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Volvo · Known Issues

2026 Volvo EX90 Problems: 6 Known Issues

2026 model year · 130+ owner reports · Updated September 2026

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Issue summary

According to Au7o's analysis of 130+ owner reports, the 2026 Volvo EX90 has 6 documented known issues, with 2 rated critical. The most serious are Onboard AC Charging Module (GHCA / Grid to High Voltage Converter A) Failure Causing Repeated Charging Faults ($0-$3,500 repair) and Sudden 'Critical Electrical Fault' With Instrument Cluster Blackout and Loss of Propulsion While Driving ($0-$2,500 repair). The most commonly reported issue is LiDAR Sensor and ADAS Calibration Issues with 130 owner reports. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

In This Article

  • EX90 Electrical5
  • EX90 Safety/Recalls1
  • Recalls3
  • FAQ
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In This Article

  • Electrical5
  • Safety/Recalls1
  • Recalls3
  • FAQ

All 6 Known Issues

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ALL YEARS202620252024

On the 2025-2026 Volvo EX90, the EX90's Grid to High Voltage Converter A (GHCA) — the onboard unit that rectifies AC from Level 1/Level 2 charging equipment into high-voltage DC for the traction pack — has failed repeatedly on early cars. Owners on the dedicated EX90 owner forum report a session that appears to initiate, then aborts within two to three minutes with a 'Charging Fault' message, after which the charging equipment loops through re-initialization. Other reports describe the car refusing to draw more than 4-16 A from a wallbox that is wired and rated for far more, a session that shows connected but sits at 0 kW or under 1 kW, and audible banging from the charging hardware during the attempt. When the module fails outright the vehicle loses AC charging capability entirely on both Level 1 and Level 2 while DC fast charging may still function. This is a hardware failure of the onboard charger, distinct from the separately documented DC fast-charge rate shortfall. Aggravating the defect, GHCA replacement parts have been backordered, and multiple owners report that a warranty-replaced module subsequently failed a second time.

Common Symptoms

  • Charging starts then stops after 2-3 minutes with a Charging Fault message
  • Charging station repeatedly re-initializes in a loop
  • Car draws only 4-16 amps from a Level 2 wallbox rated for much more
  • Session shows as connected but power stays at 0-1 kW
  • Loud banging noise from the vehicle during a charging attempt
  • Complete loss of Level 1 and Level 2 AC charging capability
  • Vehicle will not charge overnight at home

How to Fix

There is no recall covering the GHCA. Diagnosis is at an authorized Volvo dealer, which reads the charging system fault and replaces the GHCA unit under the new-vehicle limited warranty and the 8-year/100,000-mile high-voltage component warranty — so the repair should carry no owner cost. Before assuming module failure, rule out an EVSE handshake problem: some units, notably the Tesla Universal Wall Connector, have been reported by EX90 owners not to complete a session with this car, so test on a second, different Level 2 station. Expect parts delays; document every repair visit, because the repeat-failure pattern is what pushes these cars into state lemon-law territory. Out of warranty the module and labor would be a major high-voltage repair.

Typical repair cost:$0 - $3,500

Research This Issue

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Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

On the 2025-2026 Volvo EX90, owners have reported to NHTSA that the EX90 throws a 'Critical Electrical Fault' warning during normal driving, including at highway speed, accompanied by the driver display and center screen going dark. With the cluster blank the driver loses the speedometer, the state-of-charge readout and all ADAS status information at once. Reports describe the vehicle dropping propulsion and defaulting to neutral, along with degraded power brake assist and inoperative turn signals during the event. NHTSA complaint data for the 2024-2025 EX90 is concentrated in the Electrical System, Safety Systems and Fuel/Propulsion categories, with roughly 31 electrical-system complaints among about 46 total on the nameplate. This is a high-voltage/vehicle-network fault that shuts systems down mid-drive, not the incomplete-features or update-failure software behavior documented separately — the vehicle stops moving.

