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The first model Volvo XC40 was introduced in 2019 a couple of years after its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
An early 2017 press release says, “The XC40 sets a new benchmark for safety, design, and connectivity in the compact SUV segment.” It’s also the smallest SUV Volvo makes.
Lemberg Law highlights some of the problems new 2019 Volvo XC40 owners were complaining about. Our article is titled, 2019 Volvo XC40 Problems and Top Complaints.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2019 2020 2022
Contents
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NHTSA Complaints for the 2021 Volvo XC40
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | |
| Visibility/wiper | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Power Train | |
| Engine | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | |
| Lane Departure: Warning | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Vehicle Speed Control |
That first model has 12 very varied complaints on file with the United States Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The second 2020 model shows improvement, with only 1 complaint that relates primarily to seat belts.
There are 4 recalls on file for the 2019 model and just 1 for the 2020 model.
But it’s not looking as good for the 2021 Volvo XC40, which already has 3 recalls and 15 complaints on record with the NHTSA.
Most Common Problems with the 2021 Volvo XC40
We know that people complain about their cars on many different platforms. But we are limiting this article to NHTSA complaints.
Even though there are only 15 individual complaints, these cover a total of 24 common problems. The most prevalent issues are electrical system problems (5). Many of these also highlight powertrain and fuel/propulsion system issues, which record 3 problems each. There are 3 visibility/wiper problems too.
There are a couple of engine problems, but they also link to electrical system issues.
Other problems, each of which has a single complaint, relate to:
- Back-over prevention
- Exterior lighting
- Forward-collision avoidance
- Lane departure
- Seat belts
- Service brakes
- Vehicle speed control
- Wheels
We have identified three of the most common problems and cover them below.
2021 Volvo XC40 Electrical System Problems
There are 5 complaints that are categorized as electrical system failures. Complaints are varied but in all cases the issue is that the system fails. Also, despite a recall that is supposed to fix “drive power loss,” car owners who know about the recall say dealers aren’t able to fix the problem.
Two complaints report a complete power failure that hasn’t (cannot) been fixed. Another describes “a catastrophic failure of the power system.” Again, there is no solution in terms of the recall. Another complaint relates to a demo car that “stopped unexpectedly while driving, nearly causing an accident.”
Probably the most stressful account relates to the Volvo XC40 owner’s wife and daughter being stuck in the middle of a road without any power. He says that clearly, it was “an electrical problem that Volvo had an idea or knowledge of (knew or should have known) that was or maybe similar to the problem they had already issued a recall for on the XC 40 recharge.”
What this illustrates is that even when the manufacturer issues a recall, problems aren’t necessarily fixed. If the car is a lemon, and a recall can’t fix it, that’s an immeasurable problem.
2021 Volvo XC40 Visibility Problems
There are 3 visibility problems listed on the NHTSA website, 1 of which is listed under the category Unknown or Other. This complaint relates to a windshield that cracked when the dealership was washing it before the owner took delivery of the new Volvo XC40. Here’s the story:
“The salesperson asked if we would like to have it fixed or if we would like to purchase a different car, same model. We’re buying a new car so we don’t want a car that’s been fixed. We opted for a different car, but it didn’t have the same options as the first car. Yet, we were still happy to buy a new Volvo because Volvo has a great reputation for safety.”
But, less than two months later, the replaced windshield cracked in what they describe as “normal driving conditions.”
At this point, the owner identified a defect. “But Volvo will not cover the cost of the windshield. This is most certainly a safety issue. What if the windshield cracks further while we’re driving and injures us or anyone else in the vicinity? It could’ve cracked more severely. We’re very disappointed with Volvo and don’t believe in their safety claims anymore.”
One of the other complaints also relates to a cracked windshield, on a 4-month-old car.
“I checked the XV40 forum and there were other people having the same problem and some even had the problem several times.”
The third complaint was that the rearview mirror came loose twice. “When the mirror comes loose, it is unusable and obstructs forward visibility.”
