Volvo XC40 Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability

Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported deaths, injuries, crashes, and worst problem areas. Updated daily from federal databases.

14
Total Recalls
157
Total Complaints
27
Total Crashes
27
Reported Injuries
0
Reported Deaths
2021
Worst Year
2026
Best Year
0
Poor
Overall Reliability Score (0–100)
Accelerating +100%
Complaint Trend
9 last 24mo vs 0 prior 24mo

Recent Safety Incidents — Last 5 Model Years

1
Crash Reported

Own a Volvo XC40? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.

Volvo XC40 — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison

YearVerdictRecallsComplaintsCrashesInjuriesDeathsTop Issue
2026BestExcellentFull report →
2025Good17Back Over PreventionFull report →
2024Avoid33266Service BrakesFull report →
2023Avoid22666Service BrakesFull report →
2022Avoid22444Back Over PreventionFull report →
2021WorstAvoid34343Electrical SystemFull report →
2020Good82Electrical SystemFull report →
2019Avoid31776Unknown Or OtherFull report →

8 model years shown. Crashes, injuries, and deaths from NHTSA complaint filings. Click any year for full details.

Most Common Volvo XC40 Problems

Electrical System
23
Back Over Prevention
21
Unknown Or Other
20
Service Brakes
14
Forward Collision Avoidance
13
Vehicle Speed Control
10
Engine
7
Fuel/Propulsion System
7
Power Train
7
Structure
7
Air Bags
4
Lane Departure
4

Based on 157 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across all model years.

Recent Safety Recalls — Volvo XC40 (20222026)

#21V1090002022
24/02/2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM):SOFTWARE

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2022 XC40 Recharge vehicles. The Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) microprocessor may reset and cause the high voltage system to disconnect.

Remedy: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will install a software update, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10078.

#25V2820002022
08/05/2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Remedy: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10320.

#25V9080002022
23/12/2025
BACK OVER PREVENTION:SOFTWARE

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2024 C40BEV, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40, and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Remedy: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2026. Owners may contact Volvo Car’s customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10333. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 16, 2026. This recall replaces previous NHTSA recall number 25V282. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 25V282 will need to have the new remedy performed.

#23V0120002023
19/01/2023
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023 S60, V60, V60CC, V90CC, XC60, XC90, XC40, and C40 vehicles. A diagnostic error in the Brake Control Module 2 (BCM2) may cause a loss of Antilock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and traction control.

Remedy: Volvo will release an over-the-air (OTA) BCM2 software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed March 15, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10217.

#23V1880002023
22/03/2023
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023 S60, V60CC, XC60, XC90, XC40, and C40 vehicles. A diagnostic trouble code (DTC) may be falsely detected for the emergency call system (e-call) and display "e-Call Service Required" in the driver information module (DIM).

Remedy: Dealers will update the telematics and connectivity antenna module (TCAM) software, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed May 16, 2023. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10225.

#24V0100002024
10/01/2024
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2024 XC40 vehicles. A diagnostic error in the Central Electronic Module (CEM) software may cause the left rear turn signal indicator to not function.

Remedy: The CEM software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 16, 2024. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10256.

#25V3920002024
24/06/2025
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST:ELECTRIC:CONTROL MODULE:SOFTWARE

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2023 Volvo C40 BEV, 2025 EC40, 2023-2024 XC40 BEV, 2020-2026 XC90 PHEV, 2022-2026 XC60 PHEV, 2023-2025 S60 PHEV, 2024-2025 V60 PHEV, and 2025-2026 EX40 and 2025 S90 PHEV vehicles. In certain driving scenarios while coasting down a hill and using "B" mode or "One Pedal Drive," the vehicle may lose brake function.

Remedy: Owners are advised not to use "B" Mode (for plug-in hybrid vehicles) or "One Pedal Drive" (for pure electric vehicles) until the repair has been completed. The brake module software will be updated over-the-air (OTA) or by a dealer, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 15, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car's customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10329.

