I'm not sure if it's rhe seats or the prickly cheap & nasty felt carpets but the interior of my 3+ month old car still has an obnoxious chemical smell. It seems every bit as strong as it was on day one. Can anyone confirm how long it takes for this smell to dissipate?
I drive wirh the window down an inch but nothing seems to be helping. I'm against using an air freshener to mask the smell because it will still be there and I'm not a fan of pungent air fresheners either!
Any advice greatly appreciated. I do realise that some love this kind of smell and I'm usually OK with new car smells but I find the Volvo whiff ito be particularly off-putting.
Interior offgassing - the 'new smell'.
Your posts on this forum mention problems with smell, interior plastics, carpets, software, cruise control, seats, app, tailgate, stop-start, mats, road noise, MPG, reversing camera, ride, steering, fuel filler cap, wing mirrors and sound system. Your car appears to be a lemon, so talk to a solicitor and seek protection under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
2020 T4 FWD Momentum Pro Sensus OS
Never mentioned the stop-start, reversing camera, mirrors, steering or sound system wise guy .eugen61 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 9:08 am Your posts on this forum mention problems with smell, interior plastics, carpets, software, cruise control, seats, app, tailgate, stop-start, mats, road noise, MPG, reversing camera, ride, steering, fuel filler cap, wing mirrors and sound system. Your car appears to be a lemon, so talk to a solicitor and seek protection under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Last edited by Jaycee750 on Tue Jan 28, 2025 9:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
Sept 2024 Volvo XC-40 B4 Plus Dark in Cloud Blue
You've hardly used it so not surprised it still smells like new. If this is you typical milage it's gonna take a long time to get it run in and settled down.
XC40 MY24 B4 Ultimate Dark, Black Leather, Crystal White, 20" Rims
Lincolnshire England.
Lincolnshire England.
“When I first got the car the stop/start feature implemented itself at every single traffic light but now after only a few weeks of ownership it never kicks in” Nov 14Jaycee750 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 9:15 amNever mentioned the stop-start, reversing camera, mirrors, steering or sound system wise guy .eugen61 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 9:08 am Your posts on this forum mention problems with smell, interior plastics, carpets, software, cruise control, seats, app, tailgate, stop-start, mats, road noise, MPG, reversing camera, ride, steering, fuel filler cap, wing mirrors and sound system. Your car appears to be a lemon, so talk to a solicitor and seek protection under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
“I don't have the 360° camera but I forgot to mention that the half-screen reversing camera is a bit naff. I've had much better” Oct 5
“I went on a ring road today, the first time my XC40 has been driven above 40mph in the week I've owned it and wow what a racket! How can such an expensive car have such poor soundproofing? ” Oct 23
You did not mention sound system, but soundproofing, I didn’t remember correctly. Apologies also for mirrors and steering, those were mentioned by another poster.
2020 T4 FWD Momentum Pro Sensus OS
Hmm, never really noticed any significant or long lasting new car smell in mine(or maybe its because I've had so many new cars over the last 5 years, my nose has become accustomed to it)
Perhaps leaving it with the windows open for a few days might help to thoroughly allow the car to air, assuming you have secure parking.
Yes the rear camera sucks, the restricted view as its blocked by the lower edge of the tailgate. The 360 camera is ok though and the expected update this year should allow the rear view and 360 to be shown on the same screen.
Disappointed with the HK at first, but going into Tidal settings and changing the quality to "hi" or CD quality and reducing both the subwoofer and bass levels, I now find I have an excellent sound that suites my ears.
I am 1500 miles into the car, in my option it's significantly more comfortable than the XC90 I had, ride comfort etc.
Its very quiet, gear changes almost unnoticeable, smooth engine and apart from a slightly slow steering response, I am very satisfied with my purchase, which was somewhat of a downgrade from previous vehicles.
Lemon cars exist, you may have one, in which case the advice from eugen61 is valid and since you clearly are not satisfied with your purchase, perhaps its time to look at what options are available, to either reject the car, rectify the issues or take the hit, get back into your preferred vehicle and put it down to experience.
Perhaps leaving it with the windows open for a few days might help to thoroughly allow the car to air, assuming you have secure parking.
Yes the rear camera sucks, the restricted view as its blocked by the lower edge of the tailgate. The 360 camera is ok though and the expected update this year should allow the rear view and 360 to be shown on the same screen.
Disappointed with the HK at first, but going into Tidal settings and changing the quality to "hi" or CD quality and reducing both the subwoofer and bass levels, I now find I have an excellent sound that suites my ears.
I am 1500 miles into the car, in my option it's significantly more comfortable than the XC90 I had, ride comfort etc.
Its very quiet, gear changes almost unnoticeable, smooth engine and apart from a slightly slow steering response, I am very satisfied with my purchase, which was somewhat of a downgrade from previous vehicles.
Lemon cars exist, you may have one, in which case the advice from eugen61 is valid and since you clearly are not satisfied with your purchase, perhaps its time to look at what options are available, to either reject the car, rectify the issues or take the hit, get back into your preferred vehicle and put it down to experience.
I've had mine since June 24 and do not have high mileage - currently about 2700.
There is still some smell to the car, but I identify this mainly as the smell of leather and family members have commented favourably when they hitch a ride. (Do you have leather?)
I do keep the a/c on permanently (and have done since I first had cars with that luxury), so not sure if that may help to keep it clear.
The carpets may be a bit prickly, but I notice that they certainly vacuum up very well and quite easily.
I guess it comes down to what people think is an acceptable smell. I am certainly with you in not liking the strong smells of car deodorisers.
There is still some smell to the car, but I identify this mainly as the smell of leather and family members have commented favourably when they hitch a ride. (Do you have leather?)
I do keep the a/c on permanently (and have done since I first had cars with that luxury), so not sure if that may help to keep it clear.
The carpets may be a bit prickly, but I notice that they certainly vacuum up very well and quite easily.
I guess it comes down to what people think is an acceptable smell. I am certainly with you in not liking the strong smells of car deodorisers.
XC40 2025 B3 Dark, Ultra, Vapour Grey
-
Chris John
- Posts: 558
- Joined: Mon Jul 20, 2020 9:08 pm
Only one lemon hereeugen61 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 9:08 am Your posts on this forum mention problems with smell, interior plastics, carpets, software, cruise control, seats, app, tailgate, stop-start, mats, road noise, MPG, reversing camera, ride, steering, fuel filler cap, wing mirrors and sound system. Your car appears to be a lemon, so talk to a solicitor and seek protection under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
Volvo XC40 T5 R-Drive Pro. Thunder Grey with lots of extras