2021 Volvo XC40 Brake Problems
Any braking problem on a car impacts safety. There is only 1 complaint in the Service Brakes category. The other is listed in Back Over Prevention. So, there are 2 complaints that relate to the braking system.
In the first complaint, the new owner discovered immediately that the automatic emergency braking system sensor wasn’t working properly. The local dealer didn’t offer any assistance, and at the time of the complaint, Volvo hadn’t responded. There were only 7 (SEVEN) miles on the clock!
The other complaint is that if the brakes get wet, “there is a rough clunk and even at times grinding.” This has happened three times while the owner was parking the car. The complaint was made after the pads/rotors had been replaced twice and were due to be replaced a third time.
This is clearly a safety issue. “Each time brake pad material broke off. This compromises the braking capability of the vehicle if the pads have pieces missing.”
What to do if your 2021 Volvo XC40 is a lemon? Your Lemon Rights
If your Volvo XC40 has issues and you think it might be a lemon, please reach out to Lemberg Law so that we can assess your case. It’s not going to cost you anything, because if you do have a lemon, Volvo will have to pay your legal bills. That’s what the law says.
Call our Helpline today and we’ll let you know whether you can claim your money back, ask for a new vehicle, or get a trade-in vehicle.
Complaint Data
| Category | Electrical System, Power Train |
| Date | Mar 11, 2023 |
| State | FL |
| Description | The vehicle is a battery electric that relies on its 12v battery to start and operate. My wife and I were driving the vehicle and began to stop in a let hand turn lane when it shuddered violently and stopped without any ability to move forward or in reverse - an emergency message appeared in the dash display indicating a 12v battery charging fault, and to immediately take the vehicle to a service center, also indicating that vehicle could not be restarted. Had we been on a highway in the process of merging, changing lanes or simply in front of another vehicle a serious accident could have occurred causing injury or death for occupant of multiple vehicles (beyond significant property damage). Furthermore, the 12v battery charging fault is a known issue to volvo, having been experienced by many drivers over the past several years with no resolution by volvo other than replacing 12v batteries when they fail (mine was replaced in november 2022, and previously the battery was recharged after failing in december 2021 when it stranded us at the airport after returning from a trip.) finding the vehicle dead is one thing, having it die when operating it is another more serious thing. I have raised this issue through my dealership on at least 2 prior occasions, as noted above. The service department at the volvo dealership has inspected the vehicle for this 12v battery charging issue but has not provided a physical and/or software fix for this issue over the year and seven months I have owned this vehicle. This failure occurs without warning. |
| Category | Visibility/wiper |
| Date | Mar 05, 2023 |
| State | CA |
| Description | Front windshields crack from left or right pillar about 1/2 way up. I'm on my 3rd windshield. The forums for the xc40 are all having the same issue. |
| Category | Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control, Structure:body, Visibility/wiper |
| Date | Dec 02, 2022 |
| State | CA |
| Description | 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 assist functions |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Sep 12, 2022 |
| State | FL |
| Description | 1. What component: the doughnut spare tire is too small for my car 2. How was safety put at risk?: since may 2022 I have had two flat tires. Both times I placed the spare on the car to drive it to repair. Both times the car, with the spare installed, could not travel faster than 8 mph without the car shuttering and the traction system turning on and off as well as the low tire pressure staying on. 3. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed?: no the dealer doesn't seem interest in helping with this. 4. Have the vehicle component been inspected by manufacturer, etc?: no 5. Were there waring lamps?: see number two above. |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Aug 08, 2022 |
| State | NV |
| Description | 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. Rather than being available upfront, so to speak, items are hidden in layers of menus. Unlike other vehicles in which voice command is an internal function, on the volvo this is an internet function, rather like amazon alexa. This is an accident waiting to happen. To restart system requires exiting and locking/unlocking vehicle. Dealer said fixed with software update. Update did not fix. |
| Category | Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Departure: Blind Spot Detection, Lane Departure: Warning |
| Date | Jul 31, 2022 |
| State | FL |