Common Symptoms

  • 'Critical Electrical Fault' warning appears while driving
  • Driver display and center screen go completely dark at speed
  • Loss of speedometer and all instrument readouts
  • Vehicle loses propulsion and defaults to neutral
  • Reduced or lost power brake assist
  • Turn signals inoperative during the fault
  • Vehicle shuts down unexpectedly on the highway

How to Fix

There is no recall covering this failure mode as of August 2026. Have the vehicle towed rather than driven to an authorized Volvo dealer, which must pull the stored fault history from the vehicle network — an intermittent fault that clears on a power cycle leaves no visible evidence, so insist the stored codes be read and documented rather than accepting 'no fault found.' Repairs to date have involved high-voltage system and control-module diagnosis and are covered under the new-vehicle limited warranty and the 8-year/100,000-mile high-voltage warranty. File a complaint at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem: the density of reports is what drives an NHTSA investigation and, potentially, a recall on a fault like this.

Typical repair cost:$0 - $2,500

Research This Issue

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Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026
Community reported
130 owners

On the 2024-2026 Volvo EX90, the EX90's roof-mounted Luminar LiDAR sensor and associated ADAS sensors require frequent recalibration. Sensor faults cause the advanced driver assistance features to disable unexpectedly. Environmental factors like rain, fog, or road spray can trigger false alerts or system shutdowns.

Common Symptoms

  • ADAS features suddenly unavailable
  • Pilot Assist disengages unexpectedly
  • Warning messages about sensor obstruction in clear weather
  • LiDAR error light on dashboard
  • Phantom braking events
  • Park assist refusing to function

How to Fix

Dealer recalibration of the LiDAR and sensor suite. Keep the roofline sensor clean and free of debris. Software updates from Volvo have improved sensor reliability over time.

Owner tips & cautions

  • TipKeep the LiDAR sensor on the roof clean - even a thin layer of grime can cause faults
  • WarningDo not rely solely on ADAS features - always maintain attention while driving
Typical repair cost:$0 - $800

Research This Issue

Based on 130 owner reports

GoogleRedditYouTubeNHTSA
Community Reported
Medium Confidence130 owner reportsLast reported by owners Mar 2026Reviewed Mar 2026

On the 2025-2026 Volvo EX90, the EX90 relies heavily on phone-based digital key and a key card for entry and start, and early owners report being locked out of or unable to start their car. Failure paths documented by owners include the digital key on an iPhone silently ceasing to be recognized after months of working normally — traced in at least one case to the car having quietly disconnected from the owner's Volvo ID account — plus Bluetooth/UWB signal interference defeating the approach-unlock, and long system wake times after the vehicle has been parked for an extended period. Because the EX90 has flush door handles and no conventional key barrel workflow, a key failure is a genuine immobilization rather than an inconvenience. The problem drew enough attention that one Canadian owner published a site documenting the access failures on his car, and Volvo has publicly discussed dropping key-card-based entry and drive because of the reception it has had.

Common Symptoms

  • Car does not unlock on approach with phone digital key
  • Digital key stops being recognized after previously working
  • Key card not read by the driver door handle reader
  • Long delay before the car wakes and responds to a key
  • Unable to start the vehicle despite key present
  • Owner locked out of the vehicle

How to Fix

No recall. Recovery steps in order: touch the underside of the door handle to force a wake, then present the key card directly to the reader in the driver's door handle. If the digital key has stopped being recognized, check the Volvo Cars app to confirm the vehicle is still linked to your Volvo ID and re-link it — this restores the key without a dealer visit in many cases. Restarting the phone and cycling Bluetooth off and on also clears interference-related failures. Persistent or repeat failures need a dealer, which can re-provision the keys and update the relevant control modules under warranty. Always carry the physical key card as a backup and do not rely solely on the phone.

