"Failure Charging" warning advisory light came on the dashboard. This problem has been going on for the whole ten years I have owned this vehicle. I am the original owner of this Volvo and had some engine warning on the dashboard since the first month. I took vehicle in to the Culver City Volvo for 1000 miles check-up and annual oil change and check-up for 5 years under warranty and requested software update and reported the engine stalling during the first month. The "failure charging" or "engine check" or "dangerous" "immediate" repair needed signs came on sometimes and did not come on other time. When the "failure charging" sign comes on and the engine is turned off and restarted the warning would go away sometimes. I believe this is a Volvo vehicle computer software malfunction. I reported this problem to the dealer for 5 years during annual service appointments. This problem was not solved and I have lived with this, stupidly patient for 10 years. Today, problem light came on during biennial smog check for vehicle license renewal and failed the smog test. So, I informed the mechanic and tried a second test several minutes later and passed the second time because the software problem did not surface this time. So, my question is: has this Volvo software problem been reported by others as I have heard by word of mouth that this software problem is found on Volvo cars? And, has there been a recall to fix this Volvo software problem? When this "failure charging" sign comes on, it is very worrisome and makes me feel the vehicle may stop on the road.
NHTSA ODI 11479461