1996 Volvo 850r Estate on 2040-cars

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Volvo recalls handful of vehicles for risk of false alarm

Volvo’s latest tech updates have made its vehicles easier to live with and safer, but as with any significant change, there are bumps in the road. The automaker recently recalled a handful of 2023 model-year vehicles for an issue that could cause false warning lights in the gauge cluster. The recall covers the Volvo S60, V60, XC60, XC90, and C40, with build dates that range from late 2022 to March 2023, depending on the model. An issue with the Telematics Connectivity Antenna Module (TCAM) could falsely trigger an error related to communications between the infotainment head unit. The driver receives an “e-call service required” message in the gauge cluster, but the system will continue to operate normally with the error. Though thereÂ’s no real problem or immediate danger when this happens, the false message can obscure a legitimate problem. The e-call feature is part of VolvoÂ’s onboard safety equipment that communicates information after a crash or other incident, so itÂ’s important to know when itÂ’s functioning correctly. There has been only one report of this problem in the U.S., and the recall only involves 329 vehicles. Thankfully for the affected owners, the fix is a simple software update to change the TCAMÂ’s logic. The update is ready to go, and dealers have been notified. The NHTSA said owners would be notified by mail in mid-May, but if your Volvo is acting up, itÂ’s a good idea to call the dealer when you notice. This is the third recall for several 2023 Volvos since last October. All three have involved software issues. The first involves a loss of drive power due to an error in the software that prevented the combustion engine from starting when the vehiclesÂ’ plug-in hybrid batteries were depleted. The second happened in January and related to diagnostic errors in the braking control module that could cause the electronic stability control, antilock brakes, and traction control to malfunction. Related Video This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Recalls Volvo Ownership Safety

Kia leads J.D. Power's Vehicle Dependability Study for 2022

For the first year ever, Kia leads J.D. Power's annual Vehicle Dependability Study with a score of 145 problems per 100 vehicles. Buick (147) and Hyundai (148) round out the top three. The highest premium brand on the list is Genesis, with a score of 148. It's common for so-called "mass market" brands to lead this particular study, according to J.D. Power, as "premium" brands "typically incorporate more technology in their vehicles, which increases the likelihood for problems to occur" and aren't necessarily built to a higher standard that less-expensive brands. The highest-rated single nameplate is the Porsche 911. It's the third time out of the past four years and the second year in a row that Porsche's quintessential sports car has taken top honors. Porsche as a brand sits in seventh place (162) just behind Lexus (159) and ahead of Dodge (166). At the very bottom of the list is Land Rover with a dismal score of 284; the SUV specialist held the same unfortunate distinction on last year's list. Ram (266), Volvo (256), Alfa Romeo (245) and Acura (244) also performed poorly. The overall industry average score sits at 192 — mass market brands average a score of 190 while premium brands sit 14 points lower at 204. While Tesla is unofficially included in some of J.D. Power's results, the agency says the sample size it has access to for this study is too small to include. As has been the case for the past several years, infotainment systems dominate the list of problems reported by owners. Popular (or unpopular, depending on your point of view) complaints include built-in voice recognition (8.3 PP100), Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity (5.4 PP100), built-in Bluetooth system (4.5 PP100), not enough power plugs/USB ports (4.2 PP100), navigation systems difficult to understand/use (3.7 PP100), touchscreen/display screen (3.6 PP100), and navigation system inaccurate/outdated map (3.6 PP100). While problems with the car's infotainment and technology packages are indeed bothersome, it's important to remember that such issues aren't usually leaving owners stranded with an immovable vehicle like a broken transmission or blown engine would. Culling infotainment complaints from the results would reduce the average problem-per-100-vehicle score by a staggering 51.9 points. The vehicles included in this study are from the 2019 model year. That means owners have had three years to get to know their cars and trucks. It's the 33rd year that J.D.

These are the top luxury cars bought by people entering the segment for the first time

Let's say you just got a big promotion at work or the kids are moving out of the house, and you finally have some extra money. You decide to blow it all at once and treat yourself by upgrading your ride. Naturally, you look to a luxury automaker. What do you choose?
Models like the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class may be tailor-made to introduce buyers to the premium segment, but a new study finds that they don't garner the highest rates of non-luxury customer conquests. It turns out that a Volvo leads among folks moving up to a premium brand, and it isn't even one that's made anymore, at that.
A recent study by Polk and IHS Automotive looked at what models had the highest rates of buyers upgrading from a non-luxury segment. The information comes from its new vehicle registration data through April 2014. All ten top models boasted conquest rates of over 50 percent, but the Volvo C70 led the field with 68.01 percent of its customers coming from non-premium brands.