Volvo XC60 - At the point of rejection. What else can I do?
Discussion
In January this year I picked up a 2022 model year XC60 Plug in hybrid from a Volvo dealer with 1700 miles on. It was (and still is) immaculate and lovely thing to look at and drive… however…..
It was the first of the Volvo models to move to the Google operating system and it’s got more bugs than the Amazon rain forest. Volvo dealers and the head office have been beyond useless, my favourite sentence being that nobody in Volvo knows what’s coming up in future software releases or when they are coming, so I read them the upcoming release that’s on their own website….
To cut a long story short, the car randomly doesn’t charge fully. The auto handbrake randomly doesn’t come on when you turn the car off, the heating is full hot or full cold, you lose all maps, locked out the car, trip computer may or may not reset, the screen freezes, shows the speed limit as 80 in a 30. The list goes on. Then you have basics like no dipping mirror in reverse, can’t plug in music on any media, cant shut any windows after ignition is off etc. nothing earth shattering, but basics that Renault and Vauxhall can get right, and the rest of the Volvo range. Just not the XC60 with Google.
The car has spent weeks at the dealer. Had all the updates, and I’m now being told the handbrake is a ‘feature’ and everything else is software related quirks with no date for rectification. The dealer has said I can reject the car, but I don’t really want to, I just want the bloody thing fixed. I’ve exhausted the complaints procedure, what else can I do to try and get things sorted?
It was the first of the Volvo models to move to the Google operating system and it’s got more bugs than the Amazon rain forest. Volvo dealers and the head office have been beyond useless, my favourite sentence being that nobody in Volvo knows what’s coming up in future software releases or when they are coming, so I read them the upcoming release that’s on their own website….
To cut a long story short, the car randomly doesn’t charge fully. The auto handbrake randomly doesn’t come on when you turn the car off, the heating is full hot or full cold, you lose all maps, locked out the car, trip computer may or may not reset, the screen freezes, shows the speed limit as 80 in a 30. The list goes on. Then you have basics like no dipping mirror in reverse, can’t plug in music on any media, cant shut any windows after ignition is off etc. nothing earth shattering, but basics that Renault and Vauxhall can get right, and the rest of the Volvo range. Just not the XC60 with Google.
The car has spent weeks at the dealer. Had all the updates, and I’m now being told the handbrake is a ‘feature’ and everything else is software related quirks with no date for rectification. The dealer has said I can reject the car, but I don’t really want to, I just want the bloody thing fixed. I’ve exhausted the complaints procedure, what else can I do to try and get things sorted?
te Bennet said:
Kingofthelea said:
It was a demonstrator before me.
Might be a great reason to get rid. Received wisdom on PH is that demonstrators are abused appallingly by dealership staff.Now on 20,000 miles and if there are ill effects I haven't found any. Goes really well, clutch and gearbox feel good, doesn't use oil etc.
Modern cars are so well engineered you have to really go some to damage them.
Kingofthelea said:
In January this year I picked up a 2022 model year XC60 Plug in hybrid from a Volvo dealer with 1700 miles on. It was (and still is) immaculate and lovely thing to look at and drive… however…..
It was the first of the Volvo models to move to the Google operating system and it’s got more bugs than the Amazon rain forest. Volvo dealers and the head office have been beyond useless, my favourite sentence being that nobody in Volvo knows what’s coming up in future software releases or when they are coming, so I read them the upcoming release that’s on their own website….
To cut a long story short, the car randomly doesn’t charge fully. The auto handbrake randomly doesn’t come on when you turn the car off, the heating is full hot or full cold, you lose all maps, locked out the car, trip computer may or may not reset, the screen freezes, shows the speed limit as 80 in a 30. The list goes on. Then you have basics like no dipping mirror in reverse, can’t plug in music on any media, cant shut any windows after ignition is off etc. nothing earth shattering, but basics that Renault and Vauxhall can get right, and the rest of the Volvo range. Just not the XC60 with Google.
The car has spent weeks at the dealer. Had all the updates, and I’m now being told the handbrake is a ‘feature’ and everything else is software related quirks with no date for rectification. The dealer has said I can reject the car, but I don’t really want to, I just want the bloody thing fixed. I’ve exhausted the complaints procedure, what else can I do to try and get things sorted?
It's a simple solution.It was the first of the Volvo models to move to the Google operating system and it’s got more bugs than the Amazon rain forest. Volvo dealers and the head office have been beyond useless, my favourite sentence being that nobody in Volvo knows what’s coming up in future software releases or when they are coming, so I read them the upcoming release that’s on their own website….
To cut a long story short, the car randomly doesn’t charge fully. The auto handbrake randomly doesn’t come on when you turn the car off, the heating is full hot or full cold, you lose all maps, locked out the car, trip computer may or may not reset, the screen freezes, shows the speed limit as 80 in a 30. The list goes on. Then you have basics like no dipping mirror in reverse, can’t plug in music on any media, cant shut any windows after ignition is off etc. nothing earth shattering, but basics that Renault and Vauxhall can get right, and the rest of the Volvo range. Just not the XC60 with Google.
