Volvo promised LiDAR technology it never delivered, new class action lawsuit alleges

California resident Andy Szeto filed a class action lawsuit against Volvo Car USA LLC on July 31, 2026, in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

The lawsuit alleges Volvo marketed Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) as a key EX90 safety feature, sold vehicles before enabling it and later told U.S. owners the promised functions would never arrive.

Volvo's alleged promises

The complaint cites Volvo marketing from 2022 that said LiDAR would come standard on the EX90 and could help reduce crashes with severe outcomes by up to 20%. Volvo also claimed the sensor could detect pedestrians up to 250 meters away and small dark objects from 120 meters at highway speeds, the complaint contends.

The suit claims Volvo told buyers software updates would expand the vehicle's functions but had not activated material LiDAR features when U.S. deliveries began in September 2024. Szeto alleges Volvo said those features still required development.

Szeto's experience

Szeto says he leased a new 2025 EX90 from a Pasadena dealership in September 2025 then purchased it with a certified pre-owned warranty on Dec. 15. Five days later, he claims he leased a second EX90 that a Culver City dealership used as a demonstrator.

In the proposed class action, Szeto describes himself as a lifelong Volvo customer who relied on the company's safety messaging when selecting the vehicles. Had Volvo disclosed the risk that the LiDAR sensor could remain unsupported, he says he would have chosen other vehicles or paid less.

Volvo's reportedly parent company ended its supply agreement with Luminar, which supplied the LiDAR, on Nov. 14, 2025. Luminar filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Dec. 15.

The U.S. compensation options

In a June 12, 2026, notice quoted in the complaint, Volvo said Luminar could no longer support the sensor and no other supplier could take over. Volvo also said the change would not affect the EX90's safety, performance or residual value.

The notice valued LiDAR at $1,500 and offered owners three alternatives: three years of SiriusXM service plus $565 in charging credits, two years of tire-and-wheel coverage or two years of maintenance coverage.

Szeto says he declined the options because they neither delivered LiDAR functions nor offered the same value as cash. The lawsuit claims Volvo offered consumers in other countries about $1,400 to $2,000.

The legal claims

The complaint brings several claims against Volvo:

  • Warranty claims, alleging Volvo violated the federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, California's Song-Beverly Consumer Warranty Act, the California Commercial Code and express and implied warranties by failing to deliver supported LiDAR functions
  • Fraudulent concealment and negligent misrepresentation, claiming Volvo withheld material information about its dependence on Luminar or lacked a reasonable basis for its LiDAR representations
  • California consumer protection claims, alleging Volvo's advertising and sales practices violated the Consumers Legal Remedies Act, False Advertising Law and Unfair Competition Law

What the lawsuit means for Volvo EX90 owners

Szeto seeks damages, restitution and corrective relief for a proposed nationwide class of consumers who acquired a LiDAR-equipped 2025 or 2026 EX90 through an authorized Volvo retailer by June 12, 2026. He also proposes a California subclass.

At the time of this writing, there is no settlement, claims process or payout available.