Volvo Xc40 problems
The Volvo XC40 is a subcompact luxury crossover SUV (C-segment) manufactured by Volvo Cars. It was unveiled on 21 September 2017 as the smallest SUV model from Volvo, below the XC60. Orders started in September 2017, and manufacturing began in November 2017.
Aside with conventional petrol and diesel engines, a plug-in hybrid model was introduced in 2019, and a battery electric vehicle model was released in 2020. Both the plug-in hybrid and the battery electric versions were marketed as the XC40 Recharge. In 2024, Volvo renamed the battery electric XC40 to the Volvo EX40, aligning it with newer battery electric models such as the EX30 and the EX90.
A coupe version of the battery electric model with a sloping rear roof was released in 2021 as the C40 Recharge. It was renamed to the Volvo EC40 since 2024.
The XC40 was given the European Car of the Year Award at the 2018 Geneva Motor Show. and the car was named Car of the Year Japan for 2018/2019.
Social links
Volvo Xc40 model years
Common Volvo Xc40 problems
The Volvo XC40, a subcompact luxury crossover SUV, has been praised for its design and features since its introduction in 2017. However, like any vehicle, it has faced certain common issues that have been reported by owners.
One of the most frequently reported problems is related to the handbrake, which sometimes fails to hold the car, particularly when parked. This issue can be intermittent and may not pose a significant safety risk, but it can be frustrating for owners.
Another common problem is related to the indicator system, where the left indicator may display a fault message. This issue has been addressed by reloading software, but it has been reported to reoccur after a few weeks.
Some owners have also reported a drone noise on braking, which has been attributed to the B3 mild hybrid system. While this noise has been reported to decrease over time, it can still be an annoyance for some drivers.
The 360 reverse camera has also been a source of frustration for some XC40 owners. In some cases, the camera has displayed a dark screen on reverse, requiring a loan car while the issue was being addressed. While Volvo has provided an OTA update to resolve this issue, it has not been successful in all cases, leading to ongoing complaints.
In addition to these specific issues, there have been reports of minor electronic glitches, particularly with the infotainment system and electronic driver aids. These faults, while not affecting the vehicle's drivability, have caused inconvenience for some owners.
The Volvo XC40 has also faced reliability concerns, with the brand consistently ranking low in J.D. Power's list for long-term reliability. The XC40's two bigger brothers, the XC60 and XC90, are also known for their unreliability, which may be a cause for concern for potential buyers.
Overall, while the Volvo XC40 has been praised for its design and features, it has faced certain common issues that have been reported by owners. These issues range from minor electronic glitches to more significant problems with the handbrake and indicator system. Additionally, concerns about long-term reliability may be a factor for potential buyers to consider.
Is the Volvo XC40 a reliable car?
The 2024 Volvo XC40 has a predicted reliability score of 72 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
What is the best year for the XC40?
There are many top-notch years available for the Volvo XC40. We recommend 2020, 2021, 2022, or 2023 used versions for maximum time on the road and minimal time in the repair shop.
What is the most common problem with the 2024 Volvo XC40?
A common problem with the 2024 Volvo XC40 is the handbrake not securely holding the car and the collision avoidance system malfunctioning.
Is XC40 a good buy?
Why should I buy a Volvo XC40? The XC40 is a brilliant family SUV that offers a great mix of performance, practicality, comfort and interior quality. In short, it's definitely worth putting on your shortlist. Which is the best engine for the Volvo XC40?
Latest 5 recalls Volvo Xc40
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 12 recalls for different components of the Volvo Xc40.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Volvo Xc40 2024
- Report Received Date: 2024-01-10
- Manufacturer: Volvo Car USA, LLC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: A nonfunctioning exterior turn signal may not notify other drivers of a turning vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
- Model: Volvo Xc40 2023
- Report Received Date: 2023-03-22
- Manufacturer: Volvo Car USA, LLC
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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).
- Consequence: The false warning message could prevent the detection of an actual e-call system failure, which could delay an emergency response during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
- 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.
- Model: Volvo Xc40 2023
- Report Received Date: 2023-01-19
- Manufacturer: Volvo Car USA, LLC
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: A reduction in brake support functions can increase the risk of a crash.
