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Volvo Propulsion System Service required

Propulsion System Service required

DriveUnknown. The supplied verified evidence does not state whether the vehicle is safe to drive.
ChargeUnknown. The supplied verified evidence does not state whether the vehicle is safe to charge.
ServiceContact an authorized Volvo service provider for diagnosis, particularly to determine whether DTC IEM P060796 is present and whether the applicable Volvo service communication applies.
Confidence90%

Quick answer

For certain 2024–2025 US Volvo EC40, EX40, and XC40 vehicles, the “Propulsion System Service Required” message at start-up may occur with DTC IEM P060796. Volvo’s cited service communication states this DTC can be misdetected. The specified action is to clear the DTCs and release the vehicle; do not replace parts for this condition.

This page separates verified manufacturer/regulator evidence from supporting material. Unsupported causes, repairs or safety conclusions are not guessed.

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1. What does Propulsion System Service required mean?

For certain 2024–2025 US Volvo EC40, EX40, and XC40 vehicles, the “Propulsion System Service Required” message at start-up may occur with DTC IEM P060796. Volvo’s cited service communication states this DTC can be misdetected. The specified action is to clear the DTCs and release the vehicle; do not replace parts for this condition.

2. Technical explanation

Verified Volvo manufacturer communications describe a specific condition: the driver information display (DIM) shows “Propulsion System Service Required” during start-up together with diagnostic trouble code (DTC) IEM P060796. One communication states that IEM P060796 can be misdetected and can trigger this DIM message. A later update directs technicians to follow the Service advice when this message and DTC occur together. The available evidence does not establish that every occurrence of this message has the same cause.

3. What system is affected?

Propulsion system, as indicated by the OEM alert. The cited evidence specifically references the DIM message and DTC IEM P060796; it does not further identify a failed propulsion-system component.

4. How serious is this code?

Unknown. The supplied verified evidence does not assign a severity level.

5. Symptoms you may notice

  • “Propulsion System Service Required” displayed in the driver information display (DIM) during start-up.
  • DTC IEM P060796 present in the specific condition described by Volvo.

6. Possible causes

  • For the documented condition, Volvo states that DTC IEM P060796 can be misdetected and can cause the DIM message.
  • Other causes of this alert are not yet established by verified evidence.

7. Can I still drive the vehicle?

Unknown. The supplied verified evidence does not state whether the vehicle is safe to drive.

8. Can I charge the vehicle?

Unknown. The supplied verified evidence does not state whether the vehicle is safe to charge.

9. What you can safely do

  • Have the vehicle assessed using Volvo’s applicable service process if the message is present with DTC IEM P060796.
  • Do not assume that this alert always represents the documented misdetected-DTC condition; the available evidence only covers the message in combination with IEM P060796.

10. Step-by-step troubleshooting

  1. Verify whether the message occurs during start-up.
  2. Verify whether DTC IEM P060796 is present.
  3. For the message-plus-IEM-P060796 condition, Volvo’s communication directs service personnel to clear the DTCs and release the vehicle.
  4. The October 2024 communication says not to replace parts for this documented condition.

11. When to contact service

Contact an authorized Volvo service provider for diagnosis, particularly to determine whether DTC IEM P060796 is present and whether the applicable Volvo service communication applies.

12. What the service center may check

  • Check for the latest online version of Volvo service journal 37093, as instructed in the cited January 2025 communication.
  • Confirm the DIM message occurs during start-up.
  • Read diagnostic codes and confirm whether IEM P060796 is set.
  • Apply the service direction in the applicable Volvo communication.

13. Possible repair or resolution

  • For the documented message-plus-IEM-P060796 condition, clear the DTCs and release the vehicle, according to the cited October 2024 Volvo communication.
  • Do not replace parts for this documented condition, according to the same communication.
  • The October 2024 communication states that work was ongoing and new software was planned for the fourth quarter of 2024. Whether software was subsequently released or applies to a particular vehicle is not yet established by the supplied verified evidence.

14. Affected vehicles

15. Related TSBs / service bulletins

  • Volvo service journal 37093, cited through NHTSA Manufacturer Communication 11009804, published October 15, 2024: IEM P060796 can be misdetected and trigger the DIM message; do not replace parts, clear DTCs, and release the vehicle.
  • Volvo service journal 37093, cited through NHTSA Manufacturer Communication 11014130, published January 30, 2025: updated vehicle types, service, and VST operation number; check the latest online version and follow Service advice when the start-up message occurs with IEM P060796.

16. Recall information

  • No recall information was supplied in the verified evidence.

17. Official manufacturer information

Official source: NHTSA Manufacturer Communications 11009804 and 11014130, both referring to Volvo service journal 37093. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/ffdd/tsbs/TSBS_RECEIVED_2020-2024.zip#nhtsa_id=11009804 ; https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/ffdd/tsbs/TSBS_RECEIVED_2025-2026.zip#nhtsa_id=11014130

19. Frequently asked questions

Which vehicles are covered by the supplied applicability evidence?

US-market 2024–2025 Volvo EC40, EX40, and XC40 vehicles.

What code is associated with the documented condition?

IEM P060796.

Does the evidence say the propulsion system has a failed part?

No. For the documented condition, Volvo states that IEM P060796 can be misdetected and instructs technicians not to replace parts.

Is it safe to drive or charge?

Not yet established by verified evidence.

20. Sources & verification

Verified
Volvo Propulsion System Service required: Propulsion System Service… | EV Diagnostics