| Description | *we're experiencing constant phantom braking (sometimes multiple times within a day) with our vehicle on local roads as well as highways. Usually this occurs when we're approaching a vehicle in a turn lane, slowing down. Our blindspot sideview mirror lights light up when there is nothing present, even when we're in the outside lane against the curb - we have video to document this. The vehicle has also spontaneously turned off and then back on while in drive, in a turn lane. In addition, the dashboard and media center lighting sporadically dims down, making it difficult to see in bright light situations. *whenever the phantom braking engages, it makes us vulnerable to being rear-ended. We're very lucky that this hasn't happened so far. The phantom side view mirror lights have created some panic situations where we didn't see a vehicle in the lane beside us and started to change lanes but swerved back into the lane we were in due to seeing the lights go on. Not being able to see the dashboard due to dimming of the lighting within poses obvious risks and spontaneous shut-down of the vehicle while in drive in a turn lane also makes us prone to being rear-ended. *the vehicle has been in service at volvo of naples, florida for a combined time of about 30 days. The dealership put on 900+ miles on our car and claimed that they couldn't recreate the phantom braking or lighting situation. *we didn't experience any obvious issues with the car prior to the phantom braking, etc. We found that adaptive cruise control wasn't working but the dealership told us that our car doesn't have adaptive cruise control which seemed odd to us. We were under the impression that all cars at this level had adaptive cruise control. We're not sure whether to take them at their word. |
| Category | Fuel/propulsion System |
| Date | Jul 22, 2022 |
| State | NV |
| Description | Very frequently (4-5 times a week) the charging cable will not release from the vehicle. Pushing release button resolves to flashing yellow, red, or green lights, but does not release. Sometimes will release from console, but not always. Locking and unlocking the vehicle, repeating all the above several times will eventually release the cable. This may be related to the erratic charging process where the car may or may not charge after being driven or left overnight. Dashboard may show initializing, or show that it is not charging when it is charging, or vice versa. Dealer stated could not duplicate, but software update would fix it. No code, no problem as they say in sweden. Driving the 15 minutes home from the dealer resulted in the car failing to charge, and the cable refusing to release. This problem has been duplicated using a home chargepoint charging system cable, and the supplied volvo charging cable on two different 50amp outlets in the garage. The inability to remove the charging cable quickly in an emergency may lead to serious or even fatal consequences. A quick google search shows that this is a known problem. There are other erratic system problems in the vehicle which by themselves may not be serious or fatal, but lead to increased driver distraction which could be serious or fatal. |
| Category | Back Over Prevention: Rearview System Braking, Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Jul 21, 2022 |
| State | NV |
| Description | 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 safety failure to safercar and they report to volvo. Suspect was not reported to volvo. When camera fails other rear safety systems are inoperable. |
| Category | Service Brakes |
| Date | Jun 30, 2022 |
| State | NC |
| Description | The contact called on behalf of the mother who owns a 2021 volvo cx40. The contact stated that the mother was driving approximately 25 mph, when the brake inadvertently stopped the vehicle and the seatbelt tighten the driver into the seat. There was anti-lock brake light illuminated and a message about accident avoidance city safety. The vehicle was diagnosed at a local dealer with an unknown recall failure. The vehicle was repaired and software updated; however, the failure reoccurred while driving approximately 55 mph. The vehicle was taken to the dealer again for a computer module update; however, failure reoccurred. The contact also experienced the same failure with the vehicle while driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 5,250 |
| Category | Vehicle Speed Control |
| Date | Jun 27, 2022 |
| State | CA |
| Description | 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. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. |
| Category | Fuel/propulsion System |
| Date | Feb 24, 2022 |
| State | OH |
| Description | Complete power failure of the vehicle. Inability to start or move the car. Car cannot be locked, wheels are locked, no power to the vehicle |
| Category | Power Train |
| Date | Dec 15, 2021 |
| State | OH |
| Description | Complete loss of all power. Vehicle has been in three times for this condition. Each time, the problem has recurred. This is the third complete power failure in three months. |
| Category | Visibility/wiper |
| Date | Nov 15, 2021 |
| State | MO |