Typical repair cost:$0 - $400

Research This Issue

GoogleRedditYouTubeNHTSA
Community Reported
Medium ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

On the 2025-2026 Volvo EX90, the EX90's EPA combined rating of up to 310 miles is not achievable in the conditions most owners of a three-row SUV actually drive. In an independent steady-state highway test at 75 mph, an EX90 returned roughly 255 miles, and about 247 miles once charging and energy losses were counted — a shortfall of roughly 20 percent against the sticker. Cold weather compounds it: an owner in Vermont reports dropping from about 310 summer miles to roughly 260 miles near 20°F and about 215 miles at -10°F. The causes are structural rather than defective — a heavy two-and-a-half-ton body, a large frontal area, and large-diameter wheels — which is precisely why it will not be fixed by a software update, and why it is a planning problem rather than a warranty claim. It is distinct from the separately documented DC fast-charge rate shortfall: this is energy consumed per mile, not power accepted at the plug.

Common Symptoms

  • Real-world highway range around 250 miles versus the 310-mile EPA rating
  • Range drops to roughly 215 miles in sub-zero temperatures
  • Indicated range falls faster than miles driven at highway speed
  • More charging stops needed on a road trip than the rating implies
  • Noticeably worse efficiency on larger wheel and tire packages

How to Fix

There is no repair and no recall; this is a real-world characteristic of the vehicle, not a fault, so a dealer will find nothing wrong. Plan road trips against roughly 250 highway miles in mild weather and roughly 215 miles in hard cold rather than the 310-mile figure, and treat the gap as your charging-stop interval. Owners can meaningfully close part of it: specifying the smaller wheel and tire package instead of the largest available, preconditioning the cabin while still plugged in so the pack does not pay for the initial heat-up, using the heat pump and seat heaters rather than maximum cabin heat, and reducing steady highway speed from 75 to 70 mph all recover measurable range. Verify against the vehicle's own consumption readout across a full charge cycle before making a long-distance plan.

Typical repair cost:$0 - $0

Research This Issue

GoogleRedditYouTubeNHTSA
Community Reported
Low ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026

On the 2025-2026 Volvo EX90, the EX90's roof-mounted Luminar lidar emits a 1550 nm infrared laser. That wavelength is chosen because it is comparatively safe for the human eye, but it is not safe for silicon CMOS and CCD image sensors: pointing a phone or action camera at the lidar module from close range can burn the sensor, leaving permanent hot pixels, bright spots and horizontal line artifacts in every photo and video the device takes afterwards. Telephoto modules are the most vulnerable because their narrower aperture and focused optical path concentrate the beam. The problem became widely known after a viral video showed a phone camera permanently marked after a short clip of an EX90, and it is not a rumor: Volvo acknowledges the hazard in the EX90's own owner's manual, which states that lidar light waves can damage external cameras and that a camera must not be pointed directly at the lidar. This affects owners photographing their own car, dashcams and aftermarket cameras mounted near other vehicles, and anyone filming an EX90 at close range.

Common Symptoms

  • Permanent bright spots or dead pixels in phone photos after filming the vehicle
  • Horizontal line artifacts across every image the camera takes
  • Damage isolated to the telephoto lens on a multi-camera phone
  • Dashcam or action camera image degraded after close exposure to the roof sensor

How to Fix

There is no recall and no repair — a burned image sensor is permanent and is not covered by the phone manufacturer's warranty or by Volvo. Prevention is the only remedy: do not photograph or film the roof lidar module at close range, keep any dashcam or aftermarket camera out of the lidar's near field, and use a lens filter or protective cover if close-range shots around the sensor are unavoidable. Distant shots of the vehicle are not the reported risk; close-ups are. Owners should also brief anyone detailing, photographing for resale, or filming the vehicle, since the damage lands on the camera rather than the car and is easy to cause unknowingly.

Typical repair cost:$0 - $0

Research This Issue

GoogleRedditYouTubeNHTSA
Community Reported
High ConfidenceVerifiedReviewed Aug 2026
NHTSA Recalls3 recalls

SEATS:CRITICAL FASTENERS

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2025 EX90 vehicles. The bolts for the second-row free-standing seat may not be tightened properly.

Campaign #24V86900019/11/2024

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2025 EX90 vehicles. Due to a software error in the low power controller (LPC), the headlight shutters may close over the high and low beams while driving.

Campaign #25V07100007/02/2025

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:SUPPORT DEVICE/STRUT

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2025 EX90 vehicles. A spindle nut may detach from the Power Operated Tailgate (POT) drive units, causing the tailgate to suddenly drop.

