[Vanessa]

My 2021 Volvo Recharge was struck on the passenger's side by another vehicle, heavily damaged, and towed to a nearby lot. I went to the lot the following day to retrieve a few items and check my mileage, but the car wouldn't turn on. The auto body shop doing the repairs is at a loss. I emailed Volvo Customer Care and they suggested I contact the dealer, who has been not particularly well-informed about this car. (Really? They couldn't provide a number that the repair person could call?)
I cannot locate info about this online nor in the manual. The only thing I found was in a media press release:
"In order to reduce the effects of a collision, the battery is well protected and separated from the car's crumple zones. The battery is also sturdily encapsulated. ...At the very moment of impact, crash sensors linked to the battery send information about the collision to the car's computer, which automatically shuts off the power supply to prevent the risk of a short-circuit."
I'm wondering how can I determine if this is what happened, and, if so, how to reverse it. Any advice?

 

[XC90_Dinosaur]

I believe your car is in so called crash mode.
ICE Volvo`s once crash is determined works in way where the computer will cut off the fuel pump and shut down the engine. when the owner try to start the car it will display "crash mode". To go back to normal a dealer or a person with VIDA (Volvo diagnostic system) needs to reset the car.
Honestly I do not know how the crash mode on the Volvo EVs is designed and what is the procedure. Perhaps, based on your writing, the car needs to be connected to external power and than to do the reset but that is speculation. Tow the car to a dealer and better do not try anything, let them do it. Each authorized dealrship with VIDA should have the procedure.

 

[morphroc]

Could just be a dead 12V. Do the screens turn on? If not, it's not getting 12V power. And the traction battery can't be enabled without 12V power.

 

[340driver]

My 2021 Volvo Recharge was struck on the passenger's side by another vehicle, heavily damaged, and towed to a nearby lot. I went to the lot the following day to retrieve a few items and check my mileage, but the car wouldn't turn on. The auto body shop doing the repairs is at a loss. I emailed Volvo Customer Care and they suggested I contact the dealer, who has been not particularly well-informed about this car. (Really? They couldn't provide a number that the repair person could call?)
I cannot locate info about this online nor in the manual. The only thing I found was in a media press release:
"In order to reduce the effects of a collision, the battery is well protected and separated from the car's crumple zones. The battery is also sturdily encapsulated. ...At the very moment of impact, crash sensors linked to the battery send information about the collision to the car's computer, which automatically shuts off the power supply to prevent the risk of a short-circuit."
I'm wondering how can I determine if this is what happened, and, if so, how to reverse it. Any advice?

Someone else wrote on this forum about an accident similar to yours with pictures and as you said "heavily damaged", they wrote off the car due battery damage. Get your insurance company to move it to your Volvo dealer.

 

[VolvoElectric]

Is the battery itself heavily damaged?

 

[goatsweater]

I think crash mode is now called safety mode. The manual has some info, including info on moving the vehicle.

 

[Vanessa]

Could just be a dead 12V. Do the screens turn on? If not, it's not getting 12V power. And the traction battery can't be enabled without 12V power.

No, the screens don't turn on, but it would be weird that the battery drained coincidentally at the same time of the crash.

I think crash mode is now called safety mode. The manual has some info, including info on moving the vehicle.

I'll check it out, thanks.

 

[Vanessa]

Is the battery itself heavily damaged?

I'm not sure that it's damaged at all, but they just got in on lift late yesterday. Most of the impact was to the area around the tire on the front passenger side. (An 86-year-old ran a red light.)

 

[Vanessa]

I believe your car is in so called crash mode.
ICE Volvo`s once crash is determined works in way where the computer will cut off the fuel pump and shut down the engine. when the owner try to start the car it will display "crash mode". To go back to normal a dealer or a person with VIDA (Volvo diagnostic system) needs to reset the car.
Honestly I do not know how the crash mode on the Volvo EVs is designed and what is the procedure. Perhaps, based on your writing, the car needs to be connected to external power and than to do the reset but that is speculation. Tow the car to a dealer and better do not try anything, let them do it. Each authorized dealrship with VIDA should have the procedure.

Thank you. It's not at an authorized dealer at the moment. I'll keep everyone posted when we figure this out.

