2021 Volvo XC40: complaints, problems and recalls

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.

Owner-reported narrative. 4,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11416362 at NHTSA ↗

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

Owner-reported narrative. 950 miles reported. Look up ODI 11416815 at NHTSA ↗

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.

Owner-reported narrative. 7 miles reported. Look up ODI 11419522 at NHTSA ↗

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 si…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11419821 at NHTSA ↗

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 …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11422195 at NHTSA ↗

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…

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11423449 at NHTSA ↗

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 …

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11427734 at NHTSA ↗

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.

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11434459 at NHTSA ↗

Reported: 2021-02-24 (February 24, 2021)

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2022 XC40 Recharge vehicles. The Battery Energy Control Module (BECM) microprocessor may reset and cause the high voltage system to disconnect.

Consequence: A disconnected high voltage system can cause a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volvo Car will notify owners, and dealers will install a software update, free of charge. The recall began March 30, 2021. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-888-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10078.

Reported: 2021-09-01 (September 1, 2021)

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.

Reported: 2021-11-12 (November 12, 2021)

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.

Reported: 2025-05-08 (May 8, 2025)

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, C40, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40 and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 27, 2025. Owners may contact Volvo Car customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10320.

Reported: 2025-12-23 (December 23, 2025)

Volvo Car USA, LLC (Volvo Car) is recalling certain 2021-2025 XC40, 2022 V90, 2022-2024 C40BEV, 2022-2025 S90, V90CC, XC60, 2023-2025 S60, V60, V60CC, XC90, and 2025 EC40, and EX40 vehicles. The rearview camera image may not display when the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Consequence: A rearview camera image that does not display reduces the driver's view behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: The software will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed February 24, 2026. Owners may contact Volvo Car’s customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo Car's number for this recall is R10333. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall will be searchable on NHTSA.gov beginning February 16, 2026. This recall replaces previous NHTSA recall number 25V282. Vehicles previously repaired under recall 25V282 will need to have the new remedy performed.