Volvo Backup Camera Recall: Affecting 413,000 Vehicle Owners

Looking to back up safely in your Volvo? You might be one of the 413,000 vehicle owners affected by a major software glitch that’s causing backup cameras to fail. Don’t worry—I’ve got all the information you need about this critical safety recall.

What’s Happening with Volvo’s Backup Cameras?

In May 2025, Volvo announced one of its largest recalls ever, affecting hundreds of thousands of vehicles in the United States and Canada. The problem? A software error in the Google-built infotainment system that prevents the rearview camera from displaying when you shift into reverse.

Instead of seeing what’s behind you, you might get a frustrating “Camera temporarily not available” message on your screen. This isn’t just annoying—it’s a safety violation that puts you, pedestrians, and especially children at risk during backing maneuvers.

Which Volvo Models Are Affected?

The recall spans nearly every Volvo model equipped with the Google-built-in infotainment system. Vehicles manufactured between September 7, 2020, and April 21, 2025, running software version 3.4.5 or older are included in this recall.

Here’s a breakdown of affected models:

How to Tell If Your Vehicle Is Affected

There are several ways to check if your Volvo is part of this recall:

1. Check your VIN: Visit the NHTSA website and enter your Vehicle Identification Number.
2. Check your software version: Go to Settings > System > About > Software information. If you’re running version 3.4.5 or earlier, you’re affected.
3. Call Volvo: Contact Volvo Customer Care at 1-800-458-1552 with your VIN handy.
4. Watch for symptoms: If you’ve experienced a black screen or “Camera temporarily not available” message when backing up, your vehicle is likely affected.

Why This Recall Matters

This isn’t just an inconvenience—it’s a serious safety concern. The backup camera failure:

• Violates Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 111, which requires backup cameras to display within 2 seconds
• Increases the risk of hitting obstacles, pedestrians, or children while reversing
• Creates a dangerous situation where drivers might rely on a safety feature that suddenly isn’t working

While Volvo hasn’t reported any crashes or injuries directly linked to this issue, many owners have shared close calls and frustrating experiences on forums and social media platforms.

Technical Details: What’s Actually Breaking?

The problem stems from a synchronization error between the camera module and the infotainment display. Here’s what happens:

1. The Wide Angle Vision Module (WAM) software that controls the backup camera can trigger a fault code during certain conditions.
2. Once this happens, the camera fails to initialize properly when you shift into reverse.
3. The problem persists until the vehicle is completely powered off and restarted.
4. Even then, the issue can recur randomly during the same driving cycle.

What makes this particularly frustrating is the intermittent nature of the failure—sometimes it works fine, other times it fails with no apparent pattern.

How Volvo Is Fixing the Problem

The good news is that a fix is available through software update version 3.5.14. This update includes improved error handling and camera initialization protocols that should prevent the backup camera from failing.

Volvo is offering two ways to get the update:

Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates

Most newer models (2023-2025) can receive the update remotely. You’ll get a notification on your infotainment screen when the update is available. The process takes about 45 minutes and can be done while parked at home.

Dealer Updates

For some models, particularly older ones (2021-2022), you’ll need to visit your Volvo dealer. The dealer will update your software free of charge. The procedure typically takes less than an hour.

What You Should Do Now

1. Verify if your vehicle is affected using one of the methods above.
2. Watch for notification letters from Volvo, which began mailing on June 24, 2025.
3. Schedule a service appointment with your local Volvo dealer if your vehicle isn’t eligible for OTA updates.
4. Be extra cautious when backing up until your vehicle is repaired by using mirrors and parking sensors.
5. If you’ve already paid for a backup camera repair related to this issue, you can request reimbursement from Volvo through their customer service center.

Temporary Workarounds While Waiting for the Update

Many Volvo owners have discovered a few temporary fixes that might help you in the meantime:

1. System reset: Hold down the home button on your infotainment system for 20-30 seconds to force a restart. This sometimes resolves the issue temporarily.
2. Complete power cycle: Turn off your vehicle completely, lock it, and leave it for at least 10 minutes before restarting.
3. Use alternative aids: Don’t forget your vehicle still has mirrors and most models have parking sensors that continue to work even when the camera fails.

The Bigger Picture: Software Recalls on the Rise

The Volvo backup camera recall highlights a growing trend in the auto industry: as vehicles become more software-dependent, software-related recalls are becoming increasingly common.

The Android Automotive OS that powers Volvo’s infotainment system represents a new era of automotive technology—one with tremendous benefits but also new challenges. This recall shows how even established manufacturers like Volvo can struggle with software reliability in safety-critical systems.

Interestingly, Polestar—Volvo’s electric performance subsidiary—issued a parallel recall for 27,816 vehicles with the same backup camera issue, confirming the shared technology between the brands.

Checking Your Repair Status

After receiving the update, you should verify that it was successful:

1. Confirm your software version now shows 3.5.14 or higher in the system settings menu.
2. Test your backup camera by shifting into reverse several times throughout a driving cycle.
3. If problems persist after the update, contact your Volvo dealer immediately for further assistance.

Remember, all repairs related to this recall are provided free of charge, regardless of your vehicle’s age or warranty status.

Taking Action for Consumer Protection

If you experience ongoing issues with your backup camera even after the update, you have options:

1. Document every occurrence: Keep a log of dates, times, and circumstances when your backup camera fails.
2. Report to NHTSA: File a complaint with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration if you believe the update hasn’t fully resolved the issue.
3. Contact a lemon law attorney: If repeated repair attempts fail, you may have rights under state lemon laws or federal warranty regulations.

The Road Ahead for Volvo Owners

Despite this recall, Volvo maintains its reputation for safety innovation. The company acted proactively by issuing this voluntary recall before any reported accidents occurred.

The backup camera issue serves as a reminder that even the most advanced vehicles can experience software failures that impact critical safety systems. As Volvo and other automakers continue integrating complex software platforms, expect more emphasis on over-the-air update capabilities and robust error handling.

For now, the most important thing is getting your vehicle’s software updated to the latest version to ensure your backup camera works reliably every time you need it.