Swedish vehicle manufacturer Volvo has long had a reputation for building some of the safest cars and SUVs on roadways around the globe. As such, you may have decided to purchase a Volvo to keep your family safe. Unfortunately, though, there is a problem with 2019 and 2020 Volvos you should not ignore.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has published a recall notice for all Volvos with 2019 and 2020 model years. The recall applies to 2019-2020 Volvo S60, V60, V60CC, S90L, V90, V90CC, XC40, XC60 and XC90 light vehicles sold in the United States. If you own one of these vehicles, you should receive a recall notice in the mail after May 1. Nonetheless, because the recall indicates a possible safety risk, you likely want to know about the potential problem with your family car.
A possible safety problem
Modern Volvos have the company’s proprietary IntelliSafe technology. The integrated software on equipped vehicles helps the driver avoid collisions by taking a variety of steps. These include maintaining following distance, applying brakes and self-parking. The recall, which affects more than 120,000 Volvos in the United States, addresses a problem with the automated braking system not engaging when the driver expects.
A simple fix
Unlike some other automotive problems, remedying the software-related braking error is a simple fix. After you take your car to a dealership or service center, a technician performs a software update. The update includes a new line of code, which orders your vehicle’s IntelliSafe system to perform correctly.
A Volvo press release indicates the software glitch has caused no deaths or injuries. While this fact is likely to give you some peace of mind, you do not want to ignore the safety recall. After all, if your vehicle does not brake accurately, you and your family may be in danger. Fortunately, complying with the recall notice is free of charge.
