Volvo To Retrofit 2025 EX90 With Upgraded Central Computer After Tech Troubles

Volvo is undertaking a sweeping hardware upgrade for its flagship electric SUV, the EX90, after owners reported persistent reliability issues. The company will replace the central computer in every 2025 EX90 at no cost, installing the more powerful system slated for the 2026 model year. 

The move follows months of complaints about keyless entry failures (including phone‑as‑a‑key, fob and keycard), erratic infotainment behaviour and recurring error messages, which are problems that undercut expectations for a premium, software‑defined vehicle.

Hardware Swap Required

The EX90 was promoted as a software‑defined vehicle, with features controlled by a centralised computing architecture and supported by advanced sensors such as a roof‑mounted LiDAR for higher‑level driver assistance. 

At launch, several promised functions remained inactive, indicating that shortcomings extended beyond software bugs. Volvo’s decision to standardise a new computing platform suggests the original hardware struggled to deliver the seamless experience buyers expected.

What’s Changing?

Dealers will remove the existing setup (built around a single Nvidia Orin chip paired with a less powerful Nvidia Xavier) and fit the dual Nvidia DRIVE AGX Orin platform used in the 2026 EX90, offering processing performance above 500 TOPS. 

Volvo indicates the upgrade is expected to address current glitches, improve overall responsiveness, cut battery drain when parked and finally activate advanced safety and parking‑assist features that were absent at launch.

Owner Impact and Process

Owners will be contacted by dealers to schedule the retrofit. While the upgrade is technically optional, those who skip it will be unable to receive future over‑the‑air updates and new features, effectively freezing their vehicles on current software. 

That condition makes the hardware swap a necessary requirement for customers who want the vehicle to function as originally promised.

Widespread hardware replacements typically occur under safety recalls; here, Volvo is acting pre‑emptively on quality and performance. The decision also comes as the company navigates financial pressure following a sizable quarterly loss and prepares for the critical EX60 launch.

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