Did you get a check engine light or "reduced performance" message? If not, it's likely the ERAD (rear electric motor) and needs to be replaced.

 

No warning lights or messages.

I think it's time to chop the car in.

 

Yes, it's always been there. It was one of my main complaints about the car. It's not consistent... some days it used to be much more noticeable than others. But it can be very annoying. All T8s I have driven exhibited the same behavior - it led me to drive only in power mode. Yet, when i posted on this forum, there was one other user describing similar behavior, but many others claiming the opposite - that the transition was smooth as silk for their vehicle. I noticed some reviewers mentioned it as well:

"Hybrid mode operates seamlessly most of the time, though it occasionally flounders when accelerating from a standstill with little juice in the battery-in this situation the electric motor bows out sooner than usual, and the engine will occasionally come on a tad too strong, resulting in neck-snapping lurches like a mad bull."
https://www.motortrend.com/cars/vol...rs/volvo/xc90-plug-in/2017/2017-volvo-xc90-t8-plug-in-hybrid-first-test-review/

 

Yes, it's always been there. It was one of my main complaints about the car. It's not consistent...

No. This is not an instant of hesitation. This is a case of put your foot down and the car pauses before re-engaging. Ive has the car from new since July 2017. This is something new and definitely not normal.

 

OP, if it helps, 2016/2017 models use v1 of the ERAD. 2018+ models are using v2 (my '18 says "ERAD v2").

I assume Volvo worked with Siemens to improve the electric motor and/or clutch between v1 and v2. We'll see if '18 owners start reporting ERAD failures in a few years.

 

Update: Car is back home.

Momentary power lapse: the car experienced the problem whilst I was test driving with the engineer but he didn't feel it. I guess if it's not your foot on the accelerator the lack of power doesn't feel like anything unusual. Once the problem is dependable I'll have them drive it for a day or two.

Suspension roll: we drove my car and one of the garage's T8s with 29,000 kms on the tachometer. The difference was night and day to me. Their car was neutral in corners and under braking. My car will be in a suspension bath next Friday to investigate sensors and 'calibration' settings.

Sport key battery low warning: they've ordered another key under warranty without question. I know this hasn't been everyone's experience in NA. Maybe this is a Swiss warranty thing.

Engine rattle: this was the most interesting discussion. I learned that the T6/8 ICE is direct injection. This is reportedly what the engine sounds diesel-like. Certainly their T8 sounds very similar immediately on start-up. Mine has developed the sound over time and it only starts once the engine is hot. So i felt like I needed to understand more and looked into this....

This film below explains how it works and its impact on emissions and performance. It's clearly a marketing tool for Bosch but it covers the science.

Then I found this more detailed film that explains the flaw in this technology that over time will kill engine performance and increase emissions. Spoiler: this is not a comforting watch and I think this merits some further discussion on the forum:

I'm wondering if this issue is behind the rough running of my engine. Does anyone know if the T8/6 engine uses twin injectors or just direct injection.

 

...
Momentary power lapse: the car experienced the problem whilst I was test driving with the engineer but he didn't feel it. I guess if it's not your foot on the accelerator the lack of power doesn't feel like anything unusual. Once the problem is dependable I'll have them drive it for a day or two.....

Question for you - how were you doing the test drive to show the problem? I also get the "can't replicate" from the dealership, but, my car had a problem - and, after reporting it quite a bit, they finally found a problem (when the stalling became much worse and more persistent)… ERAD was replaced. But, it's one of those issues where it may not throw an error until it gets worse, however, as a driver, you can start to feel that there's a problem since the vehicle starts "stalling" or hesitating.

In the beginning, it started when I would accelerate from a stop, after being in Pure, but, switching to Power before taking off. It wouldn't happen all the time. But, when it did, it was scary to see the car roll forward for a few car lengths before finally accelerating. Then, it would do it even if I had been driving in Power mode (however, this may have always been the case, since I spend most of my time in Pure mode). My vehicle has plenty of other errors and problems, but, it all started with the hesitation and stalling, so, try doing a few accelerations from a stop, or, however you've seen the problem occur, and, if you can, make a recording (have someone help you, or, use a dashcam).

