Anyone with a T8 at nearly 4 or 5 years old - read this!

[iana40]

I have the same ERAD issue on a T8 Inscription Pro and my car was booked in at Lookers Volvo Stockport on the 1st Feb 2024 for a major service, I had not seen this ERAD thread at that time.

I prefilled all the service information in the day before the service, including the loss of power and the screen blanking and rebooting on journey's, asking for the latest software and a check on the loss of power.

To my amazement I was told that on a service they do not run any engine management software during the service, they just 'change the oil and stuff' and it would be an additional £170 to run it and check this issue. They also said they did not have time to look at my notes from my preservice survey as they were always too busy. Needless to say, I lost my cool a told them it was their responsibility to run the software and to update the car management software during a service. They refused and said they were not aware of ANY power loss issues with their cars and it was just me.

I then booked my car in with a local Volvo specialist, but the earliest they could do was the 6th March (2 ex Volvo engineers with a combined 40 years experience). Two hours and £360 later they told me it was the commonly known ERAD issue and it may also be affecting the differential and I must get it back into an official Volvo dealer asap. they phoned the dealer for me and spoke to the service specialist to explain the issue to him. He said it was a known issue and that they would try to get some 'goodwill', but that this was not a recall issue, although they know it's a problem. We were quoted this will be £7k parts + Labour + VAT

The car is with Looker's today, reception have said they are not aware of any ERAD problems, but they will look into the issue and run the engine management software this morning. they also said they need the car all day as they are very busy.

I will send an update later, but at the moment the denial of an issue is ridiculous when the forum is listing them.

For the record: we charge the car every night and use most of the 21 miles of eDriving each day. These are the only two problems we have with the car, but they may be terminal for my Volvo relationship if not sorted amicably.

This is my second XC90, I also have a V40, which was a downsize to replace my S60.

[iana40]

Originally Posted by iana40

I have the same ERAD issue on a T8 Inscription Pro and my car was booked in at Lookers Volvo Stockport on the 1st Feb 2024 for a major service, I had not seen this ERAD thread at that time.

I prefilled all the service information in the day before the service, including the loss of power and the screen blanking and rebooting on journey's, asking for the latest software and a check on the loss of power.

To my amazement I was told that on a service they do not run any engine management software during the service, they just 'change the oil and stuff' and it would be an additional £170 to run it and check this issue. They also said they did not have time to look at my notes from my preservice survey as they were always too busy. Needless to say, I lost my cool a told them it was their responsibility to run the software and to update the car management software during a service. They refused and said they were not aware of ANY power loss issues with their cars and it was just me.

I then booked my car in with a local Volvo specialist, but the earliest they could do was the 6th March (2 ex Volvo engineers with a combined 40 years experience). Two hours and £360 later they told me it was the commonly known ERAD issue and it may also be affecting the differential and I must get it back into an official Volvo dealer asap. they phoned the dealer for me and spoke to the service specialist to explain the issue to him. He said it was a known issue and that they would try to get some 'goodwill', but that this was not a recall issue, although they know it's a problem. We were quoted this will be £7k parts + Labour + VAT

The car is with Looker's today, reception have said they are not aware of any ERAD problems, but they will look into the issue and run the engine management software this morning. they also said they need the car all day as they are very busy.

I will send an update later, but at the moment the denial of an issue is ridiculous when the forum is listing them.

For the record: we charge the car every night and use most of the 21 miles of eDriving each day. These are the only two problems we have with the car, but they may be terminal for my Volvo relationship if not sorted amicably.

This is my second XC90, I also have a V40, which was a downsize to replace my S60.

Update:

Lookers Volvo have confirmed the ERAD issue after draining the oil and finding metal shards. It is a total replacement, rather than repair. No charge for today's exploratory work and now it sits firmly with Volvo to respond. The vehicle has done just over 40k miles and is four years old.

