2020 Volvo XC40 Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other XC40 years
- Far fewer complaints than other years 6th of 9 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 1 recall: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about the 2020 Volvo XC40. That ranks 6th out of 9 XC40 model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (4 complaints, 33%), typically at around 30,453 miles. Complaints mention 1 crash, 2 injuries. There is 1 safety recall covering this model year.
- 12owner complaints
- 1safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 1complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2020 Volvo XC40 problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 4 | 33% | 30,453 | — | — |
| Engine | 3 | 25% | — | — | — |
| Power Train | 3 | 25% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 3 | 25% | — | — | — |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 2 | 17% | — | — | — |
| Air Bags | 1 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Lane Departure | 1 | 8% | — | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 8% | 500 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 8% | 500 | — | — |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 8% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2020 Volvo XC40 recalls (1)
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/ recognition
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.
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 cooling system cracked, malfunctioned and caused a domino effect of multiple repair issues costing at least $5,200. My car is currently at a Volvo dealer. My Safety: The possibility of the hot engine and hot wires could have resulted in a fire. This problem HAS been reproduced and confirmed by…
The rear backup camera display system failed, resulting in a completely blank or black center infotainment screen when the vehicle is shifted into reverse. Yes, the vehicle and its Sensus infotainment system software logs are available for inspection upon request. My safety and the safety of…
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION FOR ODI#11708898. I am providing additional documentation to this ODI case. I had to create a new complaint since there appears to be no way on-line to add this information. Gunther Volvo has not provided ANY status updates of my vehicle which has been in their possession…
On 01/04/2026, while operating a gas-powered 2024 Volvo XC40, the vehicle experienced a catastrophic Sudden Unintended Acceleration (SUA) event while stationary at a red light. With the service brake fully depressed, the internal combustion engine began to surge and rev uncontrollably, making loud…
During night rainstorm, front and rear wipers, turn signals and high beams all failed. This was the result of a design defect that allows water from panoramic moonroof to drain into the floor where it compromises electrical connections and modules. In addition to potentially catastrophic safety…
Other Volvo XC40 years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 XC40 | 11 | 2 |
| 2024 XC40 | 28 | 4 |
| 2023 XC40 | 47 | 4 |
| 2022 XC40 | 37 | 3 |
| 2021 XC40 | 52 | 5 |
| 2020 | 12 | 1 |
| 2019 XC40 | 30 | 4 |
| 2018 XC40 | 0 | 1 |
| 2017 XC40 | 0 | 1 |
See all Volvo XC40 problems by year, every Volvo model, or the Volvo VIN decoder.
Similar Volvo models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2020 Volvo XC40?
Owners most often report electrical system, engine, power train problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 4 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2020 Volvo XC40?
Yes, 1 safety recall. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2020 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 2020 has far fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.