 

[jasdata]

I think there are explosive(figuratively, i don't think they are actually explosive) battery connectors that are triggered in an accident that physically cut the main battery off.

 

[Horalom]

The HV-system is normally turned off with a crash to reduce the risk of any electrical fires or electrocutions, regardless of whether or not the battery is physically damaged. This means the HV-battery won't charge the 12V which will cause the latter to drain, which happens quickly after a crash because (some of) the electrical systems usually remain on (hazard lights et cetera).

I'm not sure whether the battery is physically cut off like the user above said or whether it's just software that cuts it off. In the second case it should be an easy fix.

 

[DudeDad]

I hope you are OK, as well as the other driver.

 

[Vanessa]

I hope you are OK, as well as the other driver.

So nice of you, DudeDad. We both walked away from the crash, thankfully. Particularly in the case of the other woman, who is 86. She didn't even seem dazed, but probably was achey after. Several of her airbags deployed, and I'm guessing that may have been the last time she drives. Luckily, I only have a sore sternum. My side airbags deployed, but not front, and I may have hit the steering wheel though I don't remember it.

 

[Vanessa]

I think crash mode is now called safety mode. The manual has some info, including info on moving the vehicle.

Wow, the info in the manual is paltry and not particularly useful. Regarding safety mode, which can be triggered after collision, it says "If safety mode has been set, it may be possible to reset the system in order to start and move the vehicle a short distance, for example, if it is blocking traffic." But doesn't say what to do if it's not possible to reset the system.

I think crash mode is now called safety mode. The manual has some info, including info on moving the vehicle.

 

[Astus]

I seem to remember what another poster above said that if air bags are deployed the explosive HV battery disconnect is triggered and the HV battery is severed for safety. You will probably need to have that module replaced to allow the car to turn on again. Let us know what your Volvo dealer says when they figure it out, interesting!

 

[jay_man2]

I would have expected the car to be totaled already since airbags deployed.

 

[BikerBill]

My 2021 Volvo Recharge was struck on the passenger's side by another vehicle, heavily damaged, and towed to a nearby lot. I went to the lot the following day to retrieve a few items and check my mileage, but the car wouldn't turn on. The auto body shop doing the repairs is at a loss. I emailed Volvo Customer Care and they suggested I contact the dealer, who has been not particularly well-informed about this car. (Really? They couldn't provide a number that the repair person could call?)
I cannot locate info about this online nor in the manual. The only thing I found was in a media press release:
"In order to reduce the effects of a collision, the battery is well protected and separated from the car's crumple zones. The battery is also sturdily encapsulated. ...At the very moment of impact, crash sensors linked to the battery send information about the collision to the car's computer, which automatically shuts off the power supply to prevent the risk of a short-circuit."
I'm wondering how can I determine if this is what happened, and, if so, how to reverse it. Any advice?

I believe there is a disconnect battery loop under the rear floor mat. Possibly the person towing the car pulled the connector for safety. Google it for more information.

 

[Pepe Lucho]

My 2021 Volvo Recharge was struck on the passenger's side by another vehicle, heavily damaged, and towed to a nearby lot. I went to the lot the following day to retrieve a few items and check my mileage, but the car wouldn't turn on. The auto body shop doing the repairs is at a loss. I emailed Volvo Customer Care and they suggested I contact the dealer, who has been not particularly well-informed about this car. (Really? They couldn't provide a number that the repair person could call?)
I cannot locate info about this online nor in the manual. The only thing I found was in a media press release:
"In order to reduce the effects of a collision, the battery is well protected and separated from the car's crumple zones. The battery is also sturdily encapsulated. ...At the very moment of impact, crash sensors linked to the battery send information about the collision to the car's computer, which automatically shuts off the power supply to prevent the risk of a short-circuit."
I'm wondering how can I determine if this is what happened, and, if so, how to reverse it. Any advice?

Did you take it directly to the dealer or just a generic "auto body shop"? Unless the damage was just superficial it should have gone directly to the dealer since an auto body shop will not know the first thing about this car.

 

[Bobmun495]

My xc40 was also totaled after side impact. And the following day the battery was completely dead. Now I’m stuck driving my old Honda and paying for gas awaiting my replacement