Volvo XC90 Lemon Law

Volvo recalled XC90 vehicles for a low-pressure fuel pump that can blow a fuse and fail, causing the engine to stall mid-drive. On plug-in hybrid XC90s, separate recalls covered a control-module software issue where the engine may fail to engage when the battery is depleted (causing a loss of power), and a high-voltage battery that can short-circuit when fully charged and parked, creating a fire risk.

Stalling, loss of power, and fire risk are serious safety defects, and recurring problems in a premium SUV are exactly what the Lemon Law addresses.

A recall isn't automatically a lemon. But if a substantial defect can't be repaired after a reasonable number of attempts, or your XC90 is out of service for an extended time, California's Lemon Law may entitle you to a buyback, replacement, or cash settlement — with Volvo paying your attorney fees.

A recall is not automatically a lemon — it's the manufacturer acknowledging a defect and offering a free repair. California's Lemon Law (the Song-Beverly Act) comes into play when a substantial defect can't be fixed after a reasonable number of attempts, or when your XC90 has been out of service for 30 or more cumulative days.

If your Volvo XC90 qualifies, you may be entitled to a buyback (a refund of what you've paid, minus a mileage offset), a replacement vehicle, or a cash-and-keep settlement — and Volvo pays your attorney fees on a successful claim, so pursuing your case costs you nothing out of pocket.