This is a TJ - Text plus 1 PDF - If a customer experiences an Electric System Limited message along with reduced performance, and there are temperature-related DTCs in the HLCM, the root cause may be restricted coolant flow to the HLCM. Please follow the advice under "Service" to test the HLCM cooling performance.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2025 Volvo EX90 electrical problems
moderate Owners of the 2025 Volvo EX90 have filed 33 NHTSA complaints about the electrical at roughly $850 to repair (U.S. federal records, as of September 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. See electrical across all vehicles →
Complaints
33
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$850
1crash
What stands out
Electrical accounts for 46% of every owner complaint on file for this vehicle — the dominant problem area across 3 categories tracked.
Owners have filed 33 electrical complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Quality Bulletin for delivery action of the 2025 EX90 GHCA, D10367.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a Technical Journal: In most cases the VCU does not need to be replaced. *The script in VIDA for VCU reload is now working
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a Technical Journal: EX90 GHCA Replacement: Prior Approval Needed. please create a "Prior Approval" vehicle report with "GHCA Prior Approval.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗This is a Technical Journal: EX90 - Software download issue to HUD. Do not perform a HUD Reload.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report a spectrum of electrical faults affecting the 2025 Volvo EX90, from cascading system shutdowns to isolated component failures. The most recurring issue centers on the Grid-to-High-Voltage Converter A (GHCA), the onboard AC charging component. Multiple owners describe sudden charging failures accompanied by loud bangs or sounds, tripped home breakers, and destroyed home charging equipment. The GHCA fails to convert AC grid power reliably; vehicles then charge only via DC fast chargers while replacement parts sit on indefinite backorder.
Drivers also report critical electrical faults causing loss of motive power at highway speeds—twice in one vehicle, both times creating near-collision hazards. A related set of failures involves the instrument cluster and infotainment displays going completely black while driving, eliminating visibility of speed, turn signal indicators, and driver-assist readouts. Owners describe pressing hazard buttons with no response and being unable to shift into gear or park without manual intervention.
System communication faults appear after software over-the-air updates or spontaneously, disabling multiple functions simultaneously: lane departure warning, park sensors, heated seats and steering wheel, HVAC controls, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, navigation, and camera guidance systems. Some owners observe greyed-out controls and status displays reading "everything is OK" while major systems remain inoperable. Lane-keeping assist faults are treated with reboots, and pilot assist produces repeated errors requiring system resets.
Failure modes owners describe
Grid-to-High-Voltage Converter A (GHCA) AC charging failure
Onboard AC charger fails to convert grid power to high-voltage DC; vehicle can charge only via DC fast chargers. Failures accompanied by loud bangs, tripped home electrical breakers, and destroyed home charging equipment.
When: Within first 80–1,754 miles; some owners report multiple failures in same vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Charging fault message on dash; Loud thunk or bang from under vehicle while charging; Home breaker trips during charging attempt; Solid red light on charging port indicator; Vehicle cannot initiate or complete AC charging; DC charging still works
Repairs/costs cited: GHCA replacement required; parts on indefinite national backorder with no estimated delivery date. Repair delays exceed three weeks to one month. One owner reports replacement part installed but failure recurred.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Volvo corporate investigating in at least one case. Widespread central computer replacement being offered to all 2025 EX90 owners per one complaint.
Critical electrical fault with loss of motive power at highway speed
Vehicle loses all propulsion power while driving on freeway at speed, displaying critical electrical or propulsion fault messages. Hazard lights do not respond. Incidents create immediate rear-end collision risk.
When: Second incident occurred at 1,754 miles; first incident mileage not stated; also reported at approximately 8 calendar days after lease start
Symptoms owners cite: Critical electrical fault message displayed; Critical propulsion fault message displayed; Sudden rapid deceleration on freeway; Hazard button non-functional; Complete loss of vehicle power
Repairs/costs cited: Requires towing; vehicle was towed from freeway shoulders. One vehicle at dealer for over three weeks with root cause unidentified.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: After Christmas Day incident, vehicle at authorized Volvo dealership for over three weeks; no root cause identified as of complaint date.
Instrument cluster and infotainment display blackout while driving
Digital instrument cluster and infotainment screen go completely black without warning, eliminating driver visibility of speed, gear, turn signals, and driver-assist status. Occurs while vehicle is in motion on highways.
