hybrid system failure - service required

ScottS · Sep 13, 2017

I had this failure recently, coupled with the turtle icon and reduced acceleration warning and no A/C. After a week in the shop and feedback from Volvo, it was determined that the control module for one of the cells in the battery was going bad, not the battery itself, so that was replaced relatively quickly and I'm back in business (for now). Across ownership of a '16 and a '17 XC90 for twelve months total, each has been in the shop for over three weeks (1.5 months total) with multiple mechanical issues, electrical issues, software issues, and rattles/vibrations, not to mention recalls and other TJ fixes. Only been towed once, but frankly it could have been several times but I ignored warnings and drove it in.

This is my first Volvo, and likely my last if this keeps up.

taofen_wang · Sep 13, 2017

ScottS said:
I had this failure recently, coupled with the turtle icon and reduced acceleration warning and no A/C. After a week in the shop and feedback from Volvo, it was determined that the control module for one of the cells in the battery was going bad, not the battery itself, so that was replaced relatively quickly and I'm back in business (for now). Across ownership of a '16 and a '17 XC90 for twelve months total, each has been in the shop for over three weeks (1.5 months total) with multiple mechanical issues, electrical issues, software issues, and rattles/vibrations, not to mention recalls and other TJ fixes. Only been towed once, but frankly it could have been several times but I ignored warnings and drove it in.

This is my first Volvo, and likely my last if this keeps up.

Have you got a replacement? I drive my T8 with this error msg till Volvo find a solution. Apparently a special tool is ordered to plug into my T8 for further investigation.

ScottS · Sep 13, 2017

taofen_wang said:
Have you got a replacement? I drive my T8 with this error msg till Volvo find a solution. Apparently a special tool is ordered to plug into my T8 for further investigation.

Yes, they fixed it and the error is gone for now.

christopher.moor · Sep 13, 2017

ScottS said:
Yes, they fixed it and the error is gone for now.

Think you may deserve a buyback Scott. [emoji849][emoji22]

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ScottS · Sep 13, 2017

christopher.moor said:
Think you may deserve a buyback Scott. [emoji849][emoji22]

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Next issue I'm going to start working on it for sure.

curtdept · Sep 14, 2017

Don't worry, a software update will fix it... and it will NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN EVER..... not.

I think that may actually be Volvos new tag line, they certainly say it enough. Seems to fit my line of thinking as well. Well done Volvo.

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taofen_wang · Sep 14, 2017

curtdept said:
Don't worry, a software update will fix it... and it will NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN EVER..... not.

I think that may actually be Volvos new tag line, they certainly say it enough. Seems to fit my line of thinking as well. Well done Volvo.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

Where does the confidence come from? Volvo said that is a software issue however, and they don't have a fix yet. The patch they developed especially for my T8 didn't work out and they want to install a tool (hardware) to monitor my T8.

Zaxxon · Sep 14, 2017

taofen_wang said:
Where does the confidence come from? Volvo said that is a software issue however, and they don't have a fix yet. The patch they developed especially for my T8 didn't work out and they want to install a tool (hardware) to monitor my T8.

That was sarcasm.

In other news, I have this error as well. A hybrid VCU is being replaced on my car. (2017 with around 17k miles)

curtdept · Sep 14, 2017

Zaxxon said:
That was sarcasm.

In other news, I have this error as well. A hybrid VCU is being replaced on my car. (2017 with around 17k miles)

Ya the really unfortunate part is that there is always truth in satire

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taofen_wang · Oct 12, 2017

Update my case: Volvo had installed a special tool on my T8 to record the data for analysis. The data has been recorded while "hybrid system failure" message was popping up. Volvo took the tool back to Sweden with the recorded data. I am waiting for a solution from Volvo.

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dc.oms · Oct 24, 2017

New to forum and to Volvo.

I got the hybrid system failure message today. I have a 2018 T8 with ~500 miles on it. Unfortunately it?s the second issue we?ve had with the car already.
Driving it home from the dealership after buying the vehicle, the check engine light came on. It turns out a thermostat needed replaced. Since getting it back after repair, it?s sounded kind of ?clunky?. Which is disappointing. I live ~200miles from a dealer so I haven?t taken it back in for evaluation.
However, the hybrid system failure message came on the dash tonight. Hoping it goes away on its own without returning because of the distance to the dealer. From reading everyone?s experiences, I?m not optimistic that will happen.
I?ll post again with any news.

