2023 Volvo XC40: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
43 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
4,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2023 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 43 complaints (25.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 16 | 37.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 6 | 14.0% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 9.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 7.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 2.3% |
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 | 11 |
| Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera | 10 |
| Service Brakes | 8 |
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 3 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings | 2 |
Electrical System: 11; Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera: 10; Service Brakes: 8; Unknown Or Other: 7; Visibility/Wiper: 3; Forward Collision Avoidance: 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control: 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: Warnings: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 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: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 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 (8). 35 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 |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 8 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 17 |
| 2026 | 10 |
2022: 1; 2023: 8; 2024: 7; 2025: 17; 2026: 10
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 16 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 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 11496420 · 2022-12-07 (December 7, 2022)
We were notified by email of a computer update to our 2023 Volvo XC40 Recharge (it stated it would automatically download the update then ask us to initiate the installation). The next day I was charging the car. The car is programmed for 1 pedal driving. After disconnecting the charger, I got into the car, put my foot on the brake, and placed the car in reverse. When I released the brake, the car just took off in reverse. It should not have moved until I pushed on the accelerator. I am theorizing that the car was either in the middle of the do…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11496420 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11511962 · 2023-03-15 (March 15, 2023)
The contact owns a 2023 Volvo XC40. The contact stated that the SOS button had malfunctioned and had caused several different calls to be made except for a call for roadside assistance. The contact contacted the dealer; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 700.
Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 11511962 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11520580 · 2023-05-05 (May 5, 2023)
The contact owns a 2023 Volvo XC40. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 30 MPH, he was approaching a stop light when he depressed the brake pedal to stop the vehicle however, the brake pedal stiffened. The contact stated that he had to apply pressure to the brake pedal when suddenly the ESC warning light, the brake warning light, the ABS warning light, and another unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact then stated that in the same instance, the RPMs inadvertently increased to 1000 without acceleration when he de…
Owner-reported narrative. 300 miles reported. Look up ODI 11520580 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11526950 · 2023-06-14 (June 14, 2023)
The contact owns a 2023 Volvo XC40. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the Forward Collision Avoidance system activated without a vehicle nearby and the vehicle experienced phantom braking. The contact stated that the failure occurred on three separate occasions. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 6,500. The contact stated that they have experienced multiple failures with their vehicle.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11526950 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11547353 · 2023-09-29 (September 29, 2023)
The contact owns a 2023 Volvo XC40. The contact stated that while her son was driving at various highway speeds, the brakes inadvertently activated, causing the vehicle to abruptly stop even though were no other vehicles or objects nearby. Additionally, the vehicle occasionally stalled and hesitated while accelerating. The contact also stated that the display screen occasionally became inoperable, and messages and safety warnings were not available to the driver. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure…
Owner-reported narrative. 13,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11547353 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11550725 · 2023-10-18 (October 18, 2023)
I am reporting 2 incidents for my 2023 Volvo XC40, both involving failure of brakes to engage. The 1st incident occurred on 26 August 2023. The 2nd incident occurred on 20 September 2023. A full description of both incidents, including 2 photos of the incident scenes, is attached. The 1st incident involved a collision with a Jersey wall and crosswalk signal activation sign. Repair of the resulting damage required replacement of a mirror assembly that was destroyed and some repainting.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11550725 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11552613 · 2023-10-30 (October 30, 2023)
The contact owns a 2023 Volvo XC40 equipped with Pirelli Tires, Tire Line: Scorpion Zero, Tire Size: 235/45/R20, DOT Number: 1XB1H884J5022. The contact stated that the message "Low Air Pressure" was displayed. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the rear passenger’s side tire was flat. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who replaced the tire. Later, while driving approximately 35 MPH, the front driver’s side tire had a blowout. The cause for the failures was not yet determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The fa…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,588 miles reported. Look up ODI 11552613 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11555285 · 2023-11-15 (November 15, 2023)
The vehicle was driving on cruise control at 55 mph approaching an intersection with a stop sign. Attempted to brake to cancel the cruise control, but vehicle sped and continued gathering speed so that the driver lost any control over the speed. Frantic application of the brake did not have any effect on the speed. The vehicle shot across a south bound highway, collided with traffic signs in the center, crossed northbound lanes, jumped a four foot berm and landed in bushes where the air bags deployed.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11555285 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
23V012000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Reported: 2023-01-19 (January 19, 2023)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V188000 · Electrical System
Reported: 2023-03-22 (March 22, 2023)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V282000 · Back Over Prevention:Software
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗25V908000 · Back Over Prevention:Software
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