Volvo XC40 Problems by Year
NHTSA has 217 owner complaints and 13 safety recalls on file for the Volvo XC40, across 9 model years (2017–2025). The 2021 model year has the most complaints (52). The most reported problem area overall is electrical system.
Volvo XC40 years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
No XC40 model year stands out with more than twice the complaints of a typical year.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2021 XC40: 52 complaints, 5 recalls
- 2023 XC40: 47 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2022 XC40: 37 complaints, 3 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2025 XC40: 11 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2020 XC40: 12 complaints, 1 recall
- 2024 XC40: 28 complaints, 4 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Volvo XC40 problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 46 | 7 | 3 |
| Back Over Prevention | 44 | 6 | 2 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 31 | 7 | 8 |
| Service Brakes | 29 | 5 | 10 |
| Engine | 18 | 7 | 2 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 15 | 5 | 2 |
| Power Train | 15 | 6 | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 15 | 6 | 7 |
| Structure | 11 | 4 | 1 |
| Lane Departure | 10 | 6 | 1 |
| Visibility/wiper | 9 | 3 | 0 |
| Seat Belts | 8 | 5 | 1 |
| Air Bags | 7 | 4 | 3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Tires | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Seats | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 0 |
All Volvo XC40 model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 XC40 | 11 | 2 | — | Unknown or Other | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2024 XC40 | 28 | 4 | — | Service Brakes | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2023 XC40 | 47 | 4 | — | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2022 XC40 | 37 | 3 | — | Back Over Prevention | More complaints than other years |
| 2021 XC40 | 52 | 5 | — | Electrical System | More complaints than other years |
| 2020 XC40 | 12 | 1 | — | Electrical System | Far fewer complaints than other years |
| 2019 XC40 | 30 | 4 | — | Unknown or Other | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2018 XC40 | 0 | 1 | — | — | |
| 2017 XC40 | 0 | 1 | — | — |
More from Volvo: all Volvo models · Volvo VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Volvo XC40 years should you stay away from?
No year stands out at twice the typical count; the most complaints are for 2021 (52), 2023 (47), 2022 (37). Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Volvo XC40?
Electrical System, with 46 complaints across 7 model years.
How many recalls does the Volvo XC40 have?
13 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.