If you own a 2019 or 2020 Volvo—apparently, any 2019 or 2020 Volvo—know that your vehicle has just been recalled. The problem? The vehicle’s automatic emergency braking system, or AEB, which is meant to kick in to prevent a crash, may not work correctly.
According to the recall documentation, which you can read here, the cause of this problem is a mix of new hardware and old software; the older code is not fully compatible with the new vehicle hardware.
Unfortunately, said new hardware was installed on a total of 121,605 Volvo vehicles built between Nov. 9, 2018, and March 11, 2020, meaning every Volvo S60, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC40, XC60 and XC90 is going to need to be fixed. Fortunately, that fix is fairly simple—a no-cost software upgrade performed at Volvo dealerships.
According to both Volvo and the NHTSA, this problem has not resulted in any reported accidents or injuries. But it’s indicative of a broader problem facing all automakers as they introduce ever more complicated safety systems to ever more vehicles in their lineups, increasing complexity—and potential points of failure.
Volvo, for its part, has always been aggressive about disseminating safety tech—whether it’s a three-point safety belt or automatic braking—across its entire lineup as soon as it feels that tech is viable. That’s mostly been great for those who choose to drive the Swedish manufacturer’s cars. In this case, however, it’s something of a double-edged sword, because it means more vehicles to recall and repair.
In our experience, automatic braking has been one of the most troublesome and unpredictable safety features on modern vehicles, regardless of the manufacturer, even when it is working “correctly.” This recall should only underscore the fact that you should never, ever depend on any of these systems to save your bacon. You, the driver, hold ultimate and sole responsibility for the safe operation of your vehicle (of course, as an Autoweek reader, you already knew that, but make sure your friends and family do, too).
If you own a vehicle the recall affects, you should receive an official notification in May—but, again, if you have a 2019 or 2020 Volvo in your fleet, consider yourself notified. You’ll be able to get your vehicle’s software fixed at a dealership later that month.
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