XC60 2020 - Voice command not working

[cazuk]

Hi,

I recently bought an XC60 2020. I have struggled to get the voice command working. When I press the button to activate I get either
(1) nothing, other than the radio muting for a period while I assume it tries to activate
(2) whirling blue circle in centre of dashboard briefly then nothing
(3) Voice command not responding please try again

It has been back to the dealership twice (last time today) and on both occasions the technicians have reported that it is working as it should. However I have been able to prove that it doesn't work when I try to activate it with the service rep when I have gone to pick-up.

After picking up today (Saturday) from the dealership for the second time where the technician has said it's ok but I've demonstrated to the service rep that it clearly isn't, I decided to have a play myself. I have finally got to the bottom of the issue. It appears that when my iPhone SE is connected via bluetooth it somehow interferes with the voice command. If I disconnect the phone it works ok, plus when I connected my partners galaxy phone it works ok. I've yet to try another apple iPhone but I'm assuming they will be OK. I have the most recent software installed on the volvo. Has anyone else had the same issue or heard about anything similar? thanks

[wynnj]

I'm new (1st Nov) to the XC60 myself though lots of experience with other volvo models, so am still getting to grips with all the options/possibilities myself! Only had a cursory exploratory foray into voice command but I think I read in the full 650+ page owners manual that once you connect an iphone via a usb cable and appleplay you have to use SIRI for voice commands. I'm pretty sure it's necessary for apps on the phone but I may be wrong about it applying to all functions.

[TDubs]

Hi Cazuk,

I encountered the same issue over 2 years ago. Since then, I’ve taken it to 2 different dealers who’ve sent multiple tech reports to Volvo Australia with no solution. I sought legal advice in June 2023 and still working with a solicitor to get the issue resolved. Under Austrian Consumer Law, it’s classified as a major fault and the car should be replaced if it can’t be repaired in a reasonable timeframe. What constitutes as “reasonable” is decided in court. Given the lax response from Volvo Australia’s Head of Customer Care and Managing Director, i envisage it being a long time before a resolution is reached

In the meantime, perhaps we can figure out the root cause ourselves? I’m using an iPhone 14 Pro, running iOS 17.4. Mine will work momentarily if I remove my phone from the car’s bluetooth and reconnect it, which makes me think it has something to do with the volume of messages/contacts being synced alongside using the bluetooth internet connection; however, I can’t find any documented limitations.

Have you noticed not all messages and contacts load and the ones that do load are often different?

I also have more luck connecting my phone via wifi (not bluetooth internet) and using bluetooth for calls and messages but this still only works intermittently. I’m also searching for an automation that'll connect my phone to car wifi automatically. Additionally, I set my Personal Hotspot to ‘Maximise Computability’ because it wouldn’t connect otherwise.

Like yours, mine works with an Android device. I’m going to contact Apple Support to see if they have a known solution.

My frustration with this issue and at Volvo’s slow, seeming care-free response is beyond anything i thought I’d experience when buying a car. I hope you don’t suffer the same.

Originally Posted by cazuk

Hi,

I recently bought an XC60 2020. I have struggled to get the voice command working. When I press the button to activate I get either
(1) nothing, other than the radio muting for a period while I assume it tries to activate
(2) whirling blue circle in centre of dashboard briefly then nothing
(3) Voice command not responding please try again

It has been back to the dealership twice (last time today) and on both occasions the technicians have reported that it is working as it should. However I have been able to prove that it doesn't work when I try to activate it with the service rep when I have gone to pick-up.

After picking up today (Saturday) from the dealership for the second time where the technician has said it's ok but I've demonstrated to the service rep that it clearly isn't, I decided to have a play myself. I have finally got to the bottom of the issue. It appears that when my iPhone SE is connected via bluetooth it somehow interferes with the voice command. If I disconnect the phone it works ok, plus when I connected my partners galaxy phone it works ok. I've yet to try another apple iPhone but I'm assuming they will be OK. I have the most recent software installed on the volvo. Has anyone else had the same issue or heard about anything similar? thanks

[Carlos71]

Hi guys,

I just found this post from a few months ago.
I happen to have the exact same problem. My voice command works before the phone is synchronized with the car, then, it stops working.
I just got it back from service, they checked it and told me it was working fine, but with my phone is not.
It certainly seem to have a problem with the contacts or something, but really no idea where exactly the problem is.
I tried to synchronize just part of the contacts, so the amount of data wouldn’t be so high, but no result.
Do you have any new info on the subject?? Thanks