Lovevas · Dec 19, 2017

Got the "Hybrid System Failure" error just 2 days after I bought my new XC90 T8. Left the car at dealer, and the technician says it's the fault from high pressure cooling (Not sure if I heard correctly), and has to order one to replace, and it takes 5-7 biz days.

Have read the posts in this thread, suspect I will not have the luck to get it completely over...

Uukonjack · Jan 3, 2018

Just got the same message for the second time since owning. Fist time technician said it was a coolant temperature fault on the hybrid system and it reset with the magic ‘software update’ trick...

Wondering if I disconnect the battery if it will reset.... thoughts?

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FusionRedXC60 · Jan 3, 2018

Uukonjack said:
Just got the same message for the second time since owning. Fist time technician said it was a coolant temperature fault on the hybrid system and it reset with the magic 'software update' trick...

Wondering if I disconnect the battery if it will reset.... thoughts?

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Better get it checked to see if the cause can be found.

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Lovevas · Jan 3, 2018

Lovevas said:
Got the "Hybrid System Failure" error just 2 days after I bought my new XC90 T8. Left the car at dealer, and the technician says it's the fault from high pressure cooling (Not sure if I heard correctly), and has to order one to replace, and it takes 5-7 biz days.

Have read the posts in this thread, suspect I will not have the luck to get it completely over...

Update: dealer ordered a new IGM module and replaced.

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arch1981 · Jan 4, 2018

Good to know. My T8 is going in Friday for the second time on the hybrid system failure! Thanks

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Uukonjack · Jan 4, 2018

Update: Restarted after lunch, selected ‘charge battery’ on the short trip. When I started it back up after lunch the failure notice was gone.

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WhoaVolvo · Jan 4, 2018

From my own intimate knowledge on some of this you could have one or many -

1) The Coolant Sensor is defective, but still OK to drive, despite the error. (will actually turn into check engine light).
2) IGM in 2016's and some early 2017's were infact faulty - again, you can drive unless you get the Turtle
3) HV battery is defective, again in 2016's and early 2017's. (Early builds with delivery in January - March)
4) Following the most recent software update you will get a check engine light if you didn't get an update 2-3 weeks later with the fix. No idea of root cause.

All of this knowledge from the threads here and my own personal experience. The issues *are* identified and fixed, but very frustrating as the dealers are forced into an "Error = Fix" despite that other errors are very likely. Why they just don't offer some kind of preventative maintenance line item for these vehicles is unknown. That said, later 2017's and 2018's seem much less prone to these issue. Impossible, absolutely not, but coming from a manufacturing background somewhat - you got to use the parts you have before you can get the new "better" ones down the line.

brisk · Jan 4, 2018

I had this error again 2 days ago. It was extremely cold outside. I usually park the car in my garage but on new year eve, I was at my friend's house, I left his house arount 2AM, and saw this message. The message did not go away until the second day afternoon. Called my dealership and I was told then couldn't do anything if the message is gone. It is pretty hard to show them the code, since it comes and goes, when I see this error I may not have time to go to the dealership or too far from it. Even if I do they may not have time to look at it, then if we wait a couple hours, the error may disappear...

FusionRedXC60 · Jan 4, 2018

brisk said:
I had this error again 2 days ago. It was extremely cold outside. I usually park the car in my garage but on new year eve, I was at my friend's house, I left his house arount 2AM, and saw this message. The message did not go away until the second day afternoon. Called my dealership and I was told then couldn't do anything if the message is gone. It is pretty hard to show them the code, since it comes and goes, when I see this error I may not have time to go to the dealership or too far from it. Even if I do they may not have time to look at it, then if we wait a couple hours, the error may disappear...

I wish with so much software running in the car, they should log the related internal sensor data when abnormal things happens. A transient warning light is too simple to diagnose the problem.

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hybrid system failure - service required

ScottS

taofen_wang

ScottS

christopher.moor

ScottS

curtdept

taofen_wang

Zaxxon

curtdept

taofen_wang

dc.oms

Lovevas

Uukonjack

FusionRedXC60

Lovevas

arch1981

Uukonjack

WhoaVolvo

brisk

FusionRedXC60

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