Swedish automaker Volvo is confronting serious legal accusations after more than 100 owners of its XC40 Recharge electric vehicles in the United States filed a class-action lawsuit, claiming technical defects in the vehicle’s power control system that cause sudden, unintended acceleration. This issue allegedly endangers drivers, passengers, and other road users alike.
The problem arises when the vehicle unexpectedly accelerates at low speeds, during gear changes, or when using the “one-pedal driving” mode—a feature designed to simplify speed control using a single pedal for acceleration and braking. According to the lawsuit, such malfunctions cause sudden jolts or the vehicle lurching forward or backward, raising serious safety concerns, especially when stopped on a slope or navigating slow traffic.
The lead plaintiff, Robert Baker, is a representative case among those affected. He rented a 2024 XC40 Recharge in September 2024 and experienced multiple unexpected acceleration incidents accompanied by vehicle shaking during normal driving. He reports repeated visits to Volvo dealers for repairs and diagnoses, yet the problem persisted without a permanent fix.
The class-action lawsuit accuses Volvo of prior knowledge of these defects or, at minimum, negligence in their detection. The claim cites various pieces of evidence, including pre-production tests, service reports from dealerships, customer complaints, and data from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Despite this, the lawsuit alleges that Volvo downplayed or concealed the severity of the problem and failed to issue a comprehensive, effective recall to fully address the fundamental flaw.
Volvo has issued two recalls related to the XC40 Recharge in the U.S.: one concerning a software fault that may cause sudden power loss, and another regarding potential water ingress in the accelerator pedal sensor affecting 2021 and 2022 models. However, the legal complaint states these recalls were limited in scope and did not resolve the core issue or eliminate the malfunction in the power control system.
The unintended acceleration and vibrations reported in the XC40 Recharge pose substantial risk for traffic accidents that could cause serious injury or property damage. Furthermore, the hazard extends to pedestrians and other road users beyond the vehicle’s occupants. The inability to control the car while stationary—especially on inclined surfaces—adds to the complexity and danger.
The lawsuit demands financial compensation, including punitive and compensatory damages for owners’ losses, as well as mandatory corrective actions requiring Volvo to fix the defective system, enhance safety protocols, fully disclose the facts to the public, and provide preventive maintenance to all affected vehicles.
This case follows previous warnings issued by NHTSA, which advised Volvo electric and hybrid vehicle owners to temporarily avoid the “B mode” one-pedal driving until the company releases a software update addressing the issue.
This represents a significant challenge for Volvo as it seeks to solidify its position in the competitive electric vehicle market, where customer expectations for safety and performance continue to rise amid expanding industry competition.
Therefore, the XC40 Recharge acceleration issue raises fundamental questions about quality and safety standards for modern electric vehicles and how manufacturers respond to technical faults that may jeopardize public safety and future growth plans.
In conclusion, the outcome of this lawsuit and any resulting corrective measures will heavily impact Volvo’s reputation and standing in the electric vehicle market, as well as its ability to manage technical issues effectively to ensure user safety and maintain consumer trust in evolving automotive technologies.
