XC90 accelerating by itself

Daveboy · Mar 28th, 2015, 22:19

Does anyone know of any faults which could result in my XC90 accelerating by itself? It's a 2011 D5 200 Active with Auto box, and in immaculate condition with around 22000 miles on the clock. We had problems a few months ago with the DPF warning coming on which wouldn't clear. Around this time there were a couple of occasions where the car accelerated by itself with my wife battling to hold it back using the brakes. The dealer did a forced regen to clear the DPF and after I picked it up, on the way home, it started accelerating again. It was a nightmare trying to control it in busy traffic, and I had to brake fairly hard to hold it back. Got an engine service warning at the same time. When I put it into neutral the engine was revving up and down by itself. I turned the engine off and on but it was the same, eventually it stopped and I managed to drive home in limp mode. Went back to the dealer who replaced a couple of sensors, and that seemed to sort it.

That was a few months ago and I thought it was all fixed but today when driving it started accelerating by itself again. Changing from neutral back to drive seemed to get rid of it and there were no warning messages this time. Not had any DPF problems recently either.

Any ideas what this could be? My wife doesn't feel safe driving this car any more and if I can't get this sorted the car will have to go, which would be a shame as its a nice car!

Thanks.

bobdabuilda · Mar 28th, 2015, 22:26

Sounds terrifying and I'd have it back to the dealership to sort it once and for all or report to Volvo UK or the DVSA https://www.gov.uk/report-vehicle-safety-defect

Clan · Mar 28th, 2015, 22:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daveboy

Does anyone know of any faults which could result in my XC90 accelerating by itself? It's a 2011 D5 200 Active with Auto box, and in immaculate condition with around 22000 miles on the clock. We had problems a few months ago with the DPF warning coming on which wouldn't clear. Around this time there were a couple of occasions where the car accelerated by itself with my wife battling to hold it back using the brakes. The dealer did a forced regen to clear the DPF and after I picked it up, on the way home, it started accelerating again. It was a nightmare trying to control it in busy traffic, and I had to brake fairly hard to hold it back. Got an engine service warning at the same time. When I put it into neutral the engine was revving up and down by itself. I turned the engine off and on but it was the same, eventually it stopped and I managed to drive home in limp mode. Went back to the dealer who replaced a couple of sensors, and that seemed to sort it.

That was a few months ago and I thought it was all fixed but today when driving it started accelerating by itself again. Changing from neutral back to drive seemed to get rid of it and there were no warning messages this time. Not had any DPF problems recently either.

Any ideas what this could be? My wife doesn't feel safe driving this car any more and if I can't get this sorted the car will have to go, which would be a shame as its a nice car!

Thanks.

what is the engine oil level showing on the dipstick?

what happened when you put it in " N " I would guess the revs went sky high ?

Daveboy · Mar 28th, 2015, 22:37

Haven't checked the oil level, will have a look tomorrow. It should be ok as the car still gets serviced at dealer, and when it goes in for anything else they (supposedly) check all the fluid levels. When I changed it in to neutral the revs did shoot up but I put it back into drive quite quickly. When this happened before and I put it in to neutral the revs did shoot up but it was revving up and down consistently by itself.

Clan · Mar 28th, 2015, 22:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daveboy

Haven't checked the oil level, will have a look tomorrow. It should be ok as the car still gets serviced at dealer, and when it goes in for anything else these (supposedly) check all the fluid levels. When I changed it in to neutral the revs did shoot up but I put it back into drive quite quickly. When this happened before and I put it in to neutral the revs did shoot up but it was revving up and down consistently by itself.

It is vital the oil level is only 2/3 up the XXXXXX section of the dipstick , oil level can RISE on it's own if regeneration is faulty .. also a faulty turbocharger can discharge oil into the inlet or exhaust system ... causing similar symptoms , but very rare .. if it discharges into the exhaust the only symptom is lots of smoke ! Did you get any smoke?

Daveboy · Mar 28th, 2015, 23:01

No haven't had any smoke, but I'll check the oil level in the morning and report back. Thanks.

A lex · Mar 29th, 2015, 08:57

It does sound like the symptoms of a runaway diesel, but if that were the case i'd have expected the engine to have eaten itself by now!

If the oil level is anywhere above 2/3rd full, then this is where id be starting. Total crap if the dealer hasnt picked up on it (if thats the case), as the rising oil levels on the euro4 D5 are widely known and the 2/3 oil solution is an official Volvo fix.

Tannaton · Mar 29th, 2015, 10:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobdabuilda

Sounds terrifying and I'd have it back to the dealership to sort it once and for all or report to Volvo UK or the DVSA https://www.gov.uk/report-vehicle-safety-defect

+++1

If it happens again - shove it into Neutral and turn the engine off immediately by turning the key to position "I" so the steering doesn't lock - if the engine stops then I think you have an issue with engine management/fuel injection system. If the engine continues to surge then you have problem with the turbo leaking lubricating oil into the inlet tract or too much oil as Clan suggested. If you choose to do this - take great care as if the engine does stop you will have no power assistance with the steering or brakes... probably best to stop the car first.

