- The Beginning of the Story: Speakers Causing Permanent Pain
- Details of the Lawsuit: Manufacturing Defects and Volvo’s Silence
- Court Ruling: Swedish Manufacturer’s Liability, Not American Entity
- Health Dimensions of the Speaker Issue Inside the Car
- Volvo’s Response and Customer Service
- What Should Modern Car Owners Know?
- Legal and Professional Implications Could Expand
In the automotive world, the challenge is not only about engine quality or exterior design but also the technical details that affect everyday driving experience — and sometimes advanced technologies turn into sources of health and legal problems, as happened with a Volvo XC90 owner whose car speakers became a persistent headache causing permanent hearing damage.
In this article, we explore the dramatic lawsuit filed by American actor Timothy Zagarous, stirring wide controversy about Volvo’s responsibility for the audio system quality inside its cars and the related professional health consequences, shedding light on the repercussions of advanced technology that can sometimes fail.
The Beginning of the Story: Speakers Causing Permanent Pain
The incident began when Timothy Zagarous was driving his 2017 Volvo XC90 in Nashville, Tennessee, in September 2022. Suddenly, an incessant high-pitched and pulsating noise emerged from the car’s speakers, described as “an irritating sharp tone” causing him severe ear pain.
This was not just a brief annoyance; the continuous sound became a permanent ordeal. Zagarous claimed in the lawsuit that it led to permanent hearing loss and chronic tinnitus (ringing in the ears) from which he never recovered. These health issues also negatively affected his professional capabilities as a film director, prompting him to seek compensatory and punitive damages of up to $30 million.
Details of the Lawsuit: Manufacturing Defects and Volvo’s Silence
Zagarous filed the lawsuit under Tennessee’s product liability law against Volvo, alleging the damage resulted from a manufacturing defect in the speaker system installed in his vehicle. The claims included accusations against Volvo for failing to warn users about potential risks and for not taking corrective actions or notifying customers regarding this defect.
The defendants included Volvo Car of North America, Volvo Group of North America, and Volvo Car USA initially. However, the court dismissed claims against the American parent company due to lack of direct evidence linking it to manufacturing or selling the vehicle. The case continues against Volvo Car Corporation in Sweden, identified as the actual manufacturer at the Torslanda plant.
Court Ruling: Swedish Manufacturer’s Liability, Not American Entity
In a recent federal court ruling in Middle Tennessee, Judge Alita Trogor dismissed all claims against Volvo Car USA, stating no concrete evidence connects the subsidiary directly to the manufacturing or sale of the car in question. The court affirmed the vehicle was manufactured in Sweden by the parent company and that the “Volvo” name in the subsidiary doesn’t prove legal responsibility.
Thus, the lawsuit remains a dispute between the actor and Volvo Sweden, seeking compensation for health damages caused by what is described as a “toxic and painful sound” from the car’s audio system.
Health Dimensions of the Speaker Issue Inside the Car
The lawsuit highlights the direct impact of in-vehicle audio components on drivers and passengers — a rarely addressed issue in the automotive world. Modern vehicles’ reliance on high-fidelity, powerful sound systems might carry unknown and unmeasured risks.
The pulsating or sharp audio described by Zagarous can cause serious long-term ear damage, including hearing loss and chronic tinnitus, both of which negatively affect life quality and work. Hearing loss is a major professional challenge, especially for film directors and actors who depend on precise audio monitoring.
Volvo’s Response and Customer Service
Volvo has not issued broad public statements acknowledging responsibility but the case prompted reviews of quality standards for audio components in their vehicles, especially luxury models like the XC90.
The company has publicly reaffirmed its commitment to customer safety and product quality and pledged to handle any complaints or legal matters seriously, following usual legal procedures.
What Should Modern Car Owners Know?
Regularly Inspect Audio Systems: Pay attention to any unusual or repetitive sounds from speakers during driving and do not ignore them, as they could indicate a technical fault harmful to hearing.
Assess Health Risks of Modern Tech: With the expansion of advanced sound and infotainment systems, strict health standards should be applied to monitor their impact on drivers.
Know Your Consumer Rights: Be familiar with manufacturer responsibilities and how to claim compensation if manufacturing defects affect health or safety.
Communicate with Authorized Service Centers: Immediately consult authorized service providers if recurrent audio system faults appear.
Legal and Professional Implications Could Expand
The case of Timothy Zagarous stands as an exceptional mark showing that even major companies like Volvo might face lawsuits related to the quality of internal vehicle components that were previously less scrutinized. This could open the door for more claims focusing on in-car health and safety rather than just engines and external safety.
Developing advanced and comfortable audio systems must always coincide with strict controls preventing health harm and constant monitoring to protect users.
