‘Impossible’: Volvo EV Drivers Can’t Find This Feature In Their Cabins. It’s Right Here
'Am I the only one that's concerned?'
There’s been a lot of negative headlines surrounding the 2025 Volvo EX90, especially with regards to cameras. Particularly, there’s been a lot of folks who’ve expressed concern with the EX90’s interior safety system. It utilizes cameras that are located inside of the EV which monitor driver behavior to ensure that they’re paying attention to the road.
News of Volvo’s plans to introduce this tech to its vehicles have circulated the internet for years. In October, Time magazine called the safety feature one of the best automotive innovations in years. Aimed at curbing distracted driving, these interior cameras paired with Volvo’s software aim to help stop commuters from falling asleep behind the wheel.
And while some have praised the feature, other customers are worried about security concerns.
“Am I the Only One That’s Concerned…?”
Folks in this Reddit thread posted by user @aphix12 in the r/VolvoEX90 sub said they aren’t all that enthused by the prospect of being monitored by a surveillance system in their cars. The original poster, @b-virtual called the manufacturer’s decision “a big privacy turn off” and that they hope this functionality “can be disabled otherwise.”
Others told the Redditor that they didn’t seem all that concerned with the car’s interior monitoring cameras. Like this one person who said that the car’s driver assistance functionality relies on both internal and external cameras. “I don’t think you will or should be allowed to use those features without driver monitoring,” they penned. Before adding, “I also don’t think the difference between 1 and multiple cameras is a meaningful privacy difference.”
Others begged to differ, however, like the folks in this separate r/VolvoEX90 thread who wanted to know exactly where the cameras were situated inside the EV.
Where Are the 2025 Volvo EX90’s Interior Cameras Placed?
Reddit users in this above-linked post shared pictures of where these cameras have been placed inside of the vehicle. This commenter penned that “one is located in the black piece under the driver display.” They shared this photograph in a comment reply, referring to the small black, horizontal fixture positioned right above the steering wheel. In a subsequent response, they also uploaded a picture of another “black plastic piece where the B&W center speaker is on the front dash.” Again, it seems that the camera is housed in a discreet, small, glossy black panel.
Other users on the application seemed to corroborate the placement of these cameras. And one commenter remarked that if they’re covered up or impeded, alerts sound off throughout the car’s infotainment system about the blockages.
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While there were some who wondered whether or not Volvo installed additional cameras on top of the ones mentioned. But there was a user on the application who shared their method of locating the cameras. They said that the monitoring mechanisms emit a red light that can be seen in darkness. “Drive in the dark and turn off interior lights. You will see red dots [in] several places (center speaker, driver display and ceiling at least.)” So by their estimation, there are at least three separate spots inside of the Volvo EX90 that are outfitted with camera lenses.
Other EX90 Camera Woes
The Volvo EX90 isn’t just outfitted with cameras, but Lidar technology to help its driver assistance systems. While Elon Musk isn’t sold on this technology and Teslas aren’t outfitted with this tech, other car makers, Volvo included, do utilize it. Features like adaptive cruise control can use a combination of Radar and Lidar in conjunction with onboard cameras. The EX90 does have a Lidar camera module outfitted to its car to assist with road monitoring. However, this component has come under fire for purportedly frying smartphone cameras directed toward the vehicle.
Folks who don’t want people snapping pictures or videos of their EX90 might enjoy this aspect of the vehicle. But for those who are trying to show off their new ride to friends, family, or strangers on the internet might be left with unintended, smartphone-destroying consequences. As one Reddit user writes: “Never film the new EX90 because you will break your cell camera. Lidar lasers burn your camera,” they said.
And then there was this Redditor who posted a video of someone filming the EX90 with its hood popped open. As they walk around the vehicle, they direct their lens to the top of the EX90. A small, glossy black hump can be seen at the top of the vehicle, which houses the Lidar unit. Then, a tiny white light begins flashing inside of the Lidar’s housing.
As the person behind the camera zooms into the Lidar unit, each flash creates small, purple, artifacting burn-ins on the smartphone lens.
“Filming this car’s Lidar system breaks the phone camera,” the Reddit user penned.
EX90 Reactions
Consumer Reports’ assessment of the Volvo EX90 isn’t exactly favorable. The third-party product assessment firm called the car “an unfinished Electric SUV.” Adding that the “problems” it comes with “aren’t acceptable on a new car, especially a luxury EV that starts at $80,000.”
A reviewer for the agency said the unit they tested had its “airbag warning light on.” Immediately, they brought the car back to set up a service appointment, as Consumer Reports purchases vehicles “anonymously” to mimic customer experiences.
There were other problems reported by the agency as well. In addition to the airbag light staying on for over a week, the automatic crash notification/SOS system also wouldn’t function properly until the reviewer “downloaded and installed a software update.”
Long startup times prevented the car from even being drivable, the audio system would intermittently cut out, as did its climate controls. Randomly, its blind spot warning notifications would randomly turn on, and charging capabilities would sporadically become disabled.
As for its Lidar functionality, Consumer Reports writes that the system it aids on the EX90 is currently in “learning mode.” Which means that customers have effectively paid for a feature that isn’t fully fleshed out or usable from date of purchase.
While a software update fixed the airbag warning light, utilizing audio over Bluetooth, or the car’s radio proved problematic. As doing so prompted warning light messages to pop up on the car’s infotainment system.
InsideEVs has reached out to @aphix12 via Reddit DM for further information.
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