Can 2024 Volvo XC60 Recharge Use Aftermarket Hitch to Carry 4-Bike Bike Rack

Updated 04/07/2026 | Published 03/31/2026

Question:

I have a 2024 Volvo XC60 Recharge, and would love to use this hitch to hold a 4 bike bike rack. However the dealer tells me Ill have issues with phantom braking that can only be avoided by using their foldable 1.25inch rack which will be incapable of holding 4 bikes. Heres exactly what he said: The problem you will run into is when that hitch is installed and you have bikes on the back the car will not recognize sensors and customers have had the brakes slam on because it senses something back there. We had a customer and a technician that this happen to frequently. This is the reason we dont install anything but Volvo hitch per Volvo for safety reasons. The volvo hitch is designed so when it is out and in use the car knows that and the safety features adapt. Is he right, and/or is there a workaround? Can I get a wiring harness that we plug in each time we use the rack and would that work with Volvo software? Im really hoping to be able to use your hitch in order to get the functionality I need out of this vehicle. Thanks for your help!

asked by: Stephen A

Expert Reply:

Hey Stephen! The dealer is right but you can get around this and still use the Curt # C92WR. This isn't just an issue with your vehicle, almost all new vehicles have those rear sensors and they will pick up something like a 4-bike rack because it doesn't know it is attached to the vehicle. Even though this is true, there are thousands of people out there installing aftermarket hitches and carrying bike racks and cargo carriers.

Your 2024 Volvo XC60 Recharge allows you to override/disable the sensors so this won't be an problem. I believe on the Volvo you have to do this every time you start it, so you just have to remember. If you forget, you'll get that beeping in reverse and it may activate the brakes. When you're driving forward it isn't going to set anything off.

What kind of bike rack do you have?

expert reply by: Robin H

Curt Hitch
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Phil B.

4/6/2026

Robin is 100% correct. I carry 2 heavy e-bikes on a Thule rack installed on my Volvo x60 Recharge. I simply have to disengage the auto brake on the rear camera screen every time I start the car. A bit of a hassle but an acceptable work-around. The guy at the dealer is full of it or perhaps just intolerably ignorant.

Robert W.

4/6/2026

I installed this hitch in April 2024 on my 2023 XC60 Recharge T8. It works great and I love it. I use it to pull a Waverunner on a trailer, other comments are correct. When backing up the sensors will see it as interference and if you don't disable the reverse brake, you will get the emergency brake action. When you put it in reverse the software offers you the option to turn off the safety braking and you need to do that. Note that it gets turned back on every drive cycle, so you need to turn it off each time. I have forgotten a couple of times, and it shows me how quickly it will emergency brake! It is quite startling, but it helps remind me to turn off the emergency braking when backing the trailer. I might also add that I need to disable that when I back out of my single garage door opening as the clearance is close enough that it reads that as interference if I'm moving faster than a very slow creep. Bob

Carolyn M.

4/6/2026

Yeah, the dealership just wants you to buy the super expensive Volvo brand stuff. The sensors are easy to turn off and you do have to do it every time you start the car, but it is a pretty simple thing to do once you get used to it. My rear sensors have auto braked on some bumps in my driveway at times so it’s not a bad idea to get used to A) the sensors sensitivity as well as B) turning the sensors off. I even turn the sensors off at drive thrus and car washes. (Pro tip: pop the rear hitch cover out before a car wash!)

Don

4/6/2026

The hitch worked great on the Volvo. However on backing you have to disable the rear camera on the screen. If not the brakes come on.

Dave

4/6/2026

Hi. We own a '26 XC60 T8 (phev) and I mounted the Curt 2" receiver hitch purchased from e-trailer @ home w/ minimal tools (as per the terrific e-trailer video in under 90 minutes and saved $400). With the bike(s) on the rack or just the 1upusa (made in WI) heavy duty single hitch mounted rack w/ or w/o a single rack add-on (for a total of 2 bikes, e or non-e) is rock solid. As others have stated, one must disable the automatic-rear backup safety brake on the center console @ and every time to eliminate the obnoxious, abrupt stop (like ya just backed into a tree) while backing out of the garage and elsewhere. (over a 17 year period) We've purchased and still use three 1upusa racks for both our Volvo, F-150 and one on the back of our TT (3 bikes, 2-e and one non-e hardtail) and would not consider any other rack for our valuable bikes and peace of mind (likely 25K miles of hauling sans any issue even on rough gravel roads). One may purchase a double 2" hitch mounted rack and add two add-ons to safely tote 4 bike on one vehicle. Good luck.