BLIS -- Problems, Volvo Cars NA, and the Ford Mentality

20190 Views 26 Replies 19 Participants Last post by 12Ounce, May 20, 2015

jfinan

Discussion Starter · Mar 18, 2009

2

BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) -- Volvo is fond of acronyms. We ordered our '07 XC90 with BLIS (overseas delivery). It was the first one at our dealer to have it. We started to notice that it wasn't 'seeing' cars in the blind spot area that it's supposed to work in. It would see some cars but not others. We could pass a string of cars/trucks and it would see some but not others. No pattern (e.g. color, size, speed, daylight, night, road surface...).

We took the XC90 to the dealer and they couldn't figure out anything and nobody in the chain of commany (VCNA) seemed to know anything either. So, they replaced the cameras (mirror housings). Then things got better: in addition to the problem seeing vehicles, now we were getting error messages and codes. It would go into 'Reduced Function' on most trips of over 2 hours.

The dealer still had no real documentation/shop info so they called in the VCNA regional tech rep. When he finally came he said that the BLIS in his company car had problems too. He took pictures of the cars/trucks that it would and wouldn't see. And said he would send a report to Sweden to see what the issue was. For many months I did not get a real response. Just talk from the dealer that 'the system has limitations' or 'it's an imperfect system'.

When I finally contacted VCNA customer service the response was basically tellling me to read the manual. I called and talked to the managers and ran into "THE FORD MENTALITY". No explanations for the error codes or the "reduced function'...

They basically said that they were doing nothing further

So it looks like we're going to have to send the XC90 back to them under the lemon law since they worked on the problem many times and weren't able to fix it. Too bad really, with the exception of the BLIS (and a few other things) we like the car.

BLIS -- not a very blissful thing. If you want it be aware that it has plenty of bugs. It may not see that car that is in your blind spot. This is consistent with other BLIS-equipped cars I've driven. Part of the problem could be that we got one of the first XC90s with BLIS.

The thing that makes me wonder is if they misrepresented this safety system, what about all the other ones?

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vivek9856

· #2 · Mar 18, 2009

Re: BLIS -- Problems, Volvo Cars NA, and the Ford Mentality (jfinan)

You are going to lemon a car over BLIS? Sheesh.

1) BLIS is only like 800 or 900 bucks. If your BLIS isn't working, just shrug it off and swallow the 900 dollars. Big deal.
2) BLIS is not a perfect system. Think about the coding involved in having a camera detect cars. Because of its complexity, it is prone to errors. Sure it is supposed to work, but sometimes it just has a bad day. My BLIS doesn't always work too well, but I don't think that is a reason to get the car lemon'ed.

If it makes you feel better, pretend you spent that money on power folding mirrors instead.

robtr8

· #3 · Mar 18, 2009

Re: BLIS -- Problems, Volvo Cars NA, and the Ford Mentality (vivek9856)

Exactly what I was thinking, only much nicer.

It does make you wonder about the new XC60 city braking though.

The rear sonar and BLIS are nice but they're not a substitute for situational awarness.

I love my folding mirrors!!

Modified by robtr8 at 3:25 AM 3-19-2009

PeenouyVolvoXC90

· #4 · Mar 19, 2009

Re: BLIS -- Problems, Volvo Cars NA, and the Ford Mentality (jfinan)

Let us know if you're successful in sending back the car under the Florida Lemon Law because of the malfunctioning BLIS. I have it in my XC90 and it works, not perfect, but it works. Do I rely on it totally? Heck, No! Even if the BLIS is perfect and can see everything it was supposed to see, I will still turn my head and look. I see it as a "driving aid", nothing more. I don't think we should totally rely on its "information" when driving. Just my dos centavos... Good luck!

AccuView

· #5 · Mar 19, 2009

Re: BLIS -- Problems, Volvo Cars NA, and the Ford Mentality (vivek9856)

Quote, originally posted by vivek9856 »

If it makes you feel better, pretend you spent that money on power folding mirrors instead.

You don't need BLIS to get folding mirrors. At least not till MY 2006.

ccc

· #6 · Mar 19, 2009

I think there is two issues

First, BLISS doesn't always "see" and my sometimes sees ghosts so I get false positives and false negatives. Not perfect but meets my expectations.