Showing 7 recalls from 20222026 model years. See the full year-specific pages for older recalls.

Recent Owner Complaints

Direct reports filed with NHTSA by Volvo XC40 owners — 20222026 model years.

Electrical System /Exterior Lighting04/21/2026

Passenger side map light activates and locks on for no reason. This can be particularly disruptive at night. The only way to switch off the light is by cycling the dome lights disruptive and dangerous at night. Light may still activate and lock on for no reason.

Power Train /Electrical System /Service Brakes03/29/2026

Brake system failed. I was NOT in one pedal mode. I have up to date software. After break system failed I was unable to put vehicle in park. Parking break could not be applied. Could not turn car off or lock doors. I was driving on interstate when it occurred. I got multiple warnings on display. I was lucky to pull over and not crash.

Service Brakes /Forward Collision AvoidanceCRASH02/16/2026

On two separate occasions, brakes failed completely in snow. Vehicle did not appear to be hydroplaning, and anti-lock function did not kick-in despite the pedal being floored. Pumping had no effect either. Safety sensors around the car should have detected motion even if the wheels were locked-up and should initiate anti-lock procedures as well. Distance traveled (at low speed due to snow and heavy traffic) was well over 100 feet. Emergency stopping feature finally engaged anti-lock brakes about 1/2 second before impact. To avoid a second crash (someone two vehicles ahead caused a pileup) a year later, driver had the wherewithal (and space) to leave the roadway when brakes failed to even slow the vehicle.

Unknown Or Other12/28/2025

My Volvo XC40 front sunroof cracked wavy crack across front in internal glass. There was frozen ice on top of car which I left alone because of the glass roof underneath. When driving home today from work a huge chunk of ice lifted off top of car and the sunroof cracked internally across the front glass. I heard it crack. I am reporting this because apparently this is not an isolated issue. Many others I've discovered have had their panoramic sunroofs cracked and fail with no inciting incident on XC40Forum.com and apparently Volvo is not admitting to failure but telling owners there must have been something that hit the roof which hasn't been owners' experiences. If the sunroof is cracked and fails it can break off glass ultimately and cause others harm on the road.

Back Over Prevention09/30/2025

The complaint is for Software Update 7.3 and the previous update for the 2024 Volvo XC40. Those updates modified the rear backup camera view, directing the camera downward. This is a critical problem when backing out of diagonal parking, where an adjacent vehicle blocks the backup view. The revised backup camera setting directs the view downward toward the pavement directly behind the car. The critical view area is in the upper right-hand corner of the lower camera view and occupies a very small area. This format causes two flaws. First, the small area requires a greater focus, which takes the driver's eyes off the exterior surrounding events. Second, the rear view should be positioned above the overhead view, making it easier to check the camera view and double-check for pedestrians and vehicles that are outside the camera's field of view. I contacted the dealer and checked Volvo online, but there is no reporting method for this problem, and no fix to redirect the camera upward. Note the red box in the photo to see the difficulty in early awareness of approaching vehicles.

Power Train /Electrical System09/22/2025

2024 Volvo xc40 with 10,000 miles suddenly became completely disabled on the express lane of a highway. The flashers were inoperable. The windows could not be opened. Road ranger was called. Nothing was wrong with the battery. Car was towed to a safe spot. Car was taken to Volvo dealership. Volvo determine that serpentine belt came apart and the tensioner was the cause - a manufacturer defect. This was very dangerous situation for the driver and unusual for a car with such low miles to have such a break in the serpentine belt. Fortunately there was an accident ahead and cars were traveling slowly in the express lane.

