2021 Volvo XC40

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2021 Volvo XC40 has 78 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is driver assist/cameras problems (24% of all complaints), specifically: the contact owns a 2021 volvo xc40. the contact stated that the vehicle was delivered to his residence by the local dealer. upon inspection, he became aware that the automatic emergency braking system sensor was not operating as designed while reversing with an object nearby. the local dealer was ma.

6 crash reports 2 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS

19 complaints

24%

• The contact owns a 2021 Volvo XC40. The contact stated that the vehicle was delivered to his residence by the local dealer. Upon inspection, he became aware that the automatic emergency braking system sensor was not operating as designed while reversing with an object nearby. The local dealer was ma
• On 8/3/21 I had an accident in my brand new 2021 xc40. I lightly tapped on the accelerator to close in a gap as I came to a stop at a red light. The vehicle jumped forward as though I floored the accelerator, though again, it was a slight tap. I rear-ended the car in front of me. There was no forwar
• On 8/3/21 I had an accident in my brand new 2021 xc40. I lightly tapped on the accelerator to close in a gap as I came to a stop at a red light. The vehicle jumped forward as though I floored the accelerator, though again, it was a slight tap. I rear-ended the car in front of me. There was no forwar

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“The contact owns a 2021 Volvo XC40. The contact stated that the vehicle was delivered to his residence by the local dealer. Upon inspection, he became aware that the automatic emergency braking system sensor was not operating as designed while reversing with an object nearby. The local dealer was ma”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

13 complaints

17%

• I WAS GIVEN THE CAR A A DEMO PENDING DELIVERY AND IT STOPPED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
• The 2021 XC 40 vehicle will periodically not restart - may be something to do with the safety key or some other electrical malfunction. The dashboard shows the battery symbol when the car will not restart as if the vehicle is dead (no electrical connection). Also, when the start button is depressed
• A complete power failure. The main battery failed due to a software failure from The Battery Energy Control Module (BECM). The entire car stopped working. No power to unlock the wheels. The car was dead towed on rollers under the wheels via flatbed truck. A recall r10078 was not given and was not

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“I WAS GIVEN THE CAR A A DEMO PENDING DELIVERY AND IT STOPPED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

FUEL SYSTEM

9 complaints

12%

• A complete power failure. The main battery failed due to a software failure from The Battery Energy Control Module (BECM). The entire car stopped working. No power to unlock the wheels. The car was dead towed on rollers under the wheels via flatbed truck. A recall r10078 was not given and was not
• On October 12, 2021 the above described car had a catastrophic failure of the power system. All functions ceased and the car was dead towed on a flatbed truck. Because the tow mode could not be engaged due to loss of all power the vehicle was dragged onto the flatbed. The repair indicated the caus
• Complete power failure of all electric Volvo XC 40 Recharge Vehicle has had recall update of software and additional software update. This is the second complete power failure Previously reported October 12 Recurrent power failure after "fix" on October 23. Volvo is unable to fix a complete power

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 1 crashes

“A complete power failure. The main battery failed due to a software failure from The Battery Energy Control Module (BECM). The entire car stopped working. No power to unlock the wheels. The car was dead towed on rollers under the wheels via flatbed truck. A recall r10078 was not given and was not”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SPEED CONTROL

7 complaints

• The 2021 XC 40 vehicle will periodically not restart - may be something to do with the safety key or some other electrical malfunction. The dashboard shows the battery symbol when the car will not restart as if the vehicle is dead (no electrical connection). Also, when the start button is depressed
• The contact owns a 2021 Volvo XC40. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V288000 (Vehicle Speed Control) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair.
• Had a cracked windshield, Volvo replaced with OEM. Another pin head size rock chip resulted in another cracked windshield. Google search will reveal the Windshield on the XC40 Volvo crack with the lightest contact. The glass has a defect and the crack interferes with driver visibility and driver ass

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500💥 2 crashes

“The 2021 XC 40 vehicle will periodically not restart - may be something to do with the safety key or some other electrical malfunction. The dashboard shows the battery symbol when the car will not restart as if the vehicle is dead (no electrical connection). Also, when the start button is depressed”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

6 complaints

• On Oct 8, we noticed a crack on the front lower right passenger-side of the windshield. We purchased this car less than 2 months ago. The crack was perplexing to us because we've never had a cracked windshield on any of our cars we've owned in the last 20 years, driving in the same roads and neigh
• Backup camera fails intermittently at least a dozen times, error message "camera unavailable". Camera icon disappears from dash. Took to dealer. No code, no problem. Backed up and worked, did not understand intermittently?! Asked tech to report to Volvo, got push back. I advised I was reporting as s
• Vehicle systems, navigation, entertainment, heating, a/c, defrosting are dependent on Internet connection. The Internet connection shows connection, but no systems are available. Vehicle is operable, but driver distraction increases 10 or 20 fold trying to do simple tasks such as defrost windshield.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“On Oct 8, we noticed a crack on the front lower right passenger-side of the windshield. We purchased this car less than 2 months ago. The crack was perplexing to us because we've never had a cracked windshield on any of our cars we've owned in the last 20 years, driving in the same roads and neigh”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 78 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
DRIVER ASSIST/CAMERAS: The contact owns a 2021 Volvo XC40. The contact stated that the vehicle was delivered to his residence by the local dealer. Upon inspection, he became aware that the automatic emergency braking system sensor was not operating as designed while reversing with an object nearby. The local dealer was ma
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: I WAS GIVEN THE CAR A A DEMO PENDING DELIVERY AND IT STOPPED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE DRIVING NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: A complete power failure. The main battery failed due to a software failure from The Battery Energy Control Module (BECM). The entire car stopped working. No power to unlock the wheels. The car was dead towed on rollers under the wheels via flatbed truck. A recall r10078 was not given and was not
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: The 2021 XC 40 vehicle will periodically not restart - may be something to do with the safety key or some other electrical malfunction. The dashboard shows the battery symbol when the car will not restart as if the vehicle is dead (no electrical connection). Also, when the start button is depressed
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)