• Certain Volvo EVs and PHEVs are being recalled because their brakes might fail.
• A software issue is the culprit.
• 14,000 cars in the U.S. are affected, and owners should refrain from using the B mode or One Pedal Drive mode.

Volvo is recalling 14,014 electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles in the United States because their brakes might fail. Despite the dangers associated with this condition, the brake failure can only occur in certain, limited conditions.

Volvo says the issue is caused by a software problem that affects the Brake Control Module of certain 2020-2026 vehicles running software version 3.5.14. After coasting downhill for at least one minute and 40 seconds in the B mode on PHEVs and One Pedal Drive mode on EVs without using the brake pedal or accelerator pedal, the braking function could fail completely.

The list of affected cars includes the S60, V60, S90, XC60, XC90, XC40 and C40 plug-in hybrids, as well as the EX40 and EC40 battery electric vehicles. To fix the issue, Volvo will install a software update. According to the automaker, the latest vehicle software version for cars with Android Automotive OS (AAOS), 3.6.4, was released on June 16.

The problematic software version that caused this recall, 3.5.14, was released in April but could only be installed at dealerships, and not as an over-the-air update. Its release notes mention that “The foot brake should feel less stiff right after starting the car,” indicating that some tweaks to the Brake Control Module were made. Other improvements were also made to the lane keeping aid, road sign information system and tire pressure monitoring system.

Volvo did not provide a chronology report to explain how the potentially dangerous braking issue came to be. 

Earlier this year, the Swedish automaker issued a recall for roughly 7,500 plug-in hybrid vehicles sold in the U.S. over faulty high-voltage cells that could short-circuit, potentially leading to a fire. The affected cars for the battery recall are the 2020-2022 S60, V60, S90, XC60 and XC90 plug-in hybrids.

In April, Volvo parted ways with Jim Rowan and chose Håkan Samuelsson as its new chief operating officer (CEO) after disappointing sales in the first quarter. Despite posting record sales last year, Volvo has struggled to entice new customers in 2025.