Automatic locking and unlocking

Updated 06/09/2023

The car unlocks and locks intuitively when it recognises your key. There are some situations where the normal behaviour may change.

Warning

Volvo recommends not leaving people or pets in a locked car. Allowing locking with occupants inside makes it possible to lock the car even though people or pets are detected. Certain car systems can stay active and the doors can be opened from inside. The driver remains responsible for the well-being and safety of anyone left in the car. Some regions have laws prohibiting people or pets being left inside a locked vehicle.

Important

It is the driver's responsibility to ensure the car is locked, even when automatic functions are enabled.

Car thieves can use frequency jamming to interfere with key functions and prevent cars from locking. When you leave your car, always check that the driver door is locked.

Emergency unlock

In the event of a collision, the car will automatically unlock. If the damage to the car is minor, the car can be locked again. With significant damage to the car, you will not be able to lock the car again. In that case, the locking function can only be restored by Volvo technicians1.

If the car does not automatically lock

The car won't automatically lock if:

a door is not fully closed.
your key's battery is too low.
there is significant interference between the key's signal and the car.

Once the cause of the interruption is resolved, your car automatically locks as usual.

Important

Partially armed alarm

If the bonnet or the boot is not properly closed, the alarm will not be fully enabled. In these cases, the alarm will only protect the doors. It won't protect the open bonnet or boot, and the car won't detect any motion inside the car.