Volvo Advises 12,000 Owners to Cease One-Pedal Driving Right Away | Carscoops

      Owners of various EV and PHEV models are advised to refrain from using one-pedal driving until a software fix is implemented.

      7 hours ago

      by Stephen Rivers

      Volvo has recalled over 11,500 vehicles due to potential issues with their braking software. The manufacturer has urged owners to discontinue the use of one-pedal driving until further notice. Fortunately, an over-the-air software update will address the problem for the impacted cars.

      Regenerative braking is essential for EVs and PHEVs, significantly contributing to their range and enhancing the driving experience by allowing B-mode and one-pedal driving. Currently, 11,469 Volvo owners are discovering the implications of living without these features, as the company has issued a warning to halt their use until the braking issue is resolved.

      The new recall, numbered 25V392000, affects several models from 2020 to 2026, including the S60, V60, S90, XC60, XC90, XC40, EX40, EC40, and C40. Vehicles equipped with software version 3.5.14 may experience problems with their brake control module, potentially leading to a loss of braking capability. Although this sounds serious, there are two aspects to consider.

      According to Volvo, this issue seems to arise only after “coasting downhill for at least 1 minute and 40 seconds,” which is uncommon on most roads. Typically, this would occur when descending a mountain or a long stretch of a highway.

      However, the major concern lies in what occurs if this situation arises. The automaker warns, “If the situation occurs, pressing the brake pedal may remove braking functionality entirely,” which is certainly a worst-case scenario.

      It’s important to note that Volvo has not provided a timeline explaining how it became aware of the problem, the steps taken afterward, or the rationale for initiating a recall. Consequently, we lack crucial information about the circumstances surrounding this issue.

      The NHTSA requires Volvo to submit that report, but it has not yet been made available. We do know that Volvo intends to rectify the situation for all affected vehicles through an over-the-air software update. Owners are expected to receive notifications by August 6, and dealers are already informed about the issue.

      Interestingly, this recall may potentially involve more than 11,469 units. In a separate document submitted to the NHTSA, Volvo indicated that the recall includes 14,014 cars. We have contacted the NHTSA to clarify the discrepancy in these figures and will provide updates once we receive more information.