but I am paying close attention.. if I ever get my car back out of service. I suspect that I may have a similar problem.

Do you have a heat pump in your car?
 
Lynn K Read said:
I have a thread of multiple emails since the car was purchased. I'd have to go count them. I've also spoken to them multiple times on the phone.
The car is sitting at Gunther Delray... tomorrow will be day 3. They have re-loaded the software, reset the console and still can't get my car to hook up to Volvo. I am unable to get the charging, metrics or any of the things you expect when you buy a Volvo. I had a gas XC40 with no issues.

This car drives wonderful, but I don't have access to Volvo and my console has had to be reset because I lost Maps. The air conditioner didn't work initially but they claimed it was a software thing.. and they fixed it. I am reading, however, that if you have a heat pump it will break again. Very concerned.

Volvo indicated they may have to buy my car back.. which is sad because this is a software issue. If they cannot fix it and this goes on, I'll file a complaint with Lemon Law in Florida. I saw there is an attorney in New Jersey that I contacted today that does class actions against Volvo.. I told him the issue and said there were others. It's still premature for me.. I've had the car 1 month. If they cannot fix it, they will have to remedy it.

So far I don't have as many issues as you do.. but I am paying close attention.. if I ever get my car back out of service. I suspect that I may have a similar problem.

Do you have a heat pump in your car?
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It's IHU problem and SW won't fix this issue. Issue with AC compressor, my dealer replaced IHU but frequency of issue reduced but still happening. And AC issue(s) continue happen- dealer indicating that Volvo is aware of this issue and sounds like problem is required part is out of stock for repair and they are dragging the feet. Yes my Volvo XC40 Recharge have heat pump, and I do feel like issue is related to earlier recall issue such that issue was not fully addressed, only fix the lose of power to car. Other issue still happening.
 
John Kim said:
How’s other Volvo XC40 Recharge? My XC40 Recharge been just terrible, less than 700 miles not even have plate on it.
At ~80 miles infotainment system got stuck in reloading screen and got reset to factory default and lost driver side navigation view.
At~120 miles stuck in “Gust profile” and requires full reload of Software- dealer couldn’t even fix this repairs without help from Volvo USA.
At ~580 miles AC stopped working.
At~640 miles, looks like June update happen to car and YouTube music and few other apps stop working.
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We leased an XC40 Recharge in April. Many problems since then. The worst was that the car was completely dead one evening after 2 months, fortunately I was able to reach Volvo by phone, and they helped to start the car by locating where to place the key. The next day drove it to Volvo dealer, for 2 days they had no idea how to service, fortunately Volvo walked them through it. After over 4 months, the most annoying problems are: (1) our phones do not connect, despite that we have the current software updates, (2) sometimes Google navigation is "offline", (3) cannot connect to Google Play, (4) the car mistakenly detects certain motion that causes the car to suddenly stop, when in fact there is no such motion nearby, (5) inability to set a timer to charge when the rates are lowest. Anyway, I'm sure there are more problems. Volvo gets a 1 out of 10 in their first attempt at an EV. Our other car is a Tesla and we have had no issues in 3 years of ownership.
 
My XC40 Recharge has not been as bad as yours, but still a bit problematic. My P8 has had more done to it and in the shop longer for warranty issues than all my 2 dozen cars over 20 years have been. I have consulted 2 lemon law attorneys to make sure I am documenting well and getting their advice on how to proceed. My car has been out of service 17 days and still counting with no ETA for a permanent fix. At 30 days I have every intent of asking them to buy it back. Such a shame as for a while we thought we would get a second one. I have had IHU replaced, which fixed those issues, but brakes have seized twice now and they already replaced pads/rotors after first replacement.

I should have known better as Volvo reliability is a mess overall, but the XC40 has been a standout for being decent.
 
Hdtvkeith said:
My XC40 Recharge has not been as bad as yours, but still a bit problematic. My P8 has had more done to it and in the shop longer for warranty issues than all my 2 dozen cars over 20 years have been. I have consulted 2 lemon law attorneys to make sure I am documenting well and getting their advice on how to proceed. My car has been out of service 17 days and still counting with no ETA for a permanent fix. At 30 days I have every intent of asking them to buy it back. Such a shame as for a while we thought we would get a second one. I have had IHU replaced, which fixed those issues, but brakes have seized twice now and they already replaced pads/rotors after first replacement.