[jpbyes1]

Originally Posted by Philip Fisher

As many people have reported there have been instances of failure of the electric motor in the rear axle. This unit is called the ERAD. In the past the entire unit has been replaced, which has been quoted as a circa 9k GBP cost. Repair is sometimes possible and there is now a repair and modification kit for this unit which I am led to believe is about 1.7k parts and about 12 hours labour. This will add up to a circa 3.5k GBP job to repair.

The ERAD can fail in different ways but common symptoms are hesitation on pulling away, pulling away then cutting out, juddering (axle tramp) or a loud clunking from the rear.

What I have found out recently is that Volvo has increased the warranty on this part to 5 years. Up to 4 years old they will pay for 100% of the repair cost. Up to 5 years old they will pay for 50%.

What I also now know is that this is strictly enforced. My car was 48 months old on 1.3.20. I had first symptoms on 8.3.20. I rang the dealer about a week later and it was booked in for 31.3.20. Due to UK shutdown I didn't get to the dealer until mid May when the codes were read and the fault diagnosed. The dealer tried very hard for goodwill for me, but Volvo UK refused as the 48 month deadline is strictly enforced. Volvo UK also have full access to the dealer software so they know exactly when the codes were read. So for me from Volvo all I am offered is 50% of the cost. Luckily I have an aftermarket warranty which should cover it.

So. For anyone experiencing any of the symptoms above, and if the car is close to either the 4 or 5 year anniversary then get to the dealer ASAP and get the codes read. It could save you a lot of money.

Hope that helps someone.

Yes its a big help, i have the same issue and i only had my car 3 weeks with 29,900 miles on it at 3 years and 10 months old.

Got it back and it started juddering like the front and back was trying to go in seperate directions!.

It went in to my Volvo dealers service centre and they were fantastic, I have been a Volvo driver now for 15 Years and its been a breeze geting this resolved.

They suspected the ERAD and were on the money so to speak, I am looking forward to geting it back on Friday. Thanks Again and bit Thanks to Volvo.

[Philip Fisher]

Originally Posted by jpbyes1

Yes its a big help, i have the same issue and i only had my car 3 weeks with 29,900 miles on it at 3 years and 10 months old.

Got it back and it started juddering like the front and back was trying to go in seperate directions!.

It went in to my Volvo dealers service centre and they were fantastic, I have been a Volvo driver now for 15 Years and its been a breeze geting this resolved.

They suspected the ERAD and were on the money so to speak, I am looking forward to geting it back on Friday. Thanks Again and bit Thanks to Volvo.

Glad to help. Who's your dealer? I used to live just outside Mansfield, but think all the dealers have changed since then.

[altaz]

Originally Posted by Philip Fisher

As many people have reported there have been instances of failure of the electric motor in the rear axle. This unit is called the ERAD. In the past the entire unit has been replaced, which has been quoted as a circa 9k GBP cost. Repair is sometimes possible and there is now a repair and modification kit for this unit which I am led to believe is about 1.7k parts and about 12 hours labour. This will add up to a circa 3.5k GBP job to repair.

The ERAD can fail in different ways but common symptoms are hesitation on pulling away, pulling away then cutting out, juddering (axle tramp) or a loud clunking from the rear.

What I have found out recently is that Volvo has increased the warranty on this part to 5 years. Up to 4 years old they will pay for 100% of the repair cost. Up to 5 years old they will pay for 50%.

What I also now know is that this is strictly enforced. My car was 48 months old on 1.3.20. I had first symptoms on 8.3.20. I rang the dealer about a week later and it was booked in for 31.3.20. Due to UK shutdown I didn't get to the dealer until mid May when the codes were read and the fault diagnosed. The dealer tried very hard for goodwill for me, but Volvo UK refused as the 48 month deadline is strictly enforced. Volvo UK also have full access to the dealer software so they know exactly when the codes were read. So for me from Volvo all I am offered is 50% of the cost. Luckily I have an aftermarket warranty which should cover it.

So. For anyone experiencing any of the symptoms above, and if the car is close to either the 4 or 5 year anniversary then get to the dealer ASAP and get the codes read. It could save you a lot of money.