- 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.
- Model: Volvo Xc40 2021
- Report Received Date: 2021-11-12
- Manufacturer: Volvo Car USA, LLC
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2021 XC40 BEV vehicles. A bolt that secures the cross-member bracket for the electrical motor in the engine compartment may be loose or missing.
- Consequence: A loose or missing bolt may decrease the structural protection of the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will replace the cross-member bracket and install new bracket bolts, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 16, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R10128.
- Model: Volvo Xc40 2021
- Report Received Date: 2021-09-01
- Manufacturer: Volvo Car USA, LLC
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR
- Summary: Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021 XC40, XC 40 Recharge, V60CC, V90, V90CC, XC90, and 2021-2022 V60, XC60, S60 vehicles. The seat belt automatic locking retractors may deactivate early, which can prevent the child restraint system from securing properly. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
- Consequence: An unsecured child restraint system can increase the risk of injury during a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the seat belt assemblies, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed October 13, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10111.
Latest negative Volvo Xc40 car reviews
Latest positive Volvo Xc40 car reviews
-
Vehicle year: 2020
Volvo really thought of everything for this car! Ladies, are you tired of your purse flying around on the passenger's side while you drive? No worries, there's a hook for that, and more shopping bag hooks in the cargo area to keep bags from rolling around with their contents. The car is nearly silent on your average road, with just the slight hum of acceleration. There is remarkably little wind or road noise, even on the bumpiest, loudest roads. In fact, people I talk to on the phone joke that they know exactly when I'm maneuvering the car because they can hear things that are normally hidden by the white noise of the engine and road. We found the infotainment system to be very logically designed, functioning very similarly to a smartphone. In fact, the settings quick access buttons on the touchscreen feel very reminiscent of the android pull-down settings menu. After a week, using it feels very natural. My one gripe is that I wish the 360 camera were easier to access quickly. It will appear automatically when it senses I'm parking between two cars, but when I'm pulling into my very tight garage or straight into a parking spot, I have to manually pull it up. Not a big deal -- it just takes 2 seconds, but hopefully there will be a shortcut option on future iterations. Auto-park is wonderfully helpful for tight spaces. The upgraded sound system is excellent -- coming from an audiophile. The self-driving features are wonderful for the highway and really serve to reduce fatigue by keeping you in the lane and following the car in front of you at a given distance. We really enjoy the highly customizable driver profiles that can both be programmed to a specific key and overridden through the settings menu. One thing that I found slightly annoying in city traffic was that by default, the auto parking brake enabled at every full stop. This results in a bit of a I disabled the feature and it doesn't bother me anymore. However, I can definitely see how this feature would be useful for hilly areas where you don't want to roll forward or backwards if you lighten up on the brakes. The back seat has more room than any other car in this class that we test drove. It feels more like a mid-sized SUV in terms of space and seat elevation. After reading a ton of reviews online, I have to say that most reviewers' gripes about this car are really non-issues in the long-run. We specifically looked out for all of the things that were identified as possible cons and haven't actually been able to identify many of them as real cons since we've been driving the car regularly. In conclusion, it's a really solid, well-designed car that's a lot of fun to drive and handle.
-
Vehicle year: 2023
Wow, the Fjord color looks even better in person! I used to have a 2016 XC60, but this XC40 B5 Bright AWD Plus is just awesome. It's a stunning car that looks like a work of art, especially with those 19
-
Vehicle year: 2022
This is a really good little crossover with pretty good luxury features for the price. It has been very minimal and quite reliable so far. Although the infotainment is a bit annoying because it doesn't make android auto full-screen and the seats could be a bit more premium, it's definitely nicer to live and drive than the CX-5 or CX-30, especially when it comes to comfort and features. Additionally, the paint and corrosion protection is top-notch, which is primarily the reason I bought it over the Mazdas. My old Mazda 3 undercarriage was nearly completely rusted after a couple of years due to the weather. I have heard there were some electronic gremlins, but so far, I have had no issues and stop-start works pretty much like my old Mazda (though I disable it most of the time because it does degrade the starter and doesn't help economy that much). CTA and BLIS are awesome, and the driving feel is definitely really good, though the steering is a bit light. Also, it saved me from some collisions, so top marks so far. Currently, there are 15k miles on the odometer. This is a great car, maybe a bit expensive, but it's definitely worth it for the style, safety, and comfort.
