2019 Volvo XC40 Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated May 18, 2026 · 30 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other XC40 years
About as many complaints as other years 4th of 9 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 30 complaints with NHTSA about the 2019 Volvo XC40. That ranks 4th out of 9 XC40 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is unknown or other (7 complaints, 23%), typically at around 5,110 miles. Complaints mention 4 crashes, 3 injuries. There are 4 safety recalls covering this model year.

Volvo XC40
Volvo_XC40 in Stuttgart. Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: Alexander Migl, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2019 Volvo XC40 problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Unknown or Other7 · ~5,110 mi
Engine5 · ~5,400 mi
Service Brakes5 · ~137 mi
Air Bags4 · ~14,200 mi
Forward Collision Avoidance3 · ~2,000 mi
Seat Belts3
Structure3 · ~5,400 mi
Electrical System2 · ~3,280 mi
Fuel/propulsion System2
Power Train2 · ~23,700 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Unknown or Other723%5,110——
Engine517%5,400——
Service Brakes517%137——
Air Bags413%14,200——
Forward Collision Avoidance310%2,000——
Seat Belts310%———
Structure310%5,400——
Electrical System27%3,280——
Fuel/propulsion System27%———
Power Train27%23,700——
Vehicle Speed Control27%5,000——
Electronic Stability Control (esc)13%2,400——
Lane Departure13%5,000——
Seats13%11——
Steering13%———
Suspension13%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2019, with 8 complaints
2018: 2201822019: 8201982020: 2202022022: 3202232023: 5202352024: 6202462025: 2202522026: 220262

n = 30 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2019 Volvo XC40 recalls (4)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Forward collision avoidance: automatic emergency braking; forward collision avoidance:software:pedestrian/cyclist/object/obstacle/ recognitionMar 12, 2020 · NHTSA campaign 20V144000 · 121,605 vehicles

Problem: Volvo Cars USA LLC (Volvo Cars) is recalling certain 2019-2020 S60, V60, V60 Cross Country, S90L, V90, V90 Cross Country, XC40, XC60, and XC90 vehicles. Due to a software/hardware incompatibility, the Automatic Emergency Brake (AEB) system may not detect obstacles and engage as intended.

Risk: If the automatic emergency braking system does not engage as intended, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will update the Active Safety Domain Master (ASDM) software, free of charge. The recall began April 9, 2020. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R29998.

Electrical system:softwareNov 13, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V800000 · 17,548 vehicles

Problem: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Volvo XC90, S90, V60, V60 Cross Country, V90, XC40, XC60, and V90 Cross Country vehicles. The software installed in the Vehicle Connectivity Module (VCM) may have an error causing the Telematics and Driver Support Systems to function improperly. As a result, the GPS will not provide location information to emergency personnel in the event of an emergency.

Risk: If the GPS location is not provided to emergency personnel it can inhibit emergency response in the event of a crash or injury.

Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will correct the software, free of charge. The recall began December 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R39917.

Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkagesDo not driveAug 22, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V554000 · 71 vehicles

Problem: Volvo Car USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2019 Volvo XC40 vehicles. The brake pedals may not have been correctly riveted, allowing the pedal to move out of position, possibly reducing braking performance.

Risk: Reduced braking performance can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Volvo has notified owners advising them to stop driving their vehicle. Cars will be inspected on-site or towed to dealers and the brake pedals will be replaced as necessary, free of charge. Volvo began contacting their owners on August 23, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R59899.

Seats:mid/rear assemblyAug 15, 2018 · NHTSA campaign 18V535000 · 27 vehicles

Problem: Volvo Cars USA LLC (Volvo) is recalling certain 2019 Volvo XC40 vehicles. The rear seats may not have rear seat back lock strikers, allowing the seat back to move forward during certain hard braking conditions or a crash.

Risk: If the seat back moves forward during hard braking or in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.

Fix: Volvo will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicles and install the seat back lock strikers if they are missing, free of charge. The recall began October 12, 2018. Owners may contact Volvo customer service at 1-800-458-1552. Volvo's number for this recall is R89898.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

The driver side liftgate strut broke; the liftgate raised normally and when reached the fully opened position it immediately started to close very rapidly, this could have easily hit someone quite hard in the head. The Liftgate was then stuck in a halfway opened position and was unable to close…

Structure · received May 18, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11738614

The contact owns a 2019 Volvo XC40. The contact stated while at a stop sign or a stop light, the engine revved loudly, and the vehicle suddenly lunged forward out of control. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause…

Vehicle Speed Control · received Feb 26, 2026 · NHTSA complaint 11720661

The component that failed was the Brake pedal, it was unresponsive while driving on the freeway, it was hard to push and the vehicle would not come to a complete stop. My safety along with my daughter was put at risk due to nearly colliding into several vehicles due to not being able to stop…

Service Brakes · received May 21, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11662378

Under Engine Cover came loose and fall during highway driving. It tuned out that 5 bolts that suppose to secure that cover were missing (per repair shop) . Fallen cover broke on few pieces and those pieces could impact breaking and vehicle instability causing incident with injuries and fatalities.

Structure · received May 2, 2025 · NHTSA complaint 11658493

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…

Power Train · received Nov 1, 2024 · NHTSA complaint 11623156

Other Volvo XC40 years

← 2018 XC40 · 2020 XC40 →

YearComplaintsRecalls
2025 XC40112
2024 XC40284
2023 XC40474
2022 XC40373
2021 XC40525
2020 XC40121
2019304
2018 XC4001
2017 XC4001

See all Volvo XC40 problems by year, every Volvo model, or the Volvo VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2019 Volvo XC40?

Owners most often report unknown or other, engine, service brakes problems. The top one, unknown or other, accounts for 7 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2019 Volvo XC40?

Yes, 4 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2019 Volvo XC40 a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other XC40 model years, the 2019 has about as many complaints as a typical year. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.