When: Mileage not specified; occurs during active highway driving
Symptoms owners cite: Entire digital instrument cluster goes black; Infotainment screen goes black simultaneously; Speed indicator unavailable; Gear indicator unavailable; Turn signal indicators unavailable; Driver-assist status unavailable
Repairs/costs cited: Temporary recovery achieved via vehicle reset; issue recurs. Dealership service has not provided permanent fix.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Acknowledged by Volvo; California Lemon Law buyback promised but not executed as of complaint date (over two weeks later).
System communication fault with cascading feature loss
System communication fault or driver support system fault trigger disabling of multiple independent systems simultaneously. Functions do not operate and controls are greyed out in infotainment menu despite status display showing 'everything is OK'.
When: Fault appeared after vehicle was parked 2.25 hours and unplugged; occurs at low mileage (1,115 miles reported in one case)
Symptoms owners cite: System communication fault message; Pilot Assist deactivated; Lane departure warning unavailable; 360-degree camera unavailable; Front and rear camera guidance lines unavailable; Park sensor audible alerts unavailable; HVAC controls greyed out and non-functional; Heated seat and steering wheel controls greyed out; Bluetooth non-functional; Wi-Fi non-functional; Google Assistant non-functional; Navigation frozen; Glovebox locked out; Volume control non-functional; Hazard button greyed out; Ambient temperature reads 0 degrees Celsius; Odometer displays '-- km'; Tire pressure information unavailable; Speedometer missing from instrument display; Turn signal indicators missing from display; Cruise control status unavailable; Headlight function status unavailable; Windshield wiper settings unavailable; Speed limit sign reading stuck on frozen value
Repairs/costs cited: System reset and infotainment reboot attempted by owners without success. Dealer service completed manual software update bypassing over-the-air process.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer notified in one case; low-power battery mode cited as cause in another. No preventive action stated.
Over-the-air software update failure and vehicle lockout
Over-the-air software update process fails while vehicle is parked, leaving vehicle locked and inoperable for extended period. Vehicle becomes unresponsive during download process.
When: Early in vehicle life (1,115 miles reported); occurs during parked state
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle locks during update process; Vehicle remains inoperable for approximately one hour after update completes; Vehicle unable to shift into gear briefly; message states 'not in gear'; Infotainment system turns black and becomes inoperable; Instrument panel goes dark; Turn signal indicators become inoperable; Speedometer becomes inoperable; Instrument panel flashing
Repairs/costs cited: Manufacturer notified. Dealer bypassed over-the-air update process and performed manual software update.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manual update performed by dealer as workaround.
Headlight malfunction and warning message
Headlight warning message displayed on dashboard with headlights failing to function properly. Defect occurs while parked and persists after engine start; may resolve temporarily but recurs.
When: First occurrence November 28, 2025; recurred December 5, 2025 (less than one week later)
Symptoms owners cite: Headlight warning message displayed on dashboard; Headlights fail to function properly while parked; Headlights fail to function properly after engine start; Intermittent functionality with temporary resolution
Repairs/costs cited: Central computer replacement offered to all 2025 EX90 owners. Replacement parts on indefinite backorder with no ETA; vehicle remained at service center 47 days waiting for parts.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Volvo contacted owner directly to schedule central computer replacement. Related to NHTSA Safety Recall No. 25V-071 (Volvo internal reference R10298).
Reduced driving performance fault with severe deceleration
Vehicle abruptly loses acceleration capability while on freeway, with maximum speed reduced to 36 mph. Turtle error displayed with 'Driving Performance Reduced' message. Occurs without warning during highway operation.
When: January 20, 2025, while traveling at 65–72 mph
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle will not accelerate beyond 36 mph; Turtle error displayed on screen; 'Driving Performance Reduced Drive with Caution Book a Service' message displayed; Sudden loss of power while in traffic
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle serviced 01/20/25 and returned 01/28/25. Post-service, new faults appeared: SOS system light and airbag fault light.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Service completed but did not resolve underlying electrical issues.
AC Level 2 charger incompatibility and charging fault
Vehicle unable to charge via Level 2 AC chargers despite multiple attempts. Charging initiates briefly then fails with repeated fault notifications. Charging loops without conducting power transfer. Vehicle charges normally on DC fast chargers.
When: Occurs early in vehicle ownership; affects Tesla Universal L2 charger and Volvo-supplied cable/adapter with NEMA 14-50 receptacle
Symptoms owners cite: Charging fault message on instrument panel; Charger attempts to re-initialize repeatedly without success; Dashboard shows power at 1 kW or less; Amps remain at 1–4 maximum; Charging loop continues without actual power transfer; Solid red light on charging port indicator; Vehicle charges only with Level 3 DC equipment
Repairs/costs cited: Confirmed by Tesla that replacement adapter does not resolve issue, and other EVs charge normally with same charger.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No manufacturer response stated in narratives.