I should have known better as Volvo reliability is a mess overall, but the XC40 has been a standout for being decent.
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I am done with this XC40 Recharge. I just want this junk off from my life. I trade in to another car at loss, I know I could have pursued the Lemon law, too much anguish on my end to keep this garbage. To my surprise, with chip shortage and used car market is way they are now, resale value was pretty high- still my loss. With Federal tax credit, I am pretty much even out.
 
John Kim said:
I am done with this XC40 Recharge. I just want this junk off from my life. I trade in to another car at loss, I know I could have pursued the Lemon law, too much anguish on my end to keep this garbage. To my surprise, with chip shortage and used car market is way they are now, resale value was pretty high- still my loss. With Federal tax credit, I am pretty much even out.
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Lemon law is not that hard. Keep good records and don't accept the car back until an item is fixed, make them engage Volvo and you should engage Volvo to work with the dealer. I am at 23 days out of service, at 30 days or 3 attempts you can have a lawyer do all the work. They don't charge you, they charge the car company. Many states after 3 attempts at same issue will make you send a demand letter giving them a final attempt. Most lawyers that do lemon law will review your case and let you know where you stand.
 
Hdtvkeith said:
Lemon law is not that hard. Keep good records and don't accept the car back until an item is fixed, make them engage Volvo and you should engage Volvo to work with the dealer. I am at 23 days out of service, at 30 days or 3 attempts you can have a lawyer do all the work. They don't charge you, they charge the car company. Many states after 3 attempts at same issue will make you send a demand letter giving them a final attempt. Most lawyers that do lemon law will review your case and let you know where you stand.
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My XC40 was in repair for 22 days in last 3 months and 5 attempts to fix the issue, I could have pursued the lemon law. But, I am too angry about whole situation to keep this car. End of the day, what's the price of mental health, I am just happy that I will break even after federal tax deduction. I finally slept well last night after trade-in XC40 with other car.
 
John Kim said:
My XC40 was in repair for 22 days in last 3 months and 5 attempts to fix the issue, I could have pursued the lemon law. But, I am too angry about whole situation to keep this car. End of the day, what's the price of mental health, I am just happy that I will break even after federal tax deduction. I finally slept well last night after trade-in XC40 with other car.
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You may want to research the tax credit, the tax form states "you own the car" and I have been trying to get clarity on what that means, I owned it then but may not own it when I file. What did you trade it for? Another EV? I am determined to stay EV and the issue now is all of the current EVs are bug riddled, including the mighty Tesla.
 
Hdtvkeith said:
You may want to research the tax credit, the tax form states "you own the car" and I have been trying to get clarity on what that means, I owned it then but may not own it when I file. What did you trade it for? Another EV? I am determined to stay EV and the issue now is all of the current EVs are bug riddled, including the mighty Tesla.
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I brought gas only car, I am done with EV for now. And by IRS definition, all it means that did you purchase the EV ( doesn't matter car is loan or not). Leasing the car doesn't get tax deduction, this is my 3rd EVs ( Nissan Leaf, Tesla Model 3, and Volvo XC40 Recharge), I am pretty sure about IRS rule on tax deduction is same and hasn't changed.
 
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Hdtvkeith said:
Lemon law is not that hard. Keep good records and don't accept the car back until an item is fixed, make them engage Volvo and you should engage Volvo to work with the dealer. I am at 23 days out of service, at 30 days or 3 attempts you can have a lawyer do all the work. They don't charge you, they charge the car company. Many states after 3 attempts at same issue will make you send a demand letter giving them a final attempt. Most lawyers that do lemon law will review your case and let you know where you stand.
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I started a Lemon law claim against Volvo USA after I sold the XC40 at loss, and I won! I got my settlement check from Volvo!
 
Joe P said:
...After over 4 months, the most annoying problems are: (1) our phones do not connect, despite that we have the current software updates, (2) sometimes Google navigation is "offline", (3) cannot connect to Google Play, (4) the car mistakenly detects certain motion that causes the car to suddenly stop, when in fact there is no such motion nearby, (5) inability to set a timer to charge when the rates are lowest. Anyway, I'm sure there are more problems. Volvo gets a 1 out of 10 in their first attempt at an EV...
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Our XC40 is a lease as well and it's great to drive, but with some considerable problems as you have noted above.