| Description | The vehicle's rear view mirror has come loose twice upon adjustment. Twisting the base of the mirror is how it is removed or installed (friction is the *only* thing holding it in place which is a problem when adjusting the mirror side-to-side). Adjusting the mirror in the normal manner sometimes removes it from its base, so it is left dangling in its housing. I believe this to be a safety hazard since adjusting the rear view mirror is a common thing to do as a driver during operation. When the mirror comes loose, it is unusable and obstructs forward visibility. I believe all volvo vehicles with the same rear view mirror design will have the same issue, and it should be easy to replicate the problem. |
| Category | Lane Departure: Assist, Lane Departure: Warning, Seat Belts |
| Date | Oct 29, 2021 |
| State | MI |
| Description | The seat belt warning chimes audio alert does not alert when passenger does not wear seatbelt and easy to go unnoticed. (unlike toyota or other cars) the lane keep assist when not able to detect the lanes shows little alert in clusters & vibrate steering wheel which is easy to go unnoticed and feel dangerous to trust the system. Even the lane assist does not have audio alerts to inform driver. I feel the lane keep, lane assist & seat belt reminder audio alert is not available or up-to driver's attention. When compared to friends toyota rav4 car even the blind spot lights won't light by when in buffer lane and cars passing from behind. Other issue I found dangerous is the gear shifter is like a toggle and when in emergency it is hard to switch to reverse as I have to switch double times between neutral. The drive mode buttons feels useless as it when pressed, it occupies the whole screen in center and distracts driving. Sometime apple carplay does not connect when maps and music are played together. |
| Category | Electrical System, Fuel/propulsion System, Power Train |
| Date | Oct 25, 2021 |
| State | OH |
| Description | 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 failure requiring tow truck to dealership. |
| Category | Electrical System, Fuel/propulsion System, Power Train |
| Date | Oct 14, 2021 |
| State | OH |
| Description | 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 performed on prior visits to the dealer. |
| Category | Electrical System, Engine, Fuel/propulsion System |
| Date | Oct 14, 2021 |
| State | OH |
| Description | 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 cause was a the battery energy control module (becm). This is noted in recall r10078. This car was sent for service in april where a request for a software update was made. At that service, no recall was noted and no update was given for this condition. There has been no attempt to recall this vehicle for this problem and it is not noted as a recall for this vehicle. The failure of the energy module caused a complete loss of all power and an inability to move the car. |
| Category | Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Oct 14, 2021 |
| State | CA |
| Description | 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 neighborhoods. We live in southern california where we don't experience extreme weather conditions. We google searched volvo xc40 cracked windshield and found similar experiences. The most disconcerting part of this situation is that we had chosen a different xc40 on the dealer lot to purchase. We almost finished the paperwork when the salesperson let us know that the windshield cracked while they were washing it! We weren't too concerned because it seemed like a rare occurrence. The salesperson asked if we would like to have it fixed or if we would like to purchase a different car, same model. We're buying a new car so we don't want a car that's been fixed. We opted for a different car, but it didn't have the same options as the first car. Yet, we were still happy to buy a new volvo because volvo has great reputation for safety. Less than 2 months later, a crack appears on the windshield out of the blue. The car has only been driven in our home neighborhood. We haven't taken it on a roadtrip or off-roading. Then we remembered the first car we tried to buy. Now, this sounds very suspicious. What are the odds that the first car we tried to buy, the windshield broke while washing and the car we bought, the windshield cracks in less than two months in normal driving conditions? This seems like a defect, but volvo will not cover the cost of fixing the windshield. This is most certainly a safety issue. What if the windshield cracks further while we're driving and injures us or anyone else in the vicinity? It could've cracked more severely. We're very disappointed with volvo and don't believe in their safety claims anymore. |
| Category | Service Brakes |
| Date | Sep 27, 2021 |
| State | GA |
| Description | On 3 occasions the brakes were seized when attempting to drive the car after being parked if the brakes had gotten wet prior to parking. There is a loud clunk and even at times grinding. The pads/rotors were replaced 2 times and it is going back in for the third time. Each time brake pad material broke off. This compromises the braking capability of the vehicle if the pads have pieces missing. |