Second, when we first got the car (08 XC90 sport), it would get "reduced function" or "camera blocked" message quite a bit, it would go away for a while and come back again. After taking it to the dealer for its 7500 mile service, they replaced both cameras (seems like it latches the error internally even if the messages goes away). At 19k miles, I am getting the same messages again. Anybody else get these messages with the Bliss? Frequently? Does each message imply that the cameras need to be replaced or its just a software glitch that everyone experiences?

In the second case, I can see if the dealer had to fix the same problem a number of times (especially if the problem threw a code) then the lemon law may apply (at least in CA). On the hand, if you get them to take the car back for BLISS not behaving perfectly, I'm going to start complaining that this car feels too slow for its advertised horsepower rating.

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240_XC90

· #7 · Mar 19, 2009

Re: (ccc)

I have an 07 XC-90 (purchased in May 07) with Bliss and am please with the overall function. Twice it has gotten into a phase of staying on but seemed to correct itself.

So far I am happy with the system and like it because it alerts me when a car is approaching so I know there is someone beside me. I do not rely on it to make a lane change but it is part of the cross check I use when making lane changes.

Again, I am happy with the system.

MagoonR

· #8 · Mar 19, 2009

Re: BLIS -- Problems, Volvo Cars NA, and the Ford Mentality (vivek9856)

Quote, originally posted by vivek9856 »

You are going to lemon a car over BLIS? Sheesh.

If he paid for something that does not work as advertised and cannot be fixed to his satisfaction...........that is what the lemon law is for. I threatened to lemon law my R when the dealer could not satisfactorily resolve the axle spline clicking with multiple gluings and axle hub replacements. Some of us actually pay for our cars and want things to work as advertised.

tmtalpey

· #9 · Mar 19, 2009

Re: BLIS -- Problems, Volvo Cars NA, and the Ford Mentality (MagoonR)

Especially a feature sold as a safety enhancement. Sheesh.

Tom.

robtr8

· #10 · Mar 19, 2009

Re: BLIS -- Problems, Volvo Cars NA, and the Ford Mentality (tmtalpey)

You'de Lemon Law a whole freakin' $55,000.00 car because a bullcrap toy doesn't work perfectly? It's crap like that that drives up the cost of products and services for the rest of us.

I argree that Volvo should not be selling the feature unless they got it right. I certainly feel that asking for your money back on the BLIS is justified. But the whole car??? That's not reasonable.

MagoonR

· #11 · Mar 19, 2009

Re: BLIS -- Problems, Volvo Cars NA, and the Ford Mentality (robtr8)

Quote, originally posted by robtr8 »

You'de Lemon Law a whole freakin' $55,000.00 car because a bullcrap toy doesn't work perfectly? It's crap like that that drives up the cost of products and services for the rest of us.

So it is not important to have everything working as advertised in a product.......regardless of cost? Should manufacturers be sloppy on the details and not be responsible for their product?

Quote, originally posted by robtr8 »

I argree that Volvo should not be selling the feature unless they got it right. I certainly feel that asking for your money back on the BLIS is justified. But the whole car??? That's not reasonable.

So if the OP really wanted the BLIS (as advertised) and perhaps passed over other product because of the BLIS, he should suck it up and accept something that doesn't work as advertised? If you ordered a car in blue and it came in red, would you accept it? Sorry.

240_XC90

· #12 · Mar 19, 2009

Re: BLIS -- Problems, Volvo Cars NA, and the Ford Mentality (jfinan)

I have an 07 XC90 which I bought new and it has BLIS. I have been happy with the system. A couple of times the lights have stayed illuminated but usually correct themselves.

I find it good for SA in that I know when a car is approaching even if I am not planning on shifting lanes. I do not use it as the primary reference for lane changes but it is part of my X check.

I would still pay for this option.

zamo

· #13 · Mar 19, 2009

Re: BLIS -- Problems, Volvo Cars NA, and the Ford Mentality (AccuView)

Quote, originally posted by AccuView »

You don't need BLIS to get folding mirrors. At least not till MY 2006.

Folding mirrors is part of the convenience package.

I chose Bi-Xenons instead of BLIS.

