Volvo Car USA notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Nov. 13, 2018 they will recall more than 17,000 vehicles whose on-board GPS functions can malfunction after a crash.
The Summerville, South Carolina-based manufacturer stated in its recall report it will recall 17,548 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, 2017-2019 Volvo S90, 2017-2019 Volvo V60CC, 2017-2019 Volvo V90, 2017-2019 Volvo XC40, 2017-2019 Volvo V60, 2017-2019 Volvo XC60, and 2017-2019 Volvo V90CC vehicles built between March 24, 2016 and Nov. 1, 2018.
The company stated a software error can disable the affected vehicles’ Telematics and Driver Support Systems, keeping them from properly relaying GPS location to emergency responders.
Volvo first learned of the problem on October 10, 2018, after receiving a report from component manufacturer Actia Nordic AB of Sweden. The supplier identified a “software deviation” in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) software. The software can store the wrong vehicle location, preventing proper information relay to the emergency center.
Volvo’s recall chronology states the manufacturer revised software in production vehicles on October 30, 2018, but Volvo decided on Nov. 7, 2018 to recall vehicles already sold.
Volvo will notify owners and dealers will correct the software for free. The recall is expected to begin January 7, 2019. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo’s number for this recall is R39917. Volvo owners can also visit the NHTSA’s website and enter their VIN to see if their vehicle is included in any recalls.
Your vehicle’s manufacturer is legally required to fix any recalled problems for free. If the dealership refuses to fix the part or tries to charge you for the repair, contact the manufacturer immediately. The Highway Safety Act of 1970, which created the NHTSA, requires car manufacturers to pay for the recall and replacement of a defective part.
If the manufacturer fails to repair, replace, repurchase, or provide your recalled vehicle’s loss value, they are violating the warranty and a lawyer may be able to assist you. Lemon law attorneys help their clients by dealing directly with the manufacturer on the clients’ behalf, working to promptly resolve the issue and get their clients back on the road. Thanks to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, attorneys can seek their fees directly from the manufacturer, meaning a client can obtain legal counsel without having to pay attorneys’ fees directly out of pocket.