Emailed Volvo on 12 March 2026 after we were told to update the computer system in our 2025 Volvo XC90 plug-in hybrid, which then proceeded to brick the entire system, i.e., cameras no longer worked, no Bluetooth, no tyre pressure, no oil sensor, no outboard sensors whatsoever, no defrost/heating/AC, etc. Volvo finally responded on 3 April 2026. In the meantime, and after a wait of nine days, we were finally able to get into our dealership so they could sort out the mess. However, now we are stuck with the excremental Google v.5.0.5 for the car in which the UI looks like a homemade website by teenagers from ca. 1998. Google is profoundly appalling, and I write this despite being an Android user.
There are far too many apps that cannot be removed and/or adapted to our needs. What if a driver/owner does not want Sirius? Or Waze instead of Google Maps, etc. News flash, not everyone subscribes to streaming services and we don't all think Google is the end all, be all of existence. And why can't we interface with the car via our Android devices to play our OWN music? And the idiot warnings...don't even get me started on the "nanny" reminder messages and automatic so-called safety features. The fact we are unable to leave settings as we want them and must instead reset them EVERY time, as we use them (again, through the appalling Google interface) is unacceptable, e.g., the ridiculous automatic rear braking when backing up, the ability to remove the mobile phone device apps that do not apply to an owner, the horrid Android Auto that STILL won't work despite spending FAR too much time at online Volvo support groups and reading the manual, etc. We should not be stuck with garbage technology that cannot be removed after having spent a small fortune on this car.
The previous system that came with our 2025 Volvo XC90 upon purchase in July 2025 worked well and we were pleased with it. IT. JUST. WORKED. Now, we are questioning our choice of vehicle after having been loyal Volvo owners (two different XC70s) since 2001. Enshittification yet again with no apparent accountability on the part of Volvo other than a set of obsolete instructions to reboot the system on 3 April 2026 that did not work when it was first bricked (our dealership provided the details) nearly three weeks later. Volvo has a great deal to do to re-earn our trust.
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