Power Train /Unknown Or Other /Service Brakes08/11/2025

I pulled over right side of street to park behind a parked vehicle to a visit house across the street. Was too far out from curb so I backed up about 12-15 feet or so. Put car in drive and slowly started to drive toward curb when car suddenly accelerated very hard. I turned steering to left to avoid hitting the car in front, straightened car out but could not stop it until it stopped about 20-30 feet down the road. Brake was not stopping my car. The acceleration was something like being on a ramp to get on highway and pressing pedal down to get to highway speed. It was a very hard acceleration. Very frightening. I got an appointment tomorrow for volvo service to look at this. Drove the car after this happened and today without any incident. I bought the car new in Mar 2024 and have NEVER experience this.

Electrical System /Service Brakes07/31/2025

am writing to formally report a serious issue involving the sale of a Certified Pre-Owned Volvo by a franchised Volvo dealership in Pennsylvania that I believe violates consumer protection standards and certified vehicle regulations. On [XXX], I purchased a 2024 Volvo XC40 from Volvo Cars Fort Washington, represented and sold to me as a Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) vehicle. However, I have since discovered that this vehicle had an active safety recall as of May 1, 2025, prior to the sale. The recall was related to a malfunction in the safety camera system, which could potentially lead to severe accidents and endanger the driver and passengers. Despite this open recall, the vehicle was still certified and sold to me without any disclosure of the safety issue. I only learned about the recall after experiencing a problem with the camera system and independently seeking service. This violates the core standards of manufacturer-backed CPO programs, which clearly state that no certified vehicle may be sold with an unresolved safety recall. I believe this sale represents a misrepresentation of the vehicle’s condition, a failure of duty to disclose, and a potential violation of consumer protection laws in the state of Pennsylvania. I am requesting that this matter be investigated and that appropriate action be taken against the dealership for selling a vehicle as “certified” when it did not meet the required safety and certification standards. Details: •Dealer Name: Volvo Cars Fort Washington •Vehicle: 2024 Volvo XC40 •VIN: [XXX] •Purchase Date: [XXX] •Recall Issue Date: May 1, 2025 •Nature of Recall: Safety camera malfunction that could lead to accidents •Consumer: [XXX] •Address: [XXX] •Email: [XXX] •Phone: [XXX] I am happy to provide additional documentation, including sales contracts, service records, and communications with the dealer, upon request INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Back Over Prevention07/15/2025

Volvo xc40 recharge back up camera views Front, Left and right side, rear Views don’t show any video view. Instead I get a black screen with 4 yellow circles with a camera in the center of the circle and a diagonal line through the circle…signifying an inoperative camera

9 total complaints retrieved from NHTSA for 20222026. For older model years, see individual year pages.

XC40 Years to Avoid

2021 XC40
43 complaints · 3 recalls · 4 crashes
Details →
2024 XC40
32 complaints · 3 recalls · 6 crashes
Details →
2023 XC40
26 complaints · 2 recalls · 6 crashes
Details →

Ranked by combined complaints, recalls, crashes, injuries, and deaths.

Best XC40 Years to Buy

2026 XC40
0 complaints · 0 recalls
Details →
2025 XC40
7 complaints · 1 recalls
Details →
2020 XC40
8 complaints · 0 recalls
Details →

Years with fewest complaints and recalls.

Volvo XC40 Problems by Year

Select a year to see detailed complaints, recall notices, and safety incident data.

Frequently Asked Questions — Volvo XC40 Reliability

What year XC40 has the most problems?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2021 Volvo XC40 had the highest combined complaint and recall count — 43 complaints and 3 safety recalls. See the full 2021 report for specific defects.

Is the Volvo XC40 reliable?

The Volvo XC40 has accumulated 157 owner-filed complaints and 14 safety recalls across all model years in NHTSA's database. The 2026 model year shows the fewest reported issues. Always run a VIN check before purchasing any used XC40.

What are the most common XC40 problems?

The most frequently cited problem areas are: Electrical System (23 reports), Back Over Prevention (21 reports), Unknown Or Other (20 reports), Service Brakes (14 reports). Based on NHTSA complaints across all model years.

How do I check if my XC40 has an open recall?

Use the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with auction history, odometer records, and 30+ intelligence signals.

Check a Specific Volvo XC40 VIN

Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.

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