Campaign #25V65400030/09/2025

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Volvo EX90 problems?

According to Au7o's analysis of 130+ owner reports, the 2026 Volvo EX90 has 6 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Onboard AC Charging Module (GHCA / Grid to High Voltage Converter A) Failure Causing Repeated Charging Faults, Sudden 'Critical Electrical Fault' With Instrument Cluster Blackout and Loss of Propulsion While Driving, LiDAR Sensor and ADAS Calibration Issues. Of these, 2 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Volvo EX90 reliable?

The 2026 Volvo EX90 has 6 known issues documented across 130+ owner reports. 2 issues are rated critical: Onboard AC Charging Module (GHCA / Grid to High Voltage Converter A) Failure Causing Repeated Charging Faults and Sudden 'Critical Electrical Fault' With Instrument Cluster Blackout and Loss of Propulsion While Driving. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Volvo EX90 problems?

Repair costs for known Volvo EX90 issues range from $0 to $3,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Onboard AC Charging Module (GHCA / Grid to High Voltage Converter A) Failure Causing Repeated Charging Faults, typically costs $0-$3,500 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 2025-2026 Volvo EX90 Onboard AC Charging Module (GHCA / Grid to High Voltage Converter A) Failure Causing Repeated Charging Faults?

The EX90's Grid to High Voltage Converter A (GHCA) — the onboard unit that rectifies AC from Level 1/Level 2 charging equipment into high-voltage DC for the traction pack — has failed repeatedly on early cars. Owners on the dedicated EX90 owner forum report a session that appears… Repairs typically run $0-$3,500. Severity: high.

What is the 2025-2026 Volvo EX90 Sudden 'Critical Electrical Fault' With Instrument Cluster Blackout and Loss of Propulsion While Driving?

Content on this page was compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, owner reports, and public automotive data. While we strive for accuracy, this information may contain errors. Always verify repair procedures and specifications with your vehicle's service manual or a qualified mechanic.

Data sourced from 130+ owner reports, NHTSA recalls, TSBs, and automotive forums.

Owners have reported to NHTSA that the EX90 throws a 'Critical Electrical Fault' warning during normal driving, including at highway speed, accompanied by the driver display and center screen going dark. With the cluster blank the driver loses the speedometer, the state-of-charge… Repairs typically run $0-$2,500. Severity: high.

What is the 2024-2026 Volvo EX90 LiDAR Sensor and ADAS Calibration Issues?

The EX90's roof-mounted Luminar LiDAR sensor and associated ADAS sensors require frequent recalibration. Sensor faults cause the advanced driver assistance features to disable unexpectedly. Environmental factors like rain, fog, or road spray can trigger false alerts or system shu… Repairs typically run $0-$800. Severity: medium.

What is the 2025-2026 Volvo EX90 Digital Key and Key Card Fail to Unlock or Start the Vehicle, Leaving Owners Locked Out?

The EX90 relies heavily on phone-based digital key and a key card for entry and start, and early owners report being locked out of or unable to start their car. Failure paths documented by owners include the digital key on an iPhone silently ceasing to be recognized after months… Repairs typically run $0-$400. Severity: medium.

What is the 2025-2026 Volvo EX90 Roof-Mounted 1550 nm Luminar Lidar Permanently Damages Smartphone and External Camera Sensors?

The EX90's roof-mounted Luminar lidar emits a 1550 nm infrared laser. That wavelength is chosen because it is comparatively safe for the human eye, but it is not safe for silicon CMOS and CCD image sensors: pointing a phone or action camera at the lidar module from close range ca… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.

What is the 2025-2026 Volvo EX90 Highway and Cold-Weather Range Falls Well Short of the 310-Mile EPA Rating?

The EX90's EPA combined rating of up to 310 miles is not achievable in the conditions most owners of a three-row SUV actually drive. In an independent steady-state highway test at 75 mph, an EX90 returned roughly 255 miles, and about 247 miles once charging and energy losses were… Repairs typically run $0-$0. Severity: medium.