2020 Volvo XC40: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
12 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
15,477 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 3 of 12 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 4 | 33.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 33.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 16.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Engine | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | 1 |
| Electrical System:Software | 1 |
Electrical System: 3; Engine: 3; Power Train: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 2; Air Bags: 1; Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera: 1; Electrical System:Software: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 10 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2020: 1; 2022: 5; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11299328 · 2020-01-14 (January 14, 2020)
ISSUE1: A FEW WEEKS AGO WHILE MY WIFE HAD STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND WITHOUT ANY PROVOCATION, HER SEATBELT WENT INTO CRASH MODE, TIGHTENING SIGNIFICANTLY AND LOCKING. THIS WAS TO THE POINT THAT SHE FELT BEING SUFFOCATED FROM PRESSURE ON HER ABDOMEN AND CHEST. FORTUNATELY, THE CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION, OTHERWISE, THE SEATBELT TIGHTENING AND LOCK COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. THE LOCK RELEASED AFTER 30 SECONDS AND SHE COULD OPEN THE SEAT BELT. SHE HAD CHEST PAIN FOR A FEW DAYS AFTER THIS INCIDENT. ISSUE 2: THREE DAYS AGO WHEN MY WIFE WAS R…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11299328 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11453787 · 2022-02-24 (February 24, 2022)
My XC40 has 24, 500 miles on it, and it has already had three sets of brake rotors replaced. The dealership reported "warped rotors" on my front brake rotors in the summer of 2021 at 15,000 miles and replaced them. Now at 24,500 miles, both the front and rear rotors were again "warped" and replaced by the dealership noting that the "rotors had pad transfer marks".
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11453787 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11453827 · 2022-02-24 (February 24, 2022)
Almost once a month my car with think there is something in front of it and activate the emergency brakes. It causes huge strain to the brakes and almost makes me crash and puts the people in front of me and behind me at risk. I've turned the setting to a lower sensitivity to try to avoid this but it doesn't matter. The car does the worst on turns as well and thinks cars in the opposite lanes while turning are in your lane and will cause the system to react. On small roads the car will try to move your car to correct in the lane but it's too sm…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11453827 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11462585 · 2022-04-28 (April 28, 2022)
Vehicle suddenly puts on the brakes, for no reason. Has happened 3 times, 2 in parking lots and 1 while driving down the road, suddenly swerved for no reason. Could cause injuries to driver and passenger.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11462585 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11481319 · 2022-08-26 (August 26, 2022)
The electrical system on my car apparently failed, which rendered the car unable to start and drive. Park Place Volvo claims that there is water, that penetrated the seals, from underneath the car. Although there were no visible signs of water, Volvo claims that the rain caused this issue. Volvo has refused to honor a warranty for the alleged defective seals, and sent my car to its collision center.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11481319 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11487120 · 2022-09-29 (September 29, 2022)
Air Bags did not deploy when car hit another vehicle that failed to stop and DUI. Volvo was traveling at 35MPH and vehicle hit was traveling 35+. Vehicle is available for inspection at this time. Driver experiencing bodily injuries (neck, shoulders, back, ribs, and legs, etc. as well as affects of a concussion. I am not sure who to contact to inspect the vehicle. Please call me at [phone removed] or email me with who can help me with this. No warning prior to failure.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11487120 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11513931 · 2023-03-27 (March 27, 2023)
The contact owns a 2020 Volvo XC40. The contact stated that while his wife was driving at an undisclosed speed, the speedometer and the infotainment system screen turned blank. The vehicle then lost motive power. The electronic stability program (ESP) warning light was illuminated. The contact's wife veered to the side of the road, and the contact arrived at the scene. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the failure was related to the software control module and SRS air bags mal…
Owner-reported narrative. 30,453 miles reported. Look up ODI 11513931 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11581906 · 2024-04-09 (April 9, 2024)
During night rainstorm, front and rear wipers, turn signals and high beams all failed. This was the result of a design defect that allows water from panoramic moonroof to drain into the floor where it compromises electrical connections and modules. In addition to potentially catastrophic safety component (wipers, high beams and turn signals) failures, the water damage compromised the seat belts, as well, which also required repairs. Insurance adjuster confided that this is a frequent, common problem. Repairs took 10 days and cost $8700! Bo…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11581906 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
20V144000 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | Forward Collision Avoidance:Software:Pedestrian/Cyclist/Object/Obstacle/ Recognition
Reported: 2020-03-12 (March 12, 2020)
Volvo Cars USA LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2019-2020 S60, V60, V60 Cross Country, S90L, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC40, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. Due to a software/hardware incompatibility, the Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB) system may not detect obstacles and engage as intended.
Consequence: If the automatic emergency braking system does not engage as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the Active Safety Domain Master (ASDM) software, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R29998.
NHTSA campaign record ↗