-
Vehicle year: 2020
The Volvo XC40 is an excellent car that combines quality, performance, and style in a compact SUV package. This is our sixth Volvo, and it is one of the best in terms of quality, ride, and handling. My wife absolutely adores this vehicle. Despite being petite, she has no trouble getting in and out of the car, finding the perfect seating position, and driving it comfortably. She also believes that Volvo has the most ergonomic seats in the world. She has back issues, but driving this car for both long and short distances never exacerbates them. I agree with her opinions and would like to add that the XC40's performance and handling are fantastic. While it may not be a Porsche, the turbo-4 (T5) can certainly move when it's necessary to pass or break free from a group of slow drivers. The interior design and quality are both pleasing and comfortable. Volvo has always placed a special emphasis on safety and minimalist design - it's a Swedish hallmark that makes Volvo unique and dependable. In summary, it's a great purchase if you're looking for style, dependability, and quality performance.
-
Vehicle year: 2019
Owen has owned 5 Volvos, including 1 wagon, 2 convertibles, 2 XC90s, and now my Inscription XC40. The XC40 is a very roomy SUV that makes it easy to zip around town compared to my previous XC90s. It's just as comfortable as the XC90 on long trips, and I'm so happy that Volvo came up with this one. Additionally, it's beautiful both inside and out, with a sporty exterior. I just love my INSCRIPTION XC40!
Are you having problems with your Volvo Xc40?
Ubaldo McCullough 2025-08-17
Vehicle year: 2020
While driving my XC 40, I absolutely love this car! Unfortunately, the entire system shut down on me. I took it in and was told it was a software issue, which was promptly fixed. However, to my surprise, the car shut down again a month later, this time causing the engine to shut down and restart. It's currently at the dealer now for 2 weeks. I'm starting to regret not leasing it.
Jacinto Lubowitz 2025-08-15
Vehicle year: 2023
I've owned this car for two years now and unfortunately, it has been in the shop at least eight times. Recently, we had to rent a car for two weeks to keep our vacation reservations due to a 'propulsion system failure' that limited the car's speed to only 22 miles per hour. Despite our disappointment, we have not received any satisfactory response from Volvo. They simply told us that the car is now working, without addressing the root of the problem. Even after towing the car to the dealership, no one took the time to inspect it. As a result, we feel completely let down. This was our third Volvo purchase, but we will not be making another one in the future.
Chesley Lebsack 2025-08-14
Vehicle year: 2024
I recently purchased a new 2021 xc40. Unfortunately, I have experienced some dangerous malfunctions with the auto start/stop feature and the city safe auto braking system. It was quite concerning when the auto braking system went off randomly while I was traveling at 50mph. I have found it difficult to bring the car in for service as many Volvo dealers do not have loaner fleets, unlike other luxury brands. Additionally, I have found that the owner support hotline/Volvo on call is not very knowledgeable about the tech systems in the car. Despite these challenges, I still have a lot of respect for the Volvo brand. However, I would advise others to consider other luxury brands until Volvo's service catches up at both the dealer and corporate level.
Alan Heller 2025-08-12
Vehicle year: 2019
I've been experiencing some issues with the reverse camera on my 2020 XC40, which I've been using for three months now. Sometimes it shows up in black, and other times it doesn't open at all. I tried contacting customer service, but they informed me that the camera is expected to have a delay of 2-3 minutes, which is quite surprising. I have the email support for that statement, which doesn't seem to be in the car's specifications. It's disappointing that the brand doesn't seem to be interested in fixing these defects.
Alvah Stehr 2025-08-06
Vehicle year: 2019
While driving my XC 40, I absolutely love this car! Unfortunately, the entire system shut down on me. I took it in and was told it was a software issue, which was promptly fixed. However, to my surprise, the car shut down again a month later, this time causing the engine to shut down and restart. It's currently at the dealer now for 2 weeks. I'm starting to regret not leasing it.