EV Diagnostics
Verified EV diagnostic knowledge page

Volvo SOS E-call service required

SOS E-call service required

DriveNot yet established by verified evidence.
ChargeNot yet established by verified evidence. For PHEV/BEV vehicles, the supplied Technical Journal documents a scenario where the charging cable cannot be disconnected.
ServiceContact an authorized Volvo service provider for diagnosis. Provide the alert text “SOS E-call service required” and any accompanying symptoms, including “Key not found,” inability to start, inability to disconnect the charging cable, or lack of VIDA communication.
Confidence90%

Quick answer

For certain 2018–2022 Volvo S90, XC40, and XC60 vehicles in the US, the driver-information message “SOS E-call service required” is documented in Volvo Technical Journal 36195. The supplied evidence identifies this bulletin as applicable only to vehicles equipped with a TCAM (Telematics and Connectivity Antenna Module).

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

Video guides

Watch Videos

Relevant videos play here without leaving this diagnostic page.

No sufficiently relevant embeddable video has been accepted for this diagnostic yet.

Videos are supporting material and never override OEM or regulator evidence.

1. What does SOS E-call service required mean?

For certain 2018–2022 Volvo S90, XC40, and XC60 vehicles in the US, the driver-information message “SOS E-call service required” is documented in Volvo Technical Journal 36195. The supplied evidence identifies this bulletin as applicable only to vehicles equipped with a TCAM (Telematics and Connectivity Antenna Module).

2. Technical explanation

The verified evidence identifies “SOS E-call service required” as a Volvo OEM alert/message. Volvo Technical Journal 36195 documents the message in scenarios involving a TCAM-equipped vehicle. The supplied excerpts also describe related conditions that may occur in the same bulletin scenario: a “Key not found” message, inability to communicate with or read out the vehicle using VIDA, and—on PHEV/BEV vehicles—inability to start when the charging cable cannot be disconnected. The evidence does not establish a specific failed component or a universal cause for every vehicle displaying this alert.

3. What system is affected?

The verified bulletin states that it applies only to vehicles with a TCAM (Telematics and Connectivity Antenna Module).

4. How serious is this code?

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

5. Symptoms you may notice

  • Driver Information Module (DIM) message: “SOS E-call service required.”
  • A DIM message stating “Key not found” may occur in the documented Technical Journal scenario.
  • No communication when attempting to connect to or read out the vehicle with VIDA is documented in the bulletin scenario.
  • For PHEV/BEV vehicles, the bulletin documents a scenario in which the vehicle cannot be started because the charging cable cannot be disconnected.

6. Possible causes

  • Not yet established by verified evidence. The supplied Technical Journal excerpts associate the message with TCAM-equipped vehicles but do not establish a specific root cause.

7. Can I still drive the vehicle?

Not yet established by verified evidence.

8. Can I charge the vehicle?

Not yet established by verified evidence. For PHEV/BEV vehicles, the supplied Technical Journal documents a scenario where the charging cable cannot be disconnected.

9. What you can safely do

  • Arrange assessment by an authorized Volvo service provider if the alert is present, particularly if other documented symptoms occur.
  • If the vehicle cannot be started, the key is not detected, the charge cable cannot be disconnected, or VIDA communication is unavailable, report those exact conditions to the service provider.
  • Do not attempt high-voltage, telematics-module, or electrical repair procedures yourself.

10. Step-by-step troubleshooting

  1. Confirm the exact Driver Information Module message displayed.
  2. Note whether a “Key not found” message is also present.
  3. For PHEV/BEV vehicles, note whether the charging cable can be disconnected.
  4. A Volvo service provider can determine whether the vehicle is equipped with TCAM and assess the vehicle using Volvo diagnostic procedures. Specific diagnostic steps are not established by the supplied evidence.

11. When to contact service

Contact an authorized Volvo service provider for diagnosis. Provide the alert text “SOS E-call service required” and any accompanying symptoms, including “Key not found,” inability to start, inability to disconnect the charging cable, or lack of VIDA communication.

12. What the service center may check

  • Verify whether the vehicle has a TCAM (Telematics and Connectivity Antenna Module), as Technical Journal 36195 applies only to TCAM-equipped vehicles.
  • Assess the reported DIM messages and the vehicle’s ability to start.
  • For PHEV/BEV vehicles, assess a reported inability to disconnect the charging cable.
  • Attempt vehicle communication/readout with VIDA where appropriate.

13. Possible repair or resolution

  • Not yet established by verified evidence. The supplied excerpts do not provide a verified repair procedure or final resolution.

14. Affected vehicles

15. Related TSBs / service bulletins

  • Volvo Technical Journal 36195.1.0, referenced by NHTSA Manufacturer Communication 10212764, published April 29, 2022. The excerpt states that it applies only to vehicles with a TCAM unit and documents the “SOS E-call service required” message.
  • Volvo Technical Journal 36195.1.1, referenced by NHTSA Manufacturer Communication 10213891, published May 2, 2022. The excerpt states that it applies only to vehicles with a TCAM unit and documents the message.
  • Volvo Technical Journal 36195.1.2, referenced by NHTSA Manufacturer Communication 10214188, published May 19, 2022. The excerpt documents the message and a PHEV/BEV scenario involving inability to disconnect the charging cable.

16. Recall information

  • Not yet established by verified evidence. No recall information was supplied.

17. Official manufacturer information

Official NHTSA-hosted manufacturer communications supplied: 10212764 (TJ 3619510), 10213891 (TJ 3619511), and 10214188 (TJ 3619512).

19. Frequently asked questions

What does “SOS E-call service required” mean?

The verified evidence identifies it as a Volvo OEM alert/message. The supplied Technical Journal excerpts associate it with TCAM-equipped vehicles, but do not establish a universal root cause.

Which vehicles are covered by the supplied evidence?

The supplied applicability records cover US-market Volvo S90, XC40, and XC60 vehicles from model years 2018–2022. Individual records overlap; the combined listed range is 2018–2022.

Can the vehicle still be started?

The bulletin documents that a vehicle can be started with the remote control key in the backup position in one scenario while “SOS E-call service required” is displayed. It also documents a PHEV/BEV scenario in which the vehicle cannot be started because the charging cable cannot be disconnected. Whether an individual vehicle can start is not established by the alert alone.

Is this definitely a TCAM failure?

No. The Technical Journal applies only to vehicles with a TCAM unit, but the supplied evidence does not establish a specific failed component or root cause.

20. Sources & verification

Verified
Volvo SOS E-call service required: SOS E-call service required | EV Diagnostics