Volvo Pure Electric and Plug-In Hybrid Cars

Volvo Pure Electric and Plug-in Hybrid

Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) Failure?
Propulsion System Failure?
Seizure of Regenerative Braking System?

Starting in 2019, Volvo started production on all new XC90, XC60, XC40, C40, S90, S60, V90 and V60 Recharge vehicles. These vehicles can be equipped with either a gas engine / plug-in electric hybrid configuration, or in Pure Electric configuration for the C40, XC40.

The XC40 and C40 Recharge Pure Electric comes equipped with dual (front and rear) electric permanent magnet synchronous motors for a total of 402HP/300kW power output. The advertised range on one charge is 223 miles. A fast charge from 10-80% battery capacity is possible in 37 minutes on certain chargers. If you find that your battery range, charging ability, or power is not near factory specifications, please call us to find out if your car may be a lemon.

The Recharge Plug-in Hybrid models come with a turbocharged 4-cylinder motor, with E-boost, and a combined power rating of 455hp and 523 lb. ft. of torque. Depending on the model, short trips between 19-36 miles will use the battery power, and longer trips will use a combination of battery, internal combustion engine, and regenerative braking.

Common Volvo Pure Electric / Recharge Vehicle Issues

While starting or driving your car, you may see the following warning on your dashboard:

Propulsion System Failure

This Propulsion System Warning may be accompanied by other warning indicators. The vehicle may not start after this warning comes on, or if the vehicle is already running, it may lose power. The displayed amount of battery remaining may drop rapidly, as well. Remember, the car may drive fine for a short while, and then power decreases gradually. Please pull over immediately, and contact your dealer to have the car towed in for service. This is a potentially dangerous situation. Do not wait for this problem to get worse or re-occur.

No Start

When trying to start your Plug-In Volvo, a message saying “Vehicle Start System Check, Wait” may appear on the dashboard.

Even on a full charge, some Volvo electric or hybrid owners complain that a no-start light, or a combination of other warnings and the no-start light will appear, and the car will not start or allow you to shift into D(rive). This may occur even on a full battery charge and a full tank of gas. Do not wait for the problem to get worse. Bring your car to the dealership immediately for warranty repairs.

Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) Failure

Your vehicle may be unable to start, charge, or hold a charge due to a BECM failure. Volvo owners are reporting that in conjunction with a BECM warning message on the dashboard, that the car would not start, go into gear, and the ability to lock/unlock the doors was gone. A BECM may also leave all the wheels locked even when the car is not in drive. You may not be able to engage ‘tow mode’ due to the BCM failure. You will need to have your car towed to the dealership. The car will have to be moved on rollers to the back of a flatbed tow truck. Bring your car to the dealership immediately for warranty repairs.

Seizure of Regenerative Braking System

Some Volvo owners report that the brakes may seize when parked, causing a loud clunking, grinding or popping noise when the brakes were applied while driving. It may be the pads and rotors which are known to chunk and break off, or it could be a more complicated regenerative braking issue. Your Electric Volvo uses a combination of conventional and regenerative braking systems to both stop and charge your vehicle simultaneously. These brake failures may be accompanied by a warning message on the dashboard. Do not wait for the problem to get worse. Bring your car to the dealership immediately for warranty repairs.

How to Help Yourself:

Bring your car to the dealership as soon as you notice a problem with the vehicle. Do not keep driving, to see if the problem gets better on its own. Make sure to ask that the car not be returned until the problem has been repaired.
When you get your car back from the dealership, make sure to verify that you are given a completed repair invoice, and that the repair invoice accurately reflects the actual dates, times, and work performed.
Please save all repair invoices. If you think you may be missing a repair invoice, ask for duplicates from the cashier, while at the dealership.
The number of repairs, time in the dealership, and the severity of the repairs will dictate the strength of your potential lemon law case. Be persistent (but polite) if the dealership tries to convince you that your vehicle is ‘normal’ or driving as designed, when you think there is a problem with the car.
You do not have to bring your car back to the same dealership where it was purchased. If you feel you are not getting good service, or that your home dealership is not taking your concerns seriously, please take the car to another dealership. Many times a new dealership will try and win your loyalty by being extra helpful.
Please do not leave your repair invoices or purchase contract in the car. If all of your paperwork is stored in a file in you home or office, we can evaluate the case even while the car is in the dealership.