Personally I would send the car back to the dealer (assuming you still have some warranty) and refuse to take it back. It must have been a very frightening experience for your wife, and there is always the risk that if it happens again it could have "front page of the nationals" consequences. I'm not a lawyer but I would be mindful of my own risk and liability, driving a car with an unresolved fault that can cause sudden, un-commanded acceleration.

As Bobdabuilda said get straight on to Volvo - surely a manufacturer who leads the way in safety will jump on this? If they don't - don't be shy about threatening to call Watchdog...

The Mad Rapper · Mar 29th, 2015, 10:33

Your car needs to go in to the Dealer immediately and don't accept it back until it's fixed. That issue has the potential to kill someone.

Daveboy · Mar 29th, 2015, 18:07

Checked the oil level today. The level is 3/4 of the way up the XXXX... section. i.e. it is sitting between the 2nd and 3rd X from the top. I'm guessing this is ok?

I'm going to get on the phone to Volvo customer service in the morning, and probably submit a report to the DVSA.

Mar 28th, 2015, 22:19	#1
Daveboy New Member Last Online: Dec 6th, 2020 12:23 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Aberdeen	XC90 accelerating by itself Does anyone know of any faults which could result in my XC90 accelerating by itself? It's a 2011 D5 200 Active with Auto box, and in immaculate condition with around 22000 miles on the clock. We had problems a few months ago with the DPF warning coming on which wouldn't clear. Around this time there were a couple of occasions where the car accelerated by itself with my wife battling to hold it back using the brakes. The dealer did a forced regen to clear the DPF and after I picked it up, on the way home, it started accelerating again. It was a nightmare trying to control it in busy traffic, and I had to brake fairly hard to hold it back. Got an engine service warning at the same time. When I put it into neutral the engine was revving up and down by itself. I turned the engine off and on but it was the same, eventually it stopped and I managed to drive home in limp mode. Went back to the dealer who replaced a couple of sensors, and that seemed to sort it. That was a few months ago and I thought it was all fixed but today when driving it started accelerating by itself again. Changing from neutral back to drive seemed to get rid of it and there were no warning messages this time. Not had any DPF problems recently either. Any ideas what this could be? My wife doesn't feel safe driving this car any more and if I can't get this sorted the car will have to go, which would be a shame as its a nice car! Thanks. Last edited by Daveboy; Mar 28th, 2015 at 22:22. Reason: Typo

Mar 28th, 2015, 22:37	#4
Daveboy New Member Last Online: Dec 6th, 2020 12:23 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Aberdeen	Haven't checked the oil level, will have a look tomorrow. It should be ok as the car still gets serviced at dealer, and when it goes in for anything else they (supposedly) check all the fluid levels. When I changed it in to neutral the revs did shoot up but I put it back into drive quite quickly. When this happened before and I put it in to neutral the revs did shoot up but it was revving up and down consistently by itself. Last edited by Daveboy; Mar 28th, 2015 at 23:17.

Mar 29th, 2015, 08:57	#7
A lex Premier Member Last Online: Jun 21st, 2022 08:16 Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Maastricht View Photos By: A lex	It does sound like the symptoms of a runaway diesel, but if that were the case i'd have expected the engine to have eaten itself by now! If the oil level is anywhere above 2/3rd full, then this is where id be starting. Total crap if the dealer hasnt picked up on it (if thats the case), as the rising oil levels on the euro4 D5 are widely known and the 2/3 oil solution is an official Volvo fix. __________________ 2007 V70 P3 2.0 Ex: 01 V70 T5, 04 S60 D5, 05 V70 D5, 09 XC90 D5 Other cars: MINI Clubman Cooper S, GMC Yukon XL Denali 6.2L, Ford Mustang GT 5.0 Supercharged 735bhp.

Mar 29th, 2015, 10:33	#9
The Mad Rapper Member Last Online: Mar 14th, 2016 08:35 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Penn, Buckinghamshire	Your car needs to go in to the Dealer immediately and don't accept it back until it's fixed. That issue has the potential to kill someone. __________________ "I think suffering in cycling is basically the key to success." Rolf Aldag

Mar 28th, 2015, 22:26	#2
bobdabuilda Premier Member Last Online: May 31st, 2022 11:32 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: south	Sounds terrifying and I'd have it back to the dealership to sort it once and for all or report to Volvo UK or the DVSA https://www.gov.uk/report-vehicle-safety-defect

Mar 28th, 2015, 23:01	#6
Daveboy New Member Last Online: Dec 6th, 2020 12:23 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Aberdeen	No haven't had any smoke, but I'll check the oil level in the morning and report back. Thanks.

Mar 29th, 2015, 18:07	#10
Daveboy New Member Last Online: Dec 6th, 2020 12:23 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Aberdeen	Checked the oil level today. The level is 3/4 of the way up the XXXX... section. i.e. it is sitting between the 2nd and 3rd X from the top. I'm guessing this is ok? I'm going to get on the phone to Volvo customer service in the morning, and probably submit a report to the DVSA.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)