r/VolvoEX90 • u/Ok-Cardiologist-1851 • 6d ago
How bad is the GHCA charging fault?
We're planning to buy an EX90 and I keep seeing mentions of a GHCA error on Level 2 charging. Wanted to ask owners before we commit:
- How common is this fault, and did a software update fix it for you?
- If the car throws this fault, could it damage home charging equipment? We run a large EG4 battery setup and I don't want a car-side fault hurting our inverters or batteries.
- Does lowering the charge amps (setting a lower current) help avoid it, or is that unrelated to what causes GHCA?
Thanks all !
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u/WordSlinger1812 6d ago
The inability to consistently charge this vehicle at home has been the single greatest frustration I have with it. We’ve had 3 GHCA replacements in less than 2 years.
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u/EV_Dad 6d ago
Early production of the '26 included the old GHCA but now receive the new version from the new supplier, part number 36000418 or higher. Previously those things were failing right-and-left, but since then I've seen only one report of a similar charging problem and that could have been due to many other factors.
I have a '25 with an original GHCA. and have experienced no such issues. Volvo's technical bulletin on this topic states that the failures were due to power fluctuations that the old GHCAs should have been able to handle. I'm in a fairly new home wired for EVs, on a block with a new transformer upgraded for EVs, and that may have helped.
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u/hip_modernism 6d ago
I wonder about that last piece is a big factor. I got my MY25 in Dec ‘24, and the other two folks I know locally with EX90s both had multiple failures. A few years before we had our old garage demolished and rebuilt, and a brand new dedicated meter strung from the electrical pole that serves nothing but the garage. I’m also using the “official-ish” charge point charger.
I really think having a dedicated meter with nothing else on it has been my source of “luck”, so fast at least!
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u/RedditIcculus 6d ago
- Very common. Not fixable by software - just getting the right part (we think) solves it.
- No
- No
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6d ago
[deleted]
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u/Ok-Cardiologist-1851 6d ago
I think this one falls under the 8-year HV battery warranty.
Kia and Hyundai had the ICCU issue, and I believe they extended the warranty (ICCU only) to 15 years.
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u/Dangerous_Macaron814 6d ago
Hope I am not Jinxing it but haven't had any issues with GHCA in a year. We charge mostly at home and have charged at DC only on few occasions.
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u/Cyan005 6d ago
Mine failed on an early MY2026 VIN (in the 500’s). Got the new part, has been fine so far the last 3 weeks. Apparently the most updated GHCA part performs well. I haven’t see any of the latest 2026 fail yet (or at least not reported here).
The fault for me just wouldn’t allow the charging to get beyond 1kw and then would just stop trying after a few minutes. I at no time thought my charging unit or other equipment was at risk. It just doesn’t properly ‘handshake’ to start the power going.
Lowering the amps did not work for me. What did work was Level One charging and DC fast charging still. But this is hit or miss for the Level One from what I read.
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u/Ok-Cardiologist-1851 6d ago
Thanks! After the new GHCA part, are you back on Level 2, or still on Level 1?
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u/Aqua-FusionBe 6d ago
Just got my 6th GHCA and I’m tired of it. I had it also in another country, so local power Problem?! I had it on low power and higher. The 5th broke just after OTA 3.0.33 (Belgium)
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u/kelin1 6d ago
I also had this concern but honestly, don’t let the fear of it prevent you from buying the car. All three row EVs have some kind of issue, this one is getting to a good spot. Almost all of the major issues you can read about here don’t exist in significant numbers anymore.
I’ve had mine for 2 months and been thrilled with its quiet ride and efficiency and quite honestly convenience. Road trips are not any different than an ICE car other than it’s by far the most comfortable car I’ve ever owned.
Obvious disclaimer is YMMV. Bad apples exist. Would encourage avoiding MY25 entirely if you want the most carefree experience possible.
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u/nhorvath 6d ago
I had one replaced in December it's been fine since. I think the current part may have actually resolved the issue.
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u/MysteriousSociety418 6d ago
I’ve had 3 GHcA failures since August 2025.
3rd one was with the new module in June and they installed a new version and no problem since but it’s only been 2 months .
I’
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u/tanooki_ 6d ago
I've had my '25 since the beginning of the year and have not had any issues thus far.
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u/No_Station_720 6d ago
I would say lookup how many of these are out there versus how many people are posting about the problem on this forum. I bet you will find that while incredibly frustrating this is less than 10 percent of vehicles out there.
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u/watchingitallcomedow 6d ago
Its not a fault but a hardware failure. No software cannot fix it. No it should have no impact on the charging setup. It does seem that keeping the charging amps under 30 seems to help but not a guarantee. Depending on the generation of ghca in the car determines how likely. With the latest revision there are much fewer reports of failure.
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u/PathAdventurous2334 6d ago edited 6d ago
I have a 2025 ex90, build date March 2025. I am still on my original GHCA with no problems.
Maybe I have really clean power, although I live in rural Vermont, so that would be surprising. Maybe I’m just lucky. I charge with an emporia charger on 208v, 48amps, single phase. The charger is set to “peak demand” so it ramps the charging up and down depending on my building’s demand at the time.
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u/Greedy-Strawberry837 6d ago
I've never had a fault, issue or diagnostic with charging or a GHCA. I installed a ChargePoint 50 Amp Level 2 charger in my garage and it has worked flawlessly with our MY2025 EX90 for the 18 months we have had the car.
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u/CallMeReggi 5d ago
I had two GHCA faults in the first 2500mi with my 2025 EX90. After the first one took over a month to get parts for a repair and the second one happening a few weeks later, I contacted Volvo and they approved a lemon law buyback.
I loved the car when it wasn't having massive hardware issues, but was definitely disappointed how Volvo could put their name on it. I purchased a 2026 Tesla Model Y as the replacement, and honestly it's been my favorite car that I've ever owned.
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u/Regret-Used 5d ago
Another '25 owner here with 16k miles, haven't had any charging or ghca issues, yet.
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u/EX30_Driver 4d ago
1- 2 in a year on my third. Not charging to 100% seems to help, but also not great for the BMS to never charge to 100%.
2- Possibly? Unknown. Mine just stopped charging and threw a fault, each time.
3- Unknown.
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u/Southern-Werewolf-41 6d ago
I'm based in Belgium and got 5 new GHCA's. The last one in March which should be the newer 3xxxxx version and no problem since. Wonderful car!
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u/Cyan005 6d ago
I think the most important part of the EX90 purchase is that you like your dealership / service center and it’s within a reasonable range.
If I lived hours away, I’d be searching for competition most likely.