2019 Volvo XC40 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
5,055 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2019 model year. Data snapshot: . 14 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 30 complaints (23.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 20.0% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 20.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 7 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 5 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
Unknown Or Other: 7; Engine: 5; Service Brakes: 5; Air Bags: 3; Seat Belts: 3; Electrical System: 2; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 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 | 12 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 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: 12; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 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 (12). 16 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 |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 8 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 2 |
2018: 2; 2019: 8; 2020: 2; 2022: 3; 2023: 5; 2024: 6; 2025: 2; 2026: 2
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11203801 · 2019-04-25 (April 25, 2019)
THE VOLVO INTELLISAFE SYSTEM AUTOMATICALLY APPLIED THE BRAKES WHEN THERE WAS NOTHING IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO BRAKE FOR. IT HAS DONE THIS 8 TIMES, 3 TIMES AFTER I HAD THE CAR IN TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. IT ALSO THOUGHT THERE WAS A REAR COLLISION EMINENT AND TIGHTENED THE SEAT BELT SO MUCH IT INJURED MY CHEST AND SIDE. I WAS IN A LEFT TURN LANE AND A CAR PASSED QUITE SAFELY TO THE RIGHT OF ME. THIS INTELLISAFE SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE DEALER DOES NOT BELIEVE ME AND HAS NOT FIXED IT. 1ST TIME AUTO BRAKING - SEPT 1…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,110 miles reported. Look up ODI 11203801 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11476431 · 2022-07-28 (July 28, 2022)
Driver was stuck on ice pulling into a driveway, car got traction and driver thought they were on the brake but was on the gas. The vehicle ran into the garage going 9.9 mph (we have the EDR) and the steering wheel airbag and knee airbags deployed. The knee airbag caused a significant compound fracture of the lower tibia and fibula. Accident happened on 1/20 and orthopedics tried to repair using bone grafts, rods and screws. She has been non weight bearing since then and now on 7/27 it has been recommended to amputate the lower leg.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11476431 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11174496 · 2019-02-05 (February 5, 2019)
PILOT ASSIST FUNCTION DISENGAGES SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. THIS IS DIFFERENT FROM THE EXPECTED OPERATION WHERE THE SYSTEM'S STEERING ASSISTANCE WILL GO INTO STANDBY UPON LOSING LANE MARKING INPUTS. WHILE THE SYSTEM DOES OCCASIONALLY ENTER NORMAL 'STANDBY' INDICATED BY THE GREEN STEERING WHEEL ICON TURNING GREY, IT ALSO OCCASIONALLY TURNS OFF ENTIRELY WITHOUT WARNING (INCLUDING AUTO THROTTLE CONTROL), WHICH IS INDICATED ONLY BY AN UNEXPECTED DECELERATION AND BY THE STEERING WHEEL ICON AND FOLLOWING DISTANCE INDICATORS BOTH SUDDENLY DISAPPEARING …
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11174496 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11191970 · 2019-03-27 (March 27, 2019)
I HAVE A NEW VOLVO XC40 WITH THE SEMI-AUTONOMOUS DRIVER ASSIST PACKAGE THAT CAN STEER AND CONTROL THE CAR. THE SYSTEM CAN SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY (ACTIVE MODE) FOR 2 REASON: 1. DRIVER TAKES HANDS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL FOR MORE THAN 15-20 SECONDS 2. SYSTEM CAMERAS CAN NOT ADEQUATELY CAPTURE THE ROAD LANE BECAUSE THE LINES DISAPPEAR OR BECOME FAINT. IN SITUATION 1, AFTER 15 SECONDS OF NO HANDS ON THE WHEEL, THERE IS A DASHBOARD WARNING, FOLLOWED BY A VIBRATION OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND FINALLY AS THE SYSTEM DE-ACTIVATES IT…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11191970 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11623156 · 2024-11-01 (November 1, 2024)
The contact owns a 2019 Volvo XC40. The contact stated that the gear shifter knob had detached. The contact stated that the knob was not welded to the lever. The contact became aware that crazy glue had been used to secure the shifter knob. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to shift into gear; and while parking the vehicle, the gear shifter detached. The contact used the button to start the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed and confirmed that the gear sh…
Owner-reported narrative. 42,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11623156 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11509510 · 2023-02-28 (February 28, 2023)
The first incident happened back in Oct 2022. I took the car to local Volvo dealer, Rusnak Pasadena, and they said I needed the secondary battery replaced. They replaced it and the car worked for a few weeks until the alarm regarding the power steering failure came on again while my wife was turning left. I brought the car home carefully since it was a short distance from home. My wife was very scared because she almost had an accident and she doesn’t want to drive it any more….We didn’t drive the car for more than a month. On Jan 5, 202…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11509510 at NHTSA ↗