A critical software flaw in certain Volvo electric and hybrid vehicles could lead to a complete loss of braking capability, prompting an urgent safety warning from federal regulators. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is urging owners of affected models to immediately install a crucial over-the-air (OTA) software update to prevent potential brake failure.
The safety issue has already been linked to at least one serious incident, which was captured on video. Volvo has advised owners of the recalled vehicles to stop driving them and to disable specific regenerative braking features until the necessary software update is completed. This defect poses a significant risk, particularly when a vehicle is traveling downhill.
Key Highlights
- A software defect can cause a total loss of braking ability in select 2020-2026 Volvo battery-electric and plug-in hybrid models.
- The issue occurs when coasting downhill for approximately 1 minute and 40 seconds or more while using regenerative braking modes.
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent warning for owners to complete the free over-the-air recall repair.
- Volvo has identified the problem in recall 25V-392, affecting 11,469 vehicles. Thousands of these vehicles still require the update.
- Owners are strongly advised to turn off “B” mode in plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) or one-pedal driving in battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) until the software is updated.
Details of the Safety Defect
The critical flaw originates from a previous over-the-air recall (25V-282) that was intended to fix a rearview camera failure. The software remedy for the camera issue inadvertently created a new, more dangerous problem within the vehicle’s braking system.
Under specific conditions—coasting downhill for an extended period with no pedal application while in a regenerative braking mode—the vehicle may lose all braking capabilities. Pressing the brake pedal after this sequence of events may not restore brake function.
Affected Vehicle Models
An estimated 11,469 vehicles are impacted by this recall. The models include:
- 2023 Volvo C40 BEV
- 2025 EC40 BEV
- 2025-2026 EX40 PHEV
- 2023-2025 S60 PHEV
- 2025 S90 PHEV
- 2024-2025 V60 PHEV
- 2023-2024 XC40 BEV
- 2022-2026 XC60 PHEV
- 2020-2026 XC90 PHEV
Immediate Steps for Owners
NHTSA and Volvo advise owners of the affected vehicles to take immediate action to ensure their safety. If your vehicle’s information center indicates that the software update is ready to install, you should download the over-the-air recall remedy promptly.
Until the repair is completed, do not use the regenerative braking features. This means turning off “B” mode in PHEV models and one-pedal driving in BEV models. For any questions or to schedule a service appointment at a dealership, owners can call Volvo’s Customer Care Center at 800-458-1552.
How to Check for Recalls
Vehicle owners can verify if their car is affected by this or any other open safety recall through several methods:
- Use NHTSA’s Recalls Lookup Tool by entering the vehicle’s license plate number or 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
- Download the SaferCar app, which automatically checks for and provides notifications about recalls.
- Sign up for email alerts for future recalls at NHTSA.gov/Alerts.
If a vehicle is confirmed to have an open recall, the owner should contact their local dealership to schedule the free repair.
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