  1. My wife's phone sometimes doesn't connect to the Bluetooth, but so far it has worked most of the time. A minor annoyance.
  2. Google stinks!!! I should have known after suffering with a Google TV a few years ago. I would much prefer the standard interface Volvo has on their ICE cars - including the regular XC40's they have loaned me.
  3. I don't even try anymore.
  4. This is the worst! Backing out of our own driveway, the REB activates a lot, especially when another car passed by and is already well clear. It's very jarring and scares us each time. It really feels like we have hit something!
  5. We use a ChargePoint home charger and I think Volvo has a timer now, but I don't use it.
  6. The Volvo app is terrible and much worse than the one for its ICE cars.
  7. Our bigger problems are with my new C40 right now. If it keeps up, I may demand they buy it back.
 
It’s sounds like the vast majority of the issues are software based. Have any resolved since the vehicle launched? Any hope for that spring update to fix them?

We’ve got many months until delivery, just realizing now there are some pretty unhappy owners out there. I’d assume with three practically identical vehicles they’d be able to sort this out.
 
Falcon73 said:
Our bigger problems are with my new C40 right now. If it keeps up, I may demand they buy it back.
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What problems do you have with your C40?
[Edit: never mind... I see your posts on Volvo Forums on this topic...]
 
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carrrl said:
It’s sounds like the vast majority of the issues are software based. Have any resolved since the vehicle launched? Any hope for that spring update to fix them?

We’ve got many months until delivery, just realizing now there are some pretty unhappy owners out there. I’d assume with three practically identical vehicles they’d be able to sort this out.
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AC issue and IHU issue are not Software only issues. Volvo dealer pointed out AC issue(s) compressor may take 6-8 months to fix. Get something else, I picked up Audi E-Tron last month after selling XC 40 Recharge, I am very happy with the 2022 Audi E Tron.
 
John Kim said:
AC issue and IHU issue are not Software only issues. Volvo dealer pointed out AC issue(s) compressor may take 6-8 months to fix. Get something else, I picked up Audi E-Tron last month after selling XC 40 Recharge, I am very happy with the 2022 Audi E Tron.
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Thanks for the response, sounds like you had a bad go of it, a real lemon. Full fat e-tron isn't really in the same class - significantly larger, more expensive, has that "expensive and we all know it" look. Two of which are deal breakers. Q4 e-tron is more inline with XC40, but probably a year out from US delivery.

On more active forums I don't see the complete disasters a few have demonstrated here. There are some who aren't impacted or bothered by various issues. Some of which aren't as rare as you'd think. For example I have a MINI SE where oddly enough some have been delivered with bad compressors. Most are fine, but people get it fixed and move on.
 
carrrl said:
Thanks for the response, sounds like you had a bad go of it, a real lemon. Full fat e-tron isn't really in the same class - significantly larger, more expensive, has that "expensive and we all know it" look. Two of which are deal breakers. Q4 e-tron is more inline with XC40, but probably a year out from US delivery.

On more active forums I don't see the complete disasters a few have demonstrated here. There are some who aren't impacted or bothered by various issues. Some of which aren't as rare as you'd think. For example I have a MINI SE where oddly enough some have been delivered with bad compressors. Most are fine, but people get it fixed and move on.
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Few time, my old XC40 Recharge reboot in middle driving in freeway going ~60 MPH, I was able to pull over safely but when this happens to you know XC40 Recharge a complete disaster. And earlier recall involving losing entire power to XC40 Recharge. Beside no one seems to point out that XC40 Recharge is really uncomfortable - car seat and suspension is too stiff, and you feel every bump on the road.
 
John Kim said:
Few time, my old XC40 Recharge reboot in middle driving in freeway going ~60 MPH
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We had no comfort, feature, or quality complaints on the test drive. I guess it depends on what you are used to or looking for. Coming from admittedly harsher cheaper rides, the XC40 is an improvement. Losing power at speed is highly problematic though. I will dig some more into that to see how common it is. Certainly sounds like a second recall is needed if it wasn't already issued.
 
carrrl said:
Are the C40 problems similar to the XC40 problems you had?
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So far, no mind-jarring REB activations *knock on wood*

The app is a bit worse with the C40 as it doesn't even show the SOC.

I wish it had a roof shade as well, but I put up a solar panel as a test. A 50W panel gets about 0.6W at best so far, but it's not summer yet.

Similar, yes, but better and some new problems. The GPS also went out last weekend, which was baffling. A reset didn't work, but it started working again 2 days later.
 
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