| Category | Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking, Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings |
| Date | Aug 04, 2021 |
| State | CA |
| Description | 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 forward collision warning, no mitigation by the vehicle applying the brakes, nothing. The vehicle is supposed to assist in this situation, but the aeb system did not work at all. The jump in power and failure of the aeb is very troubling. Especially since it's a large part of the volvo selling point. |
| Category | Exterior Lighting |
| Date | Jul 05, 2021 |
| State | GA |
| Description | Within 2-3 weeks of owning the vehicle, my main two screens on the dashboard intermittently changed colors with important information not being visible or the screen went black completely while driving. I took it back to the dealership where I was informed another car of the same make & model was doing the same thing. My car was kept for a week and a half while they were in touch with volvo. Volvo instructed the tech to open tie case, replaced the ihu and reload the software, which was done. About a week after getting my car back the screens began to do the same, but this time if the display was a different color or black and I turned my turnsignal on, it would flash on the perimeter of the display, and not make noise, but it was not actually blinking externally on the front or rear of the car. The display going out with the turn signals not working happened 3 times in 2 days. The vehicle is now back at the dealership where they are incontact with volvo not only about repair, but about giving me a different car because I do not feel safe driving the vehicle with my children in the car. |
| Category | Visibility/wiper |
| Date | Jun 24, 2021 |
| State | NJ |
| Description | There appeared a crack on the passenger side of the car when making a turn onto a expressway ramp. There were no vehicles in front of me to kick up any road debris. I went to the volvo dealer and the service manager dragged a ball point pen across the crack and said it was hit by something. I could not see any sign of something hitting my car. I am concerned that if something did hit the windshield how could something so small, that it can be seen, cause this damage. My car is 4 months old. I checked the xv40 forum and there were other people having the same problem and some even had the problem several times |
| Category | Electrical System, Engine, Vehicle Speed Control |
| Date | Jun 06, 2021 |
| State | AL |
| Description | 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 dashboard illuminates with the dead battery signal, but otherwise, it seems the button is not connected to the vehicle in that the engine does not respond. Also, we had an issue where the vehicle, while we were beginning to stop at a stop sign, went dead and was not responsive. The “start/stop†function, although engaged in the center console, is often not operational and will show in the dashboard that it is not operational, but then, randomly (not consistent with the reasons itemized in the volvo manual for why the start/stop function may not work), will work on a few stops for that particular drive and then revert back to not being operational on the next trip, although it is engaged to be “on†in the center console. Again, this appears to be a sign or symptom of some sort of electrical malfunction. Now, most recently, my wife and daughter were driving the vehicle, and it lost power and shut off in the middle of the road, horrifying these two individuals and greatly upsetting me that a vehicle sold by volvo would perform so poorly and create a significant hazard to driver and passengers of the vehicle (not to mention others on the roadway). Again, and clearly, there appears to be some sort of electrical malfunction. Clearly, what we first reported to volvo on or about may 17, 2021 was an electrical problem that volvo had an idea or knowledge (knew or should have known) that was or may be similar to the problem they had already issued a recall for on the xc 40 recharge. |
| Category | Back Over Prevention: Automatic System Braking |
| Date | Jun 03, 2021 |
| State | CA |
| Description | 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 made aware of the issue however, no assistance was offered. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 7. |
| Category | Electrical System |
| Date | May 16, 2021 |
| State | PA |
| Description | I was given the car a a demo pending delivery and it stopped unexpectedly while driving nearly causing an accident. |
| Category | Wheels |
| Date | May 12, 2021 |
| State | RI |
| Description | Rear passenger pirelli tire 245/45 r20 103h blowout. Entire tire gone. Damage to rim, brake hose, wheel well, bumper, paint on car, excessive damage to car. Traveling on highway, took exit. |
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About the Author:
Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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