AOW162435

· #14 · Apr 2, 2009

Re: BLIS -- Problems, Volvo Cars NA, and the Ford Mentality (240_XC90)

Quote, originally posted by 240_XC90 »

I have an 07 XC90 which I bought new and it has BLIS. I have been happy with the system. A couple of times the lights have stayed illuminated but usually correct themselves.

I find it good for SA in that I know when a car is approaching even if I am not planning on shifting lanes. I do not use it as the primary reference for lane changes but it is part of my X check.

I would still pay for this option.

+1

I've noticed the system acting odd on occasion, but it's always returned to normal in short order. Driving slowly in the rain can allow drops of water to linger on the camera lens, thus causing the system to fault.

Andreas

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m1964

· #15 · Apr 3, 2009

Re: BLIS -- Problems, Volvo Cars NA, and the Ford Mentality (MagoonR)

Quote, originally posted by MagoonR »

So it is not important to have everything working as advertised in a product.......regardless of cost? Should manufacturers be sloppy on the details and not be responsible for their product?

So if the OP really wanted the BLIS (as advertised) and perhaps passed over other product because of the BLIS, he should suck it up and accept something that doesn't work as advertised? If you ordered a car in blue and it came in red, would you accept it? Sorry.

I totally agree - it is unacceptable, and also the mentality of Volvo is unacceptable also (I had personal experience with Volvo -climate contol does not work right, but because Volvo tech said there is nothing they can do nobody want to even look at the problem again.)

Because of that "Ford mentality" I will not buy another Volvo (even after price cuts) -the Volvo NA is very polite, but THEY DO NOT HELP YOU TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM!

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Pinstripe

· #16 · Apr 3, 2009

What would you like them to do? If the climate control system is working as designed, but it's not working the way you expect it to work, they can only note it down and send the info to the engineers for the next design.

...Unless it was not working the way it's supposed to, then they owe it to you get it fixed.

To be honest, I drove a Ford before we got our Volvo, and their service was superior in every way.

As for the BLIS, why not have them give you back the price you paid for it, and continue enjoying the vehicle.

SteveS

· #17 · Apr 4, 2009

Re: (Pinstripe)

As a T-6 owner whose 3rd transmission is just about used up, I find this thread comical.

dmd

· #18 · Apr 4, 2009

Re: (SteveS)

Quote, originally posted by SteveS »

As a T-6 owner whose 3rd transmission is just about used up, I find this thread comical.

Now that is funny right there..!!

I just turn my head and look for cars, the old fashioned way.

m1964

· #19 · Apr 5, 2009

Re: (Pinstripe)

Quote, originally posted by Pinstripe »

What would you like them to do? If the climate control system is working as designed, but it's not working the way you expect it to work, they can only note it down and send the info to the engineers for the next design.

...Unless it was not working the way it's supposed to, then they owe it to you get it fixed.

To be honest, I drove a Ford before we got our Volvo, and their service was superior in every way.

.

on the dash two center vents blow COLD air, and two outer vents blow HOT air with the difference of 16F -is that normal ?

Volvo tech said "YES, it is a complicated system, and the vents pick up engine heat" - I find explanation at least BS because I can't see how outer vents can pick up 16F, BUT VOLVO DOES NOT DO ANYTHING BECAUSE ONE POORLY QUALIFIED TECH SAID "IT'S NORMAL".

would you like your left hand to be warm. and right hand to be cold, the same goes for the face -left side-warm, Rt. side cold.
According to Volvo it IS normal...

Took 3 visits to replace not working properly seat belt - is that "normal" for the company advertising "safety first" ?

I had made about 40 visits to the dealership in less then 4 years -is that "normal" ?

I think it is for VOLvo cars NA ..

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obiwan

· #20 · Apr 5, 2009

Re: (SteveS)

Quote, originally posted by SteveS »

As a T-6 owner whose 3rd transmission is just about used up, I find this thread comical.

I feel for you, I really do

For the BLIS, never having used one, may I suggest euro spec outside wide angle mirrors with the rain repellent coating. I ordered mine from Borton. Now they work, everytime. I don't think I would ever need anything else.
I would wish for the drivers side mirror housing to be less obtrusive on the outer edge, I lose a little of the wide angle effect but not enough that I have to look over my shoulder

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