Hope that helps someone.

Hi Philip,
Are you able to share who you got your warranty from?

[drtimwilson]

Originally Posted by Philip Fisher

As many people have reported there have been instances of failure of the electric motor in the rear axle. This unit is called the ERAD. In the past the entire unit has been replaced, which has been quoted as a circa 9k GBP cost. Repair is sometimes possible and there is now a repair and modification kit for this unit which I am led to believe is about 1.7k parts and about 12 hours labour. This will add up to a circa 3.5k GBP job to repair.

The ERAD can fail in different ways but common symptoms are hesitation on pulling away, pulling away then cutting out, juddering (axle tramp) or a loud clunking from the rear.

What I have found out recently is that Volvo has increased the warranty on this part to 5 years. Up to 4 years old they will pay for 100% of the repair cost. Up to 5 years old they will pay for 50%.

What I also now know is that this is strictly enforced. My car was 48 months old on 1.3.20. I had first symptoms on 8.3.20. I rang the dealer about a week later and it was booked in for 31.3.20. Due to UK shutdown I didn't get to the dealer until mid May when the codes were read and the fault diagnosed. The dealer tried very hard for goodwill for me, but Volvo UK refused as the 48 month deadline is strictly enforced. Volvo UK also have full access to the dealer software so they know exactly when the codes were read. So for me from Volvo all I am offered is 50% of the cost. Luckily I have an aftermarket warranty which should cover it.

So. For anyone experiencing any of the symptoms above, and if the car is close to either the 4 or 5 year anniversary then get to the dealer ASAP and get the codes read. It could save you a lot of money.

Hope that helps someone.

It strikes me that having a car that might lose power when driving on the open road, or that loses power when pulling away from a junction is a safety issue.
The problem with the ERAD on VC90s should be reported.
If enough people with XC90s report the problem, then Volvo will have to recall them and fix it.
This is where you report the problem. It takes 4 minutes.
https://forms.dvsa.gov.uk/Vsdr/create

[T8 driver]

Firstly I would like to thank the other users who have posted their experiences regarding the failure of the T8 ERAD--very helpful. I have recently had the same failure and have been treated rather worse by Volvo so I am posting this to warn others.

My T8 is 2018 and the ERAD failed at just over 33k miles and 40 months old. The car has always been serviced in accordance with the manufacturers guidance. Despite the failure being essentially due to a design fault (as I understand it), Volvo would only offer 50% of the c£2500 repair cost as "goodwill" which they grudgingly later increased to 70%--despite the mechanic who tested the car confirming this was a regular issue he was seeing and I should get it covered 100% (in line with what the other posters above have reported).

As this is the 3rd breakdown in 2 years I have experienced in this car all connected to the Hybrid system, I'd advise buyers to proceed with caution. The car is great when it works but I get the sense Volvo are cutting back on the support they are offering. If anyone reading this has had a better recent experience would be good to learn of it.

[Cull06]

Interesting to read the experience of other volvo customers on this matter. Yeah I’m pretty certain rather than keeping the car as planned I’ll be handing it back. Shame.

[Unifund]

Hi there, thank you for this. I brought my 2017 at 3 years old, we've run around in it for 18 months with no issues, then a few weeks back started to hesitate on electric pulling away from junctions, took it in today to Volvo West London who confirmed ERAD failure. Car is less than 4 weeks off its 5 year anniversary, Volvo have confirmed they will chip in 50% of the repair (£3.5k), but if it was post 5 years, nada. Heyho, such is life I guess, coulda been worse, coulda been better, but thank you for the heads up, could have easily not done anything until post 5 years anniversary, I owe someone a pint or 2!

[Philip Fisher]

Originally Posted by Unifund

......could have easily not done anything until post 5 years anniversary, I owe someone a pint or 2!

Happy to help.

I thought the ERAD was the most expensive job (and I was chuffed the warranty paid for it) but I am now facing a 9k bill for a new petrol engine and no warranty anymore so I am on my own.

I might need that pint!