BigGo Community Team

Volvo's ambitious leap into software-defined vehicles has hit a major roadblock, forcing the Swedish automaker to replace the central computer in every 2025 EX90. This unprecedented move has sparked intense discussion among tech enthusiasts and automotive professionals about the risks of putting software at the heart of modern vehicles.

The EX90 was marketed as Europe's first software-defined vehicle (SDV) available in the US market, promising seamless integration, lower production costs, and endless upgradeability. However, the reality has been far from smooth, with owners reporting widespread issues ranging from unreliable phone connectivity to dangerous power limitations during highway merging.

Reported EX90 Issues:

Phone-as-key functionality unreliable

Key card requiring 80-90 seconds to unlock in rain (vs normal 5-10 seconds)

Google Assistant connectivity problems

Backup camera failures after OTA updates

Power limitation during highway merging (restricted to 40 mph)

One-pedal driving system failures after software updates

Community discussions reveal a deeper concern about Volvo's architectural decisions. The company appears to have combined critical driving systems with infotainment functions on a single computer platform. This design choice means that simple software updates for features like map displays can inadvertently break essential safety systems like backup cameras or braking assistance.

One experienced owner noted how an over-the-air update meant to improve minor navigation features ended up disabling the one-pedal driving system entirely. This highlights a troubling trend where entertainment features and safety-critical functions share the same computational resources.

Tech professionals in the community point to Conway's Law as an explanation for these recurring failures. This principle suggests that organizations design systems that mirror their own communication structures. Traditional automakers, with their siloed engineering departments, may be fundamentally ill-equipped to develop the integrated software platforms that modern vehicles demand.

The move to replace hardware rather than fix software suggests that Volvo has acknowledged the depth of these organizational challenges. After more than a year of attempting software fixes, the company concluded that starting fresh with new Nvidia Drive Orin-based computers was more practical than continuing to patch the existing system.

EX90 Computer Specifications:

Original: Unspecified first-generation system

Replacement: Nvidia Drive Orin-based core computer

Processing Power: Over 500 TOPS (Trillion Operations Per Second)

Sensors: LiDAR, radar, and camera array for autonomous driving

Upgrade: Free one-time replacement available at Volvo dealers

The EX90's troubles have reinforced skepticism about the entire concept of software-defined vehicles. Many community members express concern about the industry's rush to make software the primary defining characteristic of modern cars.

I don't want my vehicle to function 'because software'. I want it to function 'despite software'.

This sentiment reflects a broader anxiety about reliability and safety when core vehicle functions depend heavily on complex software systems. The traditional automotive approach of having dedicated, isolated systems for different functions may seem outdated, but it provided crucial redundancy and reliability.

Vehicle Pricing and Market Position:

2025 Volvo EX90: Approximately $80,000 USD

Marketed as first European software-defined vehicle in US market

Competing with Polestar 3 (similar platform, fewer reported issues)

Target market: Premium electric SUV segment

Volvo's decision to upgrade all 2025 EX90s to the 2026 model's computer architecture represents both an admission of failure and a commitment to making things right. The new Nvidia-based system offers over 500 trillion operations per second of processing power, which should theoretically handle the complex demands of modern vehicle software.

However, the community remains divided on whether more powerful hardware can solve what appears to be a fundamental software architecture problem. The real test will be whether Volvo can develop more robust software practices and organizational structures to match their hardware ambitions.

The EX90's struggles serve as a cautionary tale for the entire automotive industry as it rushes toward software-defined futures. While the promise of continuously updatable, feature-rich vehicles remains appealing, the execution requires a level of software expertise that traditional automakers are still developing.

Reference: 'A Dumpster Fire Inside A Train Wreck:' Why Volvo Is Replacing Every EX90's Central Computer