You're riding on the bump stops, so not great for the [fully loaded] shocks.

 

This is a major issue and that is some bullcrap, the air suspension is a high dollar suspension system.

 

What did the dealership say, what has to be replaced?
I would get an attorney and sue volvo over this, just another issue volvo is proving they are not as a reliable vehicle they claim to be, poor design engineering, using cheap parts in their vehicles, especially in a suspension.

Edit to add: This is a major, huge safety issue, and malfunction. Has volvo fixed this in newer models?
What has volvo said about this?
From reading and trying to learn on this web-site, finding a good dealer service department is running 50/50.

 

What did the dealership say, what has to be replaced?
I would get an attorney and sue volvo over this, just another issue volvo is proving they are not as a reliable vehicle they claim to be, poor design engineering, using cheap parts in their vehicles, especially in a suspension.

Edit to add: This is a major, huge safety issue, and malfunction. Has volvo fixed this in newer models?
What has volvo said about this?
From reading and trying to learn on this web-site, finding a good dealer service department is running 50/50.

The car is still at service, did not hear anything yet, guess they are overloaded with Volvos with failed compressors
Will call them tomorrow though...

 

I had this happen to me as well. What I learned was that the air compressor and its fuse fail when called upon in extreme cold. My theory is that if you use comfort entry/exit below -15C the act of purging the air allows for the moisture in humid trapped air to freeze, expand and block the passage. This causes the compressor and its fuse to fail from being overstressed trying to overcome the iced over passageways. A new air compressor design is now being used to address this. Others have found parking in a warm climate and replacement of the fuse is all that is needed.

Nonetheless, being a of Swedish design you would think this would be something they accounted for, but it appears not.

Long story short, do not use comfort entry/exit in the winter if you live in a cold climate, or do so at your own peril.

 

When the temperature is in the negative, do you park in off road mode thus filling the bellows?
I was just in negative degree weather over the weekend with ambient temp -1, but windchill was -15.

 

I park at the default height. There are load change circumstances where it makes slight adjustments but it tends to do that with the reserve compressed air and not via use of the compressor.

I should have stated low ambient temperature not factoring in windchill.

 

this is why i am glad i don't have air suspension on my 2017.

 

Just got a 2023 and also very glad I didn’t get the air suspension after having read so many issues like this with the previous xc90 models. Only bummer for me was the 2023 T8 bowers and Wilkins is not available as a single option and instead is paired with the air suspension, so I had to go with the Harmon/kardon since I specifically didn’t want the air suspension. I think I’ll be happier with a still good but not phenomenal audio experience whilst never having to worry about a failure like this.

 

As mentioned most common cause for air suspension failure was moisture in the compressor system. Volvo changed the design few years ago and extreme cold shouldn't be a problem anymore.

 

Since the OP has a MY2018, when you say a "few years ago" do you mean the change was implemented in late MY2018s, MY2019s, or something else? Is there a way to check by VIN or build date?

-MY2019 air suspension owner

 

Here is the main thread about air suspension failure:

Air Suspension Failure

I have a 2017 T6 Inscription. Air suspension quit working yesterday. At start-up and while backing, heard loud tapping rattle at a consistent interval from rear then received "suspension requires serving"'aleart and notification that issue was logged. Air suspension does not activate at driving...

www.swedespeed.com

Here is TJ about compressor replacement and the new part:

Edit: TJ is for XC60, but the compressor part should be same for XC90 and air suspension was improved for MY20 XC90.

 

That TJ is not just for the XC60. It applies to XC90 as well (256 in the "Type" column).

The fuse is easy to access in the XC90. Wouldn't be a bad idea to keep an extra one if you will be frequently adjusting the height in cold weather.

 

So a car before MY2020 with air suspension but has never been in frozen weather better doesn't go to frozen area forever after warranty expires? Or try get it frozen up within warranty and see if compressor gets blown up and get replaced?

 

🤣

 

FjordWay do you have any updates?

 

I got my car back today. Another XC90 with broken suspension was standing outside btw...so I guess this is a serious problem for Volvo that their compressors fail during extreme cold, and we have a lot of that severe cold here north.

They changed the compressor, the compressor fuse and checked the system for air leaks and damage. All looking good, and covered by warranty.
They said the compressor they mounted now is the 3rd revision / model of the original pump, and hopefully more robust.

So I conclude that all XC90 SPA models with air shocks from 2015 till SPA2019 will have a failed compressor if exposed to severe cold for a while.

 

I'm not following this "Do I have the latest compressor?" logic. Your dealer isn't going to proactively upgrade your compressor.

Besides, the compressor is just a component of the system. Purchase a Gold (or Platinum) warranty if you want full air suspension coverage.

 

Yes the compressor is just a component, but every volvo owner affected by this problem whom are living in the northern states where winters are in the - temps, have the right to know if they have a part that will fail so they can have this issue addressed before they are a victim of this malfunction and quite possibly before warranty expires.