 

Hi. I have a 2018 XC90 T8. Just brought home after the 20,000 mile maintenance and am having this issue with the sudden loss of acceleration (for about 2-3 seconds) when accelerating in electric mode. It is typically when I am starting from stop or driving at a low speed and then accelerating, can’t pinpoint exactly what triggers this. No check engine lights. I’ve learned to anticipate the problem and it’s aggravating until the other day when my wife tried to turn left at a yellow and we were in the middle of the intersection for about two seconds and realized this could be dangerous.

If anyone has had this issued resolved, please let me know. I have made an appointment with our dealer but the service advisors were not aware of this issue.

 

Hi. I have a 2018 XC90 T8. Just brought home after the 20,000 mile maintenance and am having this issue with the sudden loss of acceleration (for about 2-3 seconds) when accelerating in electric mode. It is typically when I am starting from stop or driving at a low speed and then accelerating, can’t pinpoint exactly what triggers this. No check engine lights. I’ve learned to anticipate the problem and it’s aggravating until the other day when my wife tried to turn left at a yellow and we were in the middle of the intersection for about two seconds and realized this could be dangerous.

If anyone has had this issued resolved, please let me know. I have made an appointment with our dealer but the service advisors were not aware of this issue.

What was the outcome?

 

I am having this exact problem starting yesterday in my 2016 Volvo XC90 T8 that I purchased 3.5 yrs ago. Please post what to say to dealer and what needs to be fixed? Did fixing ERAD fix the problem?

 

Anyone experienced this before?

Yep, that's the ERAD coupling. I had the same complains in February this year. Although the warranty has expired (delivered October 2015) it was repaired by Volvo without costs.

 

ERAD



Hi
What dealer was that? I am also located in the Netherlands but my dealer wants me to pay 50% for a new ERAD.

 

Of course it is intermittent so far and not every time I start moving after a stop in while in hybrid and pure where it uses the electric motor which I do watch to make sure it is using the electric motor. Obviously power mode uses both electric and gas so I do not notice it in that mode.

I have a few more months of warranty so I need to address it.

 

Of course it is intermittent so far and not every time I start moving after a stop in while in hybrid and pure where it uses the electric motor which I do watch to make sure it is using the electric motor. Obviously power mode uses both electric and gas so I do not notice it in that mode.

I have a few more months of warranty so I need to address it.

Hybrid power train (battery and motor at least) comes with 8yr warranty. But yeh, addressing it sooner is always better.

 

Good point. Thanks!!

 

New ERAD placed by dealer. So far no issues.

 

My car has been in the shop for the last 48. Currently the SA is claiming that they think it’s a software issue.




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My car has been in the shop for the last 48. Currently the SA is claiming that they think it's a software issue.

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Highly unlikely... tell them to check into the ERAD, had it happen to mine too.

 

My 2016 had intermittent issues and they initially told me they couldn’t duplicate the problem. It eventually got to the point where all power would cut out while making left turns and it became dangerous to drive. At that point they finally agreed it was the ERAD. It was replaced 7 months ago and I haven’t had any issues since.


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My 2016 had intermittent issues and they initially told me they couldn't duplicate the problem. It eventually got to the point where all power would cut out while making left turns and it became dangerous to drive. At that point they finally agreed it was the ERAD. It was replaced 7 months ago and I haven't had any issues since.

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Yeah. It's just great when the "cannot replicate customer concern" for 20,000 miles until the damn thing gives out completely out of warranty.

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What is the cost of ERAD when out of warranty?


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What is the cost of ERAD when out of warranty?

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The part itself lists for $1882.22 on a parts site before their discount. As for how many hours of labor to add on for removing and rebuilding a transmission?
From looking at the instructions it's pretty labor intensive.

I'm gonna say my VIP plan just easily paid for itself.