Lane-keeping assist (pilot assist) and lane departure warning faults
Lane-keeping assist (pilot assist) and lane departure warning systems produce periodic faults and become unavailable. Volvo's documented solution is vehicle reboot.
When: Occurs during ownership; timing not specified in detail
Symptoms owners cite: Pilot Assist deactivated with error message; Lane departure warning unavailable; Lane keeping sensors fault periodically
Repairs/costs cited: Volvo solution is to reboot vehicle; permanent fix not described.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Volvo instructs owners to reboot vehicle.
Critical brake fault with transmission lockout
Critical brake fault warning displayed on dashboard. Vehicle defaults into neutral and cannot be shifted into park, drive, or reverse. Vehicle cannot be turned off manually and doors cannot be opened from outside.
When: Mileage and timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Critical brake fault warning on dashboard; Vehicle defaults into neutral; Unable to shift into park; Unable to shift into drive; Unable to shift into reverse; Unable to turn off vehicle (owner forced to keep foot on brake); Door locks engage; doors cannot be opened from outside
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle required towing to dealership. Left running at dealership for over 24 hours.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: No specific response described.
'Driving Performance Reduced' fault with loss of acceleration capability
Vehicle enters limp mode or reduced power state with turtle error icon, limiting maximum speed. Occurs while driving on freeway without advance warning.
When: Observed at approximately 1,115–1,754 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Turtle error icon displayed; 'Driving Performance Reduced' message displayed; Maximum speed limited; Acceleration severely limited
Repairs/costs cited: Unknown
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Unknown
Synthesized from 33 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
While driving, my car suddenly displayed the "Driver Support System Fault" icon (Picture 1). At that time, the only issue was the fault icon. I still had full navigation, lane departure warning and 360 camera functionality when I backed into my parking spot. The car was locked with my key card. I returned to 15 to 20 minutes later. The Driver Support System Fault Icon was lit in addition to…
Center screen goes black when driving. Driver display goes black when driving leaving me without speedometer or any data as everything is on those 2 screens. Misaligned passanger door that doesnt open properly. Dealership has fixed trim piece but not the alignment of the door. I have been back to the dealer several times - I bought the car XXX, it has spent at least 3 months in the shop. Volvo…
On September 3rd 2026, my wife was driving our 2025 Volvo EX90 Ultra (approx.1560 miles) with our three children, ages 1, 4, and 6, in the vehicle when the air conditioning failed completely. Outside temperatures were over 100°F in Austin, Texas. The EX90 has a large glass panoramic roof, and the cabin heated rapidly once the AC stopped cooling. This created an extremely dangerous situation for…
My husband and I were driving with our [XXX] son on the southbound [XXX] in the fast lane. There was some traffic so we were not traveling too fast, but in the fast lane nonetheless. An error message came on the screens indicating there was a critical electrical failure. At that moment, my husband realized that the car’s acceleration was no longer working. We went to turn on our hazard lights and…
Failure of the onboard AC charging component, known as the Grid to High Voltage Converter A (GHCA) or onboard charger module. This vehicle would not charge on AC current, but could only be charged on DC current. This is a safety issue, as you may get stranded without access to a DC capable charger, since AC is the primary source for a majority of EV owners. Problem has been confirmed by the…
While driving the car on a state road (45 mph) the car suddenly notified me of an "electrical fault", a light that looks like a turtle came on, and the vehicle lost power and couldn't go any faster than 5 mph. Another vehicle almost rear-ended me around a blind curve because I was moving significantly slower than normal traffic. I pulled into a parking lot, shutdown and restarted the car and…
I was parked in a parking lot and when I released my foot from the break, the car accelerated on its own and crashed into the car in front of me. The automatic emergency braking did not deploy. It was most recently a safety risk and put others in the parking lot, particularly the driver in front me, in danger. I have reported this issue to Volvo and they instructed me to get the body of the car…
Had electrical trouble with your 2025 Volvo EX90?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the electrical problem on the 2025 Volvo EX90?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 33 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $850 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 33 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 1,115 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $850 for electrical repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to electrical?
No active recalls currently cover electrical issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2025/Volvo/EX90.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.