 

Yeah asking your dealer what compressor you have won't go anywhere.

 

I just blew through my 4th air compressor this weekend at 67,000 miles on my 2018 XC90. I'm out of warranty now and Volvo better cover the repair or I am taking it to court. This is the last P.O.S. Volvo that I ever buy. Getting it fixed and buying a KIA Telluride.

Ed in Madison WI

 

I just blew through my 4th air compressor this weekend at 67,000 miles on my 2018 XC90. I'm out of warranty now and Volvo better cover the repair or I am taking it to court.

I hope Volvo extends goodwill, but I have to ask - After so many failures, why didn't you purchase an extended warranty or dump it before the warranty period expired?

 

If Volvo stops offering air suspension option, more people would be disappointed.
It is an option after all. If you don't like the potential risk, it is safe not to get it.
I agree one thing missing is that they should state that air suspension may fail in frozen weather, don't drive it to skiing resort, etc.

 

Just some info about the compressor:

There is a temperature sensor in it. It prevents operation above 65*C and below -40*C, but functionality begins to be reduced at -30*C. I don't know what the reduced functionality entails.

There is also an air drier to dry the air that goes to the tanks when the compressor is generating pressure or if the air from the air springs is returned to the tanks.

In my non-engineer opinion, they should limit functionality at a higher temperature and instead of using a fuse for the circuit, use an automatic breaker.

 

Hey, Tech, why are there tanks, but also the need to take in ambient air? My previous Grand Cherokee's air suspension was completely sealed, so the compressor just moved air around the system from the tanks to the air springs and back. Seems odd to have both in the same system?

 

In most cases, air is moved around the system. But there may be instances where the compressor is needed to fill the system.

I didn't design it so I have no idea why they made it the way they did.

 

I see on news that it is snow and cold in in Texas today...that is bad news for Volvo owners with air suspension

Anyway, back to my original question in this thread - how much beating can the SPA XC90 take?
I drove about 50 miles on regular highway standards without suspension at less than 40 miles pr hour, and the car seems still fine after the suspension is back.
Any opinion about this ?

 

I see on news that it is snow and cold in in Texas today...that is bad news for Volvo owners with air suspension

Na, mine's in the garage at ~40F. The overnight blizzard is clearing and will be gone by Wednesday morning.

For my next trick, I also drive on summer tires year-around...

 

I'd think as long as you aren't hitting potholes, and really being an arse to the suspension (even if it weren't broken) then you're fine for a bit. Bump stops are rubberized, and you shouldn't be doing any structural damage where they are mounted to the body if you aren't throwing it around. I think someone did mention it won't be great for the longevity of your dampers, but limited slow, smooth use until you get to a dealer for diagnosis should be fine.

 

Volvo has extended the warranty on the air compressor to 8 years, unlimited mileage for eligible vehicles with symptoms matching a newly released bulletin.

 

Jumping in to this thread. First Edition owner. Every year, without fail, my suspension has frozen. I’m now on my third compressor—fortunately all replaced under warranty. This year, after the first inevitable annual freeze, the techs id’d service action 79852 (link below) which was relevant to my model, confirmed slippage of dust covers, and performed the tech journal repair. Fingers crossed this solves my issue, but I’m skeptical.

Thanks to this thread (not sure why I was so boneheaded not to think of it on my own), I’ve learned to disengage easy out in the winter. This will at least save me from being a regular low-rider in the winter.

The service action is limited to MY 2016 XC90s, but is not phased out due to mileage or expired warranty. I was in the shop twice last year (unrelated to suspension), well after the service action was posted, and the dealership failed to notice the action. Only when I came back in for suspension issues was it identified. So if you have a 2016 XC90 with air suspension, you might consider pointing your dealership to the action (link below), if they do not identify it on their own.

Also asked if the dealership knew anything about Volvo extending the warranty of the suspension, and they were clueless (also clueless about a 3G solution for xc90–though confirmed a $760 usd solution available for all other models). Volvo corporate did not respond to an email question on the extended warranty either.

https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2019/MC-10161769-9999.pdf

 

I'm under the impression that modern air suspensions including Volvo's, are closed systems. That seems to conflict with parts being called "air inlet hose" unless that hose is only there for evacuation and refill of the closed system. There are tanks under the cargo area storage insert, so my understanding is that the compressor simply moves "air" (pretty sure it's actually nitrogen) from the tanks to the airbags and vice versa.

Anybody have any additional insight?

EDIT: literally just re-read a few posts up, a conversation that I was a part of where Tech confirmed it's an open system. I'll shut up now. 🤦‍♂️

 

open system

 

I went through compressors like they were candy in my 2017 T8. In Volvo's defense, it never cost a penny. But yea, these things can't take cold weather.