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Noticed this four times now. I think it occurs just after starting the car. I stop at a junction then pull away on electric power / hybrid mode. There's a momentary loss of power, then the IC engine cuts in to get the car going or electric power returns.

Anyone experienced this before?

Hi yes, I just bought a 2016 T8 and it does exact same thing on turning into a junction does not pick up speed, and then accelerates dangerously.

I am also having issues with the breaking its like a thud to the back on sudden breaking or if holding break for too long.

This is all very disheartening as read great reviews for volvo

 

T8 loss of power on turning is a symptom of ERAD transmission failure. Especially in a 2016. Hope you have some warranty left.

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I had the exact same issue in December 2019. I entered a busy intersection and T8 wouldnt power up and even pressing the accelerator didn't fire up ICE. The car was like dead, as in off!

I had to switch it off and on again and it worked, but Sensus kept crashing and resetting afterwards. I booked it in and all they did was install Sensus 2.0.

So far, I haven't had any issues. They said it lost "data", whatever that means/t, and they said it needed a complete software upgrade to reinstall lost "data"

And mine had ~40,000Km on the clock at.the time.

Edit: I suspect the dying scenario must have something to do with the version of Sensus build my car was upgraded with in May 2019.

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WARNING to all 2016 XC90 T8 owners, I have this issue. Volvo is replacing the electric motor with its built in “slipping” transmission, I had a month of warranty left! If in electric mode you have begun seing this hesitation (sometime jerk) problem do not wait until it is to late.


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forum

No. This is not an instant of hesitation. This is a case of put your foot down and the car pauses before re-engaging. Ive has the car from new since July 2017. This is something new and definitely not normal.

 

Got the same issue. Supposedly part is on backorder and my dealership now has to get it from Sweden...They say it’s going to take at least a week...

 

Hi. I have a 2016 xc90. Had this problem a while back. It happen many times when IC kicks in and always run on IC during the trip unless shut the system off and re start again and might get some power loss and IC restart.

I have it fixed a while back. They said it was the control unit located at above to the Sum exhaust tank before release the exhaust out at the tail pipe at the back of the car (I think thing they access it from underneath the car) . Then change it and everything went back to normal. They said the controller unit were bad.

Mine was under warrantee 5 years from the dealer so it was free.

 

Same issue here. I have a T8 2016 with 40K miles, and there was hesitation between 1-2 gear.
Dealer checked today and will replace ERAD. Have to say too many issues with this car, total disappointment.

 

Went to the dealer this week and I have the same problem. 2017 build in 08/16 with 80.000miles. Needs a new erad. 8000$ cad.
First time in life that I bought an extended warranty for a car and happy I did it.
The dealer had an other one on the lot with the same problem

 

Guys, same issue for me in South Africa on a 2016 XC90, T8 R-Design. Losing power, long acceleration lag, etc. Will take it to the dealer with your feedback. They couldn't pinpoint it last time and told me to get a new battery...which is rubbish, as I am a battery engineer, and I know there is nothing wrong with it. Will have them look into the electric motor. Also, any issues with a weird error message saying reduced power or something, at high speed?

 

Was already scheduled for service after wife reported this issue then I drove it and had the issue. I put on the Driver Performance screen and while pulling away watched all the electric feed die the car coasted then the electric took over and this was doing 15mph on my street.

Today it got worse and is shaking a lot, called shop and they said there is new software they have to install first because of "chattering" going around turns. And then they have to charge it and drive it to see if it still does it then it will be transmission or whole erad replacement.

 

My car started doing this. It's been 3 weeks now. What was the outcome of yours?

 

I had that same problem in my 2017 XC90 T8, starting at about 40,000 miles. I had to take it in 4 separate times. First time they just updated the software. Didn't help. 2nd time they couldn't replicate the problem. 3rd time they replicated the problem, but there was another, newer, software update, so they had to try that first. Finally, after the problem continued, on the 4th time into the shop they replaced the ERAD. It's been perfect since.