2021 Volvo XC40 problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
51 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
7,625 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 14 of 51 complaints (27.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 10 | 19.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 17.6% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 3.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 2.0% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 2.0% |
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 | 14 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 10 |
| Unknown Or Other | 6 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking | 5 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 5 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
Electrical System: 14; Fuel/Propulsion System: 10; Unknown Or Other: 6; Forward Collision Avoidance: Automatic Emergency Braking: 5; Power Train: 5; Vehicle Speed Control: 5; Visibility/Wiper: 5; Service Brakes: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 6 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 1 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 6; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 1; 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 (6). 43 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 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 15 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 11 |
| 2026 | 5 |
2021: 15; 2022: 9; 2023: 6; 2024: 5; 2025: 11; 2026: 5
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 10 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 9 complaint narratives. Engine operation 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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11416362 · 2021-05-12 (May 12, 2021)
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 ↗
Owner report 11419522 · 2021-06-03 (June 3, 2021)
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 ↗
Owner report 11419821 · 2021-06-06 (June 6, 2021)
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 ↗
Owner report 11436734 · 2021-10-14 (October 14, 2021)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11436734 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11708396 · 2026-01-02 (January 2, 2026)
The vehicle experienced a complete loss of propulsion, causing it to freeze and become unable to move. The first occurrence happened during the original factory warranty period and required towing to a dealership, but the root cause was not identified at that time. The same loss-of-propulsion failure has since recurred, rendering the vehicle inoperable. A dealership has now diagnosed a failure of an electric vehicle propulsion/inverter component. The vehicle is currently in the dealership’s possession and available for inspection. Loss of pro…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11708396 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11715748 · 2026-02-05 (February 5, 2026)
The contact owns a 2021 Volvo XC40. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle unintendedly decelerated. The contact was able to pull into a nearby parking lot where the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who diagnosed the cause of the failure and repaired the vehicle. The contact believed that the battery and drive train were repaired. Approximately 2 to 3 years later, while driving approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle started shaking, lost motive power, and stalled. Law Enforcement arrived on the …
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11715748 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11685234 · 2025-09-05 (September 5, 2025)
The supposed software fix for the rearview camera not being available did not solve the problem. I’m still getting “Camera is temporarily unavailable.” When shifting into reverse. Vehicle was updated to software version 3.7 and this issue persists.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11685234 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11438593 · 2021-10-29 (October 29, 2021)
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 c…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11438593 at NHTSA ↗