NHTSA Complaint #11719209 — 2024 VOLVO XC90

On February 17, 2026 I was driving from Sacramento, CA to Oakland, CA (approximately 100 miles). At the start of the trip, I discovered that the vehicle’s heating and climate control system was not functioning. Specifically, the heater would not turn on, and as a result, the windshield defrost system would not activate. I attempted multiple times to turn the vehicle off and restart it to see if the system would reset, but the problem persisted. I also tried manually activating the front defrost using the dashboard controls; however, the defrost function would not engage. Weather conditions were approximately 40°F with heavy rain. Because the defrost system was inoperable, the windshield and windows became fogged over during the drive. This significantly impaired my visibility. I was unable to adequately clear the windshield, creating a dangerous driving condition for the duration of the trip. This malfunction directly impacted my ability to safely operate the vehicle in cold and rainy conditions. The inability to use the defrost system created a serious safety hazard due to reduced visibility.