Akmal Azhar
A Canadian tech entrepreneur and longtime Volvo enthusiast recently turned his brand-new EX90 electric SUV into a cautionary tale. After spending over CAD 147,600 (about USD 100,000) on the vehicle in March, his excitement quickly turned to frustration when severe software malfunctions began just three days later.
Keyless Entry Fails Almost Immediately
The owner, Vicken Kanadjian, documented his experience on MyVolvoEX90.com, outlining early issues like the failure of all physical and digital keys. With no functional key tag, card, or digital key, he was left dependent solely on the Volvo smartphone app for vehicle access.
Software Updates Make Things Worse
A software patch released in April failed to improve the situation. Instead, it caused the central screen to go black, locked and unlocked the car unpredictably, activated emergency braking on its own, and even disabled the air conditioning system for a full week.
Touchscreen Failure Causes Dangerous Situations
Kanadjian faced the most severe issue while driving on Montreal’s Highway 13. The EX90 abruptly lost throttle power and displayed a warning that the pilot assist system had failed. Forced to coast to safety, he later learned from Volvo that the SUV was unsafe to drive and had to be towed.
Volvo Declines Buyback, Owner Takes Legal Action
After seeking help from Volvo Canada and filing a complaint with Transport Canada, Kanadjian’s request for a vehicle repurchase was denied. Volvo North America insisted the SUV needed more diagnostics and repair. Unsatisfied, Kanadjian filed a lawsuit in Quebec’s Superior Court, demanding a full refund and damages.
Consumer Reports Confirms Broader EX90 Issues
This incident echoes a recent Consumer Reports review that labeled the EX90 “a mess.” In just 1,000 miles of testing, the organization experienced blank screens, delayed startups, false airbag alerts, and malfunctioning emergency systems. Though many bugs were fixed via OTA update version 1.3.18, critics argue such issues should never have reached customers.
Volvo’s New Software Architecture Under Scrutiny
The EX90 and its sibling EX30 are Volvo’s first models built on a fully software-defined platform. While the vehicles include advanced features like built-in LiDAR, many of their promised functions remain disabled or incomplete, causing frustration among early adopters.
Mixed Reactions from Other Owners
Not all EX90 owners report negative experiences. Some say that after installing update 1.3.18, the SUV runs flawlessly. One user mentioned that air conditioning and all major systems worked well, calling the drive “heavenly” post-update.
Reputation at Stake for Volvo’s Electric Future
The EX90 was supposed to represent Volvo’s leap into a tech-savvy, electric future. Instead, it’s become a lightning rod for criticism. With safety concerns, lawsuits, and trust issues piling up, how Volvo handles this crisis may determine its credibility in the EV era.
Yusri Ng
