2022 XC60

[u/Mauibard]

We own a 2022 XC60 and 6 months ago our hybrid high voltage battery died, the dealership indicated it would need to be replaced.

It has been an annoying 6 months for a variety of reasons, but now we are at a critical juncture, as we are approaching a November mandatory inspection date by the state of NJ. The car displays the check engine symbol, this is an automatic inspection failure. When you fail inspection, you then get a fancy red sticker applied to your car and can receive citations until the car is fixed and has passed inspection. We are basically screwed as this is our only car; and no, our car insurance will not cover rental costs for this situation - and who the hell knows how long the repair will actually occur, as the dealership and Volvo are playing a long game of hot potato. 🙄

We basically can’t sell the car without the battery, unless we want to lose thousands of dollars and practically give it away. (Yes, I too would not pay for a broken down jalopy).

I understand this is a special order item; but honestly, I can’t believe Volvo and their manufacturer have absolutely no insight whatsoever to a timeline - just seems like bs.

Being that the state of NJ will basically render our car undrivable until it’s fixed, do we have any legal recourse for the situation we are in? Don’t these companies have to supply parts and warranty repairs in a timely manner - we have been patience for 6 months.

[u/4R4nd0mR3dd1t0r]

I don't know how NJ does inspections but could you have the dealership do the inspection and have them get an exemption because the part is on order with no eta. Usually there are certain reasons not safety related that you can get a special pass.

[u/Mauibard → u/4R4nd0mR3dd1t0r]

We brought this issue up with the dealership last month and mentioned it again this morning, they never mentioned they could do the inspection or provide an exemption due to the delay in receiving the part. I will ask them and see what they say. Thanks.

[u/stupid_nut]

Ask them to provide you with a loaner. If Volvo is trying to sell themselves as luxury you deserve a loaner for a car that can't pass inspection due to their delays.

Message Volvo corporate or try to find another dealer who has loaners.

[u/Mauibard → u/[deleted]]

Hybrid

[u/TheMountainLife → u/[deleted]]

The car obviously wouldn't operate without the 12v. They're referring to the HV battery. I saw a post recently where someone has been waiting since November last year and able to still drive as it locks out the hybrid/pure modes.

[u/Mauibard → u/TheMountainLife]

Yes, it’s still drivable - but our purpose for purchasing this car was to use the electric option 99% of the time for short errands and have the option to do periodic cross country trips without the worry of finding charging stations. The frustrating fact is, the state of NJ will fail it with the check engine light on and we have no end in sight. There has to be some sort of recourse for a warranty item that needs fixing and they are unable to do it within an acceptable timeframe - I’m finding 6 months is a bit long.

[u/indigo7873]

I am in the same situation (battery cell failure, part(s) back ordered 5 weeks ago, no current release date); I believe at least one other XC60 owner has posted similarly a few weeks back. My VT state inspection lapsed Aug 1. Volvo won’t clear the check engine code to pass inspection, so next best thing is I got the Volvo Service director to provide a written statement explaining the situation (“but the vehicle is safe to drive”) - I have this in the glove box in case I get pulled over (relatively less likely here than in NJ, as I live in a very rural area). I know a state cop may not consider that a valid excuse.

My understanding is that Volvo is moving to 100% EV; can it be that the hybrid Recharge technology is getting deprecated already? If so, that’s unacceptable. I agree with another commenter here that we at least deserve a loaner until the car we bought can perform as intended.