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
We purchased our 2019 Volvo XC40 through Volvo's overseas delivery program, which we highly recommend exploring. During our 3000-mile trip in Sweden and Norway, the car functioned perfectly with no problems. The car is very responsive and reasonably quiet, and the interior appointments are luxurious. We especially appreciated the little touches, such as the bag hook on the glove box, the many cubbies, the drawer under the driver's seat, and the trash basket in the center armrest. While the storage behind the back seat is smaller than in our previous Subaru, it is still very adequate and the configuration in our model is perfect. Volvo's site offers several configuration options that you should check out. We achieved over 30 miles to the gallon (US) of gas, which was great for us. The seats are very comfortable both front and back, and the computer is similar to the one in Tesla in terms of the screen and computer-like operation style. Once we adjusted, we became more comfortable with it. The car has numerous safety features, including parking assist, highway driving assistant, and a 360-degree camera, all of which are super. Overall, we are extremely pleased with the car, which is a major upgrade from our previous Subaru that we also enjoyed.
-
Vehicle year: 2020
The engine and transmission deliver an extremely powerful performance, while the handling is reasonable. The ride is excellent for its size and the seats are comfortable for a 2-hour trip. We did not have the opportunity to take longer jaunts. The car has great mileage, but it requires premium gas. It's worth noting that there is no 87 octane gasoline in Europe, and although the computer will allow the engine to work with low-quality gas, it will not be as efficient or powerful as with the recommended gas. One area that could be improved is the outward visibility, as the car seems to have blind spots.
-
Vehicle year: 2022
I am absolutely loving my 2021 T5 R Design XC40! I previously owned the XC60 for 12 years and loved it, but this new little gem has stolen my heart. While the cargo area is a bit smaller than the XC60, my husband can still fit his golf clubs and 2 large pieces of luggage in the car with ease, so all is right with the world according to him. I have read some complaints about the interactive system in the car, but I found it easy to use after reading the short portion on how to use it and the general commands. I also read that some people felt like it's not as luxurious as it could be, but I personally chose the R Design because I wanted a sportier look both inside and out. If you're looking for a smaller SUV with the standard Volvo luxury, I would recommend checking out the XC40 Momentum and Inscription. Overall, I am completely happy with my new toy and I am confident it will bring me another 12 years of joy like my XC60 did!
-
Vehicle year: 2019
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 only 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: 2024
This car is really quirky and fun! I find myself looking for excuses to drive it even when I have no place to go. I never thought I'd own a Volvo coming from Lexus, but this car has personality in spades, whereas the Lexus just seems so sterile. The art deco interior design elements are particularly charming. Two thumbs up!
Are you having problems with your Volvo Xc40?
Xavier Emmerich 2025-02-17
Vehicle year: 2024
I recently took this car out for an hour-long test drive, right after looking at Mazda's offerings. I must say, this car looks great, and the interior is very minimalist. The little SUV drove very well, and the driving experience and power were fairly well implemented. However, there are a few drawbacks to this car. Firstly, the most irritating thing that no other reviewer mentions is the noise the HVAC system makes. From the slowest fan setting and beyond, it sounds like a server rack. Additionally, all of the HVAC controls are controlled through the in-dash screen, which can be a pain and even dangerous to change while driving. The tire noise above 50mph is worse than all other competitors, and many below its price point. Lastly, for some reason, the materials they use in the door panel cubbies feel like bargain-bin RV materials. For a $45k and up SUV, this seems like a daft choice, and will easily get stained. After reading the other reviews about electronics issues, and the overall experience during our own test drive, I feel that $40k or more just does not make sense when Mazda's CX-30 Turbo starts at $30k.
Kane Schuster 2025-02-04
Vehicle year: 2021
I've had a few issues with my car in the past 18 months. During rain, there was a rumbling noise from the sunroof that my local dealership initially dismissed. However, after some persistence, they checked it out and fixed it according to what I had read online. I've also noticed a pull to the right and a vibration while braking, but unfortunately, the dealership couldn't diagnose the issue for a few weeks. Additionally, I've had trouble with a driving light and the tailgate not always opening consistently. While these issues are frustrating, I understand that sometimes things can go wrong with any car. I do wish that the dealership could have been more accommodating with scheduling appointments and providing updates, especially considering the price of the car and the warranty I purchased. One thing I do find inconvenient is that the temperature/AC/heat settings are only available through the touchscreen, which can be a distraction while driving.The Heat/AC fan makes noise even on the slowest setting, which can be a bit distracting. The push button controls for window defrost work fast, but unfortunately, they don't allow for minor adjustments without using the touchscreen, which can be inconvenient while driving. Additionally, the raise/lower speed buttons on the steering wheel change cruise control speed in increments of 5 mph, which can be frustrating if you need to make small adjustments. Lastly, the wiper washer system could be improved as the washer fluid tends to go onto the blade instead of spraying on the window, resulting in uneven distribution.
Elbert Berge 2025-01-29
Vehicle year: 2022
I really like the look and feel of this little SUV, but unfortunately, I have been experiencing some issues with the collision avoidance system. Despite turning off all of the safety features, the system keeps going off for no apparent reason. It has caused some scary moments, such as hitting the brakes and yanking me left into oncoming traffic, even on country roads with no lines. I have taken it to service several times, but unfortunately, they have not been able to resolve the issue yet. I am still waiting for a response from Sweden, but it has been longer than expected. Additionally, I have had to have an airbag replaced and the side panel keeps falling down, so it needs to go back to the shop. Overall, I am disappointed with these issues, but I am hopeful that they will be resolved soon.
Clay McKenzie 2025-01-21
Vehicle year: 2024
I've had a few issues with my car in the past 18 months. During rain, there was a rumbling noise from the sunroof that my local dealership initially dismissed. However, after some persistence, they checked it out and fixed it according to what I had read online. I've also noticed a pull to the right and a vibration while braking, but unfortunately, the dealership couldn't diagnose the issue for a few weeks. Additionally, I've had trouble with a driving light and the tailgate not always opening consistently. While these issues are frustrating, I understand that sometimes things can go wrong with any car. I do wish that the dealership could have been more accommodating with scheduling appointments and providing updates, especially considering the price of the car and the warranty I purchased. One thing I do find inconvenient is that the temperature/AC/heat settings are only available through the touchscreen, which can be a distraction while driving.The Heat/AC fan makes noise even on the slowest setting, which can be a bit distracting. The push button controls for window defrost work fast, but unfortunately, they don't allow for minor adjustments without using the touchscreen, which can be inconvenient while driving. Additionally, the raise/lower speed buttons on the steering wheel change cruise control speed in increments of 5 mph, which can be frustrating if you need to make small adjustments. Lastly, the wiper washer system could be improved as the washer fluid tends to go onto the blade instead of spraying on the window, resulting in uneven distribution.
Brennan Weimann 2025-01-15
Vehicle year: 2024
I really like the appearance of the vehicle, it's what initially caught my attention. I was looking for an SUV that had a sporty look without sacrificing comfort, and this one fits the bill. While the cargo area isn't huge, it's definitely sufficient for my needs. I do wish I had opted for leather seats instead of the sporty 'suede' that came with mine, as it makes the interior feel a bit basic. I was disappointed to find out that the owner's manual is only available electronically, as I prefer having a physical copy. Additionally, I don't like that the remote start can only be done through the app, as it can be a safety concern for me as a woman leaving a public place. It would be great if there was an option for both. Overall, it's a decent vehicle, but I probably wouldn't choose this model again.