The car has spent weeks at the dealer. Had all the updates, and I’m now being told the handbrake is a ‘feature’ and everything else is software related quirks with no date for rectification. The dealer has said I can reject the car, but I don’t really want to, I just want the bloody thing fixed. I’ve exhausted the complaints procedure, what else can I do to try and get things sorted?
They've told you that they haven't got & don't know when or even if they will get software updates to cure the problems so they can't fix it.
That leaves you two choices.
1. Put up with the annoyances until the updates arrive - whenever that might be.
2. Accept their offer to reject the car.
Kingofthelea said:
The forums etc are full of the same issue. I’m not alone!
It was a demonstrator before me.
I pop into the Volvo UK forum occasionally, I know someone on there has had a full new infotainment system ordered and installed from the factory - have they offered that or would you ask for that if you otherwise like the car? It was a demonstrator before me.
I have a similar 2022 XC60 in diesel form, and without rubbing salt in your wounds love the thing - I'm one of the few that think the tech is brilliant. I have had a couple of issues but they always follow a software update and have always been corrected by simply rebooting the system once.
I know there are a few gripes about the ability to plug in and play music for example but technology has advanced beyond the need for cables and plugging in and that is the direction Volvo are going in, and I'm sure others will follow. Mine is synced to my spotify account and I love that I can say "hey google, play.." and it will play pretty much any song or artist or album I request, all whilst hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.
I'd encourage you to push for a fix, a working one is a relaxing place to be. However, I can't see that software updates will fix as surely everyone would be experiencing the same issues? Unless there is a way to master reset and reinstall from scratch.
Edited by yellowbentines on Thursday 9th June 16:21
We've got an XC60 but a diesel not plug in but with the new system and it has been great. No real issues apart from occasionally the google voice control doesn't work without the voice command being pressed first, hardly a problem, and the dash display changed after the last update and I can't see how to go back to the old one - again not really a problem.
Guaranteed problems now I've said that!
It seems to me that its just luck as to whether you have one with or without issues. Personally I'd reject without hesitation. The handbrake problem you describe certainly isn't a "feature" on ours and even if it all gets fixed I suspect you'll always be waiting for the next problem or update issue.
Guaranteed problems now I've said that!
It seems to me that its just luck as to whether you have one with or without issues. Personally I'd reject without hesitation. The handbrake problem you describe certainly isn't a "feature" on ours and even if it all gets fixed I suspect you'll always be waiting for the next problem or update issue.
Software quirks with no date of rectification? You have your answer. Forget wanting to keep it and maybe get it fixed, one day in the distant future. Who knows? Maybe it's a lemon? Regardless, if the dealer if saying you can reject the car, then dump it. Let it be someone else's problem.
I know it can be very challenging to source a new or nearly new vehicle in the spec you want these days, but don't be too emotional about this, you have already suffered weeks without the car whilst they try to fix it, move on, and find a car that hopefully will be a trouble free experience.
I know it can be very challenging to source a new or nearly new vehicle in the spec you want these days, but don't be too emotional about this, you have already suffered weeks without the car whilst they try to fix it, move on, and find a car that hopefully will be a trouble free experience.
Thanks for all your replies - for those of you who say it will eat away at you, you’re right. For those of you who say good luck in getting it fixed, you’re right too.
Rejection or like for like replacement it is. I do love the car, it’s amazing when it all works. Just maybe this one has a few too many lemons….
Rejection or like for like replacement it is. I do love the car, it’s amazing when it all works. Just maybe this one has a few too many lemons….
I've got a Volvo with the Google operating system and have been frustrated with many of the same problems as you. As you've said, a visit to any Volvo forum confirms there are widespread issues with the Google platform. Things that should be really simple to fix (like displaying the wrong speed limit 75% of the time) just haven't been over the course of a number of software updates.
I've also never been able to use any of the phone app features, despite Volvo always promising an update will be released "shortly". The only app feature I really care about is setting the climate remotely before getting in the car.
I've been lucky in that my issues have been fairly minor annoyances rather than anything that affects important usability, but the complete lack progress in fixing all the issues that are being reported by everyone gives me no confidence they ever actually will be addressed. If you're having problems with core functionality like charging your car and using the parking brake, then personally I'd bite their hand off for the offer to return the car. I do love the Volvos and the interior is a fantastic place to be, but might be better to return to them in a couple of years once Google and Volvo have worked out how to fix things together.
I've also never been able to use any of the phone app features, despite Volvo always promising an update will be released "shortly". The only app feature I really care about is setting the climate remotely before getting in the car.
I've been lucky in that my issues have been fairly minor annoyances rather than anything that affects important usability, but the complete lack progress in fixing all the issues that are being reported by everyone gives me no confidence they ever actually will be addressed. If you're having problems with core functionality like charging your car and using the parking brake, then personally I'd bite their hand off for the offer to return the car. I do love the Volvos and the interior is a fantastic place to be, but might be better to return to them in a couple of years once Google and Volvo have worked out how to fix things together.
The big yin said:
If you haven't already go to the top and see what they suggest.
Mr Kristian Elvefors Managing Director
He'd probably suggest you reject the car.Mr Kristian Elvefors Managing Director
Oh wait, they already have!
Unless you're some compo-faced weirdo, bothering this chap really seems very unnecessary when a perfectly adequate solution is on the table.
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